If you’re not in a book club with your friends right now, let me tell you: You’re missing out. There’s no better feeling than finding a group of people who love to read and sharing that passion.
However, in my experience, deciding on a book can stall the process for weeks or even indefinitely. Someone’s always unhappy. And if you’re with your friends, they have no problem voicing that unhappiness. What do you do when everyone has a different preference?
I don’t have all the answers, but I do have five 5-star recommendations guaranteed to get your book club’s wheels turning.
So what makes a successful book club book?
Besides the fact that everyone has their own taste, there are other important factors to consider.
Pacing
DNF-ing (Did Not Finish) a book is very common when a plot isn’t moving fast enough. It’s important to ensure that all of your book club members remain invested. Luckily, all the books I’ve chosen are compulsively readable.
Length
People have short attention spans. When you’re trying to corral 5-10 people to read the same book, choosing one that’s over 400 pages is a fool’s errand; good luck with it. It’s a good thing only one of my recommendations is over 400 pages!
Accessibility
Another key consideration: Not everyone is looking to buy the next book club book. I get mine from the library, as I encourage you to do if you’re not interested in purchasing. Therefore, all the books on this list are guaranteed to be at a library near you. If not, you can sue me!
Now that our criteria are outlined, here are five book club recommendations!
1) For the sci-fi lovers
You may recognize Blake Crouch from his super-popular novel-turned-Apple-TV-show, Dark Matter. But have you heard of his slightly less popular, 2019 Goodreads Choice winner, Recursion?
I’ve read my fair share of sci-fi novels, and Recursion has blown them all out of the water. Not only is the plot fast-paced; it travels to absolutely ridiculous new heights. At only 329 pages (and a standalone!), Recursion is the perfect bite-sized book club book for anyone seeking a mind-bending sci-fi thriller.
The synopsis reads:
Memory Makes Reality
That’s what New York City cop Barry Sutton is learning, as he investigates the devastating phenomenon the media has dubbed False Memory Syndrome—a mysterious affliction that drives its victims mad with memories of a life they never lived.
That’s what neuroscientist Helena Smith believes. It’s why she’s dedicated her life to creating a technology that will let us preserve our most precious memories. If she succeeds, anyone will be able to re-experience a first kiss, the birth of a child, the final moment with a dying parent.
As Barry searches for the truth, he comes face to face with an opponent more terrifying than any disease—a force that attacks not just our minds but the very fabric of the past. And as its effects begin to unmake the world as we know it, only he and Helena, working together, will stand a chance at defeating it.
But how can they make a stand when reality itself is shifting and crumbling all around them?
Goodreads
2) For the fantasy lovers
Brandon Sanderson really outdid himself with this one, which is saying something if you know Sanderson at all. If you can’t get it for your next book club book, be sure to read it on your own time.
Coming in at approximately 362 pages, Yumi and the Nightmare Painter is another easily digestible work. And with its gripping plot, it’s impossible to put down.
What’s extra special about Yumi and the Nightmare Painter is that although it can be read as a standalone, it connects back to a bigger world called the Cosmere. Think of it as Sanderson’s own version of the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU).
A little sci-fi, a little adventure, a little fantasy, and a little romance: Yumi and the Nightmare Painter has it all, coupled with Sanderson’s vivid writing.
In the book, we follow Yumi, who’s from an ancient world of gardens, meditation, and spirits. Painter, on the other hand, lives in a world of perpetual darkness, technology, and nightmares. When their lives collide unexpectedly, they must join forces or lose to a greater foe threatening both their worlds and everything they thought they knew.
3) For the historical fiction lovers
Kristin Hannah is far from an underground author. Her 2015 hit The Nightingale cemented her as a tour de force. With famous sisters Dakota and Elle Fanning set to play the main characters in the upcoming adaptation of the very same novel, Kristin Hannah will only grow in popularity.
The Great Alone is another deeply raw, character-driven hit, designed to envelop you in the backdrop of rural Alaska. Hannah’s captivating writing and empathetic characters make her an ideal choice for a club looking to feel the emotional impact of a certain time period.
In the book, we get a glimpse into the experiences of two women in the 1970s. A feminist novel at its core, The Great Alone works to highlight the hardships faced by countless women when it comes to abusive men and toxic relationships.
At the beginning of the novel, we meet Ernt Albright, a former POW (Prisoner of War), back from Vietnam. Still struggling with PTSD, Ernt has just lost another job. On a whim, he decides to move his family to Alaska and live off the grid.
His wife Cora is desperately in love and will do anything for him, while their 13-year-old daughter Leni is simply excited at the prospect of getting her happy family back. What seems like a great new start for everyone soon turns dark as the nights stretch on for eighteen hours a day. Within the endless nights, Ernt’s mental state deteriorates, and suddenly, winter is not the women’s greatest worry.
4) For the literary fiction lovers
Trigger warning: This. Book. Packs. An. Emotional. Punch.
We all love a grumpy old man with a heart of gold, and reading a beautifully written, well-crafted novel connects you to a character and their story in a way that no other form of media can.
A Man Called Ove is the perfect introduction to Fredrick Backman’s books, and I would highly recommend it for book clubs craving an incredibly poignant and moving story. Although it features a fairly simple plot, it’s likely to leave a long-lasting impression on your heart with its vivid cast of characters.
In A Man Called Ove, we meet Swedish widower Ove. Ove is very particular about things. He likes them done a certain way, and he doesn’t like idiots! He has no tolerance for mistakes and no tolerance for those who defy orders. Of course, the most chaotic family moves in next door and brings a whole new batch of trouble for Ove. What follows is a heartwarming tale of an old man, some cats, and a wildly lovable family.
5) For the romance lovers
If you’ve been around the book world for any amount of time, you’ve certainly heard of The Song of Achilles. And if it’s been recommended to you before, do us all a favor and read it already!
This is another perfect book club book. With an engaging plot and just under 400 pages, it will undoubtedly appeal to every member.
The Song of Achilles is a historical fiction, mythology-inspired romance. We all know the story of the great Greek hero, Achilles, invincible except for that one spot on the back of his heel.
In the story, we follow Achilles, destined to be a hero, and Patroclus, a young prince exiled from his home. From a young age, they are trained by the centaur Chiron in the art of war and medicine. But when Helen of Sparta is kidnapped, Achilles and Patroclus must do their duties and join the war against Troy. What ensues is a decades-long journey filled with romance, death, glory, and more.
6) A bonus recommendation
Without giving too much away (because the mystery is the best part), this book follows an infinite labyrinth and the quirky man who calls it home. Imprisoned in the endless corridors is a thunderous ocean and thousands upon thousands of statues.
Piranesi comes in at approximately 245 pages, making it a light and enthralling read. There are mysteries to uncover, secrets to be spilled, and answers to be found. It’s the ideal book for a club looking to debate and speculate about what’s going on.
Book clubs for the win
Whether or not you’re much of a reader on your own, you might just find that reading books with a buddy or two is right up your alley. Many of my friends who were once non-readers discovered a newfound passion with the help of a well-chosen book and a weekly meeting to discuss it.
It might take a few rounds for your group to find your rhythm and learn what books work best for all of you, but once you do, you’ll be eager to talk (or fight) through every page.
And if you’re getting older, and you’re not seeing your friends as much as you’d like to, a book club is precisely the thing to cultivate a sense of consistency. It will stimulate discussion, enhance group chemistry, and ensure long-lasting friendships.
