The latest DEG Book Club meeting was full of energy and great conversation as we gathered to talk about The Body by Stephen King. This coming-of-age story — which many will know from the film Stand by Me — inspired a lively mix of opinions. Some of us admired King’s vivid depiction of friendship and the fragile transition from childhood to adulthood, while others found the darker undertones unsettling. The core quote “I never had any friends later on like the ones I had when I was twelve. Jesus, does anyone?” spoken by the adult narrator Gordie invoked great criticism by one participant who couldn’t agree at all. As always, however, the discussion flowed freely, touching on memory, morality, and what it really means to grow up.

We were so delighted to welcome several new participants this month — it’s wonderful to see our Book Club community continuing to grow! The mix of long-time members and new faces made for a really dynamic and engaging discussion.

After wrapping up The Body, we turned our attention to our next read: Hamnet by Maggie O’Farrell. This beautifully written and deeply emotional novel imagines the life of Shakespeare’s family, focusing on the death of his young son Hamnet and the way grief ripples through the household. O’Farrell brings 16th-century England vividly to life, blending historical detail with poetic insight. At its heart, Hamnet is a story about love, loss, and how art can give shape to sorrow — a book that promises plenty to talk about.

Our next meeting will take place on Tuesday, 18 November 2025, at 18:30 in the Bürgerbegegnungsstätte, Bayreuth
Everyone is welcome — whether you’ve read every page or just want to listen in and share a cup of tea.

DEG Book Club Rating

As part of our ongoing effort to reflect on and celebrate the books we’ve explored together, the DEG Book Club is compiling a running list of all past and current reads, complete with average star ratings (1 to 10) as given by our participants. This list will serve as a shared memory of our literary journey – and a helpful guide for anyone looking for thoughtful, diverse reading recommendations. Participants are encouraged to rate each book after our discussions.

1. “To Kill a Mocking Bird” – Harper lee (July 25 pick) —- ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ (average of 8.4)
2. “The Shipping News” Annnie Proulx (May 25 pick) —- ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ (average of 7.75)
3. “Going Zero” Anthony Mc Carten (March 25 pick) —– ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ (average of 5,75)
4. “The Body” Stephen King (July 25 pick) — ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ (average of 5,63)