11 Book Club Reads You Probably Haven't Picked Yet—But Absolutely Should
Even if you’re not a member of a book club yourself, odds are you’ve chosen an enlightening, engrossing read based on a trusted recommendation. Gone are the days when book clubs and their selections were only associated with the wine-drunk mom stereotype; they’ve become even more en vogue and a way to connect. Not only that, but celebrity book clubs and local reading groups are an important part of the literary ecosystem. They pick through the hundreds of thousands of books—over 642,000 in 2025 alone—that come out of publishing houses every year, elevating both highly anticipated releases and under-the-radar gems in hopes of delighting discerning readers. And of course, the real fun comes from discussing each month’s read with your most well-read friends.
The best book-club pick stretches the reader’s mind through complex relationships between nuanced characters and thrilling plots that touch on real-life history, or shrewd commentary on society’s flaws past and present. Whether you need a new recommendation or are even planning your own meetup, here are some books sure to start conversation, from underrated classics to shocking whodunits to layered love stories. Below, read on for the best book-club picks that should jump to the top of your lists.
The Best Literary Fiction You Need to Read in Book Club Next
Page Count: 416
If books like Yellowface and Yesteryear have you craving more satire, Disorientation is a propulsive, thorny take on racial bias in academia. When PhD student Ingrid Yang discovers a chilling truth about a legendary Chinese-American poet, she must face the dissertation she doesn’t want to write, her fiancé’s unsettling obsession with Japan, and a campus-wide scandal that forces her to reckon with the institution she’s built her life around in a new light.
Page Count: 528
It’s always a thrill to get sucked into a generational tale that balances history with strong character development. In following the diverging paths of childhood sweethearts Haiwen and Suchi over 60 years and multiple continents, author Karissa Chen shows how the trauma of war and need for survival keep these fated lovers apart.
Page Count: 200
Motherhood is a well-trodden subject in literature, but this novel, translated from the original Spanish by Rosalind Harvey, is an incisive journey through the complicated subject of maternal ambivalence. 30-something Laura is determined to remain childfree, but as two children enter her life—a rambunctious 8-year-old in her building and her friend’s long-desired son, who’s born with a rare disability—her views on motherhood inevitably shift.
The Best Thrillers You Need to Read in Book Club Next
Page Count: 384
If you’re looking for a smart read about female rage, Imani Thompson’s debut offers a sticky new take on the serial killer. Cambridge student Yrsa spends her days researching her dissertation on racial violence and barely hiding her disdain at men’s bad behavior. But then she accidentally kills a bad man, and begins to obsess over thoughts of sexism, retribution, and blood.
Page Count: 400
If your book club meetings double as Love Island USA watch parties in the summer, this novel mixing reality TV and robots may be meant for you. Synthetic woman Julia Walden was literally made to love Josh LaSala, the lead bachelor of a famous dating show. Her casting may be a marketing gimmick, but to her it’s the first step toward a life of happiness. 15 months after the finale, her existence is shattered when she’s accused of Josh’s murder. As she fights to clear her name, what Julia learns makes her question everything she knows—and what exactly her “life” amounts to.
Page Count: 400
This crime novel set in 1930s N.Y.C. unites unlikely friends (inspired by real figures!) who team up to take down one of history's most notorious crime bosses. It may not seem like New York’s first Black female prosecutor and a successful high-class brothel owner would have much in common—but co-authors Marie Benedict and Victoria Christopher Murray explore how career women have faced the same struggles across industry, race, and time.
The Best Nonfiction You Need to Read in Book Club
Page Count: 352
This incisive book cuts through decades of stereotypes, discrimination, and caricatures to show a candid portrait of one of culture’s most-maligned figures: the Black single mother. By unpacking her own biases and highlighting other women’s personal stories, cultural critic Jamilah Lemieux asks readers to honor these women and advocate for the respect and support they deserve.
Page Count: 352
I live for the brain explosion that comes from looking at a cultural symbol and asking, “Why do we care so much?” With Butts, Heather Radke charts the history of famous backsides from the “Venus Hottentot” to J.Lo, to get to the bottom of how society decides which butts to celebrate, and the racial, economic, and psychological implications of booty trends. (If you want a full-body breakdown, follow this read with Tits Up by Sarah Thornton.)
Page Count: 384
Reading one of Bianca Bosker’s books means following the journalist “obsessed with obsession” down a rabbit hole to no end. In her follow-up to Cork Dork, Bosker turns her observant eye to the fine-art world, chronicling five years working at galleries and museums (and even a stint as a Guggenheim guard!). Follow along on her journey from outsider to convert.
The Best Romance Novels to Read in Book Club
Page Count: 336
Years before Nobody Wants This brought the hot rabbi to Netflix, Rosie Danan’s follow-up to The Roommate had me rooting for a man of faith and a worldly woman to follow their hearts. Come for the spicy, scandalous romance; stay for the surprisingly moving examinations of religion, modern intimacy, and the importance of community.
Page Count: 824
I’ve been on a graphic-novel kick this year; they’re fun, often quick reads that can distill complex and heavy themes into a gorgeously drawn, well-written package. This surprisingly deep series hides a heartfelt, deeply human romance behind a very wacky premise: A couple with the power to stop time when they orgasm starts robbing banks. (If that doesn’t convince you, Sex Criminals is already being adapted into a Prime Video show.)
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