Any book could potentially be a book club book, especially when it comes to book clubs that are focused on specific topics or genres. But then there is that category of books that fits what everyone thinks when they think of book club books. These books tend to have lots of character development, explore themes that lead to larger questions, and can even teach readers something. Some of the most fun conversations I’ve had during book club meetings have been around books with the aforementioned features, but more specifically, with family drama, scandal, and historical lessons.
The books below offer all of that. There’s the sequel to a scandalous bestseller, historical fiction inspired by real-life, groundbreaking Black women, a forbidden contemporary romance, and more.
Big Little Truths by Liane Moriarty
Normally, I wouldn’t recommend a sequel as a book club book, but this latest by Moriarty is not only her first-ever sequel, it’s also fine to read by itself. Plus, its predecessor, Big Little Lies, was a great success and a super popular book club book.
A tightly connected group of women—Big Little Lies readers will remember Madeline, Celeste, Jane, Renata, and Bonnie—now have children in high school. With high school comes the usual high school drama, but there’s also a severed finger the principal receives, an oddly behaving mother-in-law, marriage woes, and even sweet revenge. On top of everything, a strange man begins hanging around and asking seemingly innocuous questions. Will all be revealed, or will the secrets hold out? —Erica Ezeifedi
Dèy by Edwidge Danticat
“Dèy” is the Creole word for “collective mourning,” and here, the award-winning, bestselling Danticat looks at the importance of grieving together. It all starts with Haitian American real estate agent Magnolia, who witnesses a shooting one day while shopping for her daughter. She keeps the experience secret, but then the complicated contents of her life begin to unravel: her fractured relationship with her partner, her mother’s mental issues (which she feels she may inherit), and even her father’s infidelity. Magnolia weaves in and out of identities, questioning what in her life can be salvaged and where she truly belongs. —Erica Ezeifedi
Mutual Discord by Liana de la Rosa
In her first contemporary romance, Liana introduces us to Sofia, a content creator who highlights forgotten women from history whose stories deserve to be heard. She develops an online friendship with one of her followers that feels like the precursor to a different kind of relationship…which wouldn’t be a problem if he didn’t show up in person as her visiting friend’s boyfriend. I am not usually one for romances featuring someone who is already in a relationship, but I trust Liana to guide us through with grace. —Jessica Pryde
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The Ladies Hall by Vanessa Miller
Mary Church Terrell, Anna J. Cooper, and Ida Gibbs are accustomed to standing out in a crowd. They learned the art of debate at Oberlin College, where they first had to fight for their right to attend the school as Black women in the 19th century. Now, they’re fighting for civil rights and women’s suffrage even as they struggle to be recognized as full U.S. citizens because of their sex and the color of their skin. Their differences as much as their similarities have brought them here, ready to fight for their rights and freedom. —Rachel Brittain
As you solidify your book club’s selections for the upcoming months, make sure to check out this guide to improving your book club conversations to keep things fresh.
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