Book Club Picks

A handpicked set of conversation-starting reads from the archive—books with strong themes, memorable characters, and plenty to talk about.

Book cover of The Granddaughters: Always by Margaret Belle

#1 book club pick

The Granddaughters: Always Margaret Belle

Margaret Belle's The Granddaughters: Always delivers the literary equivalent of a warm embrace, welcoming readers back to Orange Lake and the company of Ellie, Franny, and Sandy. There's an immediate sense of familiarity here—the kind that

Why it’s great for discussion

  • Features three wonderfully stubborn, capable women whose friendship feels authentically lived-in
  • Masterfully balances cozy warmth with genuine suspense that keeps pages turning
  • Orange Lake setting has a comforting, almost tangible sense of place
  • Characters so well-drawn they feel like real people you're catching up with
  • Perfect for readers who want heart and mystery without sacrificing either

Best for: Readers who love character-driven cozy mysteries with strong female friendships and small-town settings. Ideal for anyone seeking comfort reads that still deliver genuine suspense and emotional depth.

Book cover of Veiled Spirits (Haunted Magic Book 1) by E. L. Finley

#2 book club pick

Veiled Spirits (Haunted Magic Book 1) E. L. Finley

Prepare to be swept into a world where secrets are survival and magic comes with a dangerous price. Isabel Gallagher's story is a thrilling blend of supernatural tension and romantic intrigue that keeps you guessing from the first page. Wh

Book cover of There Are Rivers in the Sky by Elif Shafak

#3 book club pick

There Are Rivers in the Sky Elif Shafak

Immersed in the timeless allure of flowing waters and storytelling, Elif Shafak's "There Are Rivers in the Sky" skillfully interweaves three seemingly unrelated lives that span generations and continents. This expansive work delves into mod

Book cover of Theo of Golden: A Novel by Allen Levi

#5 book club pick

Theo of Golden: A Novel Allen Levi

There's something quietly magical about this book that sneaks up on you. Theo arrives in Golden as a mystery, but the novel isn't really interested in solving him – it's more interested in what happens when someone pays genuine attention to

Book cover of Dungeon Crawler Carl by Matt Dinniman

#6 book club pick

Dungeon Crawler Carl Matt Dinniman

This book has no right being as good as it is. The premise sounds ridiculous — guy and his ex's cat get trapped in a deadly alien-run dungeon that's basically a reality TV show for the galaxy — but Matt Dinniman makes it work through sheer

Book cover of When We Ride: A Novel by Rex Ogle

#7 book club pick

When We Ride: A Novel Rex Ogle

Rex Ogle's debut novel-in-verse "When We Ride" offers a raw and nuanced exploration of friendship, moral complexity, and survival in a challenging urban landscape. Through the eyes of Diego Benevides, Ogle crafts a propulsive narrative that

Book cover of The Women by  Kristin Hannah

#9 book club pick

The Women Kristin Hannah

Frances "Frankie" McGrath is a young volunteer nurse in Kristin Hannah's "The Women," a moving and compelling look at the Vietnam War era. A narrative that is both personal and expansive, Hannah skillfully interweaves the horrors of war wit

Book cover of The Hunter's Wife by Margaret Belle

#10 book club pick

The Hunter's Wife Margaret Belle

Following up on the events of "The Procedure," Margaret Belle's "The Hunter's Wife" takes readers on yet another fascinating adventure alongside the Allen twins. Belle's mastery of narrative builds a complicated tale that masterfully combin

More ways to discover

Want more options? Browse the full archive or take a quiz to find your next match.