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10 Best Book Club Books 2024
Looking for the perfect books to get your book club talking in 2024. You’re in the right place! This list of the 12 best book club books of 2024 has something for everyone. No matter if you’re into thrillers, historical fiction, or feel-good reads, you’ll find a perfect choice here for your book club. Each book comes with reasons why it’s perfect for your group and five discussion questions to get the conversation going. So, let’s some fun book club meetings begin !
Perfect Book Club Books for 2024 Discussions
The Heaven & Earth Grocery Store by James McBride
Summary: The Heaven & Earth Grocery Store by James McBride follows the discovery of a skeleton in 1972 by workers in Pottstown, Pennsylvania. They find it while digging for a new housing development. This discovery reveals old secrets from Chicken Hill, a neighborhood where Jews and African Americans lived together. Moshe and Chona Ludlow, who ran the Heaven & Earth Grocery Store, were important in the community. They helped protect a deaf black child from being taken away by the state. The neighbors, inspired by Chona’s kindness and the bravery of a worker named Nate Timblin, come together to keep the boy safe.
The story shows how hard life was for the people of Chicken Hill as they faced prejudice and unfairness. As the story goes on, we learn the truth about the skeleton, the boy, and what the town did wrong. In the end, it shows that love and community are what really keep us going.
Why It’s a Great Book Club Book: If your book club is looking for an engaging historical fiction novel with great themes to discuss, you’ll love this book. It explores ideas of community, resilience, and the impact of secrets. It’s perfect for sparking rich discussions on societal issues and the power of working together.
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Book Club Questions For The Heaven & Earth Grocery Store
1. How do the secrets of Chicken Hill reflect the broader societal issues of the time?
2. Discuss the role of Chona Ludlow in the community. How does her character drive the narrative?
3. What does the novel suggest about the impact of bigotry and hypocrisy on marginalized communities?
4. How does McBride use the setting of Chicken Hill to enhance the story?
5. What are the key themes of love and community in the novel?
Mad Honey by Jodi Picoult & Jennifer Finney Boylan
Summary: Mad Honey is a touching story about what we keep from our past and what we leave behind. Olivia McAfee had a perfect life in Boston with her husband, a top heart surgeon, and their son Asher. But when her husband shows a dark side, Olivia leaves and returns to her hometown in New Hampshire to run her dad’s beekeeping business.
Lily Campanello also knows about new starts. She and her mom move to Adams, New Hampshire, hoping for a fresh beginning. Lily and Asher meet and quickly fall for each other, bringing happiness to both of their lives.
But then, tragedy strikes. Olivia gets a call that Lily is dead and Asher is being questioned by the police. Olivia believes her son is innocent, but she can’t ignore the signs of his father’s temper in him. As the investigation continues, she learns Asher has been hiding things from her.
Why It’s a Great Book Club Book: Mad Honey is a gripping mystery book club pick. If you love a good mystery fiction with serious themes this book is good choice. You can also find themes of trust, identity, and second chances.
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Book Club Questions For Mad Honey
1. How do Olivia’s choices in moving back to her hometown and taking over her father’s beekeeping business reflect her attempts to rebuild her life?
2. In what ways do Asher’s relationships with both his parents influence his actions and decisions throughout the story?
3. How does Lily’s move to a new town for her final year of high school impact her sense of identity and belonging?
4. How do the themes of secrecy and truth affect the characters’ relationships and the unfolding of the plot?
5. What insights does the novel offer about the challenges and rewards of starting over, both for individuals and within relationships?
Not in Love by Ali Hazelwood
Summary: In Not in Love by Ali Hazelwood, a forbidden, secret affair unfolds, proving that all’s fair in love and science. Rue Siebert, a successful biotech engineer at a promising food science start-up called Kline, has built a stable and fulfilling life. However, her world is shaken when a hostile takeover threatens everything she’s worked for.
Eli Killgore, the attractive frontman of the takeover, is determined to acquire Kline for his own reasons. Despite his business ambitions, he finds himself irresistibly drawn to Rue, who feels the same forbidden attraction towards him.
Caught between professional loyalty and personal desire, Rue and Eli embark on a secret, no-strings-attached affair, aware that their relationship has an expiration date—the day the corporate battle ends. As their affair intensifies, they realize that the heart plays for keeps, making their situation even more complicated.
This novel intertwines themes of love, ambition, and the high stakes of both business and personal relationships.
Why It’s a Great Book Club Book: If you want a hot and steamy romance novel for your smutty book club, Not in Love by Ali Hazelwood is perfect. This romance novel is full of tension and chemistry, making it a fun and engaging read. The corporate backdrop and forbidden love angle provide plenty of juicy details and drama for discussion.
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Book Club Questions For Not in Love
1. How does the workplace setting influence the dynamics between Rue and Eli?
2. Discuss the challenges and benefits of their secret affair.
3. How do Rue’s and Eli’s personal backgrounds shape their motivations?
4. What does the novel say about loyalty and ambition in the workplace?
5. How does the romance in the novel compare to traditional romance tropes?
Remarkably Bright Creatures by Shelby Van Pelt
Summary: Widow Tova Sullivan works at the Sowell Bay Aquarium to cope with her grief. She befriends Marcellus, a giant Pacific octopus, who knows more than he lets on. As Tova and Marcellus bond, the octopus helps her uncover the truth about her son’s mysterious disappearance. This debut novel is about unlikely friendships and finding hope.
Why It’s a Great Book Club Book: Every book club needs a feel-good and uplifting novel once in a while, and this is one of those books. This book will make you smile and feel all the good vibes, making it a great pick for your next book club meeting. Also read : 26 Remarkably Bright Creatures Book Club Questions
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Remarkably Bright Creatures Book Club Questions
1. How does the relationship between Tova and Marcellus develop throughout the story?
2. What role does magical realism play in the narrative?
3. Discuss the theme of coping with loss in the novel.
4. How does Marcellus’ perspective add depth to the story?
5. What does the novel suggest about the importance of looking at the past to move forward?
Bright Young Women by Jessica Knoll
Summary: In January 1978, a serial killer targeted a top sorority at Florida State University. Pamela Schumacher, the sorority president, stays home one night, unknowingly saving her life. At 3 a.m., she discovers a scene of violence with two sisters dead and two others injured. This event pulls Pamela into a terrifying mystery.
In Seattle, Tina Cannon finds peace after hardship and bonds with Ruth Wachowsky, who later goes missing from Lake Sammamish State Park. Tina learns about the Tallahassee tragedy and believes it’s linked to the same killer. Determined to find answers, she heads to Florida.
Why It’s a Great Book Club Book: If your book club loves true crime and stories of female empowerment get this book. The twists and secrets will keep everyone hooked, making for some really exciting and lively discussions.
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Bright Young Women Book Club Questions
1. How does the historical context enhance the thriller aspect of the novel?
2. Discuss the portrayal of the serial killer compared to his victims.
3. What are the novel’s key messages about female empowerment and resilience?
4. How do Pamela’s and Tina’s stories intersect and influence each other?
5. What does the novel reveal about the media’s role in shaping public perception of crime?
The Heiress by Rachel Hawkins
Summary: This book is about Ruby, the richest and most notorious woman in Tavistock. Known for surviving a famous kidnapping as a child and being a widow four times over, Ruby ruled from Ashby House in the Blue Ridge mountains. After her death, her estate and nine-figure fortune are left to her adopted son, Camden.
Camden surprises everyone by rejecting his inheritance and living a simple life as an English teacher in Colorado with his wife, Jules, who also has a troubled past. Ten years later, a death in the family brings Cam and Jules back to Ashby House, where Cam is reminded why he left.
Jules, however, wants Cam to claim his inheritance and digs into the family’s secrets. She learns about Ruby’s complicated plans and the mysteries surrounding her life, including the suspicious deaths of her husbands and her reasons for adopting Cam. As Ashby House reveals more secrets, Cam and Jules realize that inheriting more than just wealth involves uncovering deep, twisted family truths.
Why It’s a Great Book Club Book: This mystery thriller is a great book club pick for several reasons. First of all, there are many unexpected twists that keep your heart racing. It pulls you into a gripping mystery set in the spooky Ashby House. Plus, the secrets hidden in the house and its mysterious, unfriendly residents make the story even more fun to discuss. I’m sure there will be plenty of exciting themes to explore in the book club.
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The Heiress Book Club Questions
1. How do Camden’s and Jules’ perspectives on the inheritance differ?
2. What secrets about Ruby’s past are most surprising?
3. Discuss the significance of Ashby House in the story.
4. How do family dynamics drive the plot?
5. What are the central themes of legacy and identity in the novel?
The Women by Kristin Hannah
Summary: In 1965, nursing student Frankie McGrath joins the Army Nurse Corps to follow her brother to Vietnam. She faces the chaos of war and builds deep friendships. Returning home, she struggles with a divided America and a country that wants to forget Vietnam. This novel honors the sacrifices of women in war and their strength in facing its aftermath.
Why It’s a Great Book Club Book: Kristin Hannah novels are fantastic book club picks. Not only do you get loads to discuss, but they also offer plenty of activities and other ideas. For instance, this historical fiction book highlights the heroic contributions of women during the Vietnam War. It’s rich with details and provides plenty of material for meaningful discussions. Whether you’re into talking about the characters, plot twists, or the historical context, there’s always something Plus, you can even plan themed activities around the book to make your book club meetings even more fun and engaging. Also check out: 47 Book Club Questions For The Women by Kristin Hannah
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The Women Book Club Questions
1. How does Frankie’s character evolve throughout the novel?
2. What does the novel reveal about the experiences of female veterans?
3. Discuss the portrayal of friendship and camaraderie among the nurses.
4. How does the historical setting impact the story?
5. What are the novel’s main messages about patriotism and sacrifice?
Horse by Geraldine Brooks
Summary: This novel spans from 1850 Kentucky to 2019 Washington, DC. It tells the story of Lexington, a record-breaking racehorse, and the people connected to him: Jarret, an enslaved groom; Martha Jackson, a 1950s gallery owner; and modern-day researchers Jess and Theo. It explores themes of art, science, love, and the enduring impact of racism.
Why It’s a Great Book Club Book: This historical fiction novel is packed with rich details and jumps between different timelines, making it a super interesting read. It’s perfect for book club discussions. If you love historical books with complex characters, intricate plots, and immersive settings, this one will give you plenty to talk about.
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Book Club Questions For Horse
1. How do the different timelines interact and enhance the narrative?
2. What role does Lexington play in connecting the characters?
3. Discuss the portrayal of racism and its impact on the characters.
4. How does the novel blend fact and fiction?
5. What are the central themes of obsession and legacy?
Firekeeper’s Daughter by Angeline Boulley
Summary: Daunis Fontaine, a biracial, unenrolled tribal member, has always felt out of place in her hometown and on the nearby Ojibwe reservation. Following a family tragedy, Daunis postpones her dreams to care for her fragile mother. She finds solace in Jamie, a new recruit on her brother’s hockey team. However, after witnessing a shocking murder, Daunis becomes involved in a criminal investigation and agrees to go undercover. As deceptions and deaths mount, she faces threats close to home. Daunis must decide how far she will go to protect her community, even if it means tearing apart the only world she has ever known.
Why It’s a Great Book Club Book: This young adult mystery fiction is perfect not only for teen book clubs but for any book club in 2024. There is ample opportunity to discuss diverse perspectives and themes.
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Book Club Questions Firekeeper’s Daughter
1. How does Daunis navigate her identity throughout the novel?
2. What are the main challenges she faces in her investigation?
3. Discuss the role of community in the story.
4. How does the novel address issues of cultural heritage and belonging?
5. What are the novel’s key messages about justice and resilience?
Tomorrow, and Tomorrow, and Tomorrow by Gabrielle Zevin
Summary: In this exhilarating novel, two lifelong friends, Sam Masur and Sadie Green, become creative partners in the world of video game design. Their journey starts on a cold December day during Sam’s junior year at Harvard when he spots Sadie at a subway station. This chance encounter reignites their friendship and sparks a legendary collaboration.
Together, they create their first blockbuster game, Ichigo, while still in college, which catapults them to fame and fortune. Despite their success, Sam and Sadie face numerous challenges, including creative ambitions and personal betrayals, that test their partnership and friendship.
Spanning thirty years and multiple locations, including Cambridge, Massachusetts, and Venice Beach, California, the novel delves into themes of identity, disability, failure, and the redemptive power of play. It explores the deep human need for connection and love, presenting a unique and multifaceted love story that is both moving and unforgettable.
Why It’s a Great Book Club Book: This is one of those books that you never run out of topics to discuss. The characters’ journeys through success and failure, and the exploration of themes like identity, love. This is the perfect book club pick for 2024. Also check out : 23 Tomorrow, and Tomorrow, and Tomorrow Book Club Questions
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Book Club Questions For Tomorrow, and Tomorrow, and Tomorrow
1. How do Sam’s and Sadie’s creative ambitions shape their lives?
2. Discuss the theme of friendship versus romantic love in the novel.
3. How does the video game industry setting influence the story?
4. What are the novel’s messages about identity and success?
5. How do the characters’ personal struggles impact their professional lives?
Top Tips for a Successful Book Club
Creating a successful book club involves more than just choosing great books. It’s about having engaging discussions, maintaining a welcoming atmosphere, and making sure everyone feels heard. So check out a few tips to have the best book club meeting.
Setting a Regular Schedule
Set up a consistent meeting schedule that works for everyone, such as monthly or bi-weekly. Send reminders a week before the meeting to ensure everyone remembers.
Choosing a Meeting Location
Pick a convenient and comfortable location for all members. Rotate between members’ homes, libraries, or coffee shops. For virtual meetings, go for platforms like Zoom or Google Meet.
Creating a Welcoming Atmosphere
Welcome new members warmly. Introduce them to the group and explain how the book club operates. Create an inclusive environment where everyone feels comfortable sharing their thoughts.
Providing Snacks and Drinks
For in-person meetings, having snacks and drinks can make the gathering more enjoyable. Consider having a potluck where each member brings something to share.
Establishing Ground Rules
Set basic ground rules for discussions, such as no interrupting, respecting differing opinions, and staying on topic. These rules help maintain a respectful and productive environment.
Rotating Roles
Share the responsibilities by rotating roles like discussion leader, host, or note-taker among members. This keeps everyone involved and invested in the club’s success.
Gathering Feedback
Regularly ask for feedback on how the club is running and any improvements that could be made. This ensures that the club continues to meet the needs and expectations of its members, keeping everyone satisfied and engaged.
Ready to start your next book discussion?
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