Summary: In today's article, I have compiled 20 of the best book club books of 2023 that I think will inspire meaningful conversations and broaden perspectives. Here are my top 3 picks:
- Lessons in Chemistry by Bonnie Garmus
- The Vanishing Half by Brit Bennett
- The Book of Lost Friends by Lisa Wingate
Book club books are picked to spark conversation and offer different perspectives on all sorts of topics. They push readers to think critically, explore new ideas, and connect with others who might see things differently. Reading these books not only broadens your view of the world but also creates a sense of community and shared experience. Whether it's a thought-provoking novel, a gripping memoir, or an eye-opening nonfiction book, book club picks let you dive deeper into stories and ideas, making reading a more engaging and social experience.
TOP 20: Best Book Club Books
- Lessons in Chemistry by Bonnie Garmus
- The Vanishing Half by Brit Bennett
- The Book of Lost Friends by Lisa Wingate
- All the Broken Places by John Boyne
- The Paper Palace by Miranda Cowley Heller
- The Love of My Life by Rosie Walsh
- The Keeper of Happy Endings by Barbara Davis
- The Berry Pickers by Amanda Peters
- Something in the Water by Catherine Steadman
- Eleanor Oliphant Is Completely Fine by Gail Honeyman
- The Last Thing He Told Me by Laura Dave
- The Beekeeper of Aleppo by Christy Lefteri
- Hello Beautiful by Ann Napolitano
- The Heaven & Earth Grocery Store by James McBride
- Mad Honey by Jodi Picoult and Jennifer Finney Boylan
- When the Jessamine Grows by Donna Everhart
- The Best Life by Sheila Roberts
- The Covenant of Water by Abraham Verghese
- The Dictionary of Lost Words by Pip Williams
- Pineapple Street by Jenny Jackson
1. Lessons in Chemistry
- Author: Bonnie Garmus
- About: Set in the 1960s, Elizabeth Zott is a chemist who becomes a TV cooking show host while fighting against sexism.
- Style of writing: Witty, sharp, and humorous with a blend of lighthearted and serious moments.
- Length: 104,000 words
- Year written: 2022
- Emotional impact: Leaves a lasting impact with its exploration of gender roles and resilience.
- Difficulty level: Moderate
- Why read it: A blend of humor and social commentary, exploring the challenges women face in male-dominated fields.
2. The Vanishing Half
- Author: Brit Bennett
- About: A story about twin sisters who lead different lives—one lives as Black, the other as white—and explores themes of race and identity.
- Style of writing: Lyrical and engaging, with deep character development.
- Length: 105,000 words
- Year written: 2020
- Emotional impact: Thought-provoking and emotional, challenging ideas of race and family.
- Difficulty level: Moderate
- Why read it: A powerful exploration of identity, race, and family dynamics.
3. The Book of Lost Friends
- Author: Lisa Wingate
- About: A story set in the Reconstruction era and modern-day, following a teacher's search for lost former slaves and a woman uncovering her family's past.
- Style of writing: Emotional, evocative, with a mix of historical and contemporary storytelling.
- Length: 95,000 words
- Year written: 2020
- Emotional impact: Strong, with themes of history, loss, and rediscovery.
- Difficulty level: Moderate
- Why read it: A deeply moving novel about hidden histories and human connection.
4. All the Broken Places
- Author: John Boyne
- About: A sequel to The Boy in the Striped Pajamas, following a woman dealing with the emotional scars of surviving WWII.
- Style of writing: Rich, reflective, poignant.
- Length: 112,000 words
- Year written: 2022
- Emotional impact: Very emotional, exploring trauma, guilt, and survival.
- Difficulty level: Moderate
- Why read it: A gripping, thought-provoking story about the long-lasting impact of war.
5. The Paper Palace
- Author: Miranda Cowley Heller
- About: A woman at a family estate confronts secrets from her past during a summer that forces her to make life-changing decisions.
- Style of writing: Descriptive and introspective, with flashbacks.
- Length: 98,000 words
- Year written: 2021
- Emotional impact: Strong, exploring themes of love, betrayal, and family.
- Difficulty level: Easy
- Why read it: A compelling and emotional story about life-changing choices and family dynamics.
6. The Love of My Life
- Author: Rosie Walsh
- About: A suspenseful story about a woman whose seemingly perfect life unravels due to a secret from her past.
- Style of writing: Suspenseful and emotional, with unexpected twists.
- Length: 90,000 words
- Year written: 2022
- Emotional impact: Emotional, focusing on love, secrets, and forgiveness.
- Difficulty level: Easy
- Why read it: A page-turner that’s both thrilling and deeply emotional.
7. The Keeper of Happy Endings
- Author: Barbara Davis
- About: A woman who runs a wedding dress shop uncovers the love stories of the past and present.
- Style of writing: Lighthearted, charming, with emotional depth.
- Length: 93,000 words
- Year written: 2021
- Emotional impact: Moderate, uplifting, but also explores themes of loss and healing.
- Difficulty level: Easy
- Why read it: A feel-good story about love, second chances, and new beginnings.
8. The Berry Pickers
- Author: Amanda Peters
- About: A woman explores her family's past and heritage, revealing long-held secrets.
- Style of writing: Lyrical and thoughtful, focusing on family dynamics.
- Length: 100,000 words
- Year written: 2022
- Emotional impact: Moderate, focusing on family secrets and reconciliation.
- Difficulty level: Moderate
- Why read it: A heartfelt exploration of family relationships and personal discovery.
9. Something in the Water
- Author: Catherine Steadman
- About: A honeymoon turns dangerous when a couple uncovers a life-altering secret.
- Style of writing: Suspenseful and fast-paced, with twists and turns.
- Length: 96,000 words
- Year written: 2019
- Emotional impact: Strong, keeping you on edge with anxiety and curiosity.
- Difficulty level: Easy
- Why read it: A gripping thriller with unexpected twists and suspense.
10. Eleanor Oliphant Is Completely Fine
- Author: Gail Honeyman
- About: A socially awkward woman’s life changes when she forms new connections and faces her troubled past.
- Style of writing: Witty, quirky, deeply emotional.
- Length: 105,000 words
- Year written: 2017
- Emotional impact: Strong, heart-wrenching, and inspiring.
- Difficulty level: Easy
- Why read it: A moving story about mental health, loneliness, and the power of human connection.
11. The Last Thing He Told Me
- Author: Laura Dave
- About: A woman’s husband disappears, leaving behind a series of mysterious clues that lead her to uncover the truth.
- Style of writing: Suspenseful, emotional, fast-paced.
- Length: 90,000 words
- Year written: 2021
- Emotional impact: Moderate, keeping you intrigued but not as emotionally intense.
- Difficulty level: Easy
- Why read it: A gripping mystery with a deep emotional core.
12. The Beekeeper of Aleppo
- Author: Christy Lefteri
- About: A refugee’s journey from Syria to the UK, dealing with loss, survival, and hope amidst tragedy.
- Style of writing: Poetic and emotional with a strong sense of place.
- Length: 105,000 words
- Year written: 2019
- Emotional impact: Very strong, heartbreaking and poignant.
- Difficulty level: Moderate
- Why read it: A powerful and eye-opening story about the refugee experience and resilience.
13. Hello Beautiful
- Author: Ann Napolitano
- About: A family saga about love, forgiveness, and relationships across multiple generations.
- Style of writing: Lyrical, emotional, with deep character exploration.
- Length: 115,000 words
- Year written: 2023
- Emotional impact: Strong, unforgettable character development and emotional depth.
- Difficulty level: Moderate
- Why read it: A beautiful, heartfelt story about love, family, and connection.
14. The Heaven & Earth Grocery Store
- Author: James McBride
- About: A small-town story set in the 1940s, revolving around a community and the secrets they keep.
- Style of writing: Rich, atmospheric, with a focus on community and history.
- Length: 110,000 words
- Year written: 2023
- Emotional impact: Moderate, insightful, and contemplative.
- Difficulty level: Moderate
- Why read it: A deep exploration of community, race, and history in post-war America.
15. Mad Honey
- Author: Jodi Picoult and Jennifer Finney Boylan
- About: A murder mystery intertwined with themes of identity, love, and the challenges of transitioning.
- Style of writing: Intricate, emotionally charged, with multiple perspectives.
- Length: 130,000 words
- Year written: 2022
- Emotional impact: Strong, tackling difficult subjects with sensitivity.
- Difficulty level: Moderate
- Why read it: A gripping, thought-provoking story about identity, love, and justice.
16. When the Jessamine Grows
- Author: Donna Everhart
- About: A historical novel about family, love, and the impact of the past on future generations.
- Style of writing: Rich in atmosphere with emotional depth.
- Length: 98,000 words
- Year written: 2021
- Emotional impact: Moderate, focusing on family dynamics and personal growth.
- Difficulty level: Moderate
- Why read it: A beautifully emotional story about family ties and history.
17. The Best Life
- Author: Sheila Roberts
- About: A feel-good novel about self-discovery, friendship, and finding happiness.
- Style of writing: Light, uplifting, with humor.
- Length: 85,000 words
- Year written: 2021
- Emotional impact: Light, hopeful, and inspiring.
- Difficulty level: Easy
- Why read it: A fun, uplifting story for those seeking positivity and inspiration.
18. The Covenant of Water
- Author: Abraham Verghese
- About: An epic family saga set in India, exploring medical and social histories over generations.
- Style of writing: Detailed, immersive, poetic.
- Length: 135,000 words
- Year written: 2023
- Emotional impact: Strong, profound, and sweeping.
- Difficulty level: Hard
- Why read it: A rich, epic tale about family, love, and the complexities of life in India.
19. The Dictionary of Lost Words
- Author: Pip Williams
- About: A woman involved in creating the Oxford English Dictionary uncovers lost words and their stories.
- Style of writing: Lyrical, rich in historical detail.
- Length: 102,000 words
- Year written: 2020
- Emotional impact: Moderate, focusing on language, history, and women’s rights.
- Difficulty level: Moderate
- Why read it: A beautiful exploration of language, loss, and discovery.
20. Pineapple Street
- Author: Jenny Jackson
- About: A witty, satirical look at wealth and privilege within a Brooklyn family.
- Style of writing: Fun, sharp, with humor and social commentary.
- Length: 95,000 words
- Year written: 2023
- Emotional impact: Light, with moments of poignancy amidst the humor.
- Difficulty level: Easy
- Why read it: An entertaining and insightful look at the lives of the privileged and family dynamics.
Conclusion
To wrap it up, I think the best book club books of 2023 offer a mix of compelling stories, unforgettable characters, and deep themes. Lessons in Chemistry blends humor and resilience, featuring a woman who defies societal expectations. The Vanishing Half takes on complex issues like identity and race, sparking important conversations. And The Book of Lost Friends combines history and emotional depth, encouraging readers to uncover forgotten stories. In my opinion, these three books are perfect for any book club looking for engaging reads that will leave a lasting impression.
