April 12, 2013: National Drop Everything and Read Day.

As you probably know, D.E.A.R. first appeared in Ramona Quimby, Age 8, and it inspired teachers and librarians and parents and other literary-minded folk to institute similar programs in their own classes and libraries and lives. And, at some point—I have no idea when, do you?—April 12 became National D.E.A.R. Day in honor of Beverly Cleary's birthday. 

As I've never covered any of Beverly Cleary's books—which I'm thinking I might have to rectify, despite the fact that they're geared so much younger than my usual fare—I shall instead point you to Deb Caletti's Honey, Baby, Sweetheart, which isn't about Sustained Silent Reading, but IS about a girl whose librarian mother has her join an octogenarian book group in order to get past an unsuccessful romance with a Bad Boy:

The Casserole Queens, as they call themselves, are a riot. They've named themselves after the group of widows that prey on new widowers by feeding them until they get a new ring—they are, for the most part, a gossipy, loud, hilarious bunch. 

Without giving away too much, just know that there's an escape from a nursing home, a road trip, and a long-lost love involved.

Other books that deal with book groups: The Jane Austen Book Club, The Unbearable Book Club for Unsinkable Girls... I'm sure there are a million more. Are there any that I should absolutely, positively, under no circumstances, miss out on?