In a novel invariably described as long-awaited, Nathan Englander (For the Relief of Unbearable Urges) gives us the story of Argentina's 1976 Dirty War, where young people were "disappeared" in increasingly horrifying ways. It is an era so strange and heartless it almost requires the application of fable-like writing combined with an almost jaunty, hard-boiled style that Englander has perfected.

Kaddish Poznan, whose real and metaphoric job description is comprised of chiseling the names off tombstones at the Benevolent Self cemetery.  It seems that some Buenos Aires Jews do not wish to be associated with certain ancestors in an increasingly troubled time.  Kaddish's son Pato does not feel that this is a career. In fact, Pato is in a perpetual state of pique, especially when his father starts burning his books. But as a university student, he becomes a prime victim of the military junta's terrible war against perceived leftist terrorists. 

The Ministry of Special Casesis a wise and sometimes funny novel about an almost unfathomable series of events where rhinoplasty is yet another metaphor and a central event in the novel.   Englander reminds us that the geography of grief can also be humorous and absurd. Colorful characters guide us while fantastical events become commonplace.  The Ministry of Special Cases is indeed a place of last resort in so many ways. The reading guide is as provocative as the novel itself, with an excellent list of suggested reading including The Trial by Franz Kafka and Fathers and Sons by Ivan Turgenev.

Can any book club resist the lure of Mary Doria Russell's sweeping epics?  Even if her masterpiece has a strong sci-fi theme? (That means you The Sparrowfans.)  March 11th is the release date of Dreamers of the Day, Russell's fourth novel and many clubs are setting their calendars.  It is the story of 40-ish Ohio schoolteacher Agnes Shanklin who takes her small inheritance and invests it in the trip of a lifetime.  Set just after World War I, intrepid Agnes finds herself at the Semiramis Hotel -- and the Cairo Peace Conference of 1921. Will you be surprised to learn that Agnes is a witness to history and reinvents herself along the way?

There is a romance of a complicated sort and the obligatory appearance of the historical big men and women on campus: T.E. Lawrence, Winston Churchill and Gertrude Bell.  The best part?  Fiction can prove the saying, "past is prologue" as the historical figures -- and Agnes with her dachshund named Rosie -- witness the drawing up of maps for an entire region.   Aptly titled, ingeniously constructed and much anticipated, we are lucky to have Mary Doria Russell. 

You've seen the trailer for The Other Boleyn Girl, soon to open in theaters.  Your club will go together and you will discuss the pros and cons of Natalie Portman as Anne Boleyn vs. Scarlett Johansson as Mary Boleyn (though the casting at first glance seems close to perfect). One thing is for certain: Philippa Gregory's 2001 novel, now out in a glamorous movie tie-in edition, will solidify the book's reputation in book clubs as a true book club classic.

The story of two rival sisters and one king, Gregory famously delivered an historical novel filled with scheming, tragedy and the sweeping drama of Tudor England.  That she did so in the context of a family story and in such a non-cringe-worthy style is just one of her impressive achievements. 

But how to explain other book club classics?  The Red Tent has recently been reissued in a tenth anniversary edition.  Water for Elephants continues its blistering sales pace.

And now, newly release in hardcover, People of the Book seems destined to follow the classic book club ascent.  Geraldine Brooks, who won a Pulitzer Prize for another popular selection, March, turns the story of the Sarajevo Haggadah's survival into a bibliophile's own mystery.  Consider all the meanings of the title and consult the wonderful map for clues about how the author delivered yet another classic of the genre.

The book may have been long, but your preparation doesn't have to be. Yet you always want to make a lasting impression, no matter how often you vow to make book club hosting simpler and no matter how quickly you tear through Trader Joe's. And while we're on the subject, did you know there were tulips and daffodils this week at TJ?  The temperature says not-even-Valentine's Day but you may declare an early springtime alert.

Here are few tips to keep it simple while maintaining your excellent standing:

Be bold.  Serve just one or two things, but make the presentation fresh. 

It may be the same dip or collection of grapes, but not if each is offered in a newly acquisitioned bowl or even a new set of bowls bought on sale.  Or choose from your vast archive of forgotten tableware, washed and buffed for display. Visualize what the group has not seen lately -- or maybe ever. 

Have all the glasses ready and sparkling.   If you have new ones, book club is a good time to bring it all out.

One pitcher of anything -- especially iced water -- will do nicely even in winter.

Bon bons?  Of course.  It's the season and you want to make sure the club knows you really care.  Frozen chocolate cupcakes from our favorite outpost might be just the beginning.

A new year, a new note-taking system.

Every reader has his or her own way to mark their books for maximum effect.  Oprah thought she discovered a planet with 3m's Post-It Highlighter.  Me?  I don't like the way flags get in the way of page turning during the act of reading.

My method: Flags on the actual page to be moved to the outside before the club (after extensive review of the material, of course), combined with cute note pads for luminous thoughts while I am reading. We have always loved Knock-Knock's Pro and Con pads, but have you seen the Note to Self and Accomplish pads?   They might turn out to be just the inspiration you need when preparing your book discussion arguments.

And if you save your book notes as you should, add them to your club scrapbook or folio.