What starts as a lively prison book club run by the steadfast Harriet turns into a poignant journey of friendship and second chances. Against all odds, a former prisoner's newfound freedom brings her face-to-face with Harriet, and together, they confront the ghosts of the past.

But, the narrative takes an unexpected heartwarming twist as the pair encounter the one person most affected by her crime, leading to a powerful exploration of guilt, forgiveness, and the strange alchemy of hope.

Wood's rich character details and authentic depictions make this a story not to be missed. It's an excellent 5-star, feel-good story that will be the perfect launch for our little book club.

BOOK CLUB EXPERIENCE:  I have secured the incredible author of this novel, Monica Wood, who will join our Zoom discussion to discuss her writing process and inspiration for this novel with our group.  

RECOMMENDED FORMAT: PRINT FOR HIGHLIGHTING
MOOD: EMOTIONAL, HOPEFUL, REFLECTIVE, INSPIRING
PACE: MEDIUM

Hattie McDaniel made history with her Academy Award win for Gone With the Wind, but beyond that golden night lay a world filled with challenges and defiance.

This powerful, immersive narrative sheds light on her relentless push against Hollywood's rigid boundaries, a fight often unseen by the public. From fiery clashes with the NAACP to romantic entanglements and a bond with Clark Gable that defied norms, this novel is as cinematic as her career.

Tate's deep, well-researched storytelling ensures that every historical nuance shines, capturing Hattie's complexity and her pursuit of more meaningful roles. I can think of no better book to celebrate Black History Month!

BOOK CLUB EXPERIENCE: ReShonda Tate is thrilled to join our Zoom discussion to dive deeper into her research process, which should offer more thrilling insights into Hattie McDaniel's life. We will also coordinate a virtual movie night to watch Gone With the Wind for readers who want to see this movie with new eyes after reading the novel.

RECOMMENDED FORMAT: AUDIOBOOK
MOOD: INFORMATIVE, EMOTIONAL, SAD
PACE: MEDIUM

Known for her evocative and multi-generational storytelling, Charmaine Wilkerson's new novel will be a favorite for readers who loved Transcendent Kingdom and The Love Song of W.E.B. Dubois.

The story centers on Ebby Freeman, who, as a child, witnessed an unspeakable act of violence against her brother that altered the course of her life and shattered her family's tranquility.

Decades later, the echoes of that day still reverberate, not just in the scars left behind but in the enduring mystery surrounding the shattered pieces of a treasured family heirloom. This stoneware jar brought North by an ancestor who endured unimaginable hardship encapsulates Ebby's lineage, harboring secrets that could help her move forward.

Readers are taken through sweeping turns as this stoneware exchanges hands where Wilkerson masterfully balances past and present.

BOOK CLUB EXPERIENCE: Charmaine Wilkerson has been invited to join our group for a Zoom discussion, and we are awaiting confirmation for this speaking engagement. Either way, this novel will be an essential and impactful exploration of this story's modern and historical timeline details.

RECOMMENDED FORMAT: PRINT
MOOD: INFORMATIVE, EMOTIONAL, REFLECTIVE, INFORMATIVE
PACE: MEDIUM

Readers have the opportunity to unravel a sixty-year-old mystery surrounding two childhood sweethearts whose seemingly determined love story never came to fruition. However, they are now offered a surprising second chance in their eighties. 

Prepare for laugh-out-loud, witty banter as Augusta and Irving navigate their old feelings and chemistry. Loigman skillfully weaves intricate secrets about their separation over sixty years, creating a thoughtfully crafted plot for the reader.

But one of the most refreshing aspects of this story is the vibrant portrait of life in your eighties.

BOOK CLUB EXPERIENCE: We are so lucky to have repeat author Lynda Cohen Loigman back into our fold to discuss her research process and familial ties to this vibrant new story from one of my favorite queens of joyful Jewish stories.

RECOMMENDED FORMAT: PRINT
MOOD: HOPEFUL, EMOTIONAL, REFLECTIVE, LIGHTHEARTED
PACE: FAST

This highly original coming-of-age story begins at a pivotal moment in history—the launch of Voyager 1—coinciding with a rather magical birth of Adina Giorno.

As Adina grows, readers discover an innate link to a faraway planet where Adina has an unusual connection to alien life through a very 80s means of communication- a fax machine.

With heartfelt and astute messages, she explores the dualities of human existence—its terrors and unexpected joys—and questions her place among them.

When a dear friend urges her to share her dispatches, Adina faces a moment of reckoning: Could others be like her?

Adina is an unforgettable character who invites readers to reflect on what it means to be both an outsider and deeply tied to a world that feels both familiar and foreign. The audiobook performance on this novel was exceptional.

RECOMMENDED FORMAT: AUDIOBOOK
MOOD: REFLECTIVE, EMOTIONAL, FUNNY, HOPEFUL
PACE: MEDIUM

Greenwood has a gift for crafting unique love stories, and this novel has remained a favorite of mine since its release, which is why I must revive it for our book club chats.

Zee is navigating the challenges of medical bills, chronic pain, and a hoarding mother. Her life is far from the life of a princess, but she has an unexpected meet-cute moment with Gentry, who feels compelled to be her knight in shining armor.

Gentry proves his worth in unexpectedly beautiful ways that the reader will uncover as they uncover her family history. His perspective offers a unique "knightly" viewpoint that adds depth as the story unfolds, and feels a bit like a puzzle as you pull together all the voices that Genry holds inside of himself.

BOOK CLUB EXPERIENCE: It thrills me to no end that Bryn Greenwood will join our Zoom discussion on this backlist novel. I can't wait to hear more about her process for creating these voices and the research process for cultivating these memorable characters.

RECOMMENDED FORMAT: PRINT
MOOD: EMOTIONAL, INTENSE, ADVENTUROUS
PACE: MEDIUM

This novel is the perfect steamy, soapy summer romance. It also offers readers an intriguing historical layer about the Jewish community, which I knew very little about.

This fresh story takes readers from the revolutionary fervor of 1950s Cairo to the serene beaches of New England in 2022, where the lives of two women, separated by decades, intertwine through a treasured family heirloom.

Mallory Dunne's life centers on her son, Sam, who needs a kidney transplant after ingesting a poisonous mushroom at summer camp. But, as she searches for a donor match, she uncovers painful family secrets, including her mother's mysterious adoption and a surprising reunion with a childhood sweetheart who has deeper ties to her family.

With a duel timeline shift to midcentury Egypt, readers follow a Hungarian refugee navigating her love and loyalty to a city on the brink of revolution.

Both love stories offer readers the perfect beach bag escape

BOOK CLUB EXPERIENCE: If you have ever wanted to spend an evening with Beatriz Williams to hear about her writing process, you are in for a treat! The author will join us to discuss her process for crafting these historical details and her swoon-worthy love story for readers.

RECOMMENDED FORMAT: PRINT OR AUDIOBOOK
MOOD: ROMANTIC, EMOTIONAL, HOPEFUL
PACE: FAST

Phoebe arrives at the luxurious Cornwall Inn in Newport, Rhode Island, intending to end her life in the gorgeous canopy bed looking out to the seaside, just like in her favorite Victorian novels.

However, she soon discovers that her booked stay is a mistake, as the entire inn was supposed to be reserved only for one lavish wedding party. Unexpectedly, Phoebe finds herself swept into the wedding preparations and forms heart-to-heart connections with the narcissistic bride and other wedding party attendees, leading her to find a new purpose over the week of festivities.

Espach's dialogue is vibrant with charisma, charm, and playful shenanigans, making every page a delight. I count this among my favorite books of the year.

RECOMMENDED FORMAT: PRINT OR AUDIOBOOK
MOOD: EMOTIONAL, HOPEFUL, FUNNY
PACE: MEDIUM

In this gripping account, Greenwood reveals chilling details on the true crime kidnapping of Sally Horner in 1948, which ultimately inspired the notorious novel Lolita.

This haunting and evocative narrative follows the abduction of Sally Horner and explores its profound effects on those who knew her. It is a poignant story that is both heart-wrenching and unforgettable, but readers should be prepared for this novel's dark turns.

BOOK CLUB EXPERIENCE: We are so lucky that T. Greenwood is coming to our Zoom discussion to dive deep into her research on this true crime case and discuss what details were most essential when crafting this story for her readers.

RECOMMENDED FORMAT: PRINT COPY
MOOD: DARK, EMOTIONAL, SAD
PACE: MEDIUM

This delicious novel felt like a guilty pleasure read, seamlessly blending the drama of White Lotus with an American Horror Story set-up that makes it the perfect spooky season selection.

The story follows Anna, the Pace family's black sheep, as she sets off on their planned vacation in a picturesque, secluded villa in Monteperso, where the rental home becomes its own character.

Readers are invited into the tension of this haunted home through creaking floors, cryptic warnings from villagers, and a mystical key to an upstairs chamber that holds surprising secrets.

Anna's prickly behavior turns this story upside down when she refuses to give in to what's been creeping into her life.

BOOK CLUB EXPERIENCE: I know spooky season books aren't for everyone, but we invite you to join this month's Zoom to discuss your favorite fall books, whether they lean into the atmospheric, cozy mystery, or the horror camp. The second half of our discussion will be dedicated to this month's novel, so you can join us for the full chat or the debate that fits best with your reading life!

MOOD: DARK, TENSE, MYSTERIOUS
PACE: FAST

This novel tells the empowering story of three generations of women facing male-dominated environments who discover their own inner strength.

In 2019, Kate escaped her abusive partner in London and found refuge in Weyward Cottage, inherited from a distant relative. Immersing herself in nature, she uncovers the cottage's secrets, from its 16th-century witch-hunting past to her great aunt's hidden legacy.

The narrative explores how women have been misunderstood and mistreated throughout history through three unique perspectives. From a woman unjustly tried for murder due to her healing abilities to the exploitation of women by men who face no repercussions, the story questions whether these women are cursed or simply unheard.

RECOMMENDED FORMAT: AUDIOBOOK
MOOD: ADVENTUROUS, EMOTIONAL, DARK
PACE: MEDIUM

A brilliant, action-packed reimagining of The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn, both harrowing and ferociously funny, is told from the enslaved Jim's point of view.

When Jim learns he is about to be sold to a man in New Orleans and separated from his wife and daughter forever, he hides on Jackson Island to plan his escape. Meanwhile, Huck Finn has faked his own death to evade his violent father.

But, their dangerous journey down the Mississippi River leads them toward the uncertain promise of the Free States.

This novel became an instant contemporary classic, filled with Everett's signature humor and sharp observations.

BOOK CLUB EXPERIENCE: We invite you to celebrate this final novel, James, and discuss your favorite books from your 2025 reading year. Be sure to share your list of top book recommendations on this cozy evening.

RECOMMENDED FORMAT: AUDIOBOOK WITH PRINT COPY (FOR HIGHLIGHTING)
MOOD: ADVENTUROUS, EMOTIONAL, DARK
PACE: MEDIUM