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The 35 best book club books to get you talking in 2024.

It seems that everybody and their dog has a book club these days. But whether you’re a seasoned old-timer, or you started up an online book club in 2020, you’re probably facing the same question: “What should we read next”?

When decision fatigue sets in, picking the next group read can be the hardest part of the process. But fear not, because we’re here to help. Whether you’re looking for cutting-edge releases new for 2021 or classic recommendations, we’ve selected 35 of the very best book club books sure to spark conversation. So get that coffee brewing and have your page tabs handy, because we’re ready to dive in.

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2021 releases your book club will lap up

If your book club prides itself on being on top of the latest literary releases, we’ve got you covered. Here are 12 book club books we think you’ll love that are new in 2021. Pencil them into your TBR and you’ll be set for the rest of the year.

1. Klara and the Sun by Kazuo Ishiguro

In this year’s most anticipated sci-fi release , Booker-winner Kazuo Ishiguro returns with gusto and sensitivity to the theme of personhood and what it means to be human — his bread and butter. Klara is a humanoid robot built to be an “Artificial Friend”. When chosen as a companion for a gravely ill 14-year old, Klara is confronted by aspects of the human condition to which she’d previously been naïve: love, loneliness, and mortality. Tackling major questions regarding AI and the ethics of technology, Klara and the Sun is fuel for a fascinating book club discussion.

2. Girl A by Abigail Dean

Is there a member of your book club who, despite their best efforts, never gets around to finishing the book? (And hey, no judgement! We all have busy lives!). Well, fear not: we have the answer. Abigail Dean’s debut novel Girl A is a gripping thriller guaranteed to get even the most sluggish reader racing to the end . The novel follows Lex, the titular Girl A, who escapes her abusive home — dubbed the “house of horrors” by the media — and tries to put the past behind her. But when Lex’s mother dies in prison, leaving the house to her and her siblings, it becomes apparent that she can’t outrun her past. An unflinching look at the aftermath of trauma, Girl A is one of those much-hyped book club books that your own club is guaranteed to devour.

3. Fake Accounts by Lauren Oyler

Of Fake Accounts , Zadie Smith wrote: “This novel made me want to retire from contemporary reality. I loved it.” And we couldn’t agree more. A cutting-edge look at internet culture, social media, and the malleability of identity in the modern age, Fake Accounts is a challenging but timely debut from author Lauren Oyler. The narrator, an unnamed young woman, is snooping through her boyfriend’s phone on the night of Donald Trump’s inauguration when she makes a startling discovery: he’s a notorious online conspiracy theorist. A series of incredible revelations leads the narrator to Berlin, where the story is only just beginning. Oyler clearly has her finger on the pulse of 2020s culture, and the stark truths in Fake Accounts are sure to spark heated debate among your reading group. 

4. Aquarium by Yaara Shehori

The Ackermans live in a world of their own, entirely by choice. Father Alex, mother Anna, and daughters Lili and Dori are all deaf — avoiding “the hearing” at all costs. Instead, they live an alternative lifestyle, only observing outsiders from afar. But when an earth-shattering secret is revealed, the family unit is torn apart, and the girls are forced to navigate the world of the hearing alone. A beautiful exploration of love and sisterhood, Aquarium raises fascinating questions about the nature of disability and identity.

5. Filthy Animals by Brandon Taylor

If you’re looking for a palate cleanser after a string of dense novels, you could do far worse than Filthy Animals. A series of interlinked vignettes from critically acclaimed author Brandon Taylor, Filthy Animals provides a snapshot of life in the American Midwest from a number of perspectives, including a young woman fighting cancer, a young man navigating an open relationship, and a group of teenagers whose tensions reach boiling point. Your book club will delight in untangling this complex web of relationships, and the breadth of stories guarantees there’ll be something for everyone.

6. Outlawed by Anna North

Ada’s running out of time. In a frontier town where women who can’t have children are hanged for witchcraft, she’s still not pregnant — and quickly approaching her first wedding anniversary. As panic sets in, Ada realizes her hometown is no longer safe, so she goes on the run. She joins up with the notorious Hole in the Wall Gang,  a group of female and non-binary outlaws who dream of setting up a safe haven for women on the frontier — but the risks they’ll have to take to get there are steep. Unlike anything your book club has read before, this wild wild Western piece of feminist fiction is a little bit True Grit , a little bit The Handmaid’s Tale , and a whole lot of adventure.

7. How the One-Armed Sister Sweeps Her House by Cherie Jones

In Cherie Jones’ much-hyped debut novel, a murder brings two very different couples crashing into each other’s orbits . Set on Barbados, this thriller shatters our conceptions of the island paradise and exposes the dark underbelly lurking beneath even the most picturesque communities. We follow two women: pregnant hairdresser Lala, trapped in a violent marriage, and the wealthy Mira, who has left her life of luxury in London and returned home to Baxter’s Beach. When Lala knocks on Mira’s front door late at night, in labor and alone, what unfurls is as brutal as it is shocking. A searing study of class and crime, there’s no chance you’ll put this book club book down before the final page.

8. One of the Good Ones by Maika and Maritza Moulite

When teenage activist Kezi is tragically killed after a social justice rally, the public outrage is overwhelming. Her sisters Happi and Genny, while dealing with their own grief, must also reckon with an unexpected outcome: their brilliant, but ultimately very human sister’s elevation as an infallible martyr. As the public stamps Kezi’s memory with the label “one of the good ones”, her sisters struggle to reconcile the real-life Kezi with the angelic figure she’s become. They confront uncomfortable questions about legacy, fallibility, and who “deserves” to be mourned — and by implication, who doesn’t. Deeply timely and edifying, One of the Good Ones is a certified must-read by a powerhouse sister duo.

10. Let Me Tell You What I Mean by Joan Didion

Another great option for any book club facing novel fatigue, fans of the essay form will be delighted to hear that 2021 is bringing a whole new arrangement of writings by the incomparable Joan Didion. This timeless collection of pieces — spanning the breadth of her career — tackles insecurity, femininity, and the wider culture. A colorful array of characters and situations populate the pages of this carefully curated anthology, meaning you’ll be spoiled for choice when it comes to talking points.

11. With Teeth: A Novel by Kristen Arnett

 Sammie is losing her grip on life. Her troubled son has become increasingly threatening and she’s started to resent her absent wife. As tensions reach boiling point, she’s forced to reckon with her own failings as she attempts to figure out where things went wrong. Peppered with surprising moments of dry humor despite the challenging subject matter, Kristen Arnett’s latest novel is a profoundly honest examination of family dynamics and the trials and tribulations of parenthood.

12. A Pho Love Story by Loan Le

It’s a tale as old as time: young lovers from feuding families are forced to battle against the odds to make their star-crossed romance work. But Loan Le’s 21st-century reimagining has a (not so) secret ingredient — a whole lot of noodle soup. Bao and Linh’s families run rival Vietnamese restaurants, so when a romance sparks between them, they’ll need to decide what they’re willing to risk to follow their hearts’ desire. A nourishing, savory rom-com that’s guaranteed to delight, this debut novel is the heaping portion of comfort your book club has been craving. (Noodle soup for the soul, anyone?)

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Evergreen classics for book club books

If you’re not in the mood for a new release and want to go for some tried-and-true reads, here are some we’ve hand-selected for their ability to spark conversation. These much-discussed volumes range from the oldest of the old (we’re talking 800BC ) to hyped recent releases that your book club may have missed and we think are worth circling back round to.

13. The Secret History by Donna Tartt

If you still haven’t picked up this cult classic, it’s definitely time to suggest The Secret History to the group. A heady, atmospheric mystery that spawned an entire subculture (“dark academia”, anyone?), The Secret History is a coming-of-age novel like no other. Following a group of classics students at an elite college, the story details their gradual unraveling — a downward spiral that ends with a death amongst their ranks. As you’ll know if you’ve ever met one of the novel’s devoted fanbase, it’s a book people simply cannot stop talking about  — perfect book club fodder.

14. Frankenstein by Mary Wollstonecraft Shelley

More than 200 years after its release, the questions raised by Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein remain as pressing as ever. Considering its enduring relevance in popular culture, you probably know the plot already, so we won’t bore you; but suffice to say, this seminal story about a scientist creating a sentient creature still holds up today. Frankenstein will have your book group up until the wee hours discussing issues of personhood, humanity, and the ethics of science —not least because this horror classic will leave you more than a little spooked. 

16. The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time by Mark Haddon

There’s a certain amount of snobbery around including YA and children’s literature within a book club reading list. However, even the most sceptical reader will find their preconceptions challenged by Mark Haddon’s superlative coming-of-age mystery novel. The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Nighttime follows Christopher, a boy with autism who investigates the mysterious death of his neighbor’s pet dog, only to stumble across a number of unexpected and uncomfortable truths about his family. Raising important discussions about identity, and providing insight into both the challenges and possibilities of neurodivergence, The Curious Incident is deeply thoughtful YA. Moral of the story: don’t think kidlit can’t be serious!

17 . Shuggie Bain by Douglas Stuart

A word of warning: this 2020 Booker winner isn’t an easy one to stomach. The heartbreaking tale of Shuggie, a working class boy in Thatcher-era Glasgow, is relentlessly harrowing, touching on themes of addiction, abuse, sexual assault, and suicide. This brutal examination of a toxic mother-son bond shocked readers and critics, yet captured something universal in its authentic depiction of family life in impossible circumstances. If your club is looking for a critically acclaimed read that tackles serious topics, Shuggie is an important recent release to get under your belt.

18. The Odyssey by Homer

Ancient Greek literature might sound dry, but there’s a reason readers have been attracted to The Odyssey’s siren song for millenia. The story of Odysseus’ voyage home to his faithful wife Penelope is a foundational text — one that you’ll find echoes of in many of your favorite modern titles. So if you want to dig down into literary history, or have a greater appreciation for some of your modern picks by way of better understanding their ancient allusions, treat your book club to this blast from the past. 

19. The Da Vinci Code by Dan Brown

Some people love it, some people hate it, and some people call it “the intellectual equivalent of Kraft macaroni and cheese” (and by “some people” we mean Stephen King). Wherever you land, it’s undeniable that Dan Brown’s blockbusting bestseller The Da Vinci Code is divisive enough to get conversation flowing. This art-historical thriller follows a twisting tale of murder and code-cracking, steeped in art history and religion, and it’s literally impossible to have nothing to say about it — for better or worse.

20. The War of the Worlds by H.G. Wells

Your book club might usually stick to literary fiction, but if you want a well-rounded diet, you shouldn’t neglect genre fiction! For those in the market for a healthy helping of sci-fi , you might want to start with HG Wells’ 1897 classic, War of the Worlds . Beyond the surface-level plot, which chronicles the traumatic arrival of Martians on Earth, you’ll find deftly crafted social commentary, exploring the devastating effects of colonialism in allegorical terms. Careful reading and close examination are rewarded here, making it a book club staple.

21. Girl, Woman, Other by Bernardine Evaristo

The great book club books often pose one overarching question and challenges its reader to discern an answer. In the case of Girl, Woman, Other, that question is clear : What does it mean to be a girl, a woman, or a gender-nonconforming person in Black Britain? This breathtaking portrait of twelve female and nonbinary people across the African diaspora is as vividly realized as it is absorbing. Evaristo’s mastery in the field of the short story ensures  every section is a self-contained gem, each following one of our twelve leads, whose intersecting lives cross lines of class and identity. As beautiful as it is important, if you haven’t read it already you’ll want to pick this one up sooner rather than later.

22. The Book Thief by Markus Zusak

For a stylish slice of historical fiction, Markus Zusak’s Book Thief is a go-to choice for many book clubs. Covering broad thematic ground, this WWII novel tells the story of Liesel, a young girl coming of age in Nazi Germany. Perhaps best-known for being a book narrated by Death, this might sound a little out there for some readers. But far from being bleak or gimmicky, the beautiful prose and moments of joy make this expertly executed and unique narrative perspective a delight to analyze.

23. My Life in Middlemarch by Rebecca Mead

If there’s one thing book lovers love reading about, it’s book lovers. For those who want to get a little self-indulgent, My Life in Middlemarch is a beautiful reflection on the importance of reading that bookworms are guaranteed to enjoy. Part memoir, part ode to literature, author Rebecca Mead leads us through the story of her life-long, evolving relationship with George Eliot’s Middlemarch (another book club classic, if you don’t mind your books running long). An ideal pick if your club’s motivation is flagging and you need a reminder of the life changing magic of a good book.

24. Lord of the Flies by William Golding

While we might instinctively resist the books we’ve always been told to read, sometimes, there’s a reason the classics are classics. As brilliant as it is controversial ( it’s the eighth most banned book in American libraries ), The Lord of the Flies is shocking, visceral, and a guaranteed conversation starter. A tale about a group of boys left to their own devices on a desert island, and their ensuing struggle to find order among chaos, Golding’s book is a brutal look at humanity, community, and civilization. It’s a staple for any book club due to the timelessness of its themes, but be warned: it isn’t for the faint of heart.

25. My Sister, the Serial Killer by Oyinkan Braithwaite

If you had to pick between saving the man you love's life, or preserving your sister's freedom, which would you choose? Or, to put it another way, is blood thicker than water when actual blood is involved? Okinyan Braithwaite's searingly tense yet darkly humorous debut novel asks this among many other questions: not least, where the line between comedy and horror lies. One of our picks for must-read books by black authors , My Sister, the Serial Killer will produce heated debate and nervous giggles in equal parts .

26 . Fleishman is in Trouble by Taffy Brodesser-Akner

Released to incessant buzz in 2019, Fleishman is in Trouble tells the story of an acrimonious divorce, a forty-something man navigating the world of online dating, and a sudden disappearance. The tale of Fleishman and his ex-wife’s vanishing act has a lot to say about 21st-century marriage and the anxieties that underpin middle-class life, meaning there’s every chance it’ll hit a little close to home for some readers (in a way only a truly incisive book can). But if you can wince through the pain, you won’t be disappointed by this blisteringly funny, yet fiercely moving, page-turner that stealthily packs a powerful feminist punch. 

27. Animal Farm by George Orwell

It might seem to have become the reserve of high school English classes over time, but there’s still a lot to unpack in George Orwell’s 1945 novella. This allegorical tale of political power, democracy, and communism — all explored through the lens of farm animals — is an enduring statement that never fails to leave us reeling, and therefore a guaranteed big hitter for any discussion group. Even if your knowledge of WWII and the era of Stalin is a little rustier than you’d like, Orwell’s prose is so sharp, compelling, and clear that you can’t fail to hear something of what he’s saying in Animal Farm — and feel a little blinded by its brightness. Packed with wit and humor, this is a book for everyone.

28. The Midnight Library by Matt Haig

Another book that explores literature’s power to transport and transform us, The Midnight Library makes poignant fodder for the kind of avid readers that make up a book club. The premise is an intriguing one: imagine you could retrace every fork in the road over the course of your life, and lead any of the lives you might have lived if you’d made different choices. What would you change? Well, reading the books that stock the shelves of the Midnight Library allows you to do just that. A delightful dose of magical realism, The Midnight Library posits questions about regret and fate that won’t fail to get you reminiscing.

29. Go Set a Watchman by Harper Lee

Sometimes, the best book discussions are thinly veiled arguments. If you want to throw a cat among the pigeons, suggest this Harper Lee’s deeply controversial first draft of To Kill a Mockingbird to your book club . Divisive among casual readers as it has among critics and literary historians, this book offers an unexpected divergence from the civil rights classic we are more familiar with. It’ll spark interesting discussions around authorship, ownership, and how much a book can belong to its readers. And hey, if you’re happy to do a double bill, why not read both Watchman and Mockingbird — the comparison between the two is where the debate really heats up.

30. Three Women by Lisa Taddeo

If you’re looking to broaden your genre horizons, why not give narrative nonfiction books a try? Lisa Taddeo’s breathtaking Three Women is a great way to dip your toes into the waters of creative journalism. Following the true stories of (surprise, surprise) three women, Taddeo chronicles their sexual and emotional lives in stunning detail. A complex snapshot of the internal worlds and sexuality of American women in the 21st century, this book will challenge your preconceptions of what nonfiction should look like.

31. Brave New World by Aldous Huxley

Aldous Huxley’s classic masterpiece is an uncanny prediction of a future that arrived far quicker than he expected. Reading this 1932 novel only gets more rewarding as the decades pass, and we’re able to read with one foot firmly in the present, spotting the eerie parallels between Huxley’s speculative future and our own modern world. A prescient and brilliant work of dystopian sci-fi, Brave New World is a must-read — so why not kill two birds with one stone, and tick off a book club read and one of the books you should read before you die in one go?

32 . The Golden Compass by Philip Pullman

Another SFF classic that sparks fascinating discussion, Philip Pullman’s fantasy series is so thematically rich that the fantastical elements are just the cherry on top — although, talking polar bears and shape-shifting daemons are quite the cherry. For those who enjoy drawing out parallels between fiction and the real world, Pullman’s presentation of an alternative Oxford touches astutely upon religious and political power in a world far closer to our own than initial impressions might suggest, creating ample room for debate and analysis as a group.

33. Kafka on the Shore by Haruki Murakami

He's undeniably one of the most influential authors of all time, but the deeply idiosyncratic Haruki Murakami's work is deeply challenging, and usually provokes either an ecstatically positive, or strongly negative reaction. His sparse style is divisive, and his often bizarre narrative structures are deliberately posing a riddle to his readers. Kafka on the Shore is our recommended starting point for this extraordinary author : it's one you’ll want to talk out the second you’re finished with it, so it’s best to rope a whole book club into doing it with you.

34 . Little Fires Everywhere: A Novel by Celeste Ng

Celeste Ng’s gripping 2017 psychological thriller explores unnervingly familiar territory for most readers. This domestic drama details the anxieties of a mother, and the dangers of hanging on to your children too tightly, drawing relatable concerns out to their most extreme conclusions. Also bringing important conversations about race and class to the table, Ng’s second novel became a book club classic immediately upon launch. If you skipped it the first time around, it’s well worth circling back to.

35. The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe by C. S. Lewis

Children’s books may seem like a thing of your literary past, but don’t forget that there’s often more than meets the eye in some of your childhood favorites. One classic that’s well worth revisiting is The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe : CS Lewis’ biblical allegory may have gone over your head when you were a kid, but it’s a masterpiece of symbolism that you’ll appreciate on a whole new level as an adult. Plus, it gets extra points for nostalgia, making it a surefire crowd-pleaser at any book club night. 

Hungry for more recommended reads? Check out our list of the 115 best books of all time .

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10 Awe-Inspiring Memoirs for Book Club

Looking for your next fall book club pick? Look no further than this list of ten thought-provoking, tear-jerking, and original memoirs. Most memoirs are perfect for any book club because of the raw and intimate insights they provide into some of today’s most pressing topics, but each of these titles in particular has a master storyteller at its helm to guide you through perspectives and experiences that are sure to stimulate hour-long discussions. After you choose one of these unforgettable true stories, all that’s left is picking out the wine and cheese.

In this charming and uplifting memoir, Italian book publicist turned bookstore owner Alba Donati describes how her small hillside bookstore became a beloved community center and literary destination. Donati’s plan to open a bookstore in her hometown of Lucignana, a Tuscan village of fewer than two hundred people, seemed like a long shot. But soon the cottage inspired family members, community volunteers, and booklovers worldwide to flock to Donati’s store for one of her fail-safe book recommendations. Perfect for fans of UNDER THE TUSCAN SUN, this memoir is a love letter to books and their readers.

National Bestseller

Under the Tuscan Sun meets Diary of a Bookseller in this charming memoir by an Italian poet recounting her experience opening a bookshop in a village in Tuscany.

Alba Donati was used to her hectic life working as a book publicist in Italy—a life that made her happy and allowed her to meet prominent international authors—but she was ready to make a change. One day she decided to return to Lucignana, the small village in the Tuscan hills where she was born. There she opened a tiny but enchanting bookshop in a lovely little cottage on a hill, surrounded by gardens filled with roses and peonies.

With fewer than 200 year-round residents, Alba’s shop seemed unlikely to succeed, but it soon sparked the enthusiasm of book lovers both nearby and across Italy. After surviving a fire and pandemic restrictions, the “Bookshop on the Hill” soon became a refuge and destination for an ever-growing community. The locals took pride in the bookshop—from Alba’s centenarian mother to her childhood friends and the many volunteers who help in the day-to-day running of the shop. And in short time it has become a literary destination, with many devoted readers coming from afar to browse, enjoy a cup of tea, and find comfort in the knowledge that Alba will find the perfect read for them.

Alba’s lifelong love of literature shines on every page of this unique and uplifting book. Formatted as diary entries with delightful lists of the books sold at the shop each day, this inspirational story celebrates reading as well as book lovers and booksellers, the unsung heroes of the literary world.

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Jeannie Vanasco loved her father, a man who named her after his daughter from a previous marriage who died. And when he—the man she always viewed as her hero—dies, Vanasco vows to keep her promise to him of writing a book by investigating the mysterious circumstances around the other Jeannie’s death. As Vanasco falls deeper into a manic obsession with the puzzle-like mystery before her, THE GLASS EYE asks, in its own mesmerizing and engrossing way: What kind of answer can ever be enough to recover from such grief?

When award-winning author Beth Nguyen was eight months old, she, her father, sister, grandmother, and uncles all escaped Saigon for America. Her mother did not. Years later, when Beth was nineteen, they finally met again. Now, unfolding through a collection of brief, fragmented visits over the course of years, OWNER OF A LONELY HEART crafts a refugee coming-of-age story that grapples with motherhood, absence, and conditions of estrangement, all through the lens of Beth’s complex relationship with her mother. Aching, joyful, and compassionate, Nguyen’s memoir is a heartrending must-read.

From the award-winning author of Stealing Buddha’s Dinner , a powerful memoir of a mother-daughter relationship fragmented by war and resettlement.

At the end of the Vietnam War, when Beth Nguyen was eight months old, she and her father, sister, grandmother, and uncles fled Saigon for America. Beth’s mother stayed—or was left—behind, and they did not meet again until Beth was nineteen. Over the course of her adult life, she and her mother have spent less than twenty-four hours together.

Owner of a Lonely Heart is a memoir about parenthood, absence, and the condition of being a refugee: the story of Beth’s relationship with her mother. Framed by a handful of visits over the course of many years—sometimes brief, sometimes interrupted, sometimes with her mother alone and sometimes with her sister—Beth tells a coming-of-age story that spans her own Midwestern childhood, her first meeting with her mother, and becoming a parent herself. Vivid and illuminating, Owner of a Lonely Heart is a deeply personal story of family, connection, and belonging: as a daughter, a mother, and as a Vietnamese refugee in America.

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In this unflinching portrait of single, working motherhood, Stephanie Land describes the years she spent scraping by while cleaning the houses of America’s upper-middle class. At twenty-eight, Land’s life was forever altered by an unplanned pregnancy. To build a life for her child, Land began working as a housekeeper by day and completing online courses by night. In MAID , she shares the experience of existing—often invisibly—beside her clients’ biggest triumphs while also being witness to their most vulnerable selves. Catch up on this can’t-miss book before Land’s second memoir, CLASS , comes out this November 7.

Poet Safiya Sinclair was raised by her volatile father, a reggae musician and militant observer of a strict Rastafari sect, who crafted everything around protecting her purity from Babylon, the sect’s term for the corrupting influences of the Western world. But as Sinclair embraced the books her mother gave her and the education she received, she found herself on a rebellious and violent collision course with her father’s beliefs. HOW TO SAY BABYLON is a nuanced and lyrical look at one woman’s grappling with the interlocked legacies of patriarchy and colonization.

With echoes of Educated and Born a Crime , How to Say Babylon is the stunning story of the author’s struggle to break free of her rigid Rastafarian upbringing, ruled by her father’s strict patriarchal views and repressive control of her childhood, to find her own voice as a woman and poet.

Throughout her childhood, Safiya Sinclair’s father, a volatile reggae musician and militant adherent to a strict sect of Rastafari, became obsessed with her purity, in particular, with the threat of what Rastas call Babylon, the immoral and corrupting influences of the Western world outside their home. He worried that womanhood would make Safiya and her sisters morally weak and impure, and believed a woman’s highest virtue was her obedience.

In an effort to keep Babylon outside the gate, he forbade almost everything. In place of pants, the women in her family were made to wear long skirts and dresses to cover their arms and legs, head wraps to cover their hair, no make-up, no jewelry, no opinions, no friends. Safiya’s mother, while loyal to her father, nonetheless gave Safiya and her siblings the gift of books, including poetry, to which Safiya latched on for dear life. And as Safiya watched her mother struggle voicelessly for years under housework and the rigidity of her father’s beliefs, she increasingly used her education as a sharp tool with which to find her voice and break free. Inevitably, with her rebellion comes clashes with her father, whose rage and paranoia explodes in increasing violence. As Safiya’s voice grows, lyrically and poetically, a collision course is set between them.

How to Say Babylon is Sinclair’s reckoning with the culture that initially nourished but ultimately sought to silence her; it is her reckoning with patriarchy and tradition, and the legacy of colonialism in Jamaica. Rich in lyricism and language only a poet could evoke, How to Say Babylon is both a universal story of a woman finding her own power and a unique glimpse into a rarefied world we may know how to name, Rastafari, but one we know little about.

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All her life, Chloé Cooper Jones has depended on her existence as an academic to provide a cloistered solace from the judgements of the outside world, a world made even crueler because of her rare congenital condition, sacral agenesis. But when Jones unexpectedly becomes a mother, she is forced to look beyond the confines of her academic success to reclaim a life that others—and perhaps even herself—have denied her for years. In EASY BEAUTY, Pulitzer Prize finalist and philosophy professor Jones explores taboo questions of disability and motherhood.

Finalist for the Pulitzer Prize in Memoir or Autobiography

A New York Times Notable Book of 2022 * Vulture ’s #1 Memoir of 2022 * A Washington Post , Los Angeles Times , USA TODAY , Time , BuzzFeed , Publishers Weekly , Booklist , and New York Public Library Best Book of the Year

From Chloé Cooper Jones—Pulitzer Prize finalist, philosophy professor, Whiting Creative Nonfiction Grant recipient—an “exquisite” ( Oprah Daily ) and groundbreaking memoir about disability, motherhood, and the search for a new way of seeing and being seen.

“I am in a bar in Brooklyn, listening to two men, my friends, discuss whether my life is worth living.”

So begins Chloé Cooper Jones’s bold, revealing account of moving through the world in a body that looks different than most. Jones learned early on to factor “pain calculations” into every plan, every situation. Born with a rare congenital condition called sacral agenesis which affects both her stature and gait, her pain is physical. But there is also the pain of being judged and pitied for her appearance, of being dismissed as “less than.” The way she has been seen—or not seen—has informed her lens on the world her entire life. She resisted this reality by excelling academically and retreating to “the neutral room in her mind” until it passed. But after unexpectedly becoming a mother (in violation of unspoken social taboos about the disabled body), something in her shifts, and Jones sets off on a journey across the globe, reclaiming the spaces she’d been denied, and denied herself.

From the bars and domestic spaces of her life in Brooklyn to sculpture gardens in Rome; from film festivals in Utah to a Beyoncé concert in Milan; from a tennis tournament in California to the Killing Fields of Phnom Penh, Jones weaves memory, observation, experience, and aesthetic philosophy to probe the myths underlying our standards of beauty and desirability and interrogates her own complicity in upholding those myths.

“Bold, honest, and superbly well-written” (Andre Aciman, author of Call Me By Your Name ) Easy Beauty is the rare memoir that has the power to make you see the world, and your place in it, with new eyes.

Critically acclaimed novelist Martha McPhee grew up on Omega Farm, a ramshackle New Jersey property that, to her, always seemed filled with art, people, and chaos that were by turns compassionate and sinister. Suddenly, McPhee must travel back to the now-neglected home she once knew with her husband and children to help care for a mother who no longer recognizes her as she slips into dementia. As McPhee tries to mend family ties and surrounding forests alike, her past will not let her go in this complex story of family legacy and environmental repair.

A long-awaited memoir from an award-winning novelist—a candid, riveting account of her complicated, bohemian childhood and her return home to care for her ailing mother.

In March 2020, Martha McPhee, her husband, and their two almost-grown children set out for her childhood home in New Jersey, where she finds herself grappling simultaneously with a mother slipping into severe dementia and a house that’s been neglected of late. As Martha works to manage her mother’s care and the sprawling, ramshackle property—a broken septic system, invasive bamboo, dying ash trees—she is pulled back into her childhood, almost against her will.

Martha grew up at Omega Farm with her four sisters, five stepsiblings, mother, and stepfather, in a house filled with art, people, and the kind of chaos that was sometimes benevolent, sometimes more sinister. Caring for her mother and her children, struggling to mend the forest, the past relentlessly asserts itself—even as Martha’s mother, the person she might share her memories with or even try to hold to account, no longer knows who Martha is.

A masterful exploration of a complicated family legacy and a powerful story of environmental and personal repair, Omega Farm is a testament to hope in the face of suffering, and a courageous tale about how returning home can offer a new way to understand the past.

Mary Beth Keane Recommends: 9 Exquisite Books Told with Heart and Nuance

By Off the Shelf Staff | March 6, 2023

8 Must-Read Books If You Love EDUCATED

By Off the Shelf Staff | January 8, 2020

In this clear-eyed exploration of race, class, and identity, writer and lawyer Omer Aziz describes his experience of growing up as a first-generation Pakistani Muslim boy outside Toronto. Despite fearing the violence and discrimination he sees in the world around him, Aziz embraces his education. But as he moves from college in Ontario to prestigious institutions in Paris and Cambridge, and finally to law school at Yale, Aziz is constantly in conflict with himself: Is it possible to escape his feelings of shame and powerlessness in a Western world seemingly dedicated to reminding him of those feelings?

Brown Boy is an uncompromising interrogation of identity, family, religion, race, and class, told through Omer Aziz’s incisive and luminous prose.

In a tough neighborhood on the outskirts of Toronto, miles away from wealthy white downtown, Omer Aziz struggles to find his place as a first-generation Pakistani Muslim boy. He fears the violence and despair of the world around him, and sees a dangerous path ahead, succumbing to aimlessness, apathy, and rage.

In his senior year of high school, Omer quickly begins to realize that education can open up the wider world. But as he falls in love with books, and makes his way to Queen’s University in Ontario, Sciences Po in Paris, Cambridge University in England, and finally Yale Law School, he continually confronts his own feelings of doubt and insecurity at being an outsider, a brown-skinned boy in an elite white world. He is searching for community and identity, asking questions of himself and those he encounters, and soon finds himself in difficult situations—whether in the suburbs of Paris or at the Temple Mount in Jerusalem. Yet the more books Omer reads and the more he moves through elite worlds, his feelings of shame and powerlessness only grow stronger, and clear answers recede further away.

Weaving together his powerful personal narrative with the books and friendships that move him, Aziz wrestles with the contradiction of feeling like an Other and his desire to belong to a Western world that never quite accepts him. He poses the questions he couldn’t have asked in his youth: Was assimilation ever really an option? Could one transcend the perils of race and class? And could we—the collective West—ever honestly confront the darker secrets that, as Aziz discovers, still linger from the past?

In Brown Boy, Omer Aziz has written a book that eloquently describes the complex process of creating an identity that fuses where he’s from, what people see in him, and who he knows himself to be.

Editors Recommend: 12 Brilliant and Surprising Spring Reads

By Off the Shelf Staff | January 16, 2023

Christie Tate thought her problems with commitment were over when she finally settled down with the right guy. But when her friend Meredith—twenty years older and both brutally and somehow gently honest—challenges her to dig into her many past failed female friendships, Tate realizes the hard work is still to come. Together, the two explore the shame, jealousy, and fears that led to Meredith’s many broken relations with other women and begin to consider what a “healthy relationship” really means. Funny and emotionally generous, BFF is a love letter to female friendship.

From the author of Group , a New York Times bestseller and Reese’s Book Club Pick, comes a moving, heartwarming, and powerful memoir about Christie Tate’s lifelong struggle to sustain female friendship, and the friend who helps her find the human connection she seeks.

After more than a decade of dead-end dates and dysfunctional relationships, Christie Tate has reclaimed her voice and settled down. Her days of agonizing in group therapy over guys who won’t commit are over, the grueling emotional work required to attach to another person tucked neatly into the past.

Or so she thought. Weeks after giddily sharing stories of her new boyfriend at Saturday morning recovery meetings, Christie receives a gift from a friend. Meredith, twenty years older and always impeccably accessorized, gives Christie a box of holiday-themed scarves as well as a gentle suggestion: maybe now is the perfect time to examine why friendships give her trouble. “The work never ends, right?” she says with a wink.

Christie isn’t so sure, but she soon realizes that the feeling of “apartness” that has plagued her since childhood isn’t magically going away now that she’s in a healthy romantic relationship. With Meredith by her side, she embarks on a brutally honest exploration of her friendships past and present, sorting through the ways that debilitating shame and jealousy have kept the lasting bonds she craves out of reach—and how she can overcome a history of letting go too soon. But when Meredith becomes ill and Christie’s baggage threatens to muddy their final days, she’s forced to face her deepest fears in honor of the woman who finally showed her how to be a friend.

Poignant, laugh-out-loud funny, and emotionally satisfying, B.F.F. explores what happens when we finally break the habits that impair our ability to connect with others, and the ways that one life—however messy and imperfect—can change another.

6 Emotionally Impactful Found Family Tales

By Katya Buresh | November 22, 2023

Staff Picks: 6 Reads Recommended to Us by Indie Booksellers

By Off the Shelf Staff | April 25, 2023

Indie Booksellers Recommend: 17 Spring New Releases Hand-Picked for You

By Off the Shelf Staff | March 8, 2023

My 7 Favorite Memoirs of the Year

By Holly Claytor | December 27, 2022

Our Most Anticipated New Books of 2023

By Off the Shelf Staff | December 15, 2022

CREEP is a collection of essays by writer and critic Myriam Gurba that unearths the disturbing manifestations of toxic traditions. In essays that are half cultural criticism and half personal essay, Gurba explores everything from the carceral system to Mexican stereotypes to inmate abuse. Wide-ranging and adventurous, razor-smart and provocative, these pieces explore the ecosystems that both sustain and result from oppression, systems that creep into every facet of life, from school to work and government institutions to family homes.

A ruthless and razor-sharp essay collection that tackles the pervasive, creeping oppression and toxicity that has wormed its way into society—in our books, schools, and homes, as well as the systems that perpetuate them—from the acclaimed author of Mean , and one of our fiercest, foremost explorers of intersectional Latinx identity.

A creep can be a singular figure, a villain who makes things go bump in the night. Yet creep is also what the fog does—it lurks into place to do its dirty work, muffling screams, obscuring the truth, and providing cover for those prowling within it.

Creep is Myriam Gurba’s informal sociology of creeps, a deep dive into the dark recesses of the toxic traditions that plague the United States and create the abusers who haunt our books, schools, and homes. Through cultural criticism disguised as personal essay, Gurba studies the ways in which oppression is collectively enacted, sustaining ecosystems that unfairly distribute suffering and premature death to our most vulnerable. Yet identifying individual creeps, creepy social groups, and creepy cultures is only half of this book’s project—the other half is examining how we as individuals, communities, and institutions can challenge creeps and rid ourselves of the fog that seeks to blind us.

With her ruthless mind, wry humor, and adventurous style, Gurba implicates everyone from Joan Didion to her former abuser, everything from Mexican stereotypes to the carceral state. Braiding her own history and identity throughout, she argues for a new way of conceptualizing oppression, and she does it with her signature blend of bravado and humility.

Photo credit: iStock / Andrii Medvediuk

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100 Best Book Club Books of All Time (By Year)

If you’re looking for the next book for your book club, this is a list of the 100 Best Book Club Books of All Time . The books are listed in reverse chronological order (so newer books are first), based on publication year.

The list has a preference for titles released in more recent years, but includes notable titles that were published in earlier years as well that have remained firmly on book club reading lists.

Happy reading and if you think there’s something missing, feel free to drop me a line in the comments below!

For more book club reads, see the Best Book Club Books of 2021 or the Best Book Club Books of 2020 .

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Great list! I have heard a lot about some of the books from this list. I have read only 3 but I plan to add some to my TBR. Thank you for sharing!

My book group have read many of the books on this list, and I personally have read and loved even more of them – thanks for producing this list, I’ll certainly check out some of the ones I haven’t read!

I only count 91 books. Are there more to come?

This is an incredible list! I’m definitely inspired to make better use of my Kindle. Great blog and site Jennifer!

What a great list of books!! I have read quite a few on this list…24!!! And others on this list are already on my nightstand waiting impatiently. Not sure if you have a section of “If you like this book, you should read this”. I follow authors so something like that would be helpful. Either way, this list is amazing and the goal now is to read them all. Thank you! Your site is beautiful!!

What an amazing list!! We must be of like minds because I have read 24 of them…like The Handmaid’s Tale and my favorite, A Thousand Splendid Suns!! I am not sure if you have a section like “If you like this book, you should read this” but that would be really helpful. Either ways this is a great list and the goal now is to read all of them. Thank you for such a beautiful site!!!

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Best Biographies of 2022

OCT. 18, 2022

BIOGRAPHY & MEMOIR

by Jon Meacham

An essential, eminently readable volume for anyone interested in Lincoln and his era. Full review >

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by John A. Farrell

An exemplary study of a life of public service with more than its share of tragedies and controversies. Full review >

AUG. 30, 2022

by Michael Broers

An outstanding addition to the groaning bookshelves on one of the world’s most recognizable leaders. Full review >

NOV. 8, 2022

by Kerri K. Greenidge

A sweeping, insightful, richly detailed family and American history. Full review >

FEB. 1, 2022

by Dan Charnas

A wide-ranging biography that fully captures the subject’s ingenuity, originality, and musical genius. Full review >

JULY 26, 2022

by Philip Short

Required reading for anyone interested in global affairs. Full review >

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by Brigitta Olubas

An absorbing, well-crafted profile of a supremely gifted writer. Full review >

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by Katherine Rundell

Written with verve and panache, this sparkling biography is enjoyable from start to finish. Full review >

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Best Book Club Books: Memoirs

Memoirs offer an incredible opportunity to immerse yourself in another life with the author as your guide. The true story of how someone overcomes incredible obstacles also allows you to wonder, What would I do?

For a good book club memoir discussion, choose a book that’s a bit outside of your group’s comfort zone. And if discussion questions aren’t provided with the book, ask each member to come with one or two of their own. These memoirs — stories of survival and even triumph — would all make excellent book club books.

Finding Freedom

By erin french.

Celebrated chef Erin French shares her moving story of overcoming obstacles and finding community in her bestselling memoir , Finding Freedom . From her formative years working the line at her dad’s diner to opening her own critically acclaimed restaurant The Lost Kitchen in Freedom, Maine, French’s journey to the head of the table was anything but easy. Indeed, she endured addiction, hit multiple rock bottoms, and faced the challenges of single motherhood along the way. Told with candor and warmth — and enriched by French’s delectable food writing — Finding Freedom celebrates the life-affirming joys of family and finding your voice and the delicious connection between good food and great company.

While You Were Out: An Intimate Family Portrait of Mental Illness in an Era of Silence

By meg kissinger.

In While You Were Out, award-winning journalist Meg Kissinger movingly chronicles her relationship with her family and the mental health crises that they endured. Combining the intimacy of memoir with the rigor of investigative journalism , Kissinger’s narrative guides us through moments of personal tragedy, love, resilience, and unexpected humor with an eye toward the future and changing the way we talk about mental health care in America. 

Being Henry: The Fonz...and Beyond

By henry winkler.

With self-deprecating humor and a healthy dose of Hollywood charm, Happy Days star Henry Winkler opens up about his life in this entertaining celebrity memoir. The Emmy Award–winning actor touches on everything from his lifelong struggles with dyslexia and the daily grind of showbiz to dazzling anecdotes from the sets of Barry and Arrested Development, and, of course, his career-defining turn as the Fonz on Happy Days . Radiating sincerity and warmth, Being Henry teaches lessons on being truthful to yourself no matter the odds — something every reader can appreciate.

Unmasked: My Life Solving America's Cold Cases

By paul holes.

For true crime aficionados, Paul Holes needs no introduction. The seasoned cold case investigator has dedicated his life to the pursuit of evil and he has helped crack some of the most notorious cases in modern American history, from the kidnapping of Jaycee Dugard to the 20-year manhunt for the Golden State Killer. He’s proud of his work, putting away criminals and providing closure to survivors. But he’s also haunted by a troubling question about his career: What was the cost to his well-being and his family? In this bestselling true crime memoir , Holes looks back on the cases he’s investigated and opens up about the many sacrifices he’s made in pursuit of justice, from frayed personal relationships to missing out on the joys of fatherhood. Delivered with unflinching honesty, Unmasked is a powerful account that “grabs its reader in a stranglehold and proves more fascinating than fiction and darker than any noir narrative” ( Los Angeles Magazine ). 

Hollywood Park

By mikel jollett.

From being born into an infamous cult – to a childhood filled with poverty and addiction, Mikel Jollett struggled to find love and a sense of normalcy in world where nothing made sense. His incredible story is at once heartbreaking and inspiring, and it shows you that family loyalty and fierce determination can take you to places you only dreamed about.

Here We Are: American Dreams, American Nightmares

By aarti namdev shahani.

In a way, NPR correspondent Aarti Shahani has lived the American dream. She and her family immigrated to New York City, she received a scholarship to a top Manhattan private school, and eventually she landed a successful career. But the Shahani family’s struggles equally define these years, especially when her old-world shopkeeper father inadvertently launders money for the Cali drug cartel. This immigrant story presents a look at a controversial topic that is not as black-and-white as some might think, which makes for a thought-provoking dialogue. Discussion questions are  here .

Birdgirl: Looking to the Skies in Search of a Better Future

By mya-rose craig.

From Mya-Rose Craig, the renowned birder and environmentalist who stands at the forefront of a new generation of environmental activists, Birdgirl combines science writing with advocacy and a touching tale of family love. Craig’s nature memoir interweaves her passion for bird-watching with the story of her mother’s mental health crisis, beautifully capturing the planet’s fragile grandeur while championing her mother’s journey and highlighting the restorative power of the natural world. Both thought-provoking and inspiring, Birdgirl is a deeply felt narrative about finding your calling and all the help you need along the way.

Good Boy: My Life in Seven Dogs

By jennifer finney boylan.

From  New York Times  bestseller and human rights activist Jennifer Finney Boylan comes her newest memoir  Good Boy,  showing how a young boy became a middle-aged woman—accompanied at seven crucial moments of growth and transformation by seven memorable dogs. Boylan contemplates her past in ways that prompt you to consider your own transformative times. An ode to dogs, identity, and finding love, the perfect thought-provoking read to share with friends or family.

When Harry Met Minnie

By martha teichner.

Calling all animal lovers: Grab your furry friend and plenty of tissues, and settle in for this touching memoir about love, loss, and soul-warming companionship. When Emmy Award–winning news correspondent Martha Teichner is asked if she’d consider adopting a dog in need, she happily agrees — after all, Harry, the dog in question, is a bull terrier, just like her dog, Minnie. The two canines quickly hit it off; they’re natural companions. And yet, a friendship also blossoms between Martha and Harry’s owner, Carole, a woman who’s dying of cancer caused by exposure to toxins from 9/11. When Harry Met Minnie is a modern-day fairy tale rich with chance encounters, fated friendships, and a bustling New York City backdrop. It’s also a stirring memoir about camaraderie, and how the souls that we meet, both human and canine, leave a lasting impression on our lives.

By LaDoris Hazzard Cordell

What do you do when the system you believe in is flawed? According to Judge LaDoris Hazzard Cordell, you get in there and you fix it. In this eye-opening new memoir , Judge Cordell, the first African American woman to sit on the Superior Court of Northern California, offers an insider’s look at America’s criminal justice system , celebrating its strengths, highlighting its weaknesses, and tracing paths to more equitable judicial methods. Judge Cordell is well aware of the legal system’s shortcomings: shaky plea bargains, unchecked racial biases in law enforcement, and the troubling shift from rehabilitation to punishment are but a few of the weighty issues she tackles here. Nevertheless, Cordell is prepared to put in the work for positive change. In Her Honor, Cordell invites us into her chambers and shares her remarkable journey through the halls of justice, all while maintaining her conviction that the system can work — if we work on it.

Between the World and Me

By ta-nehisi coates.

In a letter to his 15-year-old son, Coates seeks to teach one important lesson: how to be a black man in America. He recounts his rough childhood, the importance of black history, and the moment he learns that education and wealth can’t protect you from racism if you’re black. Coates doesn’t put much faith in the American Dream; instead he urges his son to build strong community ties and surround himself with the love he finds there. Discussion questions are  here .

Heavy: An American Memoir

By kiese laymon.

Laymon pulls no punches when describing the abuse he suffered as a child. He places blame squarely in two places: his mother, and America’s institutional racism and sexism. His mother’s strict insistence on good grades, his obesity, and his career struggles are the stressors that lead to him writing. In doing so, he uncovers generations of family abuse and condemns those who did nothing to stop it. It’s a harrowing but important read. Discussion questions are here .

Hillbilly Elegy: A Memoir of a Family and Culture in Crisis

By j.d. vance.

Growing up in a family of rust-belt have-nots has left Vance with some clear opinions on why some people make it in America and others don’t — specifically within the white working class. He shines a harsh light on the psychology of a region that champions the “pull yourself up by your bootstraps” maxim, while simultaneously dishing out plenty of blame for their inability to do so. Discussion questions are  here .

Happiness: The Crooked Little Road to Semi-Ever After

By heather harpham.

Harpham is thrilled by her new relationship with Brian until she gets pregnant … and Brian balks, leaving her alone and disillusioned. New-mom joy turns into a nightmare when baby Gracie grows suddenly, gravely ill. Brian returns, commits to helping Harpham and Gracie, and their relationship slowly resuscitates. How this fragile family grows strong is almost unbelievable, yet it’s true … and it has a happy ending. Discussion questions are  here .

The Light Years

By chris rush.

In the late 60s, at age 12, Rush is introduced to psychedelic drugs. From that moment, the counterculture of hippies and nomads becomes his family. Once a colorful decade of peace and love, the years soon dissolve into the 70s’ raw and violent hedonism. Rush survives his quest for meaning —– but just barely. Discussion questions are  here .

By Elie Wiesel

Wiesel’s Nobel-prize-winning memoir is more than just the story of his years as a prisoner at the Auschwitz and Buchenwald concentration camps. It’s also a study of faith, and how it gets redefined in the face of one of the worst crimes against humanity in modern history. Even if you’re among the millions who have read  Night , this story is worth a re-read at different points in your life. Discussion questions are  here .

By Michelle Obama

Obama is the first to admit that she would never have predicted her journey from Chicago’s working-class South Side to the White House. Her memoir is a fascinating peek behind a heavily-guarded curtain—from her concerns about how the Presidency affected her marriage and family, to the closing moments of her tenure as First Lady. These stories are riveting, and her honesty has made  Becoming  a book club favorite. Discussion questions are  here .

By Tara Westover

Education — the 13 or so years most Americans receive — was never a given for Westover. Raised in a remote survivalist camp in Idaho, her parents considered the public school system to be a waste of time. So when Westover ran away and started school at age 17, she had a lot to learn. And she did, eventually working her way into Harvard and Cambridge universities. After her incredible escape and global adventures, can she ever go home again? Discussion questions are  here .

The Year of Magical Thinking

By joan didion.

Magical thinking is how Didion describes the mental gymnastics required of her during the most challenging year of her life. Her daughter falls ill and is placed in a medically induced coma, and shortly thereafter her husband suddenly dies of a heart attack. Both of these events send her spiraling into a world of medical journals and existential crises, all beautifully and miraculously captured in this memoir.  Discussion questions are  here .

A Long Way Gone: Memoirs of a Boy Solider

By ishmael beah.

When he was 13 years old, Beah was recruited as a child soldier in Sierra Leone’s government army. As he’s asked to perform increasingly violent acts, he shuts down emotionally. Childhood is reduced to a past dream; the war an inescapable nightmare … until one day, he’s shown the way out. Written at age 25, Beah’s story is shocking but so important to witness. Discussion questions are  here .

Maid: Hard Work, Low Pay, and a Mother's Will to Survive

By stephanie land.

Being single and pregnant, Land learns, has an immediate impact on your ability to make a living. Working as a maid keeps her small family fed and clothed, and along the way she discovers surprising lessons about the upper class and what it means to be their servant. Discussion questions are  here .

Before Night Falls: A Memoir

By reinaldo arenas.

Arenas escapes poverty in rural Cuba to become one of the country’s most popular writers in exile. His rise to fame is treacherous, though. Once outed as a gay man, his writing is banned, he’s sent to prison, and he eventually flees his homeland. In New York, he faces the ultimate fight for his life: AIDS.  Before Night Falls  is considered his deathbed memoir.

First They Killed My Father: A Daughter of Cambodia Remembers

By loung ung.

In 1975, Pol Pot’s Khmer Rouge ended five-year-old Ung’s childhood as she knew it. Her father worked in government, which put them all in immediate danger. Indeed, as the family attempted to escape Phnom Penh, they were separated. Two years later, Ung is a child soldier and her siblings are struggling to survive in various labor camps. Their sudden uprooting and slow, uncertain reunion makes for an intense read. Discussion questions are  here .

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Recommended Memoirs for Book Clubs

There are times I’m suddenly aware that I’m not as well-rounded a reader as I’d wish. The curation of this list was one of those moments. I read the way I do most things––intuitively and deeply. I’m a poet, so my memoir preferences lean toward beautiful writing as much as to dramatic storytelling. I’m a student and teacher of depth psychology, so a memoirist’s ability to reflect upon the inner journey is just as important to me as funny anecdotes about crazy relatives. I’m a feminist, which leads me more often, though not exclusively, to women’s stories.

As a writer, I also adore craft books, which is why I’ve included one by Mary Karr. I promise, it’s as much fun as her first memoir. And, if you aren’t yet a writer, by the time you finish The Art of Memoir , you’ll be ready to pick up a pen.

Composed: A Memoir by Rosanne Cash

Not your typical celebrity tell-all. Sure, there’s enough industry-insider intrigue to keep fans of Rosanne Cash and Johnny Cash turning pages. But Rosanne is a sage, often lyrical, writer. Hers is a story of the ties that bind her to her family, her music, and her soul. 

The Year of Magical Thinking by Joan Didion

Didion became famous for pioneering a form of writing that seamlessly marries journalism and personal essay. She is a keen observer of the tense relationship between the outer world and inner experience, nowhere more so than in this acclaimed account of the aftermath of her husband’s sudden death. 

Heating and Cooling: 52 Micro-Memoirs by Beth Ann Fennelly

Delightful, and delightfully short, this genre-defying collection of personal reflections marries the best things about poetry (intensity of compression) and memoir (radical, sometimes raw truth-telling). Plus, Fennelly’s observations about marriage, children, and the writing life can be uproariously funny. Fennelly currently serves as Poet Laureate of Mississippi.

There Will Be No Miracles Here by Casey Gerald

I fell in love with Casey Gerald when I heard him speak at last year’s library fundraiser, Verse & Vino. His wasn’t the only book I bought that night (no surprise there), but it’s the one that keeps me thinking. He writes in breathtaking detail and with lots of good humor about his dramatic and impoverished upbringing, the searing pain of surviving adolescence as both black and gay, and becoming a man within a duplicitous society that both promotes and limits him in his journey into adulthood.  

I Could Tell You Stories: Sojourns in the Land of Memory by Patricia Hampl

This memoir is a beautifully written exercise in the art of discovery. Though it’s not a craft book, Hampl consciously demonstrates the means through which she reflects on her inner and outer life experience, explores the misty landscapes of memory, and explains what most memoirists are only vaguely aware of—the reason for writing one at all.

Crazy Brave: A Memoir by Joy Harjo

Harjo was named U.S. Poet Laureate this past June. Yes, this memoir is written in prose—gorgeous, lyrical, mythic prose. After you’ve read it, you’ll likely want to read her poems, too. And, afterwards, you’ll want to find recordings of her music. And, after that, you’ll want to meet her, which you can do next April when Harjo visits Charlotte to headline CPCC’s Sensoria festival and (lucky us!) teach at Charlotte Lit.

Memories, Dreams, Reflections by C. G. Jung

As I admitted in the introduction, I’m a Jungian, so there’s no way I could leave this classic off my list. Yes, it’s one of the more difficult books (and perhaps the strangest) on the list. But readers will be rewarded for their efforts with fresh understanding about the roots of modern psychology and an experience of its founder’s rich imagination. MDR , as it’s known, is a classic—deservedly so.

The Liar’s Club and The Art of Memoir by Mary Karr

Yes, these are two separate books. I’m fighting against the limits of the list. Besides, my hunch is that avid readers have already come across Karr’s famous first memoir, The Liar’s Club . If not, read it before any of these others. Then sometime in the middle of your reading year, take up Karr’s equally compelling craft book, The Art of Memoir . Even if it doesn’t make you want to take up your pen, it will make you a better reader.

The Dance of the Dissident Daughter : A Woman’s Journey from Christian Tradition to the Sacred Feminine by Sue Monk Kidd

Kidd is known for her best-selling novel, The Secret Life of Bees . This is an altogether different kind of book—part memoir, part study of feminist spirituality. Kidd weaves the two threads seamlessly, not only finding her voice in the process but helping readers do the same. As she writes, “The hardest thing about writing is telling the truth. Maybe it’s the hardest thing about being a woman, too.”

Ordinary Light: A Memoir by Tracy K. Smith

This memoir is also written by a U.S. Poet Laureate. Smith served in the role from 2017-2019. By now, you might be wondering about the relationship between poetry and memoir. All I can say is that the best memoir writers have a style of consciousness, a tendency for and pattern of reflection, that is poetic in essence. And no one does this more lyrically or powerfully than Smith.

Since many book groups meet every month of the year, I’m throwing in a few more titles to choose from. These books are no kind of runners up; I just ran out of room!

• Traveling Mercies: Some Thoughts on Faith by Anne Lamott
• Bluets by Maggie Nelson (another slender micro-memoir volume)
• Wild by Cheryl Strayed

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History and sexual politics, 1492 to the present

Bleg: good biographies for a book club.

In a quick e-mail to my neighbor, I recommended Laurel Thather Ulrich’s A Midwife’s Tale (1990), and Blanche Wiesen Cook’s Eleanor Roosevelt , vol. I. (1992).  (I probably should have warned her that the Cook bio is 600+ pages!)  My guess is that this book club will want to be able to read and hear the voice of the subject, so while I admire Camilla Townsend’s accomplishments as a historian in Pocahontas and the Powhatan Dilemma (2004), and her Malintzin’s Choices:  An Indian Woman in the Conquest of Mexico (2006), my guess is that an audience of non-experts will feel that the subject of their book is rather elusive.

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22 thoughts on “ bleg: good biographies for a book club ”.

This is more autobiography than biography, but how about Majane Satrapi’s _Persepolis_? It’s a two-part graphic novel that tells her story of growing up in Tehran during the Islamic Revolution. Compulsively readable, and there’s lots to talk about in terms of not only the text but also Satrapi’s artwork.

Great idea, Rose–this is what I’m looking for from you readers: recommendations for stuff pre-1500 and post-1800!

I really liked Alice Echols’ biography of Janis Joplin, Scars of Sweet Paradise , but I’m probably a sucker for it based on the subject matter.

Evgeniia Ginzburg’s Into the Whirlwind is also good reading.

I haven’t read it yet (just bought it) but what about Annette Gordon-Reed’s Hemmings of Monticello? And I loved the first volume of Cook’s Roosevelt book. Was it 600 pages? Didn’t feel like it…

How about Natalie Zemon Davis’s Trickster Travels: A Sixteenth-Century Muslim Between Worlds or Afua Cooper’s The Hanging of Angélique: The Untold Story of Canadian Slavery and the Burning of Old Montréal ?

I had a great time reading _Georgiana: Duchess of Devonshire_ by Amanda Foreman. I read it for guilty pleasure and enjoyed every moment of it.

Although published by an academic press, I recommend “Alice Paul and the American Suffrage Campaign” by Adams and Keene. Alice Paul’s story and what she achieved is so incredible that it leaves me wondering why she is not in our history books… Because of her efforts 20 million American women were enfranchised. If that’s not a revolution I don’t know what is! I also like “Sisters –the Lives of American Suffragists” by Jean Baker which has a good overview of Alice Paul.

I haven’t read it yet, but what might also be of interest is the just published “The Muse of the Revolution” by Nancy Rubin Stuart. It is about Mercy Otis Warren who wrote our Bill of Rights.

I love A Midwife’s Tale! Ulrich is my idol.

Joan Hedrick, Harriet Beecher Stowe: A Life Nell Irvin Painter, Sojourner Truth: A Life, A Symbol Katherine Kish Sklar, Catharine Beecher: A Study in American Domesticity Jean Baker, Mary Todd Lincoln: A Biography

Some goodies from US disability history:

Susan Burch and Hannah Joyner’s _Unspeakable_ (UNC Press, probably 2006?) is the story of Junius Wilson, a deaf African-American man who was arrested and soon imprisoned as “criminally insane” (without ever being tried); he was castrated and stayed in the state hospital in North Carolina for more than 70 years, with no one to converse with (the kind of sign language he learned in a segregated deaf school in the 1920s wasn’t standard ASL). With changes in policy and practice, his predicament came to light in the 1990s, with extensive news coverage and protracted lawsuits. The book is readable and fascinating, and would be bound to raise discussion topics among intelligent, reflective readers.

Kim Nielsen’s _The Radical Lives of Helen Keller_ (NYU Press 2004) is another good choice, because it’s a familiar historical figure whose real life is so much more interesting and complicated than her mythology. That alone should make it a good book group discussion.

Ernest Greenberg and Elisabeth Gitter both published biographies of Laura Bridgman (a deafblind woman whose education was a matter of public fascination in the mid-19c) about five years ago. I’ve only read the Greenberg, but Bridgman’s is another story that gathers up so many broader trends into one life’s course. If the reading group includes a lot of educators, this would be an especially good choice.

“Peter the Great” by Robert K. Massie is splendid.

William Manchester’s first two biographies of Churchill are fantastic as well. I have a soft spot for Manchester, as he died while I wrote my dissertation chapter on him. (sob) The third and final volume is coming out and, if i remember correctly, is being completed by a journalist who knew Manchester in his later days. Any info about that release date would be appreciated (of course).

Oh, old stuff.

I guess you are probably picking up on my dead white mae fixation. Eep!

I’ve always loved Catherine of Aragon by Garrett Mattingly.

This is great! I’m not an historian and don’t get a chance to read much for fun, but love biographies, and will have to check some of these out. I read one a couple years ago, “Ada Blackjack: A true story of survival in the Arctic” by Jennifer Niven. Blackjack was an Inuk woman who was the sole survivor in a mission that was meant to prove the “Friendly Arctic” theory. Reviews are available at the author’s website http://www.jenniferniven.com/?act=reviewsada

I’ll echo historymaven re: Joan Hedrick’s book.

Since this is the Lincoln bicentennial, I’d also recommend David Herbert Donald’s _Lincoln_.

OH, and if they would do memoir, I think Obama’s first book (Dreams from my Father) is really good. Not a politician’s book, really.

I’ll add a memoir – Unbowed by Wangari Maathai. She was the first African woman to win the Nobel Peace Prize and is just amazing. Moreover, her story allows folks who only see the negative image of Africa to see African women (in particular) taking a proactive role in protecting the environment (and the delicate state structure) in an African society. She also gives some prescient context for the ethnic violence that flared up in Kenya last year and shows that African women do not let men walk all over them. Usually memoirs about women in Africa are from a colonial white perspective (Alexandra Fuller and Isak Dinesen come to mind) which is why Maathai’s book is so unique and enjoyable.

I love the biography of Ida B. Wells by Paula J. Giddings – “Ida: A Sword Among Lions”, published by Amistad. It’s 800 pages so perhaps a bit long, but intriguing and rich.

Since someone else pointed out that we’re all celebrating Lincon, why not a biography of Mary Todd Lincoln? I’ve not read any (I’m more of an 18th century kid), but there was one recently reviewed in the WasPost; Mrs. Lincoln: A Life, by Catherine Clinton.

I second Peresopolis – it was a challenging read, and very enlightening.

I agree on Peresopolis! I’d also suggest Al Young, Masquerade and Martha Hodes, The Sea Captains Wife (the latter has its own website). For a popular but absorbing bio of Edna St. Vincent Millay, see Nancy Mitford, Savage Beauty.

Hi! I am the neighbor who is in this bookclub and I want to thank everyone for their input! I got some great titles to suggest over the next few months. We had a meeting last night and in celebrating Lincoln we are going with “The Madness of Mary Lincoln Todd” by Jason Emerson. This is our first non-fiction and we want to alternate fiction and non-fiction so I wrote down some of these titles for the future. Thanks again Ann and everyone! (PS its my first time blogging on here but I visit often)

I would probably have some valuable insight into some useful biographies as my favorite hobby is to read about all the great people of times past. Among my favorites are:

– “Duty of a Statesmen” by William Lee Miller. This is a biography of Abraham Lincoln and his presidency with respect to his moral and principled character.

– “Confessions” by Jean-Jacque Rousseau is indeed my favorite autobiography of all-time! His constant introspections and questioning about life provides for a very good teacher of human psychology.

– “Metternich” by Alan Palmer. This biography of perhaps the world’s most able diplomat delves deep into this exciting but controversial man.

– “Napoleon’s Master: A Life of Prince Talleyrand” by David Lawday is an extremely entertaining biography of the most ostentatious, intelligent, controversial, and shrewd statesman that has probably ever known to exist.

I hope this reply helped provide this forum with some useful biographies that indeed helped me open my eyes to the lives of history’s great men.

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14 Nonfiction Books For Everyone In Your Book Club

When I was younger, I associated nonfiction with dry and dull textbook-like stories, and like many fiction-lovers, I often avoided nonfiction. I was wrong of course; there are many incredible nonfiction books, including these nonfiction books for your book club .

Recently, I have become much more interested in nonfiction, and was luckily able to shed my previously held notions about how boring it would be. No, nonfiction books don’t take place in fantasy worlds, but they can still be just as enchanting. From biographies to historical works to humorous true stories, nonfiction has a lot to offer.

One great thing about nonfiction is that it can often be appealing to a wide range of people. So if you’re in a book club, and you’re looking for a choice that will please everyone, this could be the perfect genre. And the great thing about true essays is that they’re often great conversation starters, which makes them excellent for sparking your literary discussion. Not sure where to start? I’ve got you covered – here are some of your best bets for nonfiction works that will be well liked by everyone in your book club. Even the fiction-loving doubters like me.

1. Outliers : The Story of Success by Malcolm Gladwell

What is the key to success? New Yorker staff writer Malcolm Gladwell explores what allows high-achievers to succeed in Outliers . He tells plenty of stories to illustrate his points, and the book flows at an quick pace that will appeal to everyone in your book club.

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2. Modern Romance by Aziz Ansari And Eric Klinenberg

You probably know Aziz Ansari from his role as Tom Haverford on Parks and Recreation and from his standup comedy, but did you know he wrote a book, too? In Modern Romance , Ansari and Klinenberg explore how people date and look for love in a technology-consumed era. It's filled with Ansari's trademark humor, but features many research-driven arguments about dating in the modern age. Definitely a great book club discussion starter.

3. Hunger Makes Me a Modern Girl by Carrie Brownstein

Carrie Brownstein has an incredibly interesting life: she's a musician for feminist punk band Sleater-Kinney, and today she's often recognized as one of the stars of the hilarious TV series Portlandia . This is a music memoir that will certainly have a widespread appeal in your book club.

4. Unbroken : A World War II Story of Survival, Resilience, and Redemption By Laura Hillenbrand

Laura Hillenbrand's nonfiction reads like fiction. This exhaustively researched book tells the story of Louis Zamperini, an Olympian and World War II lieutenant who lived an incredible life. You probably remember the film produced and directed by Angelina Jolie — so why not check out the book that inspired the movie?

5. A Room of One's Own By Virginia Woolf

In this classic essay, Woolf explores the topic of women and fiction. If you're a woman who likes to read (and write), this is a can't-miss book for your book club. Plus, it's on the shorter side, so if you're looking for something to jumpstart discussions, this is a great pick.

6. Why Not Me? By Mindy Kaling

Mindy Kaling is a hilarious and excellent writer, and her latest memoirs is yet another example of that. Fans of The Mindy Project , fans of Nora Ephron, fans of rom-com-style books — this is the book for you.

7. We Should All Be Feminists by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie

This essay was adapted from Adichie's TEDx talk, and it's a detailed and observant discussion of what feminism means today. You'll start a great discussion in your book club with this pick.

8. Alexander Hamilton by Ron Chernow

If you, like me, can't stop listening to the soundtrack from Lin-Manuel Miranda's musical Hamilton , check out the biography that inspired it. The incredibly compelling story of one of America's founding fathers is sure to be a hit with everyone in your book club.

9. Lab Girl by Hope Jahren

This memoir by scientist Hope Jahren will make you fall in love with nature, and don't worry — it's very accessible, even for someone like me, who doesn't have Jahren's gift for understanding science. Filled with stories from Jahren's childhood in rural Minnesota to her adventures around the world in the name of science, this one will appeal to all.

10. The Last Lecture by Randy Pausch

Carnegie Mellon computer science professor Randy Pausch gave this lecture after being diagnosed with terminal cancer. It's about achieving your dreams, overcoming obstacles, and taking advantage of every moment. It's inspirational and will make you laugh and cry and become a better person — everyone in your book club should read this lecture.

11. Modern Manners by Dorothea Johnson And Liv Tyler

It's never a bad idea to brush up on manners, and this book even has tips for job interviews and traveling overseas. If you read this book with your book club, you can all throw a fancy dinner party afterwards and know exactly what to do (side note: Dorothea Johnson expects that I'm going to be attending a lot more galas than I actually am, but hey, now I'm prepared in case I start getting invited to a bunch of them).

12. Weird Things Customers Say In Bookshops by Jen Campbell

If you're looking for something purely funny to share with the lit-lovers in your book club, look no further than Weird Things Customers Say In Bookshops. You don't have to have worked in a bookstore to appreciate the humor of this collection.

13. The View from the Cheap Seats : Selected Nonfiction by Neil Gaiman

If your book club has already gone through Gaiman's works of fiction, why not try some of his nonfiction? This collection of essays spans topics from fairy tales to ghosts to storytelling in general, and even though it's nonfiction, it still has Gaiman's enchanting trademark prose.

14. Princesses Behaving Badly by Linda Rodriguez McRobbie

I love funny and weird stories from history, especially when they're completely true. This nonfiction collection of stories revolves around strange tales of quirky princesses, and it will appeal to everyone in your book club because it's just so interesting . The stories range from intriguing to downright bizarre, and it completely flips the idea of a damsel in distress.

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The perfect reads for your book club

This list of modern masterpieces and timeless classics is guaranteed to stimulate a lively discussion this season.

After a tough winter, there’s something joyous about knowing that the sun won’t set before 6pm for the next six months. And there's no better way to celebrate than rounding up the book group from hibernation, cracking the spine of a fantastic must-read and having a good discussion .

We’ve rounded up some of our favourite new titles, as well as books from the past few years and older classics, that will demand your attention and keep you hooked until the last page. There's plenty to chew over, along with whatever nibbly bits you serve up. So, whether you're looking for a modern romance or a literary classic, there's something for everyone in our list below of the best book club picks for 2024.

Complex characters and family dynamics

Someone Else’s Shoes by Jojo Moyes (2023)

Themes: Coercive control, second chances, starting over

Taking the concept of walking a mile in someone’s shoes wonderfully literally, this reinvention of the film Trading Places sees two 40-something women's lives change when they accidentally swap bags and shoes. Londoner Sam Kemp, now wearing a pair of custom designer heels, finds new confidence in dealing with her colleagues, depressed husband, and spiteful boss, while visiting American Nisha Cantor, now in Sam’s flats, finds herself locked out of her hotel and bank accounts by her husband, who gives her the ultimatum of finding the shoes or forfeiting a divorce settlement, while she secretly works in the hotel where she was once a guest. There’s plenty to discuss about Moyes’ typically entertaining and thought-provoking story.

The Safekeep by Yael Van Der Wouden (2024)

Themes: postwar life, family dynamics, LGBTQ+ love   

The Safekeep is a reading experience where the story unfolds and unravels while your brain works overtime to make all the connections. It follows the story of Isabel over a sweltering summer in her family's country pile in a rural Dutch province.

Isabel’s desire for order soon unravels as she begins to understand herself, and her brother's girlfriend Eva, in a completely new light. With themes including war and its devastating after-effects, sexuality and acceptance, home and belonging, there's much to discuss about this 1960s-set novel.  

Read more: 12 of the best debut novels of 2024

The Paper Palace by Miranda Cowley Heller (2021)

Themes: Romance, mid-life, family legacy

Miranda Cowley Heller may be a debut novelist, but she’s no stranger to good stories. A former books editor, she spent a decade as Head of Drama Series at HBO. No wonder, then, that The Paper Palace is a gripping, devastating read. Told between the mid-'50s and the passing hours of a contemporary summer in a New England beach backwater, The Paper Palace hooks you in until the end – when events reach a climax that you’ll be desperate to discuss.

Read more:  The best summer reads for your book club

Amazing Grace Adams by Fran Littlewood (2023)

Themes: Resilience, menopause, redemption

Menopause is a hot topic as much because of the appalling lack of time given to it by Britain’s medical services and the increased exposure it's getting thanks to celebrity filmmakers such as Davina McCall. Grace’s daughter hates her, and her husband is divorcing her. While on the way to collect a cake for her daughter’s 16 th  birthday party, from which she has been explicitly banned, something in Grace snaps – but instead of walking away from her life, she decides to walk towards it and make things right. Set over one day, and riffing on the 1993 Michael Douglas film, Falling Down , Grace’s march towards her family brings violence, humour, rage, and an untangling of how past trauma and present exhaustion have become wildly connected.

Tomorrow, and Tomorrow, and Tomorrow by Gabrielle Zevin (2022)

Themes: The nature of art and creativity, romantic and platonic love, video games

That Gabrielle Zevin’s new novel is being touted as a story about video games might be truthful, but it’s reductive too: Tomorrow, and Tomorrow, and Tomorrow is about the very nature of creativity and human connection, a profound story about three friends who navigate growing up together and the ways that our childhood narratives and social identities can affect the rest of our lives, both for better and for worse. Deftly tying in themes of race and gender, ability and sexuality – fruitful book club topics, all – Zevin set out to write a book about three friends making video games, and wrote her masterpiece in the process.

Read more: Interview: For author Gabrielle Zevin, books are a game

The Things We Do to Our Friends by Heather Darwent (2023)

Themes: Toxic friendship, boundaries, envy, money

Clare has left a difficult life in Paris and arrived at Edinburgh University ready to figure out who she is – and who she wants to be. She has her sights set on joining a rich, glamorous clique in her art history classes, led by the Waspy blonde Tabitha who has a plan that she wants Clare to get involved with. A co-dependent friendship forms and Clare soon discovers that joining the group was easier than leaving it – an engrossing topic for any book club to get into, with plenty of literary parallels.

Go As A River by Shelley Read (2023)

Themes: Perseverance, coming of age, redemption

Inspired by the story of Iola, Colorado, which was destroyed to make way for a reservoir in the 1960s, Read’s book places us in the 1940s, where 17-year-old Victoria Nash runs the household of her family’s peach farm as its last remaining woman. A chance meeting with drifter Wilson Moon leads to her taking to heart his farewell, ‘Go as a river’ – and when the Gunnison River threatens all she knows, and sends her into the mountains, Victoria must channel that idea of fortitude to help her survive and grow up. A fantastic choice for a season of life where we’re all feeling overwhelmed.

Prize-winning fiction

The Bee Sting by Paul Murray  (2023)

Themes: Family tragedy, secrets, fate 

 Shortlisted for the 2023 Booker Prize, and winner of the Nero Book Award for Fiction, The Bee Sting is a tragicomic literary novel that is funny, thought-provoking and quietly devastating. It follows an Irish family navigating the emotional (and financial) fall-out of the 2008 financial crash, with each character wondering how their life could have been different.  

Despite being 650 pages long, the plot is so fast-moving, switching between each character’s perspectives, that you can easily speed through it in a few days.  

Read more: An interview with the author Paul Murray  

The Things That We Lost by Jyoti Patel (2023)

Themes: Family secrets, racial prejudice, loss

The winner of the 2021 #Merky New Writers Prize is a big, bold family saga focused on a mother and son from Harrow. Nik is a British Gujrati student who has moved from London to study at a very white university and is struggling with his mental health. Raised by his mother, Avani, he has always known not to ask about his absent dad, but when his grandfather dies, he takes the opportunity to find out more about his family’s past. The narrative is told from Nik and Avani’s points of view, giving us the opportunity to dive into Avani’s own history and, eventually, lead mother and son back to each other.

Girl, Woman, Other by Bernardine Evaristo (2019)

Themes: love, sex, generational divides, queer identity

To avoid the book club curse – people not doing the reading and trying to blag it on the day – try the most enjoyable book of 2019. On paper, the Booker-winner   sounds like it could be a bit of a slog: a huge cast of characters spanning multiple generations, dealing with complex themes like gender identity and intergenerational conflict.

Yet from the first page to the last it is a palpable joy, such is the wit and verve of Evaristo’s prose, her ability to do heavy emotional digging with the deftness of touches. As the narrative breezes through the lives of twelve women, each is brilliantly and believably evoked. So much to enjoy; so much to talk about afterwards.

Read more: Bernardine Evaristo on the books that shaped her life

Crime & Mystery

The List of Suspicious Things by Jennie Godfrey (2024)

Themes: True crime, teenage friendships, violence against women, family dynamics

It was her father's connection to Peter Sutcliffe, dubbed the Yorkshire Ripper, which seeded the idea for author Jennie Godfrey's debut novel. Since its release, the debut has spent weeks on the Sunday Times bestseller chart.

It follows two friends who are trying to find the Yorkshire Ripper to make their hometown safe again. As they begin their investigation, they inevitably uncover secrets about their small town and the people within it, with devastating consequences.

Read more: Jannie Godfrey on the day that Peter Sutcliffe was caught and the story behind her debut novel

Strange Sally Diamond by Liz Nugent (2023)

Themes: Trauma, isolation, freedom  

Sally Diamond thought she was following her father’s orders when she put his body out with the rubbish when he died. Now, as the reclusive Sally becomes the centre of a media storm, she learns about the traumatic past she had blocked from her memory.

This character-driven psychological suspense is heart-breaking but hopeful, as Liz Nugent skilfully weaves together the dark with the light. The book’s intriguing ending will leave you with plenty to discuss in your book club. 

The Fury by Alex Michaelides (2024)

Themes: Revenge, mystery, truth.  

Former movie star Lana Farrar invites seven guests to a private island. But what starts as a hedonistic holiday ends with murder, and everyone is a suspect.

The Fury is a captivating read that’s full of the plot twists you’d expect from the bestselling author of The Silent Patient . It has a unique narrative style that brings new meanings to the trope of the “unreliable narrator”, and blends entertainment with sharp psychological insight. 

None of This is True by Lisa Jewell (2023)

Themes: Obsession, deception, control.   

Nothing gets the conversation flowing at a book club quite like a good mystery novel, where the motives and actions of the characters are as fun to dissect as the twists and turns of the action. There is no writer more perfect to fit this brief than Lisa Jewell, whose superbly-written psychological thrillers have been gripping readers for decades.

Jewell’s latest psychological thriller starts with a simple premise: a woman wants to tell her life story on a new friend’s podcast. But as the plot progresses, it spirals into a sinister exploration of obsession, the lies we tell ourselves, and the lengths people go to in their quest for perfection. Featuring two flawed, unforgettable female protagonists, and a shocking ending, this is a book you’ll be itching to talk about as soon as you’ve turned the last page.  

Love and romantic relationships

Ordinary People by Diana Evans (2018)

Themes: modern marriage, Black identity, domesticity 

Not to be confused with Sally Rooney’s Normal People , this realistic novel paints a portrait of a marriage that, 13 years in, is running dry. Evans has previously spoken of her ambition ‘to see the everyday in middle-class Black lives normalised and humanised’ and in Melissa and Michael’s Crystal Palace home, things seem gratingly familiar – until they don’t, and the otherworldly starts to unfold. 

For those who have a soft spot for classic novels, Evans has earned comp arisons to Dickens and Tolstoy , such is her ability to create a complete and familiar world. Which means that, even if you don't want to discuss relationships, marriage or long-term love, there is the recent history of Barrack Obama's inauguration and the death of Michael Jackson to reconsider as a group.

Funny Story by Emily Henry (2024)

Themes: Friendship, heartbreak, new beginnings.  

If your book club is in the mood for a funny but poignant romance, you can’t go wrong with anything written by Emily Henry – especially her latest, Funny Story .

Daphne thought she was happy with her fiancé Peter – until he left her for his best friend Petra. Desperate, she moves in with the only person who understands what she’s going through: Petra’s ex, Miles. They initially ignore each other but, after a night of too much tequila, form a plan to make their exes jealous. What could possibly go wrong? 

Read more: Books guaranteed to make you laugh    

Free Love by Tessa Hadley (2022)

Themes: Compromise, family secrets, fulfilment

The Summer of Love has long been overly-idolised, and Hadley’s novel brings it to earth with a bump. Suburban housewife Phyllis has entered her forties in a state of reasonable contentment until she encounters a young bohemian poet at a dinner party who reawakens her desire for sex and change. Her decision to leave her family for him has ramifications for them all, and the contrast between her conservative self and new world shows that nothing is as clear-cut as she imagined.

Hadley’s beautifully atmospheric writing brings the 1960s to life, not least in the disparity between the young white people playing at being outsiders, and the black Britons who would remain so after they had cut their hair.

Read more: Tessa Hadley: ‘I am so glad I didn’t publish a debut novel at 25’

A New Life by Tom Crewe (2023)

Themes: Personal freedom, history and identity, private vs public

Historian Tom Crewe takes the real-life story of the writers Havelock Ellis and John Addington Symonds and the trial resulting from their 1897 book on homosexuality, Sexual Inversion , and fictionalises it to make an outstanding story with parallels between the sexually conflicted 19 th  century and our own, not vastly improved, modern day.

Through his leading men, both in marriages of convenience (although not always so for their wives), Crewe asks questions about patriarchal structures, the importance of the women’s movement, and the very real moral dilemmas posed by reducing human life to theory.

Read more: an extract from A New Life by Tom Crewe

Pineapple Street by Jenny Jackson (2023)

Themes: Family dynamics, inherited wealth, new directions

This absorbing drama about a family of one-per-centers living in and around their ancestral brownstone on the titular New York street piles on miscommunication and concealment in glorious ladlefuls.

Sasha has newly married into the clan, but her refusal to sign a pre-nup has her sisters-in-law looking at her with new mistrust. Elder daughter Darley has given up her career and future inheritance for a simpler life with her husband and family, and younger daughter Georgiana is trying to find a way of using her wealth for good. Eavesdropping, gossip, and family tradition weigh heavy on all three women – and that’s before husbands, parents, and more in-laws enter the equation.

Read more: Best romance books for ultimate escapism

Historical fiction

Shrines of Gaiety by Kate Atkinson (2022)

Themes: Crime, female trafficking, Jazz Age

Atkinson turns her meticulous eye for historical research to the 1920s. Nightclub impresario Nellie Coker (based on Kate Meyrick) has just come out of prison and returns to her empire and six adult children, keeping watch for potential betrayal. High and low class rub shoulders at Nellie’s clubs, but the criminal world is simmering closer than anyone could expect – and it proves all too easy for girls to go missing. An exhilarating dance through the grimmer parts of an age that has all too often been wiped clean by history, with female crime at its heart.

In Memoriam by Alice Winn (2023)

In Memoriam became a runaway success last year, spending weeks in the Sunday Times bestseller list, winning the Waterstones Debut Fiction and Novel of the Year awards and, most importantly, being voted by Penguin readers as one of the best debut novels of 2023 .

Inspired by her research into Robert Graves and Siegfried Sassoon, Winn's novel follows two friends who are unable to express their love for each other, and are torn apart when they are enlisted to fight in the trenches. There, against the horrific spectre of death and wartime, their romance blooms. It's a must-read for fans of Birdsong and Pat Barker's Regeneration series .

A Month in the Country by J. L. Carr (1980)

Themes: memory, loss, rural life, the lost golden age of England

Not for nothing did the much-lauded literary podcast Backlisted make this 1980 Booker-nominee the subject of its first-ever episode. You’d be hard-pressed to find a more perfect novella, nor one so strangely overlooked. It tells the deceptively simple story of a single, rejuvenating summer spent uncovering a mural in a village church by Tom Birkin, a restoration expert and war veteran escaping London in the wake of a failed marriage. 

A Month in the   Country richly and gently evokes rural English life – both its scenery and cast of eccentric characters – without ever getting misty-eyed or glib.

Lessons in Chemistry by Bonnie Garmus (2022)

Themes: women in STEM, 1960s America

Lessons in Chemistry tells the story of Elizabeth Zott, a talented chemist in 1960s America who, even as a member of the prestigious Hastings Research Institute team, constantly feels the insistent weight of patriarchy. But when she suddenly finds herself the host of a televised cooking show – where her chemistry expertise proves revolutionary – Zott’s atypical approach to cooking begins to spark bigger change than she’d anticipated.

Punctuated by debut novelist Bonnie Garmus’s wit and a plethora of endearing characters, Lessons in Chemistry was practically built for book clubs.

Read more: 21 Questions with Bonnie Garmus: ‘I got mad and started this book’

Cursed Bread by Sophie Mackintosh (2023)

Themes: Hysteria, desire, fictionalised history

Mackintosh’s third novel has a fantastic premise: the 1951 Pont-Saint-Esprit mass poisoning, which saw 250 people poisoned (seven fatally) in an incident originally blamed on ‘cursed’ bread.

Elodie the baker’s wife longs to be remarkable rather than ignored, and when the ambassador and his wife arrive in town for the summer, she tries to get as close to them as possible. But in the background, a strange hysteria is taking over the townsfolk while a series of bizarre events makes things feel very wrong indeed.

Read more: Must-read historical novels as chosen by Penguin readers.   

Gothic & Fantasy

Luckenbooth   by Jenni Fagan  (2021)

Themes: feminism, history, structuralism

The third novel from Jenni Fagan is a marvel. A thorny, gripping tumble through a century, and a towering Edinburgh tenement building, that places a dozen outsiders in the tight fist of the events that have happened before them. How much does our past shape us, how much agency do we have in changing our fates and what power do women have in a world built by men?

Fagan's ambitious novel tackles these swaggering themes with passion and flair, as quirks from real history collide with a heady gothicism. Luckenbooth is   a swift-to-read novel that will keep you in its grip long after you shut the covers.

Read more: How I wrote it: Jenni Fagan on Luckenbooth

The Year of the Witching   by Alexis Henderson  (2021)

Themes: Gothic, history, womanhood

Alexis Henderson's electrifying debut won a suitably cult audience upon its release. The Year of the Witching  follows Bethel, a young woman with prophetic abilities powerful enough to lure her away from her puritanical upbringing and into a war of a scale she could never have imagined.

A dark and compelling tale, The Year of the Witching  has won comparisons to The Handmaid's Tale , if Atwood's fundamentalist dystopian state was set in the time of the Salem witch trials instead. Escapist and thrilling, it's bound to be a read that your group has plenty to say about.

Read more:  15 spellbinding books that celebrate witches and witchcraft

Pine by Francine Toon (2020)

Themes: spiritualism, isolation, motherhood

Francine Toon’s chilling debut found its place on plenty of breathless preview lists before its release in January 2020, but there are better reasons than mere hype to bring a new release to a book club.

Pine works deceptively hard. Toon’s elegantly minimalist prose immerses the reader in a remote and tight-knit Highlands community, steeped in silence and superstition. We find it through the lens of 11-year-old Lauren and her struggling, borderline-alcoholic single father, around whom increasingly unsettling things start to happen. Masterfully, Pine never fully clarifies who is tidying their gloomy little house, nor what leaves the scent of ‘something rotten, like meat left in the sun’ - which means there’s all the more to be explored as a group.

Read more: Spooky stories from our Clothbound classics collection

Short reads

Open Water by Caleb Azumah Nelson (2020)

Themes: race, masculinity, young love

At just 160-odd pages, Caleb Azumah Nelson's debut novel is a slip of a thing, but the heartache it manages to contain within its pages is enormous. This is a book about the near misses of love, love too intense for the life it stumbles upon. Set against a richly drawn backdrop of contemporary South London, music, books and institutional racism colour the experience of our hero. A vital and beautiful story. 

Read more: ‘I met Malorie Blackman and was starstruck’: 21 Questions with Caleb Azumah Nelson

Until August by Gabriel García Márquez   (2024)

Themes: complexity of love, grief, desire  

At 144 pages, this small but complete novel – which had lingered in a Texan archive for 10 years after the death of Nobel Prize-winning Gabriel Garcia Márquez – has finally been published. It tells the story of Ana Magdalena Back who, every August, travels to her late mother’s resting place to lay flowers but also to spend the night with a man who isn’t her husband. Despite it's small size, it asks some big questions about the messiness of love, desire, freedom, and identity.  

Read more: Best short novels and novellas you can read in a weekend

Mrs Dalloway by Virginia Woolf (1925)

Themes: PTSD, womanhood, aging and mental health

Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf? Quite a lot of people, it seems. Depending on the book club, to raise Mrs Dalloway as next month's option might well be accused of being anything from trite to pretentious, such is the reputation of Modernist literature’s leading lady. Cast away those presumptions, though, and Woolf’s searing portrayal of crumbling domesticity – and London in a post-pandemic word, in the wake of the First World War – has the potential to conjure all manner of conversations on matters that still resonate today.

There's also the opportunity to bed in with Woolf's famed stream-of-consciousness writing style, which radically changed the literary form we read today and, like only the best books, holds new meaning for every age.

Read more:  Why Mrs Dalloway is the perfect novel for our times

We Have Always Lived in the Castle by Shirley Jackson (1962)

Themes: isolation, domesticity, horror

Always controversial, long loved by other writers, Shirley Jackson has enjoyed something of a (posthumous) revival among modern readers over the past decade. Her sparse prose is brilliantly engaging, her images and ideas are chilling and her characters are unforgettable. At a time of information overload, there is something irresistibly simple about the dark worlds Jackson creates. Where better to start with unsettling story of sisters, We Have Always Lived in the Castle ?

Read more: 100 must-read classics as chosen by Penguin readers  

The Life of the Party by Olivia Gatwood (2019)

Themes: Girlhood, violence, desire.  

Olivia Gatwood is a thrilling new feminist voice in poetry, who writes with empathy and anger about the exciting and terrifying experience of growing up as a young woman. 

Influenced by the explosion in true-crime documentaries, as well as real-world experiences, this poetry collection is an unflinching exploration of the everyday violence that often shapes young women’s lives, and the many ways fear can become internalised in a woman’s psyche. 

The Home Child by Liz Berry (2023)  

The Home Child is inspired by the true story of Liz Berry’s great-aunt Eliza Showell, one of thousands of so-called “Home Children” who, in 1908 – at the age of just 12 – was taken from her native Black Country in England’s West Midlands to work as an indentured servant in rural Canada.

A lyrical story that explores themes of belonging, home, and the cruelty of historical injustice, Eliza’s journey unfolds like any great novel ­– only in verse form. 

Manorism by Yomi Sode (2022)  

It takes a special kind of writer to weave references to Caravaggio, Love Island and Piers Morgan into one coherent volume the way Yomi Sode does in Manorism. An accomplished spoken-word poet and performer, Sode’s first written collection of poems tackles an array of complex topics at the intersections of masculinity, Black identity, fatherhood, music, art and more.

His direct style of writing and zeitgeisty references to pop culture and momentous recent events make Manorism profound yet accessible.

Read more: Where to start reading poetry

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10 of the Best Spy Novels to Keep You Turning the Pages

Jeff O'Neal

Jeff O'Neal is the executive editor of Book Riot and Panels. He also co-hosts The Book Riot Podcast . Follow him on Twitter: @thejeffoneal .

View All posts by Jeff O'Neal

In the best spy novels below, you’ll find classics of the spycraft genre as well as new releases from authors whose knowledge of the spy game may surprise you. No matter what you choose, you’ll be drawn into the web of secrets and deceptions contained in these spy novel stories.

12 Book Club Picks For May 2024, From #ReadWithJenna to NYPL’s Teen Banned Book Club

I, a deeply nosy person, love knowing what is being picked as a sense of what’s happening in the world and what people are feeling and thinking. I also appreciate how you can join in as little or as much as you’d like with these book clubs — almost all are virtual or have a virtual component. My TBR list is not as thrilled with my monthly roundups, but I don’t listen to its feelings, because I will conquer it one day. So what great selections can you peruse, pick, read, and enjoy this month from 12 book clubs’ picks?

The Most Popular Histories and Biographies of the Last 10 Years, According to Goodreads

Goodreads, with its more than 140 million members, can be a treasure trove of reader statistics. Recently, Goodreads editors decided to gather data on the most popular histories and biographies of the last 10 years.

5 New LGBTQ YA and Children’s Books Out This Week

There are so many great queer books out this week that I had to split the new releases into two: the adult titles on Tuesday, and the YA/children’s ones today.

Books My Toddler Cannot Get Enough Of

As my daughter has grown, so, too, has her ability to self-select books. What was once a task designated entirely to the adults around her, she now has strong opinions and thoughts about the books she consumes…even if she doesn’t entirely understand what she’s seeing or reading. It felt like such a big step for her to find picture books equally as enticing as board books. To me, that felt like her growing up way too fast, but to her, it was wanting to engage in more stories, with more pictures and pages, and in more formats.

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