If you count yourself among the Ann Arbor area's many, many bibliophiles, books often shake up your perspective, move you, teach you, or infuriate you — which is why those who love reading books also love to talk (and sometimes argue) about what they're reading.

With this in mind, AnnArbor.com announces the launch of Book Talk with AnnArbor.com, a series that will feature monthly community discussions about a book selected by you, our readers; the talks will be moderated by AnnArbor.com staffers.

Each month, we'll present readers with three book choices, and these titles, by design, will be drawn from a broad range of genres: fiction, history, memoir, young adult, local topics or authors, cultural analysis, and more. (Generally, we'll gather relatively new titles for your consideration, though this won't be a hard-and-fast guideline, either.)

We will offer this variety of book options to keep the discussion group nimble and flexible, while also striving to offer something for everyone in the local community.

Discussions will take place on the last Tuesday of every month at 7 p.m. in AnnArbor.com's first floor community space at 301 E. Liberty St.

And since we're just getting started, we've taken the liberty of choosing a kick-off title that's been getting a lot of buzz: Brady Udall's novel, "The Lonely Polygamist."

"Polygamist" tells the story of a fundamentalist Mormon named Golden Richards, who suffers from loneliness, despite his 4 wives and 28 children. The book finds humor in the chaos of an enormous family, but it also explores Golden's grief over the loss of one of his children; his youngest and newest wife's struggle to embrace the polygamy lifestyle; and a bitter, overlooked son's revenge plot.

Udall's book has received praise from The New York Times Book Review; Entertainment Weekly called "Polygamist" "the novel you must read this summer"; and if you'd like to hear from the author himself, the Salt Lake City-based The King's English Bookshop Blog has this interview with Udall about the book.

So consider joining us to talk about "Polygamist" at 7 p.m. June 29, when we'll also announce the Book Talk series' next selection — which will be one of the following:

"War," by Sebastian Junger ("The Perfect Storm"), focuses on battlefield life in Afghanistan's Korengal Valley.

The Washington Post recently ran this feature article on Junger and his new book. Philip Caputo offered this rave review, and The New York Times review offered a positive, but slightly more critical, assessment.

"Perfection," a memoir by Julie Metz, recounts the author's experience of finding out, after her husband's death, that he'd had affairs with five different women.

The New York TImes offered this feature article (as well as a positive Janet Maslin review that's not available online); HeadButler.com featured a glowing review, while LiteraryMama offered this thoughtful column.

"Revolutionaries: A New History of the Invention of America," by Jack Rakove, presents the founding fathers - often depicted by our history books as super-humans - as reluctant rebels who had their own dreams of professional success and private happiness.

The New Yorker and Publishers Weekly offered these brief reviews; and Rakove recently appeared on "The Daily Show." Check out this clip.

The Daily Show With Jon Stewart	Mon - Thurs 11p / 10c
Jack Rakove
www.thedailyshow.com
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Jenn McKee is the entertainment digital journalist for AnnArbor.com. Reach her at jennmckee@annarbor.com or 734-623-2546, and follow her on Twitter @jennmckee.