Best Book Club Books for 2023

by Shelley Read
Publication Date: March 7, 2023
Genre: Historical Fiction

This novel transports you to 1940s rural Colorado, the home of teenager Victoria Nash. Despite her young age, she runs the household as the sole female in a family of troubled men. One day, she meets Wil, a mysterious young drifter who has been displaced from his tribal land. Their sudden and passionate connection is full of danger and secrets.

Victoria ends up fleeing to the harsh mountain wilderness in a small hut, where she struggles against impossible conditions. As the Gunnison River rises and threatens her homeland, she begins a quest to fight for all she has lost.

The Book Girls Say… If your club loved Where the Crawdads Sing, this book provides a similar descriptive style and reliance on nature as a character. While Victoria and Kya are very different, they’re both tough and resilient young women whom we learn about in a coming-of-age style.

by Heather Marshall
Publication Date: February 7, 2023
Genre: Multiple Timeline Fiction

It’s 2017 when Angela discovers a letter containing a life-shattering confession. She’s determined to find the recipient, and her search leads her to Toronto’s underground illegal 1970s abortion network, known only as Jane.

In 1971, before she went to medical school, Dr. Evelyn Taylor was a typical teenager. However, when she became pregnant, she was sent to a home for “fallen” women and forced to give up her baby for adoption. She never recovered from the trauma and vowed to spend her career providing women choices.

In 1980, Natalie was twenty and had just discovered a shocking family secret that changed everything. When she unexpectedly becomes pregnant amid the other chaos in her life, she needs someone to turn to and finds Jane. She works alongside Dr. Turner but continues to be haunted by lies.

The Book Girls Say… This highly-rated 2022 Canadian novel was picked up for US publication in 2023. Be sure to read the author’s notes at the end of the book before your meeting, as that section will add to the discussion. The book is based on the real Jane Collective and some of their stories.

by Parini Shroff
Publication Date: January 3, 2023
Genre: Literary Fiction & Mystery

Geeta had a terrible husband, so it wasn’t the worst thing when he disappeared five years ago. She didn’t kill him, but everyone thinks she did. At first, she’s worried this will hurt her reputation, but it turns out that being feared is good for business.

No one bothers her, and people want to stay on her good side, so they keep buying her jewelry. Things are working out well until women start coming to her for help getting rid of their terrible husbands. Not all the women are asking nicely, and these are very bad guys, but how far will she go to protect her reputation?

The Book Girls Say… This genre-crossing debut novel has something for everyone, as dark humor and mystery meet literary fiction. You’ll have plenty to discuss after learning more about the elements commonly present in contemporary rural Indian society.

by Jessica George
Publication Date: January 31, 2023
Genre: Contemporary Fiction

Maddie lives in London and is trying to find her own way in life. But she’s also responsible for the care of her father, who has advanced-stage Parkinson’s disease. On top of that, her boss is a nightmare, and she’s tired of being the only Black person in meetings.

Her overbearing mother, who calls her Maame (which means woman) instead of Maddie, is returning from Ghana, where she spends most of her time. Maddie’s thrilled with the chance to relinquish care of her dad and leave the family home to make her own life. As a self-described “late-bloomer,” she’s ready to finally experience her own “firsts.”

The Book Girls Say… From familial obligations to powerful friendships, and racism to female pleasure, this poignant book provides endless discussion opportunities as readers learn what it feels like to be torn between two cultures.

by Matthew Quick
Publication Date: November 1, 2023
Genre: Contemporary Fiction / Magical Realism

In this epistolary-style novel, you’ll experience grief and PTSD through the eyes of the main character, Lucus, as he writes letters to his former therapist after a tragic event. Lucus believes that his deceased wife, Darcy, is visiting him every night as an angel.

When Eli, an ostracized 18-year-old, begins camping in Lucas’ backyard, they begin to form an unlikely alliance that will help heal their neighbors and themselves.

The Book Girls Say… This book deals with the aftermath of a mass shooting and the emotional damage inflicted on a town beyond the initial victims. It’s an important topic to discuss, and though the topic is challenging, reviewers say this book is still hopeful as we’re reminded that guardian angels can exist where we least expect.

by Ruta Sepetys
Publication Date: February 1, 2022
Genre: Historical Fiction (YA)

In 1989, Communist regimes were falling throughout Eastern Europe, but Romania was still under the control of a tyrant - Nicolae Ceaușescu. Seventeen-year-old Cristian wants to be a writer, but writing freely is impossible in his world.

When Cristian is forced to be an informer for the secret police, he must decide if he's willing to betray those he loves or if he can somehow use the terrible situation to help take down Ceaușescu.

The Book Girls Say… If you normally don't read YA, this one is well worth picking up. Ruta Sepetys has a gift for telling untold stories in compelling, relatable ways, and this book was no exception! Reading this book opened our eyes to a completely different 1980s experience from that of our childhood memories living in the US.

This book is also featured on our Books Set in Eastern Europe and Book Set in the 1980s lists.

by Geraldine Brooks
First Published: June 14th, 2022
Genre: Historical Fiction

Through the true story of a racehorse named Lexington, Pultizer Prize-winning author Geraldine Brooks manages to weave a tale of spirit and injustice over 150 years of American history.

The book has three timelines. In 1850, you’ll meet an enslaved horse groomer, Jarrett, in Kentucky who has a special bond with a thoroughbred named Lexington. There is also a young artist who paints images of the horse. When the civil war erupts, the artist fights for the union and runs into the young groom and stallion again far from the track.

In 1954, a gallery owner on Martha’s Vineyard takes a special interest in a 19th-century equestrian old painting, even though the artist and provenance are unknown.

In 2019, a Smithsonian scientist from Australia and a Nigerian-American art historian unexpectedly connect through a common interest in the painting as they look for clues to the origin.

The Book Girls Say… Readers report that this story goes well beyond horse racing and art. The page-turning storytelling has rich descriptions and depth that will stick with you long after you finish the book.

by Bonnie Garmus
Publication Date: April 5, 2022
Genre: Historical Fiction

Elizabeth Zott is a quirky and brilliant female chemist working with an all-male team at the Hastings Research Institute. But it's the 1950s, and her scientific qualifications don't stop the "good old boys" from being frustrated that she won't get the coffee or make copies for them. When Elizabeth meets Calvin Evans, another scientist at the Institute, another type of chemistry results.

Fast forward a few years. It's 1961, and Elizabeth is a 30-year-old single mother. She's taken a bit of a detour in her career. Instead of working for Hastings, she's now (somewhat reluctantly) the star of a much-loved cooking show called Supper at Six. Her cooking methods are unusual ("combine one tablespoon acetic acid with a pinch of sodium chloride"). As her popularity grows, it turns out she's not just teaching women to cook. She's also daring them to change the status quo.

The Book Girls Say… While most readers seem to love this book, those who don't have pretty strong feelings about it. We think this might stem partly from the fact that the book's cover gives off rom-com or chick-lit vibes, and this book is not that! As the author has stated, she and the publisher didn't see eye-to-eye on the cover design, and the mass marketing appeal won out. But we think that may give people the wrong expectations going into this book.

This novel is funny, but not in a laugh-out-loud sort of way - more in a sometimes you have to laugh so you don't cry sort of way. The descriptions of the misogyny that Elizabeth faces (and specifically some of the language that is directed at her) offends some readers, but it's an accurate representation of what she and so many women faced in the 1950s and 1960s. You will have plenty to discuss, such as the progress made since that time and what still needs to change.

This book is also featured on our list of the Best Books Set in the 1960s.

by Fredrick Backman
First Published: September 27th, 2022
Genre: Contemporary Fiction

The Winners picks up two years after the events in the book Beartown. The locals are still trying to come to terms with the events that tore the community apart. However, change is on the way.

The book catches up with the original characters. We see Peter, Kira, Maya, Benji, Amit, and others continue to be haunted in different ways. But their story is intertwined with several new characters who are integral to the plot.

From a midwife, her fireman husband, and their four children to a con man and two other children with rough starts to life, you’ll feel the emotions and motivations of these characters in classic Backman style. The rivalry between Beartown and Hed is as fierce as ever, and that plays out in unexpected ways.

The Book Girls Say… We would normally never include part of a series in a book club list. However, we’ll make an exception for Backman. This is the final installment in the Beartown trilogy, so if your club hasn’t read Beartown yet, be sure to start there. But, if you’re one of the many who have already read Beartown and Us Against You, be sure to slot The Winners on your 2023 meeting calendar!

by Javier Zamora
Publication Date: September 6, 2022
Genre: Memoir

In this 2022 memoir, poet Javier Zamora recounts his 3,000-mile journey from his small town in El Salvador to the US.

When he was just five years old, his mother left for the United States and told Javier that one day he'd "take a trip" to join her and his father there. At the age of nine, Javier left behind his grandparents and aunt and set out to reunite with his parents.

This was no "trip" through - it was a two-month-long treacherous journey with a group of strangers and a coyote hired to lead the way. Javier somehow survived the perilous boat trips, relentless desert treks, and other dangers at every turn. Throughout this life-altering experience, the strangers he traveled with became like family, encircling him, protecting him, and guiding his way with unexpected kindness and love.

The Book Girls Say... This memoir comes highly recommended by members of our group who were among its earliest readers. While it’s commonly compared to American Dirt, it’s an important distinction that this is non-fiction, written from the perspective of a child who made the journey in real life.

Javier is an acclaimed poet, and his memoir reads like a novel. Told with vivid and intimate details, this is Javier's story, but it's also the story of millions of others like him who have been forced to leave home.

This book is also featured on our list of Books Set in North American Countries.

by Laurie Lico Albanese
Publication Date: October 4, 2022
Genre: Historical Fiction/Retelling

This novel reimagines the story of the woman who inspired Hester Prynne from Nathaniel Hawthorne’s The Scarlett Letter.

In the early 1800s, young seamstress Isobel sailed to the New World from Scotland. Her husband, Edward, has become addicted to opium, so they are trying to leave their secrets and debts behind. However, shortly after arriving in Salem, Edward leaves Isobel alone when he joins a ship as a medic.

When Isobel meets Nathaniel Hawthorne, they grow close. One is a muse, and one is a dark storyteller, but which is which?

The Book Girls Say… If your club enjoys talking about the story behind a story, this would be a fun one to analyze and discuss how closely you think it comes to Hawthorne’s reality.

by Dani Shapiro
Publication Date: October 10, 2022
Genre: Literary Fiction / Mystery

One summer night in 1985, young Dr. Wilf comes across the scene of a car accident that will follow him for decades. Three neighborhood teens had been drinking, and the accident shook Division Street to the core. In the Wilf home, the true circumstances of the accident become a dark and painful secret.

Time moves on, and when the Shenkmans move to Division Street over 30 years later, the young couple has no idea what happened in the past. Waldo, the Shenkman’s son has an incredible ability to connect things and people together. He befriends the now-retired Dr. Wilf. As Dr. Wilf struggles to care for his wife, Waldo’s friendship brings the past hurling back into the present.

The Book Girls Say… For the past 15 years, author Dani Shapiro has focused on non-fiction writing, but her return to fiction has been widely praised as riveting and emotional.

by Fiona Davis
Publication Date: January 25, 2022
Genre: Dual-Timeline Historical Fiction

Lillian was one of the most sought-after artist models in New York City. Statues based on her figure grace famous landmarks throughout the city - from the Plaza Hotel to the Brooklyn Bridge. After losing her mother to the Spanish Flu outbreak, however, Lillian feels lost in the world.

Her work has mostly dried up, so Lillian is eager to accept an unexpected job as a personal secretary at the Frick mansion—a building with a sculpture of her face on the exterior. Working closely with Helen Frick, daughter of industrialist and art patron Henry Clay Frick, pulls Lillian into a privileged world. It's a tangled web of romantic trysts, stolen jewels, and family drama that might prove to be life or death.

Five decades later, in the 1960s, Veronica, an English model, is working in the former Frick residence, which has since been converted into one of New York City's most impressive museums. After being dismissed from a Vogue shoot, she and a young art curator stumble upon a series of hidden messages in the museum that might finally reveal the truth behind a decades-old murder.

The Book Girls Say… We're big fans of Fiona Davis because all her books feature a slice of New York history along with a dash of mystery and romance. The split 1910s/1960s timeline provides extra discussion opportunities as you can compare/contrast between both periods and today.

The book is also featured on our list of Books Set in the 1910s.

by Sarah Thankam Mathews
Publication Date: August 2, 2022
Genre: Contemporary Fiction

Sneha was lucky to find a job after graduating in the midst of a recession. Her entry-level corporate job in Milwaukee is tough, but she desperately needs it for herself and for her family back home in India. She’s thrilled to finally be able to pick up the tab with friends and when she helps her college friend get hired as a colleague.

Her life takes a complicated turn when she develops a crush on a woman, a dancer named Marina. A downward spiral of job trouble and evictions lead to a radical plan by her friend Tig. Will it work to save them all?

by Charmaine Wilkerson
Publication Date: February 1, 2022
Genre: Dual-Timeline Fiction

This novel opens in present-day California shortly after Eleanor's death. She has left behind a voice recording for her two adult children - Byron and Benny. She's also left them a traditional Caribbean black cake that she tells them to share "when the time is right."

Her children, it turns out, only know a small part of their mom's life story. Posthumously, Eleanor is finally ready to share her truth so that Byron and Benny can truly know and understand their family history. As the story unfolds, everything that her children thought they knew about their lineage and themselves will be rocked to the core. By the time they finally share the black cake, another person will join them at the table.

The Book Girls Say… On top of beautiful writing, there is depth to this multi-generational story - culture, identity, family conflict, secrets, grief, and forgiveness. The three main characters are all so different, but club members may connect to each one of them in different ways as the story unfolds. The audiobook is excellent and highly recommended because the accents bring the characters to life.

The book is also featured on our Books that Span a Character's Lifetime list.

by Jodi Picoult and Jennifer Finney Boylan
First Published: October 4th, 2022
Genre: Contemporary Fiction / Suspense & Legal Drama

Olivia has been raising her son, Asher, as a single mom ever since she fled her seemingly perfect marriage that was really anything but that. She left her abusive marriage to protect her son, and brought him to her small hometown in New Hampshire. Once home, she moved into her childhood house and took over her father’s beekeeping business.

Like Olivia, Lily is also familiar with starting over. She and her mom recently relocated to New Hampshire to give Lily a fresh start in her final year of high school.

Olivia and Lily’s lives cross paths when Asher begins dating and falls in love with the new girl in town. A few months later, Olivia is shocked to receive a phone call from Asher that he’s at the police station and Lily is dead. Asher is the only suspect in the case, but he insists he didn’t do it. Olivia is willing to give up everything she has to defend her son. But as the case moves toward trial, and as she discovers that Asher has hidden more from her than she realized, Olivia begins to question what traits her son may have inherited from his father.

The Book Girls Say… If your book club enjoyed Jodi Picoult’s Small Great Things, then we think you’ll be immediately drawn into this suspenseful novel that is part love story, part family drama, and part legal thriller. Angela recently listened to the audiobook version of this book and enjoyed the dual narrators that provide Olivia and Lily’s perspectives.

Keep in mind that this story does not follow a linear timeline, instead jumping back and forth between the present and various points in the past. Be sure to pay attention to the beginning of each chapter which tells you where along the timeline that chapter’s events take place.

by Sarah Addison Allen
Publication Date: August 30, 2022
Genre: Magical Realism

On Mallow Island, off the coast of South Carolina, sits an old cobblestone building in the shape of a horseshoe. It’s called the Dellawisp, named after the tiny turquoise birds who reside there alongside its human tenants. The building has an air of magical secrecy.

When 19-year-old Zoe inherits her late mother’s apartment at the Dellawisp, she meets the quirky and secretive neighbors, including a henna artist, a lonely chef, middle-aged sisters (one of whom is a hoarder), and three ghosts. The property is overseen by Frasier, who has a special affinity for the birds.

When one of the residents turns up dead, the other neighbors search for answers, but each is also hiding secrets of their own. The investigation leads to the island’s famous but reclusive author and to a long-lost relative of the sisters.

The Book Girls Say… Reviewers recommend giving this unique book a chance, even if magical realism isn’t your usual genre of choice. They say you’ll fall in love with this cast of eccentric and flawed characters, and be sad to say goodbye to them when you turn the final page.

Food plays a special role in this book and helps to unite the characters. That makes Other Birds an especially good choice for book clubs that like to incorporate a menu of food inspired by the book into their meetings.

by Dolen Perkins-Valdez
Publication Date: April 12, 2022
Genre: Historical Fiction

Civil is fresh out of nursing school and has dreams of making a big difference in her post-segregation African American community. She works for the Montgomery Family Planning Clinic, and she’s sent to a rural cabin during her first week on the job. When she arrives, Civil is shocked to find that her patients are children, only 11 and 13 years old.

The girls, Erica and India, are innocent and not even thinking of boys. However, because they are poor and black, those handling their benefits have requested the children be on birth control. Civil struggles with this unexpected aspect of her new career. Despite the shocking reason for meeting the girls, Civil is endeared to them and their family. However, one day when she arrives for her visit, the unthinkable has happened.

You’ll also see Civil at the end of her career, with a daughter of her own, as she tries to find peace without forgetting those she encountered along the way.

The Book Girls Say… This is one of those books that you’ll wish wasn’t based on real circumstances as it rips your heart out. It’s a quick page-turning option, and the perfect book club pick to open a discussion of women’s reproductive rights.

by Angie Cruz
Publication Date: September 13, 2022
Genre: Literary Fiction

Cara assumed she’d have her factory job forever, but in the midst of the 2008 Great Recession, she’s laid off. Now in her mid-50s, Cara finds herself back in the job market for the first time in decades. When she’s set up with a job counselor, she ends up sharing her life story instead of career ambitions.

From love affairs and financial strain to her difficult relationship with her son, Cara’s full story is told in over twelve sessions. Full of heart and humor, you’ll full in love with this character amid her tales of life’s up and downs.

The Book Girls Say… The newest release from the author of Dominicana gives another glimpse into the life of a Dominican immigrant and legal resident of the United States.

While much of Cara’s story is told in first person, you’ll also see the paperwork that is filed as part of the counseling process. This unique structure of storytelling will make for great discussion! Reviewers mention that the audiobook narration is exceptional.

by Shelby Van Pelt
Publication Date: May 3, 2022
Genre: Literary Fiction

In this charming debut novel, Widower Tova works at the Sowell Bay Aquarium to occupy her mind and time. She takes pride in cleaning perfectly every night, even though she doesn’t need the money. She loves all the aquarium life but forms a special bond with the intelligent (and curmudgeonly) octopus named Marcellus.

He’s just as surprised to feel friendly toward this human who visits him nightly. Soon, he connects the sadness he sees in her with something he saw in the ocean long ago. Can he help her solve the mystery of her son’s disappearance 30 years ago?

The Book Girls Say… Neither of us expected to have a book partially narrated by a giant Pacific octopus on our best books of 2022 list, but Marcellus stole our hearts. Beyond that, we loved each of the human characters and their struggles in different phases of life. Young or older, so many people deal with loneliness and loss. Watching characters process and evolve through that was a heartwarming treat.

by Celeste Ng
Publication Date: October 4, 2022
Genre: Contemporary Dystopian Fiction

This novel imagines a United States where a nationalistic law called PACT, Preserving American Culture and Traditions Act, rules the land. While it was sold as a way to preserve American values after an economic collapse, it’s being used as an excuse for violence and discrimination against minorities.

The book is largely told from the perspective of Bird, a twelve-year-old boy, who lives with his father after his Chinese-American mother left when he was nine. They live in a small dorm room at the college where his father was a professor and is now a librarian. However, the library is missing many books that have been banned under PACT, including basic history and cultural works.

When Bird receives a letter from his mother, he sets out to find her and discovers an America he didn’t want to see. Along the way, you’ll see chapters from her perspective and explore how art can help heal.

The Book Girls Say… If your club liked the writing in Ng’s first book, Little Fires Everywhere, this could be a solid pick. However, it has some tough themes that could turn into political discussions, so it’s important to know that going in.

by Matt Cain
Publication Date: May 31, 2022
Genre: Contemporary Fiction

Albert Entwistle is a 64-year postal worker in the UK. He has no plans of retiring but receives a letter informing him that his mandatory retirement is just around the corner on his 65th birthday.

Albert's only friend is his cat, and although he isn't chatty with others at work or on his routes, he still dreads being home alone without a job. When he's reminded of his only romantic relationship, which happened 50 years prior, something begins to stir in Albert. Perhaps it's not too late to find happiness after all?

With the help of some unexpected new friends, Albert sets off to find George, the man he hasn't seen since they were teenagers.

The Book Girls Say… This would be a good pick when you need a lighter read after a heavy month. Although it pulls at your emotions and provides plenty of room for discussion, The Secret Life of Albert Entwistle is also a feel-good heartwarming read. For club members that enjoy audiobooks, the narrator does a perfect job capturing Albert’s conflicted feelings as he begins to open up to new friends. While the storyline includes searching for a lost love, the book is not a romance, it’s a 65-year-old coming-of-age tale

This book was published in the UK in 2021 prior to the 2022 US release.

This book is also featured on our Book Characters in Their 60s list.

by Gabrielle Zevin
First Published: July 5, 2022
Genre: Literary Fiction

Beginning in the 1980s and spanning 30 years, this story follows the lives of Sam and Sadie as they continue to reconnect at various points in their lives. Their first meet as children in the hospital - Sadie is visiting her sister, and Sam is recovering from a terrible car accident. The bond over their love of video games and their instant friendship helps pull Sam out of his depression. But eventually, they have a falling out and they don’t meet again until Sam’s junior year of college at Harvard. He’s exiting a subway car when he sees Sadie across the platform.

This unexpected reunion soon begets a legendary collaboration as Sam and Sadie create a legendary video game before they’ve even graduated from college. They are young, brilliant, rich, and successful, but none of these characteristics can protect them from their own creative ambitions, future betrays, and inevitable failures.

The Book Girls Say… If your club enjoys unique book club books, this could be a great choice that touches on many different themes for discussion - including race, identity, technology, disability, and much more! Tomorrow and Tomorrow and Tomorrow is from the author of The Storied Life of A.J. Fikry, but other than both being well-written narratives, the two books have almost nothing else in common.

Reviewers caution not to let the topic of gaming push you away from this book! While it does provide interesting insights into the history and business of the gaming industry, ultimately, this is a character-driven story about the human experience. While we haven’t had a chance to read this one ourselves yet, it reminds us of people who shied away from Fredrik Backman’s Beartown because they weren’t interested in hockey, only to later discover the book isn’t about hockey at all - it’s about people! Gaming is what brings the characters together, and the relationships and friendships built through their idealistic digital world provide a stark contrast to the messy realities of the real world.

by Nikki Erlick
First Published: June 28, 2022
Genre: Contemporary Dystopian Fiction / Magical Realism

If you could find out exactly how many years you have left to live, would you want to know?

On the same day, all around the world, every person over the age of 22 receives an identical box. Inside each is a string. At first, no one knows what the strings mean, but it soon becomes apparent that a long string means long life, and a short string foretells a life cut short.

As society responds to the revelation of the boxes, each person must make a choice - do you want to know how long you will live? If so, what will you do with that knowledge? And what if your choice is different from those you care about most?

These are the dilemmas facing the eight protagonists in The Measure, whose fates become interwoven as their individual stories unfold.

The Book Girls Say… Some reviewers say this book moves a bit too slowly for their taste, but Angela found herself immediately hooked and never felt like the story dragged. While there are multiple main characters, each is well-developed, and it's not hard to keep track of each storyline.

This is a book that really makes you think, and one that will stick with you long after you’ve read the last page. We think it's a perfect book club read because it offers up abundant topics for an in-depth discussion with no right or wrong answers.

by Sara Novic
Publication Date: April 5, 2022
Genre: Contemporary Fiction

Set at the River Valley School for the Deaf, this novel transports you into the Deaf community. It gives insight into a culture that hearing families rarely get a chance to understand, with compelling characters along the way.

New student Charlie is stuck between the worlds of hearing and Deaf. She’s never been around other deaf people before and is trying to figure out what choices are right and wrong for her. Meanwhile, the school’s headmistress is a CODA (child of deaf adult) who has her own problems, including a mother with dementia and an unhappy wife.

The Book Girls Say… If you choose this book, we recommend scheduling time for your group to watch the movie CODA, as well. You’ll see similar struggles as a character struggles to find her place between the hearing world and her Deaf family. It would be a great discussion to compare the character choices and feelings between the book and the movie.