This post may contain affiliate links, which means I receive a commission if you choose to purchase through links I provide (at no extra cost to you). As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.
I went on a Book Club retreat two weeks ago and it was AMAZING – definitely a fill-your-cup experience.
If you have wondered how to join a book club, my advice is to start your own! Maybe it’s a group of old friends, maybe it’s your coworkers, maybe it’s your neighbors or other moms from school.
Don’t be afraid or embarrassed to just ask! The worst someone will say is, ‘no thanks’.
My book club is made of women I met through my kids’ preschool. And they. are. fabulous!
My book club has been together for a year and I got a few questions about what we’ve read, so I wanted to put all our 2019 book club books in one spot for easy reference!
We take turns hosting book club each month and the hostess chooses the book each month.
Here’s what we’ve read for book club + what we thought of it!
The Nightingale – A Novel
Our first book club book – we loved it and apparently everyone else does, too. Five full stars on 38,000 reviews! Makes you think about the power of sisterhood and what you would do in war. They’re making it into a movie, too. // buy it here
Small Great Things
This was actually my pick and my first ever Jodi Picoult book (can you believe it!?). Really thought-provoking story about racism and prejudice. This one is also being made into a movie. // buy it here
A Man Called Ove
This one wasn’t the club’s favorite but it’s a good reminder that there’s always a story behind a person’s exterior. // buy it here
The Great Believers
Couldn’t get enough of this book and it left me wanting to learn ALLTHETHINGS about the AIDS epidemic in the 1980s. Especially interesting if you have any ties to Chicago, love reading about cults, or want a story that alternates between past and present. It left us with TONS to discuss. // buy it here
The Immortalists
This was a good one – the story trails 4 siblings after they receive a prophecy in their early lives. Lots to discuss about destiny vs choice and family. // buy it here
Where The Crawdads Sing
The end of this book STILL gives me chills. This one is on the Reese Witherspoon book club list and we loved it. Another one that’s being made into a movie. // buy it here
Little Fires Everywhere
This book inspired some serious discussions about motherhood. REALLY REALLY good and another Reese book club pick. This one is being made into a HULU series. // buy it here
The Keeper of Lost Things
This was a fun little book to get lost in – it makes you think about your own lost things and the intersections of people’s stories. // buy it here
Defending Jacob
The only book of it’s kind that we’ve read… a legal thriller about how far you would go to protect your child and how well you can even know your child. Definitely thought-provoking. // buy it here
Shadow of the Wind
This book is slow to start but worth a read if you’re into historical fiction with a touch of thriller. Not our most conversation-sparking book but good nonetheless. // buy it here
City of Girls
DAMN! We loved this one – it was our Florida book club discussion book and it was SO conversation-provoking and a great story for women to read. // buy it here
The Last Romantics
A story about a family of siblings and their love for each other – we overall enjoyed this book. // buy it here
The 7.5 Deaths of Evelyn Hardcastle
This was a long read and you *really* have to pay attention – we read it in October as it was kind of a ‘spooky’ read. // buy it here
Three Women
Warning: lots of sex and maybe not the best if your book club is new… but it was really interesting and it was good to switch it up to a nonfiction book (we usually read fiction, not as a rule). // buy it here
I’m currently reading – not for book club, just an interim read – and currently loving:
The Great Alone
WOWSERS – loved this one so much. Alaskan wilderness, survival, love & motherhood, all mixed into one. The ending gave me chills. // buy it here
The Alice Network
Not finished with this yet but it’s SO good! About two women spies in WWI and WWII. // buy it here
Robin says
An American Marriage By Tayari Jones (2018)
Val says
Thanks! I read it last year 🙂
Kaitlyn Wibbenmeyer says
I just finished The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo by Taylor Jenkins Reid. It was very good and really have you a glimpse of Hollywood life in the 1950’s. The good, the bad and the stuff they didn’t talk about.
Val says
That sounds right up my alley! Thanks 🙂
Molly says
Educated, the tattooist of Auschwitz, stillhouse lake
Val says
LOVED Educated! Putting the others on my list. Thanks!
Denise Barry says
Fear is my homeboy
It’s a must read and very inspiring.
Val says
Thanks! I’ll check it out.
Stephanie says
Anything by Jodi Picoult but I especially loved Mercy, My Sister’s Keeper, and Leaving Time. Also just finished Lilac Girls by Martha Hall Kelly and it was fantastic!
Kristine says
We are currently reading Before We Were Yours. Highly recommend!
Stephanie says
Me Before You by Jojo Moyes was fantastic. And there are 2 sequels to it that are good as well. Absolutely anything by Jodi Picoult. She is my favorite. Leaving Time and My Sister’s Keeper are my top picks from her!
Regina says
Beneath a Scarlett Sky! Hope you enjoy it as much as I did 🙂