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

When Joan comes across an advertisement seeking the first women scientists to join NASA’s space shuttle program, she burns to be one of the few people to go to space. Soon, she begins training at Houston’s Johnson Space Center. But as the new astronauts prepare for their first flights, Joan finds a love she never imagined.

A bit more lit fic than traditional romance, this book is a powerful exploration of love, loss, and social change, making it a great pick for your next book club. Fans agree the audiobook is also top notch, so it’s perfect for moms multi-tasking. Plus, Atmosphere was selected as a Good Morning America Book Club pick!

Goodreads Rating: 4.41/5

The Everygirl Book Club’s March Pick, And Now, Back To You follows Jackson and Delilah, polar opposites who are both weather reporters. When they get paired together to cover a historic snowstorm, both reporters have to put their differences aside to complete the assignment—but what if their unlikely partnership blossoms into an easy friendship?

Our editors adore all of B.K Borison’s books! Her blend of sweet romance and powerful female main characters make her books excellent fodder for discussion.

Goodreads Rating: 4.14/5

The Novak family has a special gift: they can turn back time, just once. Lauren has never been tempted to cash in this magical power, until she moves back to the shores of Malibu for the summer. Surfing with her father, reconnecting with her mother, and sharing more than one heated moment with her first love, Stone, finally has her wondering about all the choices, big and small, that have led her here—and if any of them should be undone.

Serle is an author who is an insta-read for me. Once and Again‘s exploration of regret and finding closure makes it a great pick for your next book club!

Goodreads Rating: 3.67/5

Yasmen and Josiah Wade thought they would be together forever, but life had other plans. Now, they co-parent their kids and live separate lives—or try to, despite this invisible force continuing to pull them toward one another. But when a stolen kiss turns into something more heated and dangerous, Yasmen and Josiah begin to wonder if they’re really ready to let go, after all.

A Good Morning America Book Buzz Pick, Before I Let Go beautifully explores the growing pains of a marriage. Reading together will inspire discussions about what it truly means to love someone unconditionally.

Goodreads Rating: 4.32/5

Despite being best known for her blockbuster fantasy series, Fourth Wing, Rebecca Yarros’ romances are not to be glossed over—and Things We Leave Unfinished is no exception. The story follows Georgia Stanton and her partnership with bestselling author Noah Harrison as they try to finish and publish Georgia’s late grandmother’s final manuscript.

The romance in this one is wonderful, but what really sets this book apart and makes it great for discussion is its examination of the risks we’ll take for love—and how to cope with an ending we never see coming.

Goodreads Rating: 4.31/5

A pick for the historical romance lovers, The Gentleman’s Gambit follows bookish suffragist Catriona Campbell as scholar Elias Khoury tries to win her favor to advance his studies. Taking place in the heart of the women’s rights campaign, Catriona and Elias’s love story is one to remember.

Evie Dunmore writes addictive, heartwarming period romances that expertly balance spice with politics and social change. Make sure to add her to your list!

Goodreads Rating: 3.65/5

Camille and Aubrey are both searching for answers in one person: Benjamin Bayliss, Camille’s husband. One night, they decide to swap places, but when Ben is found dead the next morning, their goals change. Now, they both need airtight alibis.

This book is the definition of an addicting thriller you won’t be able to put down. It will keep you and the rest of your book club guessing until the very end.

Goodreads Rating: 3.85/5

Lulu Mayfield is the perfect 1950s housewife. But when a new neighbor moves in, Lulu begins to suspect that something eery lurks behind the woman’s warm demeanor. As Lulu’s obsession grows, others around her begin to question her sanity. But is Lulu really losing her mind? Or is she just uncovering a truth too disturbing to accept?

Suspenseful and thrilling, The Mad Wife is a poignant exploration of identity, motherhood, and the suffocating nature of societal expectations. It also includes discussion questions, making it a perfect book club pick.

Goodreads Rating: 3.90/5

Another Good Morning America Book Club Pick, this gripping thriller follows a remarkable trio of women whose lives have been uprooted by their husband’s crimes. Now, they’ll unite to catch a serial killer.

While the mystery in this one will keep you turning the page, what makes it such a great pick is its blend of suspense and thrill with the power of female friendship. For these women, having one another is all the strength they need to keep moving forward.

Goodreads Rating: 3.68/5

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.

Goodreads Rating: 3.83/4

This one is delightfully romantic and thrilling—perfect for a book club just getting into the mystery genre. Jamie Prescott attends a speed dating event hoping to find love, but when one of the contestants gets their throat slit, she’s thrust into a fight to survive. As the body count rises, Jamie finds herself fighting for her life while navigating an unexpected love triangle.

Goodreads Rating: 3.85/5

Mary Kubica is a mystery author who crafts gripping thrillers, and It’s Not Her is another win. Two families at a secluded lake resort are thrust into an unexpected mystery when their hotel rooms turn into a crime scene. Not only will this one keep you guessing until the end, but the novel accomplishes what all the best thrillers do—making their reader totally unsure of who to trust.

Goodreads Rating: 4.02/5

Though you may recognize her face from news headlines, Gisèle Pelicot’s memoir takes a different, deeply vulnerable approach to the assault investigation that changed her life. Step by step, she recounts the final decade of her marriage, the hidden abuse that turned her world inside out, and how she eventually became a global figure for sexual assault victims everywhere.

While this is certainly a heavier read for your book club, Pelicot’s writing thrusts the victim’s perspective into the spotlight. It will be an emotional but important read.

Goodreads Rating: 4.72/5

In March 2020, Belle Burden was like any other happily married woman in the United States: navigating the early days of the pandemic with her family by her side. Then—practically overnight—her husband became someone she didn’t recognize, exiting her life swiftly and leaving Belle heartbroken and lost. In Strangers, she revisits her marriage, searching for clues that her husband wasn’t who she thought he was.

With the turn of each page, Burden charts a path for women drowning in their heartbreak to find their way back to themselves. Reading will spark engaging questions about intimacy and being unable to let go.

Goodreads Rating: 4.34/5

This heartbreaking story chronicles the childhood and young adulthood of iCarly star Jennette McCurdy, particularly the lengths to which her mother would go to keep her daughter in the spotlight. McCurdy shares how she worked through years of eating disorders, anxiety, and shame to finally come out stronger on the other side.

Despite being difficult to read at times, this story sparks interesting questions about the nature of a mother-daughter bond and the cost of child stardom.

Goodreads Rating: 4.43/5

Fans of true crime will love this thrilling book. You may have 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.

Goodreads Rating: 4.11/5

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. It is largely regarded as one of the greatest memoirs ever written and is sure to spark meaningful discussion for you and your book club.

Goodreads Rating: 4.23/5

Sarah J. Maas’s books have taken over TikTok, especially with the recent announcement of the sixth and seven books releasing soon. So if your book club  hasn’t read her series yet, now’s the time.

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.

Note, the first ACOTAR book is about 415 pages, depending on the edition you have. The rest of the books are longer, ranging from 600-800 pages—so make sure to keep their longer length in mind when selecting for your book club.

Goodreads Rating: 4.15/5

While this is technically the first in a series, it can also be easily read as a standalone—a rarity for fantasy. The story follows Grey Flynn and her mage, Kier, as they fight to protect the child of an enemy kingdom, eventually coming face to face with a secret Grey can no longer hide.

For readers just getting into fantasy, this is a perfect entry-level read. It also has a steamy romance that will make for great book club discussion.

Goodreads Rating: 3.91/5

Ravenna Maffei is a sculptress who has always known beauty. Now, desperate to save her brother, she enters Florence’s most elite competition, and in doing so, discovers an ugly, magical secret. Soon, she’ll discover that the true threat lies beyond Florence’s wall.

Travelers and readers will love the mystical, Italian setting of this novel. Plus, the enemies-to-lovers tension will make for an exciting read alongside the rest of your book club.

Goodreads Rating: 3.60/5

A wildly popular fantasy series akin to the influence of series like ACOTAR, Fourth Wing is a spell-binding story about Violent Sorrengail’s first year at Basgiath War College, where she must bond to a dragon and join the army.

With two books out now, two more expected, and a TV series in development, reading Fourth Wing with your book club will be the start of a long-standing obsession.

Note that Fourth Wing is around 530 pages, with the next two books pushing 650 pages. Similar to ACOTAR, you’ll want to keep the series’ longer length in mind in case book club members need more time to read.

Goodreads Rating: 4.57/5

In the waning years of the Azalea Dynasty, famine and disease wreck the lands. Wei Yin is tired of watching her family succumb to hunger—she’ll do anything to save them. Even offer herself up as concubine to brutal Azalea House, alongside an evil prince.

This dark, high-stakes fantasy veers from the more common fantasy tropes and explores darker themes. Still, it remains a gripping tale about the power of familial love.

Goodreads Rating: 4.46/5

Though releasing on March 24, this gothic, 19th century fantasy should be at the top of your list for your next book club read. Sonia Wilson is a talented scientific illustrator who is offered a position with the reclusive Dr. Halder, illustrating his vast collection of insects. But once moved into his North Carolina manor, Sonia discovers dark happenings in the woods. Soon, she’ll realize that Dr. Halder’s studies have taken him down a dark, twisted path.

Goodreads Rating: 4.24/5

The Everygirl Book Club’s February pick, Future Saints is perfect for fans of Daisy Jones and the Six or In Five Years. It follows record executive Theo as he stumbles upon The Future Saints, a band in turmoil after the death of their manager.

Our editors and book club members loved this one—you won’t want to miss out!

Goodreads Rating: 3.88/5

A haunting literary dystopian novel, I Who Have Never Know Men takes place in a deep underground prison where 39 women live imprisoned by their male guards, with only vague recollections of their past lives.

For discussion amongst women, this is an excellent pick. The novel is deeply speculative and feminist, taking a unique lens to the power of female friendship, intimacy, and the lengths we’ll go to maintain our humanity in the face of tragedy.

Goodreads Rating: 4.08/5

The first month pick for The Everygirl Book Club, The Compound follows Lily, a bored and beautiful 20-something who wakes up on a remote desert compound, surrounded by 19 other contestants chosen to compete on a massively popular reality TV show. The objective? Stay on the compound longer than the others. But as the competition gets deeper—and darker—reality begins to blur. Suddenly, Lily is questioning just how much she’ll have to put on the line to win.

If your book club loves a reality TV show, this is the pick for them. Regardless of how you feel about the story, after finishing, you’ll be desperate to discuss with others.

Goodreads Rating: 3.55/5

In Kin, the bestselling author of An American Marriage crafts a story about mothers, friendship, sisterhood, and the complexities of being a woman in the American South. Readers follow Vernice and Annie, two motherless daughters bound by childhood but fated to live very different lives.

Questions about motherhood, race, and gender are sure to arise while reading, making this a great book club pick. Plus, it was an Oprah’s Book Club pick!

Goodreads Rating: 4.35/5

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.

Goodreads Rating: 4.39/5

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.

Goodreads Rating: 4.59/5

Sam and Sadie are college best friends who, though often in love, are never lovers. Then, they’re brought together by an intricately imagined world of video game design. Their success brings them joy, tragedy, and a strange form of immortality.

This is a love story—but not the kind you’re used to reading. The novel tackles betrayal, identity, connection, and the power of love to hold us together.

Goodreads Rating: 4.11/5

After Tova Sullivan lost her husband, she took a job at Sowell Bay Aquarium, where she mops floors and spends time with her favorite creature, a giant Pacific octopus named Marcellus. The remarkable friendship between Tova and the octopus only grows, especially as Marcellus begins to put together what happened to Tova’s son after he disappeared 18 years ago.

The Netflix movie adaptation of this novel releases May 8, 2026, so now is a great time to read so you can watch and discuss with your book club!

Goodreads Rating: 4.36/5

One day, a stranger named Theo arrives in the Southern city of Golden. He doesn’t say much about who he is or where he came from—he just settles down in a nearby coffee shop, where pencil portraits of the people of Golden hang on the walls. One by one, he purchases the portraits and returns them to the individuals whom they depict. All he asks for in return is their stories. Soon, secrets are revealed, regrets are shared, and connections are made.

A feel good read about the power of being seen and heard, Theo of Golden will have your book club feeling teary-eyed and moved.

Goodreads Rating: 4.56/5

Violet Powell is about to be released from a twenty-two month prison sentence for a drunk driving crash. Once she’s out, she visits a bookstore to get a copy of the book she was reading in her prison book club. There, she crosses paths with two others: Harriet Larson, the host of the prison book club, and Frank Daigle, a retired machinist coping with the loss of his wife—the woman who Violet killed in the car crash.

Through the intersection of these three individuals, Wood crafts a deeply human and touching novel about all the small decisions we make that determine our lives—and how to keep on living, even when things don’t go as planned. Most of all, this story serves as a reminder that books can change the world. What better title is there for a book club?

Goodreads Rating: 4.24/5