Book recommendations based on book appeal.

My first title is the "Cellist of Sarajevo" by Stephen Galloway.

 This title's pacing is slow and meandering with a gradual introduction of the characters, whose motivations gradually reveal themselves. The story line is one of hope over despair set in a historical time and a largely unfamiliar setting (Yugoslavia) to most Americans. The language is literary and detailed with small nuances of feeling and behavior with the horrific details of everyday life and living conditions being minutely observed.
The grim, bleak tone is lightened by the beauty of the cellists' playing and the brief triumph over misery it brings. We experience through this ultimately uplifting book thought provoking ideas similar to those in Viktor Frankl's "Man's Search for Meaning".
I enjoyed this book very much for its ideas and ultimate victory over evil.

My second title is "Little Bee" by Chris Cleave

This is a medium paced title, changing from past to present and from London to Africa throughout the book.
The characters are well realized with a heroine (Little Bee), a well meaning, brave English woman and her ineffectual, rather cowardly husband with colorful minor characters making an appearance.
The story line is a difficult one containing horrific events difficult for the British to understand as the disparity of cultures is very great.  It is suspenseful with an ambiguous (to some perhaps) ending
Containing many details of culture, description of clothing and mannerisms with delightful examples of colorful language (from the refugees), lyrical in places, the heat and colors of Africa come alive.
The tone is horrific in places but lightened by humor and beautiful imagery.
I enjoyed this book for its mixture of beauty, humor and horrific detail.
Both of my chosen titles make great Book Discussion Group books.

My book suggestions for Conversation #1, #2 and #3 in Week 3 are:

I heard that you enjoyed this title (Eat, Pray, Love) because it's a woman's search for self-knowledge, widening her horizons along the way.
I think you would enjoy "Walking Back to Happiness" by Christine Palmer
This book contains many of the same elements, an exciting foreign setting (Spain), a test of physical stamina (walking the Pilgrims Way - the Camino de Santiago), meeting many unusual characters along the way and an increase in self knowledge by the conclusion of the book.

Conversation #2
I hear that the reader did not enjoy the Twilight series because of the teenage angst and the slow pace.
I would recommend "A Discovery of Witches" by Deborah Harkness.
This love story between a witch and a vampire is fast paced, their initial distrust of each other and their families' hatred of the "other" make for a thrilling tale  and the historical settings and time travel are the icing on the cake.

Conversation #3
I hear that the reader likes a fast-paced true story and  winning against the odds.
I would recommend "Running for my Life", One Lost Boy's Journey from the Killing Fields of Sudan to the Olympic Games.
This inspirational story about Lopez Lomong taken by rebel soldiers at the age of 6 chronicles his life from a refugee camp to the Olympic running team. This life story is about courage and determination.

I posted 2 book recommendations to Marlene Kuhl's blog