FINALIST FOR THE PULITZER PRIZE
LONGLISTED FOR THE BOOKER PRIZE
FINALIST FOR THE CENTER FOR FICTION FIRST NOVEL PRIZE
ONE OF BARACK OBAMA'S FAVORITE READS OF SUMMER 2024
Named a Best Book of 2024 by The New York Times Book Review, NPR, Time, Elle, Vulture, Lit Hub, and The Guardian
“Make room, American fiction, for a meaningful new voice.” —Dwight Garner, The New York Times Book Review
An electrifying debut novel from an “unusually gifted writer” (Lorrie Moore) about the radical intimacy of physical competition
An unexpected tragedy at a community pool. A family’s unrelenting expectation of victory. The desire to gain or lose control; to make time speed up or stop; to be frighteningly, undeniably good at something. Each of the eight teenage girl boxers in this blistering debut novel has her own reasons for the sacrifices she has made to come to Reno, Nevada, to compete to be named the best in the country. Through a series of face-offs that are raw, ecstatic, and punctuated by flashes of humor and tenderness, prizewinning writer Rita Bullwinkel animates the competitors’ pasts and futures as they summon the emotion, imagination, and force of will required to win.
Frenetic, surprising, and strikingly original, Headshot is a portrait of the desire, envy, perfectionism, madness, and sheer physical pleasure that motivate young women to fight—even, and perhaps especially, when no one else is watching.
Each month, we embark on a new literary adventure, exploring a captivating book together. Our monthly discussions are engaging and varied — we gather at the library with snacks, sip tea at members' homes, enjoy outdoor picnics, visit restaurants, and sometimes watch a movie related to the book. These gatherings are more than just discussions — they’re a chance to spark curiosity, deepen friendships, and share some laughs.
Reading or finishing a book is optional! Whether you've finished every page, are halfway through, or are just curious to hear others' perspectives, you're welcome to join us. Our discussions blend structure and spontaneity: we take turns sharing our thoughts, followed by lively debates and reflections on the questions and themes the book inspires. It’s a warm, inclusive space where ideas flow freely, connections grow, and fun is always on the agenda.
January 29, 2026: Orbital, by Samantha Harvey
February 26, 2026: The Sun Does Shine, by Anthony Ray Hinton
March 26, 2026: These Silent Woods, by Kimi Cunningham Grant
April 30, 2026: Solito A Memoir, by Javier Zamora
May 28, 2026: Headshot, by Rita Bullwinkel
June 25, 2026: Poet, Mystic, Widow, Wife: The Extraordinary Lives of Medieval Women, by Hetta Howes
Short url of the club homepage: http://tinyurl.com/pvwc-bookclub
We read books and share our reading experiences to enrich our lives, gain knowledge, keep up mental stimulation, connect with and learn from each other, and just simply relax and have fun!
We invite you to join us on this wonderful journey of self-discovery, making friends, and learning about the world through reading and sharing.
Book types: classic literature, science fiction, popular science, award-winning literature, and No political books.
Meeting Frequency: 1 book/month
Meeting: 1 PM - 2:30 PM, last Thursday of each month, at PV Library private room.
Format: Casual. You do not need to finish the book to participate in the discussion; if you find it difficult to finish a book, we understand - everyone has a different taste, and some times a book just does not work for you; no worries, you are still welcome to come and hear what others have to say about the book and why or why not they like it.
Movies: We may choose to view movies of the books we read before discussion.
Member Recommendations: Members are encouraged to recommend their favorite book to the club. While we are a small group, members could recommend up to 3 books
Moderator: Members of the club volunteer and take turns to be moderators for the monthly discussion.
Vote: A new poll will be posted on the Vote for Next Book page in June and December. Each voting period will choose 6 months' book.
Online Summaries: If you are not able to attend the monthly meeting, we encourage you to check out our Discussion Summary page to see what has been talked about.