Although 2020 is nothing like we expected, it’s the perfect time to start a book club! Most of us have nothing but time on our hands, and technology like Zoom and FaceTime can serve as the perfect tool for a virtual book club. Here are 10 of the best books for your virtual book club. (And if your book club is just a party of one, that’s okay! These 10 books are bestsellers everyone should read)
The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo – Taylor Jenkins Reid
TJR is famous for writing fiction stories that seem *so* real, and while Daisy Jones & The Six is often used as a book club pick, I adore The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo and think it’s one of the best books for book clubs. I love the authentic characters and the Hollywood drama, and it’s written SO beautifully and definitely a tear-jerker so have your tissues handy!
Educated – Tara Westover
This nonfiction story hooked me in and would not let me go. I talked about Tara’s memoir to my parents, my friends, my boyfriend and anyone who would listen. It’s the perfect book club book because Tara’s life is absolutely unbelievable, and yet…it’s all a true story.
An unforgettable memoir about a young girl who, kept out of school, leaves her survivalist family and goes on to earn a PhD from Cambridge University.
Where’d You Go, Bernadette – Maria Semple
Book clubs are supposed to be fun, and Where’d You Go, Bernadette is a novel with the perfect balance of humor and plot. The characters are flawed and quirky, and the plot is super original. Maria Semple wrote for shows like Saturday Night Live and Arrested Development, so you know she’s got the humor element down. There’s also a movie starring Cate Blanchett, so it’s the perfect book club bonding opportunity!
This Is How It Always Is – Laurie Frankel
This Is How It Always Is is probably the book I recommend the most. No matter what genre you’re interested in, you’ll fall in love with the family’s story. It’s beautiful and reads like poetry, and has the ideal combination of heartbreaking & heart-mending moments that are perfect for book club discussions.
A Man Called Ove – Fredrik Backman
You’ve most likely heard of A Man Called Ove. If you haven’t read it yet, your friend probably has and she told you how she laughed and cried and had her world completely flipped upside down by this book (…so maybe I’m the friend). Fredrik Backman is a master storyteller, and this novel is the perfect book club book because you can easily break down Ove’s story and discuss how his background made him the man he is. (P.S. there’s also a super well-done Swedish film adaptation!)
Big Little Lies – Liane Moriarty
I just had to include a Liane Moriarty book on here because her books are binge-worthy and ideal for discussions. Big Little Lies blends the best aspects of domestic suspense & literary fiction to create a page-turning story about parents and children, and the lies they tell.
It gained attention after the queen Reese Witherspoon turned it into a hit HBO show, which makes it a fun and engaging book club pick. (P.S., if you like this one, check out my list of similar books I binged.)
The Things We Keep – Sally Hepworth
I freaking love Sally Hepworth’s stories, and The Things We Keep is one of her less popular novels that deserves more recognition. Her novel explores two people with early-onset Alzheimer’s, and the people who surround them. I think it makes a good fit for book clubs because it tells the story of a very real, heartbreaking disease, and the people affected by it. There are both light and dark moments in this book and I found myself addicted to Anna and Luke’s story.
Eleanor Oliphant is Completely Fine – Gail Honeyman
I know, I know. You’ve definitely heard of this one. It’s on this (and every) book club recommendation list for a reason. If you like stories, you’ll love Eleanor’s. It has everything that any type of book club discussion needs: good characters, plot twists, romance, sadness, and remarkable quotes. There are more than half a million reviews on Goodreads for this one, and its 4.29-star rating speaks for itself.
Small Great Things – Jodi Picoult
Jodi Picoult is known for excelling in the literary fiction genre, and The Washington Post says Small Great Things is “the most important novel Jodi Picoult has ever written.” It’s a book that will make you angry and happy, and the breadth of emotions is exactly why your book club should read it. Her book shows us how racism finds its way into every nook and cranny, and how much work we still need to do to be anti-racist.
My Grandmother Asked Me to Tell You She’s Sorry
I’m including another Fredrik Backman book on here and I’m not sorry about it. My Grandmother Asked Me to Tell You She’s Sorry was the first book I posted about on Bookstagram and it’s stuck in my heart ever since. It’s charming and witty, and the 7-year-old narrator has such a peculiar perspective on life. Your book club will love the literary references, the relatable characters and the awkward love between the protagonist and her family.
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What are the best books for your book clubs? Let me know!
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