National Reading Group Month, sponsored by the Women's National Book Association and beginning on Thursday, has chosen the following books as this year's Great Group Reads:

• Appassionata by Eva Hoffman (Other Press)
• The Unit by Ninni Holmqvist (Other Press)
• The Secret Diaries of Charlotte Brontë by Syrie James (Avon A)
• The House on Fortune Street by Margot Livesey (Harper Perennial)
• Perfection: A Memoir of Betrayal and Renewal by Julie Metz (Voice)
• While I'm Falling by Laura Moriarty (Hyperion)
• Out Stealing Horses by Per Petterson (Picador)
• Cost by Roxana Robinson (Picador)
• Burnt Shadows by Kamila Shamsie (Picador)

The titles were selected for their potential to "open up lively conversations about a host of timely and provocative topics, from the intimate dynamics of family and personal relationships to major cultural and world issues." The selection committee also focused on titles from small presses and less-known titles from large houses.

Downloadable shelf talkers, table-top posters and more are available at nationalreadinggroupmonth.org/involved.html. For more information, go to NationalReadingGroupMonth.org and wnba-books.org.