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National Reading Group Day Real Life Read winner for 2016

Author photo courtesy of Laurie Sparham

In Search of Mary by Bee Rowlatt

We’re delighted to announce that In Search of Mary (published by Alma Books) has been crowned our National Reading Group Day 2016 Real Life Read winner. The book received over one quarter of the total votes on our online poll searching for the narrative non-fiction title that reading groups most want to read this year. The book tells the story of its author’s search for the life and legacy of pioneering eighteenth century feminist Mary Wollstonecraft.

Author Bee Rowlatt says: "Book clubs represent the height of civilisation and all that is good in the world, so it’s a massive honour to be voted as a reading group book choice. I’m pretty blown away, and have to keep re-reading the email to be sure that it’s true.

In Search of Mary is a very personal book, which made the publishing journey slightly terrifying, but I’m delighted that readers are connecting to its themes of escapism, the conflicts around gender and motherhood, and of course, to my hero Mary Wollstonecraft. She understood the power of the written word, and lived out her revolutionary ideals – but she paid the price. Talking to audiences all the way from Glasgow to Moscow about my adventures retracing Wollstonecraft’s footsteps has been a huge buzz. I like to think she’s finally winning the friends she deserves!”

Elisabetta Minervini, the founder of Alma Books, added: “We are so happy that In Search of Mary has been selected in the Real Life Read poll by The Reading Agency. I hope it will inspire many women as much as it inspired me.”

Groups who voted were also invited to win the chance to review the winning title. The three lucky groups are: St Helen’s Central Library Reading Group, Hayes End Library Reading Group and Bookbags (pictured above) from south east London. Their reviews of In Search of Mary will be shared on the website and they will put their questions to Bee in a Q&A later this year.

Get involved

Take a look at all of the great non-fiction titles that were considered for this year’s Real Life Read crown.

Have you read the winning book? Leave a review or take a look to see what other readers thought.

Want to take part in future opportunities with your group? Join Reading Groups for Everyone and sign up to receive our newsletter so you never miss out on the latest offers.

National Reading Group Day is on Saturday 18 June. Join in the conversation and celebrate what you love about being in a reading group on Twitter and Facebook using #NRGD16

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