Are you in a reading group? Then you’ll know that choosing the next book can be both a pleasure and a pressure. The best book clubs thrive on debate.  They're not backward in coming forward with their opinions. They love a lively discussion - so picking the right book really matters.

Whatever your preferred genres, the best book club reads are those that not only draw you in, but spark conversation. They are books that linger. Provoke. Invite different perspectives around the table.

The History of Reading Groups

Reading groups, of course, are nothing new. The first recorded groups were formed by women working in factories in the nineteenth century, and today there are tens of thousands meeting regularly across the UK, sharing everything from contemporary fiction to classics and beyond. What hasn’t changed is the joy of reading together. And the challenge of finding a book that gives everyone something to say.

This month, we’ve chosen The Usual Desire to Kill as a perfect book club pick: a novel that is poignant, sharply funny and deeply human. At its heart is a long marriage - fractious, enduring and full of contradictions - observed mostly through the eyes of their daughter. It’s a book rich in detail and insight, capturing the small tensions, unspoken truths and familiar rhythms of family life with remarkable precision.

What makes it such a strong choice for discussion is its ambiguity. Is this a love story or a portrait of quiet warfare? Are the parents endearing or infuriating? Where does irritation end and devotion begin? Readers are likely to come away with very different interpretations, making it ideal for lively, thoughtful conversation.

There’s also much to explore in its themes: ageing, memory, sibling dynamics and the roles we continue to play within our families, even as adults. It’s a novel that feels intensely specific and yet widely recognisable - one that invites readers to reflect on their own experiences as much as the characters on the page.

If you’re looking for a book that will spark debate, laughter and perhaps even a few tears, this is a wonderful choice. 

Reading Group Questions for The Usual Desire to Kill

Here are some thoughtful, discussion-rich reading group questions for The Usual Desire to Kill designed to spark conversation around relationships, family dynamics and the novel’s tone.

Q1. Miranda’s parents’ relationship is defined by irritation as much as affection. Do you think their marriage is ultimately a happy one? What holds them together?

Q2. The novel suggests that long-term relationships blur the line between love and frustration. How convincingly does the book portray this dynamic?

Q3. Miranda acts as a translator and mediator between her parents. How does this role affect her identity and emotional wellbeing?

Q4. The dynamic between Miranda and her sister Charlotte evolves over time. How does shared experience (and shared frustration) reshape their relationship?

Q5. How does the novel capture the experience of being an adult child of ageing parents? Did you find it relatable or uncomfortable?

Q6. The crumbling manoir is described almost as a reflection of Miranda’s parents. In what ways does the house function as a metaphor?

Q7. The animals, clutter and frozen food create a sense of eccentricity and stagnation. What do these details add to your understanding of the characters?

Q8. The novel balances humour with poignancy. Did you find it more funny or sad? How did the tone affect your reading experience?

Q9. Much of the humour comes from sharp, sometimes cruel observations. Did this make the characters feel more real or harder to like?

Q10. Were there particular lines or moments that stayed with you? Why do you think they resonated?

Q11. The story moves between present-day observations and fragments of the past. How does this structure deepen your understanding of the parents?

Q12. What role do the letters from the 1960s play in shaping the narrative? Do they change how you see the characters?

Q13. The novel explores generational divides and changing expectations. What differences between generations stood out most?

Q13. How does the book portray ageing - both physically and emotionally?

Q14. To what extent do families “perform” roles over time? Are the characters trapped in these roles, or do they evolve?

Q15. Did your feelings towards Miranda’s parents change over the course of the novel? Why or why not?

Q16. The book is both deeply specific and widely relatable. What made it feel universal?

Q17. How did the epilogue affect your interpretation of the story as a whole?

Q18. If you had to describe the novel in one word or phrase to someone else, what would it be. And why?

How To Run a Successful Reading Group and More Book Club Recommendations

If you’re thinking about how to get the most from your discussion, you might also enjoy our guide to How to Run a Successful Book Club or Reading Group. - full of tips on how to keep conversations flowing and make the most of your shared reading experience.

Want more book club ideas? Browse our book club recommendations category, and explore more discussion questions in these features. And if you're looking for your next read, check out our Book Club Recommendations category - all great picks for your book club.