I Live for Book Club: Here Are the Best Book Club Books in Every Genre

A recent Everymom book club pick that did not disappoint—especially when it came time to discuss! We love a novel that makes us wonder: what would I do in this situation?

Emma was lucky enough to have two great loves of her life: Sam, her adoring, ever-supportive fiancé, and her late husband, Jesse, who was lost at sea three years ago. As she’s beginning to plan a new life with Sam, Jesse is found alive. Now she must choose between the two people she loves most.

This is a great first book club book pick if you’re just starting to get your feet wet. It’s a heartfelt, quick, and easy read by well-known author Rebecca Serle that everyone is sure to have their own opinions on.

In perhaps the most unexpected love story ever, we’re posed with the question: where do you see yourself in five years? For Dannie Kohan, the answer is simple. She’ll have a happy marriage with her now fiancé, be working a straightforward job, and she will be content with each and every day being highly predictable. That is, until one day she goes to sleep and wakes up to find herself in someone else’s bed, a different man beside her, and five years in the future. After one hour spent in the future, she’s thrown back into the present with questions, confusion, and plenty of guilt.

You could essentially have an entire book club series covering all of Emily Henry’s books and everyone would love it. This is arguably one of her most beloved. It follows literary agent Nora and her sister, Libby, as they take a summer vacation to North Carolina. But when Nora runs into Charlie, a book editor she knows from the city, their lives begin to intertwine, and the carefully-crafted stories they’ve written about themselves unravel.

For a slightly spicy read, look no further. A favorite series of our CEO, Alaina, this Bridgerton-esque historical romance follows Annabelle Archer, a student tasked with recruiting men of influence to join the women’s suffrage movement in England. When she targets cocky Duke of Montgomery Sebastian Devereux, passions arise in more ways than one.

In Expiration Dates, we meet Daphne Bell. For over 20 years, Daphne has received a slip of paper each time she meets a new love interest that has their name and a number that explains the exact amount of time she’ll have with this man. She’s been waiting and waiting for a slip of paper with no number on it when she meets Jake. Is this fate telling her he’s the one? As their love story unfolds and things get more complicated than she could have ever imagined, she starts to wonder if maybe fate got it wrong this time.

If you’ve watched the film adaptation starring Anne Hathaway but haven’t read the book yet, you’re going to want to immediately.

Follow along as 39-year-old mom Solène reluctantly tags along with her daughter to see her favorite boy band. Little does she know, she’ll have a chance encounter and form an undeniable connection with one of the hunky band members—even though he’s nearly two decades younger than her.

This book was the ultimate page-turner as it is reminiscent of an infamous unsolved true crime case: the Austin yogurt shop murders. Anyone interested in true crime, or thriller novels in general, ought to suggest this as their next book club pick!

On New Year’s Eve in 1999, some are expecting the end of the world—others, not so much. But no one could have predicted that four Blockbuster workers in New Jersey would be attacked, leaving only one alive. As the years go by, the case remains unsolved. Now, 15 years later, teenage employees are attacked at a local ice cream shop and, again, only one remains. The lives of those involved are changed forever, and one brave FBI Agent takes it upon herself to solve both cases once and for all.

No need to schedule your book club meeting months in advance with this one. It’s so gripping, everyone will breeze through it!

The most enjoyable thrillers leave you guessing until the bitter end—and this is totally the case with this masterpiece by Mary Kubica. Eleven years ago, Shelby Tebow went missing. A short time after, Meredith Dickey and her young daughter, Delilah, also go missing from just a few blocks away. The cases go cold until Delilah surprisingly returns. As the town begins to seek answers, they could never prepare themselves for what they find out.

In case you haven’t read The Housemaid yet, here’s your reminder that you should.

In book one of three, we’re introduced to the Winchesters’ maid who lives in the attic of their beautiful home. Mostly satisfied with her life of cleaning and errand running, she finds herself jealous of the wife Nina’s perfect life. After Nina finds out the housemaid tried on one of her dresses, she finds herself locked in her attic room. Little does Nina know, though, there may be more to the housemaid than meets the eye.

This is a perfect thriller option for those of us who don’t like anything too scary. It’s an easy read, and it was recently made into a series starring Jennifer Garner (so you can compare and contrast!).

As happy as Hannah is in her marriage, she can’t seem to break through to her step-daughter Bailey. One day, she receives an ominous note from her husband explaining that she needs to “protect Bailey” and he disappears. Hannah and Bailey’s world is flipped upside down as they set out to find answers, and the mystery brings them closer to one another than they ever thought possible.

This book offers a great reminder that things aren’t always what they seem.

Alicia’s life could not appear to be more perfect. She’s a successful painter who’s married to a famous fashion photographer. When her husband comes home late one night, Alicia shoots him dead. When she’s taken into custody, she goes silent, and has remained that way ever since. Criminal psychotherapist Theo Faber jumps at the opportunity to work with Alicia, determined to get her to speak and get to the bottom of why she shot her husband.

TW: suicide and mental illness

This is a must-read for all horror movie fans, as it is the inspiration for M. Night Shymalan’s movie Knock at the Cabin, which can be streamed on Peacock.

The tense tale tells the story of Wen, a young girl, and her parents, Eric and Andrew, who are vacationing at their remote cabin in New Hampshire. On a quiet afternoon, three strangers arrive at the house with weapons. We soon learn that the fate of the world lies on this one family.

Many of us know her as the beloved Lorelai Gilmore, and, as it turns out, Lauren Graham has quite the sense of humor, too! In her book of essays, she shares her life stories that are filled with hilarious anecdotes and plenty of sage advice that we can all take with us.

Priyanka Chopra Jonas’s memoir covers her journey of self-discovery, starting with her childhood in India and her teenage years in the United States. She shares her challenges and triumphs in a book that is as philosophical as it is rebellious.

Although this book will be released in October 2024, I can already tell it’s a must-read and one I am excited to read in my own book club.

In perhaps one of the most highly-anticipated memoirs ever, see the Barefoot Contessa like you never have before. Ina Garten is known for her bestselling cookbooks, beloved TV personality on the Food Network, and more. Now fans will get an intimate look into her inspiring life and journey.

Fans of true crime will love this thrilling book. We’ve all heard tales of the Golden State Killer who terrorized California in the ’70s and ’80s. But some of us might not know of the true crime journalist who dedicated her life to finding out the truth. In this book, author Michelle McNamara details her unfailing pursuit of unmasking the Golden State Killer up until her own death.

Another book club pick for The Everygirl Media Group, this memoir written by singer, songwriter, and musician Michelle Zauner—lead vocalist of indie rock band Japanese Breakfast—chronicles her experience growing up in a Korean household in Oregon and reconnecting with her Asian-American roots after her mom is diagnosed with terminal cancer.

I was obsessed with the Eragon books when I was younger. After all, what kid doesn’t like stories of dragons and their riders? Yarros’ story takes a similar premise and adds sexual tension and the brutal games of the elite of Navarre. Thought of as a “fragile” woman, Violet doesn’t seem to have a great chance of bonding with a dragon, but the alternative is death. This explosive read is one your book club won’t want to miss. The best part is it’s a series, so you automatically have the next book selected!

I flew through this book (couldn’t put it down!) and was so captivated by the plot. I’ve recommended it to so many friends since reading it.

Somewhere between life and death is a library that houses endless possibilities. One book details life as you know it, but every other is full of alternate paths. When Nora Seed finds herself in the library, she must figure out what truly matters in life.

Sarah J. Maas’s books have taken over TikTok, so if you haven’t thrown out the name of one of her books for book club yet, now’s the time. There are plenty of options, but a good place to start is with A Court of Thorns and Roses. Whether your group reads just the first or the whole series, everyone is sure to be hooked by this adventurous tale following Feyre. Follow along as she falls in love, dodges danger, and learns what she’s capable of.

The Blood and Ash series is by far my favorite fantasy series I’ve read this year. From the “forced proximity” trope to surprise twists and turns, you’ll find yourself engrossed in these books. This story follows a veiled Maiden (who definitely gives off some Handmaid’s Tale vibes) who’s much more than meets the eye. It’s a bit of a slow burn, but it’s worth the wait!

This one is the perfect choice for a fall book club (or anytime you’re looking for something spooky!). Another recent Everymom editor book club pick is this tale filled with magic and fierce women.

The year is 1893 and the once-celebrated practice of magic has been outlawed and almost forgotten in New Salem. That is, until three sister witches join the suffrage movement. What begins as a war for women’s rights turns into a fight for the return of magic.

This Read with Jenna book club pick is one that certainly won’t disappoint.

The three Blue sisters couldn’t be more different, but they’re bonded by one pivotal commonality: they’re all grieving the loss of their fourth sister. When the sisters come back together in New York to prevent their childhood home from being sold, they’re met with the realities of loss, disappointment, and secrets.

Evelyn Hugo gave me such a book hangover—in the best way because I couldn’t stop thinking about it after reading! You’ve probably seen this book recommended a million times, so if you haven’t read it yet, allow this recommendation to be the one.

Movie star and icon Evelyn Hugo is no stranger to the spotlight—but no one truly knows her story. When she finally decides to open up through a memoir, she brings in a budding author to detail her life, career, her seven marriages, and her true love.

From the author who brought us Babel comes this Reese’s Book Club pick and a sharp tale of secrets, lies, and consequences.

Author June Hayward isn’t seeing the success she expected, but when her biggest competitor, Athena Liu, unexpectedly passes away, June sees an opportunity. She steals Athena’s latest novel about the Chinese laborers’ efforts in World War I. She even takes on a new name and look of a writer with an ambiguous ethnic background. How long can June keep her secret, and what exactly is the price of her success?

If you like your family dynamics with a side of heartfelt mystery, pick up this bestselling story.

In 1962, a family ventures to Maine from Nova Scotia to pick berries for the summer. Their lives begin to spiral when their 4-year-old daughter goes missing. As a young girl grows up in an affluent family, she realizes something feels off, and spends decades uncovering the truth behind her life.

From the celebrated author of The Nightingale comes a beautiful coming-of-age story. Growing up in a conservative household in the 1960s, Frankie McGrath wasn’t taught to dream big. But, when her brother ships out to Vietnam to serve the war efforts, she joins the Army Nurse Corps. As she learns to navigate the chaos of war, she can’t imagine what life as a veteran back home will be. This story that honors the experience and sacrifice of women veterans is a beautifully-necessary read for all.

We’ve all faced our fair share of “what if’s” in our lives, and I love the discussions that can arise from reading this book in a group setting.

In this book, author Alisha Fernandez Miranda is determined to not be haunted by her “what if’s.” Instead, she takes time off of her demanding consulting job and leaves her home in London to spend a year exploring the dream jobs she once had. Follow along as she tries things many of us may only ever dream of, and start dreaming about your very own “what if’s” along the way.