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Best Books For Book Clubs | 2020

23 Riveting Reads That Make For Great Discussion in a Book Club

Dec 8 2020

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Good books, good company, and good food are the three main things it takes to create a great book club. Having discussions about intriguing, insightful, and interesting reads fuels the fire for a new way of thinking — something only a really good book can do.

What makes a great book club real? To start, something that offers many points of discussion. This can be a historical book that teaches readers more about the past, it can be a crime novel that gives everyone full-body chills, or it could be a memoir that changes each person's way of thinking. The best part about a book club is that even though everyone reads the same book, each person can still take away something entirely different.

Whether you're already in a book club or you're thinking about starting one, we've curated a list of the best book club books to give you something to talk about. Sourced from book-lovers in the POPSUGAR Book Club plus books I've read in my own reading group, these excellent stories are guaranteed to spark great conversations. From mind-altering memoirs to bestselling novels, these books will make picking the next read a breeze. Check out the best books to read in a book club, ahead.

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1. The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo by Taylor Jenkins Reid

"The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo by Taylor Jenkins Reid ($14) was a hit at both of my book clubs. It was one of those rare books that everyone enjoyed, no matter their usual genre preference, and we actually talked about it for a good chunk of our book club instead of just drinking wine and catching up!"

— Tara B.

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The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo by Taylor Jenkins Reid
$14
from target.com
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2. Untamed by Glennon Doyle

"Raw, real, and absolutely inspiring, Untamed by Glennon Doyle ($28) was my favourite book that I read with my book club this year. Doyle made me think about race, relationships, and gender in a completely new light, and for that I am forever grateful. Each chapter of Untamed dove into new thought-provoking territory that expanded my mind and ultimately the way I see my own life. Being able to talk about this book with my closest friends was so powerful, and I think all book clubs should read it if they want to have a meaningful and insightful conversation."

— Lauren H.

Image Source: barnesandnoble.com
Untamed by Glennon Doyle
$28
from barnesandnoble.com
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3. The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society by Mary Ann Shaffer

"I love The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society by Mary Ann Shaffer ($15). It's historical fiction told through letters and is very fun to read!"

— Rebecca E.

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The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society by Mary Ann Shaffer
$15
from target.com
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4. Maybe You Should Talk to Someone by Lori Gottlieb

"Maybe You Should Talk to Someone by Lori Gottlieb ($17) was our best discussion of the year. Everyone was open and vulnerable, talking about shared human experiences reflected in the stories Gottlieb shared in the book."

— Ayoola W.

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Maybe You Should Talk to Someone by Lori Gottlieb
$17
from target.com
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5. Where'd You Go, Bernadette by Maria Semple

"After coming out as a movie, Where'd You Go, Bernadette by Maria Semple ($6) turned into a big book club hit. The funny premise and interesting ending made it a fun book to talk about."

— Lauren H.

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Where'd You Go, Bernadette by Maria Semple
$6
from target.com
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6. Catch and Kill by Farrow Ronan

"If you've ever been interested in news or politics, Catch and Kill by Farrow Ronan ($18) is a must read. Farrow won a Pulitzer Prize for this book, and for good reason. With in-depth reporting, stone-cold facts, and a story that will leave you stunned, good luck trying to put it down."

— Lauren H.

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Catch and Kill by Farrow Ronan
$18
from target.com
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7. Claire of the Sea Light by Edwidge Danticat

"The book club I run as a librarian read Claire of the Sea Light by Edwidge Danticat ($16). I had never read anything by her before, and it was amazing. The characters were unique, complex, and intricately described.

— Ayoola W.

Image Source: barnesandnoble.com
Claire of the Sea Light by Edwidge Danticat
$16
from barnesandnoble.com
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8. Alice Network by Kate Quinn

"Check off the historical box when you read the Alice Network by Kate Quinn ($13). It follows two women, one who was a spy that was recruited to the Alice Network in France during World War I and another who is an American socialite. The two are brought together in this enthralling novel, leaving readers with questions that are perfect for discussion. Another great part about this book is that you'll learn a lot about first World War, which is always interesting!"

— Lauren H.

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Alice Network by Kate Quinn
$13
from target.com
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9. The Vanishing Half by Brit Bennett

"The Vanishing Half by Brit Bennett ($16) was unlike any book I've read before. This book is about twin sisters, and having a twin myself, it was interesting to see that these two were also wildly different even though they both grew up under the same roof with the same circumstances. It offered many in-depth points of discussion in my book club, which was really eye-opening."

— Lauren H.

Image Source: amazon.com
The Vanishing Half by Brit Bennett
$16
from amazon.com
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10. The Dutch House by Ann Patchett

"My book club really enjoyed discussing The Dutch House by Ann Patchett ($10). For what seemed a straightforward family saga, we had a lot of surprisingly passionate opinions and spirited conversations about family loyalty, redeemable characters, and the emotional attachment we bring to memories and the 'stuff' of life."

— Katie O.

Image Source: amazon.com
The Dutch House by Ann Patchett
$10
from amazon.com
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11. Eleanor Oliphant Is Completely Fine by Gail Honeyman

"Eleanor Oliphant Is Completely Fine by Gail Honeyman ($12) was recommended to me by a friend, and I really enjoyed it! I never would have read it without the rec, so I'm so glad it was introduced to me. This is a good book to read with a group because there are a lot of different ways to see and understand Eleanor, which is what makes this book so interesting in the first place."

— Lauren H.

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Eleanor Oliphant Is Completely Fine by Gail Honeyman
$12
from target.com
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12. Fable by Adrienne Young

"Fable by Adrienne Young ($15) as recommended by Hello Sunshine. It's a bit of a high seas fantasy with a scrappy heroine."

— Tricia C.

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Fable by Adrienne Young
$15
from target.com
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13. The Guest List by Lucy Foley

"Need a good murder mystery? The Guest List by Lucy Foley ($25) has got it all. Murder, intrigue, and an ending that will leave you speechless, this book will get everyone excited. Foley's writing is easy to follow, meaning you'll be able to fly through this book in less than a week."

— Lauren H.

Image Source: barnesandnoble.com
The Guest List by Lucy Foley
$25
from barnesandnoble.com
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14. The Bromance Book Club

"I love the The Bromance Book Club by Lyssa Kay Adams ($12) series . . . fun romances with an effort to show the guy's perspective and provide some emotional depth, but still light enough for pandemic reading. Just finished the third one and can't wait for the one featuring 'The Russian'!"

— Paula B.

Image Source: amazon.com
The Bromance Book Club by Lyssa Kay Adams
$12
from amazon.com
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15. The Power by Naomi Alderman

"If you want a book that will change the way you think about money, status, and power, The Power by Naomi Alderman ($10) is it. This book tells the story of how the world would change if women held the power, and damn is it wild. Pick up this novel if your book club is ready to dive into a real discussion."

— Lauren H.

Image Source: bookoutlet.com
The Power by Naomi Alderman
$10
from bookoutlet.com
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16. On Earth We're Briefly Gorgeous by Ocean Vuong

"On Earth We're Briefly Gorgeous by Ocean Vuong ($19) has beautiful prose. Very poetic. Beautiful book. Thought-provoking too."

— Sakun S.

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On Earth We're Briefly Gorgeous by Ocean Vuong
$19
from target.com
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17. Where the Crawdads Sing by Delia Owens

"Where the Crawdads Sing by Delia Owens ($11) was a great read that touched on family ties, loneliness, and love in a way I've never seen before. The story was rich and interesting while not being too heavy, making it a delightful read for everyone in my book club. Pick up this book if you want to explore a story that will make you rethink what it means to be alone."

— Lauren H.

Image Source: amazon.com
Where the Crawdads Sing by Delia Owens
$11
from amazon.com
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18. Frankenstein by Mary Shelley

"Frankenstein by Mary Shelley ($6) was a good discussion. So many POVs."

— Sakun S.

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Frankenstein by Mary Shelley
$6
from target.com
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19. The Book of Longings by Sue Monk Kidd

"If you want a thought-provoking read, pick up The Book of Longings by Sue Monk Kidd ($17). It tells the story of a daring and bold woman in the first century who marries Jesus, all while realising the true potential inside of her. This book is sure to conjure up a big discussion, so be sure to make your meeting long enough to dive in!"

— Lauren H.

Image Source: target.com
The Book of Longings by Sue Monk Kidd
$17
from target.com
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20. The Colour of Law: A Forgotten History of How Our Government Segregated America by Richard Rothstein

"Rich in history, The Colour of Law: A Forgotten History of How Our Government Segregated America by Richard Rothstein ($21) will open everyone's eyes to the racial inequality that Black people have faced for decades in America. While it's a bit of a heavy read, I highly recommend it to anyone who wants to learn more about race, laws, and the unjust society that America was built on. This book can lead to a ton of discussion questions, so make sure to block off enough time to talk about it."

— Lauren H.

Image Source: amazon.com
The Colour of Law: A Forgotten History of How Our Government Segregated America
$21
from amazon.com
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21. An American Marriage by Tayari Jones

"An intellectual romance novel, An American Marriage by Tayari Jones ($16) takes a look at what love is and how strong bonds can really be. If your book club wants to read something that will make them think, cry, and fall in love, look no further than this one."

— Lauren H.

Image Source: target.com
An American Marriage by Tayari Jones
$16
from target.com
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22. Hidden Bodies by Caroline Kepnes

"For anyone who loved the first season of You on Netflix but hated the second, read Hidden Bodies by Caroline Kepnes ($12) ASAP. This book is SO much better than the TV series with killer twists and turns that'll give you chills."

— Lauren H.

Image Source: target.com
Hidden Bodies by Caroline Kepnes
$12
from target.com
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23. The Southern Book Club's Guide to Slaying Vampires by Grady Hendrix

"I really enjoyed The Southern Book Club's Guide to Slaying Vampires by Grady Hendrix ($15). I enjoyed the retro vibes, and the contrast of '90s book club talk set up against horror and gory scenes. Definitely a fun horror to read."

— Li H.

Image Source: target.com
The Southern Book Club's Guide to Slaying Vampires by Grady Hendrix
$15
from target.com
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