A surprisingly fierce feminist anthem, this novel is one of my favorite books of the year.

When young noblewoman Marguerite is betrayed and stranded on a wild island in the Gulf of St. Lawrence, she's forced to trade lace and luxury for fierce survival. Alongside her loyal nurse and a forbidden love, Marguerite battles harsh winters, bears, and isolation in a gripping story of endurance and unexpected faith.

Rich in historical detail and raw emotion, Goodman's Isola is a powerful tale of courage and transformation that lingers long after the final page.

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Emma and Justin meet on a quirky subreddit dedicated to doomed relationships—and discover they share the same bizarre dating curse: every ex they break up with goes on to find their soulmate.

To break the cycle, they plan a summer fling on the charming island town, where Emma's traveling nurse assignment offers the perfect three-month window for a relationship designed to fail. However, as they navigate personal challenges and unexpected emotions, their arrangement becomes more complicated than anticipated.

The reader will have much to work through with these characters, but if books like Kennedy Ryan's romances appeal to you, this sits nicely in that wheelhouse for Emma's self-discoveries as she processes her past traumas.

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This juicy debut is pure, wicked fun. Think Big Little Lies meets White Lotus, set in an exclusive Fire Island community where the gossip is mean and the murder is messy.

The story follows a privileged crew of New Yorkers who descend each summer to drink, gossip, and flirt with disaster—and each other. Their tennis whites are crisp, but their marriages are crumbling. Long-held resentments simmer beneath rosé-fueled brunches. And when a body turns up on the boardwalk, the intrigue takes a dark, delicious turn.

You won't root for these characters, but watching their secrets unravel is the exact kind of salty summer indulgence that pairs perfectly with sunscreen and a drink in hand. It was a biting romp that I couldn't put down last summer!

This heartwarming fantasy brings Linus Baker, a meticulous government caseworker, to an enchanting and unusual orphanage on a magical island.

As he grows fond of the extraordinary children and their endearing caretaker, the story beautifully explores finding found family in the most unexpected places.

If you need a great audiobook to listen to while you put together jigsaw puzzles this cozy season, I recommend this as a great family audiobook experience!

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What if your favorite childhood author invited you back into the world you once used to escape?

That’s exactly what happens to Lucy Hart, a teacher’s aide with a makeshift Etsy shop, a heartbreaking bond with a student she’s trying to adopt, and a dream wrapped in the pages of a long-lost book series.

When a mysterious contest emerges offering the only copy of a long-awaited new story, Lucy finds herself back on Clock Island—this time not as a runaway but as a competitor.

With riddles to solve, rivals to outwit, and a once-great author pulling strings like some literary Wonka, the story unfolds like a love letter to those of us who’ve clung to books as lifelines.

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This indie gem from human rights lawyer-turned-author Milena McKay blends dark academia, forbidden romance, and a slow-burn mystery that will leave you breathless.

When closeted teacher Sam encounters a captivating stranger during a night out, she never expects to see her again—let alone as the new headmistress of her conservative New England girls' school.

But Magdalene Nox, sent by the board to restore order, is that very woman, now tasked with enforcing regressive policies that threaten the school's inclusivity and soul.

The elite academy on an idyllic island is facing financial ruin and ideological decay, threatening the futures of its marginalized students, the livelihood of its progressive faculty, and a love story full of aching restraint and barely spoken desire.

Abby Craden's Earphones Award-winning narration elevates the audiobook to a must-listen experience.

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Dane Huckelbridge stuns with Castle of Water, a sharp, tender survival story that sneaks up on the reader.

When a plane crashes in the South Pacific, two strangers—an artist-turned-banker and a new bride—must learn to survive both heartbreak and each other. Huckelbridge brings humor and tension to even the most mundane tasks, layering in flashbacks and inner monologues that feel intimate and alive.

The rich character development is the beating heart of this story, as these two characters seem to leap off the pages.

The audiobook narration is phenomenal and highly recommended for the perfect summer escape.

The enthusiasm for this book is unmatched, especially among readers I know and trust, and the audiobook narration, narrated by Sarah Naughton, offers a rich experience for listeners.

Anna had planned the sailing trip with her fiancé. But after his unexpected death, she sets out alone from Fort Lauderdale on the journey they were meant to take together. When grief threatens to drown her, she hires Keane, a seasoned sailor with struggles of his own, to help her navigate to Puerto Rico and beyond.

What unfolds is part travel adventure, part healing journey, as the two slowly open up to one another while island-hopping through the Caribbean. This tender story balances loss and romance beautifully, all against the backdrop of sun-soaked harbors and salt-streaked sails.

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If you love enemies-to-lovers rom-coms with a tropical twist, Shipped delivers.

Marketing manager Henley Evans is all business—until her company sends her on a Galápagos cruise to compete for a promotion with her work nemesis, the annoyingly charming Graeme.

Forced off their screens and onto the same boat, Henley and Graeme discover there's more to each other than passive-aggressive emails and Zoom tension.

With stunning island backdrops, witty banter, and a surprising amount of heart, this vacation romance becomes a smart workplace comedy about ambition, assumptions, and what it really means to connect.

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The Island of Missing Trees surprised me with just how much heart it held—and how much a fig tree could make me cry. Shafak tells a love story shaped by war, loss, and exile, narrated in part by a tree that remembers everything its human characters try to forget. Lush, lyrical, and layered with longing, this novel lingers in all the best ways.

I regret not reading this book on audiobook for many reasons, including how I would have loved to hear the narrator's voice and learn about the unfamiliar words, regions, and local cuisines mentioned in the pages. However, if you read this one on paper or digital, there is a convenient glossary that I didn't know was there until I finished. 

This laugh-out-loud romantic comedy whisks readers aboard a week-long wedding cruise through the Greek Isles, where tradition and fate collide.

Moti's eccentric Indian family believes she's destined to marry the next man she meets—and when that man turns out to be Nikos, the dreamy chef on board, things get complicated fast.

As Moti navigates meddling relatives, goat-related mishaps, and a growing attraction that defies expectations, she finds herself questioning what fate really means—and whether love might be less about destiny and more about choice.

Sparkling with wit and warmth, this Mediterranean romp serves up lush scenery, big laughs, and irresistible heart.

Brennert's unforgettable novel follows Rachel Kalama, a spirited young Hawaiian girl whose ordinary childhood is upended when she's diagnosed with leprosy and exiled to the island of Molokaʻi.

What begins as a story of loss—being torn from her family, her future, and the life she dreamed she transforms into something profoundly hopeful.

Brennert brings Rachel's journey to life with such warmth and depth that the community she builds and the joy she finds despite her circumstances feel both heartbreaking and affirming.

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E. Lockhart’s We Were Liars is a tightly written, emotionally charged story about grief and the lies families tell to protect themselves.

Each summer, Cadence Sinclair returns to Beechwood Island, where her wealthy family keeps up appearances at all costs. But after a mysterious accident leaves her with memory loss and chronic pain, Cadence starts to question everything she once believed.

Her bond with Gat—a boy who challenges the family's quiet rules—pulls her deeper into a love she isn’t sure she can trust. What she uncovers will change how she sees herself, her past, and the people closest to her.

If you love it, you can dive into the prequel with Family of Liars!

If you’re craving a coastal escape with heart and just a little bit of mystery, this Colleen Oakley book will fit the bill perfectly.

When journalist Anders Caldwell arrives to cover a small-town cakewalk, he stumbles into something stranger—a community quietly pretending that one resident’s lost husband is still alive.

As his podcast secretly chronicles the story, his relationship with Piper shifts from curiosity to connection, and he’s forced to ask himself what kind of story he really wants to tell.

Full of quirky islanders, unexpected tenderness, and just enough tension to keep you turning pages, this is a summer read with heart.

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This dazzling YA debut standalone fantasy transports the reader to a magical island reminiscent of Prohibition-era New York, inspired by the allure of Moulin Rouge!

Luxe Revelle is a performer in her family's fantastical show, and she finds herself caught in a dangerous game when she agrees to pose as the girlfriend of the son of Charmant's wealthiest family. In exchange, she hopes to save her family's struggling livelihood.

Just as this arrangement unfolds, Jamison enters her life, bringing with him a mysterious past. As Luxe and Jamison grow closer, they begin to uncover the secrets of the island. However, the consequences of their hidden truths could ultimately shatter their worlds.

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This cult-classic novel was a self-published work that developed a following and, later, a book deal.

Escape to an uncharted island with this captivating castaway tale that will keep you turning the pages until the early morning hours.

In this gripping debut novel by the author of The Girl He Used to Know, a tragic plane crash strands an English teacher and her student on a remote island in the Maldives.

As they navigate the challenges of survival and forge an unlikely bond on an uninhabited island, the story explores the complexities of a LATER blossoming age-gap relationship and the resilience of the human spirit.

Suspend your disbelief, pop a bag of popcorn, and be transported with a love exploration that The Perfect Find fans will love. This was the perfect tropical island escape during a long winter in Indiana.

When Eleanor Bennett passes away, she leaves her children, Byron and Benny, with a mysterious inheritance—a Caribbean black cake and a voice recording that reveals a captivating tale of a young swimmer accused of murder.

As Byron and Benny embark on a journey to uncover the truth behind their mother's story, they must confront their own identities and rediscover the bonds that tie them together.

Woven between the present-day narrative of 2018, Wilkerson skillfully delves into Eleanor's captivating past, transporting readers to a vibrant Caribbean island in the 1960s, reminiscent of the enchanting spirit of Jamaica.

Marisol Ferrera has grown up hearing her grandmother's stories of pre-revolutionary Cuba—glamorous, complicated, and irrevocably lost. When she travels to Havana to fulfill her abuela's final wish, she stumbles into more than just a heritage trip.

As she begins to unearth a love story that was silenced by politics and betrayal, Marisol is drawn into her own dangerous entanglements with a journalist who challenges her understanding of Cuba's present.

Cleeton nails the dual timelines, allowing readers to live through the heartbreak of 1950s Havana while grappling with the contradictions of its modern-day counterpart.

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Hula invites you to the lush island of Hilo, Hawai‘i, where three generations of women navigate the delicate balance between heritage and self-discovery.

Hi‘i, a proud Naupaka, dives deep into the art of hula, hoping to unlock family secrets and find her true place in a community bound by ancient tradition.

Told through the collective voice of a resilient island community, this debut beautifully weaves dance, culture, and legacy into a rich, unforgettable story.

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Set on the idyllic Isle of Skye off the coast of Scotland, Woolf's stream-of-consciousness style immerses readers in the intricacies of human thought, capturing the essence of our innermost musings.

With its groundbreaking narrative technique and evocative portrayal of isolation, this thought-driven novel offers a tranquil escape where readers can truly feel transported to an island enveloped in the beauty of its prose.

Get ready for a dark and twisted wedding on a secluded island in this atmospheric thriller that will keep you guessing until the shocking end. 

In this Agatha Christie-esque tale, tensions rise as secrets, resentments, and unexpected alliances emerge among the glamorous guests. 

With impeccable planning and picturesque surroundings, this wedding is meant to be flawless, but as the night unfolds, it becomes clear that nothing is as it seems, and the celebration takes a sinister turn that no one could have anticipated.

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Best friends Summer and Leo navigate the elite circles of California's wealth by relying on their skills as con artists to survive. 

But when a high-stakes scam goes awry, and Leo mysteriously disappears on a private island, Summer must unravel the truth and confront the dangerous consequences of their actions.

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When a group of British schoolboys crash-lands on a deserted island, their attempt to govern themselves spirals into a chilling descent into savagery. Golding's iconic novel strips civilization down to its bones, revealing how thin the line is between order and chaos.

It is a brutal, thought-provoking read that continues to spark debate decades later and would pair beautifully with The Lost Story.

This swashbuckling classic kicks off when young Jim Hawkins discovers a pirate's map and sets sail in search of buried treasure. But danger quickly surfaces as a mutinous crew and the cunning Long John Silver complicate the voyage.

Packed with tropical islands, cryptic clues, and treacherous twists, Treasure Island defined the pirate adventure genre as we know it. Stevenson's vivid storytelling still crackles with tension, making it an enduring favorite for readers of all ages.

Jacob Have I Loved is a beautifully tender coming-of-age story set on a remote fishing island during World War II.

Sarah Louise lives in the long shadow of her gifted twin sister, struggling to find her own voice and sense of worth amid sibling rivalry and hardship.

This Newbery Award winner is a story that reaches beyond middle grade to touch anyone who’s ever felt overlooked but fiercely determined.

With its rich character development and beautiful arc spanning childhood to adulthood, this book leaves a lasting impression on the power of finding oneself.

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Leave it to Annie Hartnett to give us a road trip tale that opens with a death-predicting cat and winds up being one of the most touching, zaniest stories of the year.

When PJ Halliday, a washed-up lottery winner with a broken heart, adopts a prophetic feline named Pancakes, he sets off on a misguided mission to rekindle a teenage romance.

But life throws him a wildcard: guardianship of his late brother's two grandkids and a detour through grief, soap opera conventions, and late-in-life fatherhood. This offbeat crew—including his adult daughter and a shoplifting tween with a purse full of treasures—will steal your heart and stomp all over it in the best way.

Full of laugh-out-loud antics and beautifully surprising turns, Hartnett once again proves no one writes heartache with humor quite like her.

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If your idea of a great road trip includes a PT Cruiser, a few surprise siblings, and Kevin Wilson's signature blend of weird and wonderful, Run for the Hills delivers.

When Reuben Hill shows up in rural Tennessee to tell Madeline she's his half-sister, he ropes her into a cross-country journey to track down the other abandoned kids their father left behind.

What follows is a wild, tender sibling odyssey told with deadpan wit. It's a story about what we inherit, what we make of it, and the strange, surprising families we build along the way.

Wren and Ellis fell in love too young, married too soon, and never quite figured out how to be together and whole at the same time.

Years after their divorce, they're co-parenting their now college-bound son and barely navigating a friendship.

But when a road trip to drop Sam off brings them back into close quarters, their old sparks start to reignite—with all the joy and pain that comes with second chances.

Warm, sexy, and funny in all the right ways, Left of Forever is a second-chance romance that understands love is messy, timing is everything, and sometimes, the road back is the most rewarding one of all.

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Part memoir, part political awakening, Kendzior's The Last American Road Trip captures the desperation and devotion of a mother trying to show her kids the beauty of a country that feels like it's coming apart at the seams.

As Kendzior and her family hit the road from Missouri to every far-flung corner of the U.S., they witness firsthand the crumbling infrastructure, cultural icons, and civic unraveling of modern America.

But despite the dread, this is a book about hope—the fierce, aching kind that lives in parents and patriots alike.

Kendzior offers readers a stunning and sobering ride.

He broke her heart. Her brother died. And now they're stuck together on a grief-fueled road trip to scatter his ashes across the country. What could go wrong?

In this sharp and sweet romantic comedy, Maddie is forced to travel with her ex, Dom—also her late brother's best friend—to honor one final wish.

As their cross-country tension simmers into a love story, it proves that sometimes the people who hurt you most might also be the ones who help you heal.

The author of the New York Times bestseller Lucky returns with a captivating story about grunge-era musician Jane Pyre's quest to uncover the truth about her husband's disappearance. 

As one half of the famous rock duo, the Lightning Bottles, Jane faces public hatred and a teenage fan who claims to have evidence that her husband is still alive.

Together, they embark on a cross-continent road trip, bonded by their love of music that's being positioned as an excellent novel for Daisy Jones and the Six fans! 

Release Date- 24 September 2024

This literary fiction debut novel introduces readers to Bernie, who responds to Leah's ad for a housemate in Philadelphia as they form a deep friendship around their shared love of art.  

After Bernie's former professor leaves her a complex inheritance, Leah joins her on a journey to rural Pennsylvania to document America through words and photographs. 

Along the way, they engage with people from all walks of life, learning about themselves and the world through this uniquely crafted queer road trip story.  

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This is the fourth novel in the Meant to Be series, which offers readers a modern fairytale retelling of Disney's best love stories. The dynamic writing duo Christina Lauren offers a fresh take on Tangled.

Ren, who was raised off the grid, steps onto a college campus for the first time, where she meets Fitz, a guy with a meticulously planned life.

But, their lives change when an assignment leads to an unexpected road trip, and they realize their dreams may be closer than they think.

As you wait for this release, don't miss the other books in the series from Julie Murphy, Jasmine Guillory, and Zoraida Córdova.

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This heartwarming and humorous road trip story traces the unexpected bond between a college dropout and an octogenarian woman who hit the road and are now on the run from the law.

Tanner observes some peculiarities about Louise as she begins her role as her caretaker, including a locked shed and a news segment featuring a woman that looks just like her in an unsolved jewelry heist case. 

When Louise suddenly appears in Tanner's room at 1 a.m. with a packed bag, insisting they leave town immediately, the two explore an adventure of a lifetime. 

Don’t miss this Book Gang podcast with Colleen Oakely in today's embedded player.

Jenna never expected her marriage to fall apart. However, six months after her divorce, she finds comfort in her grandmother, Evelyn's upcoming visit to their hometown. 

Agreeing to accompany her on a road trip, Jenna learns about Evelyn's touching love story from the past, inspiring her to finally pursue her own happily ever after. 

Confino's storytelling alternates between the past and present, creating a captivating tale that has made it a favorite among many readers.

Colleen described this book as "quirky, funny, and beautiful- a combination only Jojo Moyes could pull off."

Moyes weaves an endearing story of a mother who is down on her luck and can barely make ends meet when her daughter is offered the chance of a lifetime to receive a scholarship for her excellence in mathematics that will cover 90% of her daughter's education.

Coming up with the other ten percent seems impossible, but she is determined to make this happen for her daughter.

When she hears of a math contest in Scotland that offers a cash prize, she must do everything she can to get her there, including hitching a ride with the most unlikely man who could ultimately change their entire world.

Moms of teens will adore this laugh-out-loud story.

Jessica and Emily Burnstein imagine a college tour with very different expectations.

For Emily, it's a chance to explore her newfound freedom and the possibility of an exciting future.

But for Jessica, it's an opportunity to reconnect with her estranged daughter and salvage their relationship. 

As this mother-daughter duo travels along the East Coast, Waxman rounds out the story with a bus full of well-written characters and fun side plots that make this a great little summer adventure story.

Child narrators can be tricky, but Starla Claudelle's spunky spitfire voice has become one of my most beloved in historical fiction.

This coming-of-age story is about a nine-year-old girl who runs away from her Mississippi home in 1963 and befriends a lonely woman, embarking on a life-changing road trip. 

As Starla journeys to Nashville to reunite with her mother, who abandoned her when she was three, she discovers more about what it means to be family.

If you love the found family trope, you'll love these beautiful discoveries that go beyond racial and societal barriers between these two characters.

Please take advantage of my interview with the author when you finish.

Grace Johnson's life seems to be on autopilot when her husband drops a bombshell that he wants a divorce. Grace is left with a choice; either to wallow in self-pity or to join her eccentric mother on a road trip to Graceland to celebrate her seventieth birthday. 

Through this journey, she begins to understand her mother's fixation on Elvis and the fractures in their relationship.

You can hear more in my Kristen Mei Chase interview as we discuss the unexpected ways it brought her and her mother together through this fictional journey on the Book Gang Podcast.

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Nora Nguyen is the pen name of Thao Thai, whose riveting literary fiction debut, Banyan Moon, topped my list of the best debuts novels of 2023. Having her romance debut in my stack this month is an absolute treat. 

Evie Lang's life is chaotic after losing her aunt and job. She inherits her aunt's San Francisco house but must go on a matchmaking tour in Việt Nam to claim it. 

Adam, working for a matchmaking business, joins the tour. But, despite their initial animosity, they realize that true love may be out there if they are willing to leap. Readers are off on a rollicking, unforgettable romance with this new adventure.

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Thirty-four-year-old Wren Waters believes that paying attention to the universe will bring exactly what you need. After two unexpected blows to her life, she turns to geocaching for solace. 

During a solo quest in Oregon, she meets psychologist Marshall Hendricks. But, what starts as a platonic road trip develops into something deeper as Wren learns more about Marshall.

Is it possible that the universe has finally gotten it right?

In this heartfelt enemies-to-lovers sapphic romance, Rosemary and Logan, once childhood best friends turned bitter rivals, are reunited by a heartwarming mission.

As they venture on a road trip with their beloved English teacher, Joe, in his final months, they rediscover the bond they thought lost. 

This multigenerational tale unfolds with Chocrun's signature lightness and humor, revealing beautiful surprises and touching moments from their teacher's past.

As someone who cried a few tears through this one, I recommend having some tissues handy! 

Noelle Shepard is mourning the passing of her cherished grandmother when she comes across old photographs of her grandmother with a mysterious man and a love letter. 

Intrigued, she decides to use TikTok to track him down, becoming a viral sensation.

But, to her unhappy surprise, the grandson of the mystery man responds – it's her former high school rival.

As Noelle unravels the secrets of her grandmother's past, sparks fly between her and Theo in this fast-paced enemies-to-lovers road trip story.

This 2024 Summer Reading Guide debut selection introduces readers to Sarah Adler, who offers readers quirky romances.  

Millie heads off on a solo road trip to fulfill her elderly neighbor's final wish: to reunite with a long-lost love from eighty years ago. 

But when she faces road trip hurdles, she has to hitch a ride with a grumpy former acquaintance and finds an unexpected connection.

For readers who love historical fiction, this dual-timeline tale set in 1944 Key West delivers a delightful blend of humor, emotion, and romance. 

You can hear Sarah Adler's surprising discoveries as she penned this romance on the Book Gang podcast in this episode- The Most Unique One-Bed Tropes in Romance.

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If you've dreamed of going on tour with a band, this romance was one of my favorite romantic escapes this year. 

The story opens with Evie's children stumbling upon some unusual relics in a box of her belongings, including a shadowy image of an iconic lead singer of the fictional band, Mayluna, entangled with a woman in the recording studio. 

The woman, only captured in shadow, amuses Evie's kids because she shares so many overwhelming similarities with their mother, including a bracelet she still wears. 

So begins one of my favorite kinds of stories of a mother's secret life and love affair that their children never knew about, including Evie's wildly successful stint as a journalist writing under a penname who managed to snag an elite assignment covering the alt-rock band who rose to fame through the 1990s. 

Hit the road with the band in this love story that celebrates romance AND the sacrifices we make for familial love.

This funny novel is among my favorite Emily Henry books, and its signature witty banter made me laugh out loud especially in the road trip scenes.  

It's about two best friends, Poppy and Alex, who go on ten summer trips together. They vacationed together annually until two years ago when they ruined everything and have not spoken since.

Poppy decides, though, that enough time has passed and that she wants to contact Alex to see if he will join her for one last trip so they can, hopefully, repair the damage that's been done.

This novel offers discovery flashbacks to their past trips, helping to build deeper connections with these characters and piece together the rift that led them here in the first place. 

When Joy Evers heads out on a cross-country road trip with her deceased sister's Route 66 bucket list in hand, she expects it will be an uneventful drive across the country, checking the list along the way.

The last thing she expects is to meet singer-songwriter Dylan Westfield. But, with a broken-down car, he's desperate for a ride to his next gig.

She offers to drive him to New York in her brand-new convertible, but a deal is struck between them.

As they journey across America, they agree to three rules: no exchanging last names, what happens on the road stays on the road, and if one of them wants to take a side trip, they both must agree.

Over a decade, this Sliding Doors story follows Joy and Dylan's slow-burn love story, exploring the what-ifs along the way. This was my first Kerry Londsdale novel and it was such a fun romance!

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Nicole is an excellent writer for your book stack if you love family-friendly dramas with mystery.

Baart’s family traveling story inspired this fictional tale of unexpected mother-daughter travel influencers documenting their travels for their social media fans. 

In this suspenseful mystery, Charlie and Eva never intended to become social media celebrities, but fame finds them after a photo of Eva goes viral.

After two years of documenting their adventures in a vintage Airstream trailer, they settle temporarily on the North Shore of Lake Superior.

Eva is finishing her senior year of high school and applying to college while her mother longs for their old life on the road.

But when she goes missing just days before her graduation, Charlie becomes the prime suspect due to their growing tension. 

This book would be fantastic for a book club as it grapples with privacy around social media and some surprisingly timely elements that plague our world and rob us of deeper connections with those around us.

I have read Station Eleven twice and would be more than okay with a third loop with this novel, but I have yet to indulge in this television series. Let me know if you enjoyed the adaptation, as it is on my bucket list!

This beloved dystopian road trip story offers a unique perspective on a pandemic world through the journey of a group of traveling actors trekking together during a flu apocalypse.

I enjoyed the audiobook and found it interesting that two versions were available, with the UK having its own version. If you are reading this one again, try switching audiobook narrators for a fresh experience.

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This 2020 book club book was a hit with fans of 11/22/63!

Amidst the chaos of JFK's assassination, a loyal member of the New Orleans mob finds himself in a precarious position. With knowledge of the President's murder, he knows he's next on the mob's hit list. 

Desperate to evade his fate, he flees to Las Vegas, seeking refuge from an old enemy of his boss.

But when he meets Charlotte, a stranded housewife with two daughters and a dog, he sees an opportunity to cover his tracks by posing as an insurance man and offers to help her reach California. 

Maben & her young daughter are trying to escape their difficult life, and the mother must use her last dollars to provide shelter for them through the night at a hotel.

However, to earn money to get them through the next day, Maben finds herself involved in the murder of a police deputy, and they must flee before she is caught.

She pulls over Russell, a man who has just finished his prison term for a crime he committed at gunpoint. He is now involved in a crime he did not commit in this riveting page-turner.

Michael Farris Smith certainly has a way with words and I was sucked into this book from page one. If you are just in the mood for a good story, this book is beautiful and satisfying!

Colleen Oakley highly recommends this heartwarming middle-grade road trip adventure, perfect for sharing with your children.

For five years, Coyote and her dad have been on the road in an old school bus, escaping the pain of losing her mom and sisters in a car accident.

But when Coyote learns that the park where they buried a memory box is about to be demolished, she devises a plan to get her dad to drive back to Washington state in just four days, finding unexpected connections along the way.

Once you finish it, dig into Coyote Lost and Found offering readers a beautiful standalone companion that takes place one year later this story.

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This deeply profound and meditative examination of a young life interrupted by illness showcases a wise woman beyond her years as she navigates her unusual life's pause.

Throughout this journey, she begins to chronicle her experience through a newspaper column that brings connection with unlikely people.

These letters that sustained her through her cancer treatment later inspired her to take a road trip to meet them. 

Throughout a 100-day, 15,000-mile road trip across the country with her dog, she meets these strangers and finds a deeper connection to their stories and her own. 

Initially, I wondered if I was prepared to read about a young woman's battle with cancer. 

But Suleika Jaouad's writing transforms her story into a captivating and enlightening adventure that offers readers a captivating page-turner.

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Although I am sure many of you have read this book, I only read it more recently.

In the wake of her mother's death, and after her marriage fell apart, twenty-two-year-old Cheryl Strayed set out on a daunting adventure to hike the Pacific Crest Trail, a trek spanning over a thousand miles through the wilderness of California, Oregon, and Washington State.

This story is heart-poundingly WILD, and I have found myself breathless as she has set out on this adventure without the knowledge or preparation required to make this trek.

We hike trails with Strayed and hitchhike to different destinations as she makes her way along the west coast.

Readers may experience significant anxiety knowing that she faces exceptionally challenging conditions while hiking alone on these trails without adequate equipment.

If you love this book, watch the movie adaptation starring Reese Witherspoon, currently streaming on HBO Max or available through Prime Video.

Don't miss our Celebrity Book Club Deep Dive Podcast with Tiktok influencer, Tellthebeees.

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If you've never heard the name Aimee Semple McPherson, you're not alone—but Claire Hoffman's Sister, Sinner will ensure you never forget her name again as America's first mega-preacher.

This riveting biography opens with the astonishing true story of Aimee, who shaped modern evangelicalism, vanished into the ocean for 35 days, and returned with a kidnapping tale so wild it led to two sensational trials.

Hoffman meticulously documents Aimee's childhood and attraction to Pentecostalism, a movement historians have described as a "cyclone" that struck the early 1900s like a storm.

Aimee was an early adopter of new mediums, such as creating her print magazine to spread the word, giving radio a spin, and later being excited about how television could bring new people to Jesus.

What makes this story unique is that Hoffman was the first researcher granted access to the complete court records of Aimee's grand jury trial—records that, for more than a century, the Foursquare Church has refused to share with the outside world.

Hoffman's approach is refreshingly secular, embracing Aimee's contradictions—faith healer and showman, sinner and saint, feminist and fundamentalist. I could not put this book down!

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In her first book, the host of the From the Front Porch podcast and independent bookstore owner inspires her readers that adventure can be found in the ordinary.

Annie Jones imagined adulthood as an exciting path—a high-powered career, vibrant city life, and travels to far-off destinations. Instead, she embraced her life in a small town, running a bookstore—the kind that would make Nora Ephron proud.

While this story is focused on staying for small-town adventures, the author reminds readers that choosing to leave can also be courageous and transformative. She explores her decision to walk away from the church she grew up in through two personal essays.

Jessica boldly recounts her journey of reinventing her adult life after her husband came out as gay, resulting in their divorce after sixteen years of marriage.

This book serves as both a memoir and a self-help guide, empowering readers who face disappointment or feel that life should be more fulfilling than the hand they were dealt.

Determined to seize control of her new beginning, she offers readers an opportunity to go on the adventure of rebuilding her life with her. In part workbook and part personal revelations, the author narrates the audiobook, adding another layer of emotion to this personal excavation, including navigating the tricky landscape of their faith journey as Christian writers.

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This Boy We Made is a medical mystery memoir with thriller pacing that Harris expertly unwinds in an unforgettable narrative that I could not put down.

As Harris has struggled with a lifetime of anxiety, she faces one of the most anxious scenarios a mother could face: a child with life-threatening health problems that no one can seem to diagnose or solve.

Interspersed throughout our story, she shares the places in her own life where her anxiety and the world of her son, Tophs, collide. This story effectively shares this through the lens of being a Black mother with a child with disabilities.

As a pastor's wife, Harris's faith plays a large part in this story. It was such an honor to hear Taylor's story and share tears with her as I asked her how she held steadfastly to her faith through this experience as we uncovered more behind her story for our book club.

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Moving to Shanghai and newly married, Amber finds herself thrown into a world she never thought she would be part of. A third-generation Jehovah's Witness, Amber has devoted her entire life to the ministry. Although she had freedom in the States to share about God, in Shanghai, she finds herself in a secret society where her preaching is illegal and punishable.

Amber becomes aware of how many ways one can find God through a blossoming friendship with someone outside her faith. However, the decision to explore this comes with serious consequences, including being shunned by her own church community, the one place where she finds her identity. 

I learned so much about customs and culture in China that I couldn't put this one down. Amber's story of finding herself was gorgeous and made me reflect on my time growing up in church in a completely different way.

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In this captivating historical narrative, Goodman boldly recounts the story of Marguerite de La Rocque de Roberval, who is marooned on an island in the Gulf of St. Lawrence by her ruthless cousin, Jean-François.

Orphaned at thirteen and exploited for her inheritance, Marguerite and her loyal nurse, Damienne, are forced to join Jean-François on a naval expedition to New France after her property is unjustly sold.

Amidst the journey, Marguerite courageously seeks love in a forbidden romance with Auguste, Jean-François's secretary. When her cousin discovers their relationship, he reacts with fury and coldly abandons them on a remote island, leaving them to confront the brutal elements.

The story unfolds with the intensity of a gripping Survivor episode as they battle for survival, facing challenges from failed gardens to encounters with bears. As the harsh winter sets in, Marguerite taps into an unexpected faith in God, transforming her loss into a powerful feminist reclamation that I couldn't have loved more.

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I haven't met a Jess Kidd book that I haven't loved. This new cozy mystery is the first in the Nora Breen Investigates series and a fun new writerly direction for Jess Kidd fans to follow.

In 1954, Sister Nora Breen's quiet world is upended when her former novice, Frieda Brogan, suddenly stops writing.

Concerned for her friend's safety, Nora leaves her monastery after 30 years and follows Frieda's last known trail to Gull's Nest, a fading seaside boarding house in Gore-on-Sea. Masquerading as a guest, she settles among the eccentric residents, quickly realizing she's not the only one harboring secrets.

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Cast out of the royal court by Eleanor of Aquitaine for being deemed too coarse for marriage, 17-year-old Marie de France is dispatched to England as the new prioress of a struggling abbey, where the nuns are on the brink of starvation and struggling with disease.

Initially stunned by the harsh realities of her new life, Marie quickly finds her purpose and passion among her extraordinary sisters.

As the last in a proud line of women warriors, she is resolute in her mission to carve out a bold and transformative path for the women she leads. In a world that refuses to accept her fully, Marie's vision will be the force that drives them forward.

A restaurant critic joins a search committee to hire the next minister at her Unitarian Universalist church—only to find that faith, like food, is riddled with politics, preference, and personal drama.

Huneven's sly, satirical novel explores what we worship, why, and whether a truly "good" leader can ever please everyone.

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Two Irish sisters—one a nun, the other a mother—are bound by decades-spanning secrets.

This story powerfully details the lives of two sisters who arrived in America in the late fifties. The adventurous sister Theresa fully embraces her newfound freedom, while Nora is promised to a boy she doesn't love.

So, when Theresa unexpectedly becomes pregnant, Nora dutifully takes decisive action to protect her sister's reputation and ensure her nephew is loved and secure.

The narrative boldly explores the past and present, showcasing how each sister's choices lead them down distinct, life-altering paths. As a sudden death pulls the sisters back together, a torrent of family secrets are unleashed.

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Odran's start in the priesthood comes from a devastating and jarring loss when he is young. As his mom leans into her faith, she says God has chosen him for the priesthood and sends him to a seminary, which begins his four-decade journey in the church.

As the Catholic church finds itself embroiled in a sexual abuse scandal, Odran begins to confront haunting memories within his past that force him to ponder in what ways he was a victim or an accomplice.

While the reader waits for the inevitable reveals, Boyne showcases how we may not reckon with our memories until many years later. It's what so many survivors share, and Boyne masterfully examines how those who did nothing are just as guilty as those involved.

This story moved me to tears and ignited a profound anger within me. I firmly consider it one of Boyne's most impactful works.

This book is endlessly discussable and a favorite of our longtime MomAdvice Book Club members.

In the 1980s, Brian confronts fear and discrimination following his AIDS diagnosis, and his return to a conservative Appalachian hometown which Carter paints in an unforgettable portrait of a family in crisis.

This compassionate exploration offers shifting viewpoints in their family, including Brian's mother who is a deeply religious woman struggling to reconcile her faith with Brian's life.

The audiobook experience is exquisite, with a multi-cast narration that perfectly enapsulates this small-town story.

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This soapy drama features Essie a seventeen-year-old daughter of an evangelical preacher navigating a secret pregnancy that threatens to unravel their TV world.

To control the narrative, the family agrees to quickly marry Essie to pass the pregnancy off as a product of their union. As another family is desperately strapped for cash and wants their son to further his education, this large sum is pivotal to their livelihood.

As the readers uncover the mystery behind this pregnancy, they wrestle with how reality TV and a seemingly perfect family can harbor such dark secrets. As Essie isn't the only one hiding a few secrets, I can promise a few reveals to uncover from her betrothed.

This young adult novel powerfully explores the lives of three unlikely friends growing up in the rural South, each battling their own significant challenges.

Dill's father, a Pentecostal preacher renowned for his snake-charming church, becomes embroiled in a town scandal that leaves his family under extreme scrutiny and struggling financially. Travis, fixated on the Bloodfall book series, uses it as an escape from the brutal reality of his abusive father. Lydia, a blogger determined to launch a new life in New York, wrestles with the difficulty of leaving behind the familiar and the people she cares about.

As these three misfits form a bond, they inevitably confront challenges they never anticipated together.

Their friendship story is, ultimately, what launched my love affair with Zentner's storytelling.

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A young nun finds herself reassigned to a halfway house in Rhode Island—and begins to wonder if her life of devotion is a life of avoidance.

Luchette's debut is a collection of quietly painted vignettes of daily life filled with profoundly tender moments and disarming humor. It's a coming-of-faith story as much as a coming-of-age one.

Krueger's beautiful coming-of-age story revolves around a small town and a mysterious series of murders. It was my first introduction to Krueger's storytelling, and I reveled in his finely crafted characters, which made this story read more like a memoir than a piece of fiction.

I was lucky enough to interview William Kent Krueger about this beloved novel. During the interview, he addressed why the spiritual themes were so prevalent in this story.

Krueger stated, "The question of the spiritual journey has been an important one my whole life. I've never felt comfortable about religion, and I've always felt as if I'm on a spiritual pilgrimage to a place that hasn't been revealed to me yet. But what I've seen in life is that we experience the divine every day, in the blessings and graces that we offer one another, in our ordinary kindnesses, in our habitual forgiving. And I wanted that outlook to be at the heart of Ordinary Grace."

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This short story collection explores Black women and girls' intimate and vulnerable experiences as they navigate their desires while seeking moments away from the pressures of being "good." This collection includes nine stories featuring four generations of characters contemplating their identities in the face of the church's double standards.

These church ladies embrace their secret longings, new loves, and forbidden affairs, navigating their vulnerabilities and unfaithfulness to pursue the freedom they deeply desire.

Faith is a masterpiece that I thoroughly enjoyed from start to finish.

The protagonist, Art, is the apple of his mother's eye and has been dedicated to a life of service to God since childhood. He takes great pride in his work as a priest and is devoted to his church.

Suddenly, he finds himself in the spotlight after being accused of molesting a child he has formed a close relationship with through his work. This accusation leaves him devastated as his life comes under intense scrutiny from the media, fellow church members, other priests, and even his own family.

While some family members support him, others do not. As shocking revelations emerge about his past and relationship with the young boy, readers must examine their own opinions and consider both perspectives as Art's family struggles to cope with the accusations.

Haigh's writing is always vibrant and engaging. The story offers a fresh perspective on the scandal we witnessed in the media, highlighting the idea that every story has two sides.

Sam Hill was born with a rare condition called ocular albinism, which makes him look different from his peers. His red pupils are the subject of ridicule at his Catholic school, and his classmates refer to him as the "Devil Boy" and "Sam Hell." Despite his differences, his mother believes that this is God's will and that this difference makes Sam so extraordinary.

She will stop at nothing to help Sam pave his path in the world and is thrilled when Sam finds his first friend in Ernie, the only African American kid at his school. The two form a fast friendship, and both find the same magnificent friendship in a little girl named Mickie, who is willing to stand up for Sam more than anyone.

The book is told from Sam's adult perspective, now working as an ophthalmologist, and his boyhood journey towards acceptance. Dugoni masterfully brings this coming-of-age story together so beautifully that I reveled in every word.

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Ruby King understands that her mother's story encompasses far more than what is immediately apparent, and her mother's tragic death has propelled Ruby into an even more perilous situation. Fortunately, she has her best friend, Layla, by her side, someone who truly grasps the weight of the events unfolding around them.

However, Layla's father, the church pastor, imposes strict measures, insisting that Layla distance herself from Ruby and her father. They not only refuse to support Ruby in her time of need, but they also willfully ignore the unsettling possibility that Ruby's father may be the murderer.

This troubling reality leads to a compelling question: what is the pastor willing to protect, and at what lengths will he go to shield a man like Ruby's father? It's such a page-turner!

The Red Tent draws inspiration from the Biblical story of Dinah, a character briefly mentioned in the Bible as the daughter of Jacob and sister to his twelve sons.

In the narrative, the red tent is a sacred gathering place for women during their cycles, for childbirth, and when seeking solace in times of illness. This intimate tent becomes a sisterhood where women come together to share their stories and sing songs, creating a safe haven amid their shared lives, represented by the four mothers and wives—Rachel, Leah, Zilpah, and Bilhah.

As we follow Dinah's journey from childhood to womanhood, we see her embrace her calling as a midwife while venturing into a foreign land. The story unfolds beautifully, capturing her evolving awareness of womanhood and the rich traditions that shape her identity.

In 1963, two men are hired to serve a Presbyterian congregation, but they could not be more different. Charles is a Harvard professor-to-be who falls in love with Lily, an intellectual who is firmly opposed to religion.

On the other hand, James has weathered a troubled past and finds hope and faith through Nan, who grew up with a devout minister father. Instead of fully embracing this comforting religious lifestyle, James is passionate about social issues and sees the injustice around him

The contrast between the two couples and the men in leadership creates a compelling narrative. Both are stepping into their roles during a challenging and turbulent time marked by racism and women's rights, which adds depth to the story as we follow the two couples over several decades. This novel, to me, is one of the best fictional books about faith and belonging!

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This story unspools a secret teenage pregnancy that reverberates through a tight-knit Black church community in Southern California.

Nadia enters a romantic relationship with the pastor's son, but their relationship ends when a secret they share becomes the main focus of their lives. Despite this, Nadia continues to hide the secret, even from her closest friend, Aubrey.

She decides to move away to start fresh somewhere new. However, when she returns home, she realizes that her feelings for the man she left still remain. To her surprise, he has moved on and is now in a relationship with her best friend, who is unaware of their past.

Narrated by a Greek chorus of church mothers, this novel explores what we hide, what we carry, and how the community both shelters and stifles.

As a 6-year Ph.D. candidate in neuroscience at Stanford, Gifty studies the neural circuits of depression and addiction in mice to try to understand her brother's addiction to heroin.

Believing in science collides wildly with Gifty's upbringing in an Evangelical Church as she ultimately feels these two journeys cannot coexist, and much of this novel is spent coming to terms with these two versions of herself and how they can work together.

It also offers the reader a critical response from churches in the face of a family's insurmountable grief around addiction. How do we show up for others when facing mental health and addiction challenges in our congregations? What role do therapy and resources play within a church structure? This conversation would be incredibly impactful for a book club.

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Growing up in a religious household, I found Margaret's faith journey so wildly intriguing because she grew up in a non-religious household but felt a personal connection to God. This revelation on faith leads her to explore different religious affiliations and ultimately question the very nature of faith.  

She has cultivated a very special relationship with God. She can talk to God about everything—family and friends, and even share details about her secret crush.

It was a joy to share a movie date with my daughter to watch this adaptation. She spilled a few revelations to me about some of those adolescent moments that became part of her formative memories as well. Judy Blume is doing the Lord's work.

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In this striking debut novel, a Palestinian American woman confronts a school shooter while navigating her faith and identity.

This story firmly centers on Afaf Rahman, the principal of Nurrideen School for Girls in suburban Chicago. When a shooter, radicalized by the online alt-right, attacks the school,she is thrust into a harrowing situation.

As she listens to the chaos unfold, Afaf reflects on her childhood filled with prejudice, her mother's unfulfilled dreams of returning to Palestine, and the devastating disappearance of her older sister.

Through compelling flashbacks, readers gain a profound understanding of the perceptions of Muslims in America and the enduring sense of alienation that many immigrants face, no matter how long they have lived in their adopted communities.

It's been many years since I read this gorgeous novel narrated by the wife and four daughters of Nathan Price, a fierce, evangelical Baptist who took his family and mission to the Belgian Congo in 1959.

Kingsolver's narrative makes perfect sense as we uncover Nathan as a physically and emotionally abusive, misogynistic husband and father. Carrying everything they believe they will need from home, they soon discover that all of it—from garden seeds to Scripture—is transformed on African soil.

What follows is a suspenseful epic of one family's tragic undoing and remarkable reconstruction over three decades in postcolonial Africa.

This character-driven novel offers a retelling of the Jesus story from the perspective of a fictitious wife, Ana.

Raised in a wealthy family in Sepphoris, is a fiercely rebellious and ambitious woman with a brilliant mind and an adventurous spirit. Refusing to settle for a life defined by societal constraints, she boldly pursues secret scholarly endeavors and writes about the stories of neglected women.

When she crosses paths with the eighteen-year-old Jesus, their connection ignites a powerful intellectual and emotional awakening in both of them. Their marriage flourishes in Nazareth, where Ana shares a home with Jesus, his brothers James and Simon, and their mother, Mary.

Ana's daring nature often leads her into peril, and she decisively flees Nazareth just before Jesus begins his public ministry. With Yaltha by her side, she journeys to Alexandria, where she claims her refuge and purpose.

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The book experience that Junie immediately brings to mind is The Girl With the Louding Voice, which explores a girl growing up in an unfathomable situation who finds comfort in literature.

In this story, Eckstine envisions a world where an enslaved girl's friendship with the plantation owner's daughter means that the girls share a deep love for books and each other.

But when Violet's family's financially failing plantation comes into play, she must contemplate marrying an evil wealthy suitor risking the safety of Junie. Their worlds are transformed in surprising ways that the reader won't see coming, especially as the power dynamics come into play.

Eckstine's background as an English teacher means the home's library is immaculately curated, as is her storytelling.  

Listen to today's Erin Crosby Eckstine interview on the Book Gang podcast to learn more about her research and writing process for this novel that was selected as a GMA Book Club pick.

Murray brings to life the true story of Jessie Redmon Fauset, a central figure in the Harlem Renaissance who helped shape the literary voices that defined an era.

As the literary editor of The Crisis, Jessie discovers young talents like Langston Hughes and Countee Cullen while navigating a secret, tumultuous affair with W.E.B. Du Bois.

In the face of overwhelming sexism and racism, Jessie must balance her drive with her desires. However, as she strives to preserve her legacy, she’ll discover the high cost of her unparalleled success.

Murray's exploration offers an inspiring and poignant tribute to a woman who made her mark on history.

A publishing event ten years in the making, this searing, exquisite new novel from Adichie is on my Kindle right now, and I can't wait to dive back into her storytelling.

Set against the backdrop of the pandemic, the novel follows four women—Chiamaka, Zikora, Omelogor, and Kadiatou—as they navigate the complexities of their lives, relationships, and dreams.

Adichie's lyrical prose delves deep into the emotional intricacies of each woman's journey, from past betrayals to self-doubt, all while questioning the nature of true happiness and what it means to truly love.

Release Date- 4 March 2025

Johnson weaves together the stories of two women across generations, connected by their legacy of activism.

In the fall of 1959, Freda arrives on the campus of Fisk University full of hope. Soon, the ugliness of the Jim Crow South intrudes, and she's thrown into the movement for social change.

Reluctant to get involved, torn between a soon-to-be doctor her parents approve of and an audacious young man willing to risk it all in the name of justice, Freda finds herself caught between her two worlds.

In 1992 Chicago, Freda's daughter Tulip is an ambitious PR professional on track for an exciting career, if workplace politics and racial microaggressions don't get in her way. But with the Rodney King trial ruling weighing heavily on her, she feels called to action.

Now she must decide what she will risk in the name of justice and equality, just like her mother had three decades prior.

Johnson's novel powerfully reflects on the cost of standing up for what is right, no matter the personal sacrifice.

Isaac's Song is a return to the beloved characters of Don't Cry for Me and has been adored by fans of this story.  

In the late '80s, Isaac, a tenderhearted young Black man, is finally embracing his queer identity. But as the AIDS crisis and the attack on Rodney King cast shadows over his newfound freedom, he turns to writing as a means of survival and self-reckoning.

His journey takes him back to his Arkansas roots, where long-buried truths and generational trauma threaten to either heal or unravel him.

With lyrical prose and deep emotional resonance, Isaac's Song is a profound exploration on the pursuit of authenticity.

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Readers might not know that this sharp, darkly funny novel comes from an acclaimed writer who also happens to be married to fellow author Percival Everett!

Jane, a struggling writer and college professor, is on a year-long sabbatical to complete her sprawling, 400-page history of mulatto identity in America—her ticket to tenure. But with two kids, an artist husband, and a precarious financial situation, she finds herself drawn into the world of television writing, lured by the promise of stability and fame.

Her assignment to create "the Jackie Robinson of biracial comedies," forces her to examine her creative integrity—and the uneasy feeling that she might be playing a role she never auditioned for.

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This brilliant reimagining of The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn is told from the point of view of Jim, the enslaved man whose voice has been lost in history, and is one I'm eager to discuss with my book club this year.

This powerful adventure novel follows Jim as he plans his escape from slavery while Huck Finn embarks on his own journey down the Mississippi River.

Everett's signature humor and deep insights into race and identity make James an unforgettable, contemporary classic. It's both a tribute to and a subversion of the American literary canon, exploring the complexities of freedom and friendship in the face of overwhelming odds.

Be sure to purchase a paper copy to highlight while listening to Dominic Hoffman's riveting audiobook performance as it brings Jim to life for an immersive reading experience.

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Nnedi Okorafor creates a thought-provoking, genre-bending exploration of identity and storytelling.

Zelu, disabled and facing the crushing weight of rejection—both professionally and personally—decides to take a risk that will change her life.

In the midst of a family wedding, she writes a science fiction novel about androids and AI after humanity's extinction, a far cry from her past work. To say more would spoil the plot elements, but Okorafor masterfully blurs the line between fiction and reality, reminding us that the stories we tell can reshape the world and the very essence of who we are.

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Debut novelist Sarai Johnson explores the lives of four generations of Black women—Evelyn, Charlotte, Corinna, and Camille—whose deep love for each other is complicated by their trauma and differing worldviews.

As Camille is born into this complex family, the three mothers commit to raising her with the tenderness and empathy they missed in their own relationships, though their differences persist.

When Camille leaves her rural Tennessee home for Washington, D.C., she must reconcile her family's expectations and define her own path to happiness.

Johnson's lyrical prose creates a rich, moving portrait of Black women navigating motherhood and is a moving experience on audiobook with narration by Karen Chilton.

As a Black woman following in her mother's footsteps to become a physician, Blackstock's journey—from Harvard Medical School to the front lines of emergency medicine—reveals the systemic barriers Black patients and doctors face.

Her experiences, set against the COVID-19 pandemic and the Black Lives Matter movement, transform into a call to action for health equity.

Both deeply personal and sharply analytical, Legacy is a compelling testament to advocacy and the urgent need for change in medicine.

Charmaine Wilkerson returns with a sweeping, multi-generational novel that cements her place as a masterful storyteller. At its heart is a treasured stoneware jar, passed through generations, carrying the weight of a family's history and the echoes of a crime that shaped one woman's life.

Her meticulous research into African pottery makes this an unforgettable read for Black History Month. With lyrical prose and an immersive narrative, this one is destined for book club greatness—I can't wait to read it with you next month in our book club.

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This month, our book club is reading this well-researched historical fiction novel on the life of Hattie McDaniel, who made history with her Academy Award win for Gone With the Wind, but beyond that monumental night lay a world filled with challenges.

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

Tate's writing captures Hattie's complexity and her pursuit of more meaningful roles. I highly recommend the audiobook, as Lynnette Freeman delivers an immersive experience that brings Hattie's magic to life for the reader.

In this thrilling debut, a former Olympic-level runner, Dixon, has avoided his obsession ever since missing his chance at the Games by two-tenths of a second.

But when his charismatic brother, Nate, proposes they become the first Black American men to summit Mount Everest, Dixon can't resist a new challenge.

As they push their limits on the unforgiving mountain, their journey becomes an endurance test and a test of their brotherhood.

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Ady, a sharp-witted young girl enslaved in New Orleans, finds her world shattered when she is separated from her mother, Sanite.

Lost and unmoored, she discovers The Daughters, a clandestine society of Black women spies working against the Confederacy.

With the courage instilled in her by Sanite—and with help from these strong women—Ady learns how to begin to put herself first.

The novel is meant to serve as a reminder of what is possible when a community bands together to fight for their freedom. I have found the storytelling to be so compelling as I'm closing in on the final pages this week.

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This haunting and powerful work of historical fiction shines a light on the injustices of the Jim Crow South and is on my personal stack this month to read.

Robbie is sent to a notorious reformatory school in Florida, where he uncovers the dark secrets of its history, aided by the ghosts of boys who never escaped its horrors.

Based on the real-life Dozier School for Boys, this novel blends chilling supernatural elements with a poignant family story, as Robbie's sister Gloria fights to save him from the terrifying truths lurking behind the school's walls.

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Carr weaves her own personal experience of IVF and the haunting possibility of a mix-up into this debut novel.

Katherine, a woman whose life has been defined by her pursuit of perfection, has finally achieved the dream she's spent years chasing: motherhood.

But when her IVF miracle child, Rose, is born with a different skin tone than her own, doubts begin to gnaw at her. Is Rose truly hers?

Tess, on the other hand, never got the happy ending she dreamed of—her IVF baby was stillborn, and she's been struggling with grief, a broken marriage, and a dismal future.

Then, just before Rose's first birthday, the truth is revealed: Katherine and Tess's eggs were switched at the fertility clinic.

What follows is a heart-wrenching journey as both women wrestle with the question of who deserves to be Rose's mother, confronting their deepest fears, including racial identity.

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It was a joy to share space with Crystal Smith Paul, on the Book Gang Podcast, whose novel was selected as a Reese's Book Club selection.

Kitty Karr is an iconic actress whose rise to stardom is precariously in balance as she harbors secrets to her family's story.

As her past and present begin to collide, the novel delves deep into issues of identity, legacy, and the painful truths that can shape our lives.

Paul's exploration of the discrimination of the Jim Crow era clashes beautifully on the page with the fabricated security of Hollywood.

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This chunky novel offers readers a searing and insightful exploration of identity, race, and the immigrant experience that I am so glad I read, especially as I anticipate her next novel.

When a Nigerian couple become adults, they both try to make their way to America, one succeeding and the other not reaching their destination.

Adichie writes beautifully about race in America, effectively creating social commentary through one of her characters as a blogger who focuses on racial tensions.

I loved that the novel weaves together themes of love, belonging, and the complexities of being Black in two different parts of the world.

This gripping coming-of-age novel follows a young gay Black man forging his own identity amidst the AIDS crisis.

Leaving behind his privileged upbringing, Trey immerses himself in activism, encountering the harsh realities of systemic oppression and the fierce fight for survival.

With powerful footnotes that offer historical context, Newson crafts an urgent, unflinching portrait of early AIDS activism and the marginalized voices too often erased from history.

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This powerful and necessary historical fiction novel sheds light on a horrific chapter of American history—the forced sterilization of Black girls in the 1970s.

Inspired by true events, this story unfolds through the eyes of a young Black nurse who wrestles with the devastating realization that she has unwittingly played a role in a systemic violation of bodily autonomy.

As she fights for justice for these girls, the novel lays bare the intersections of race, healthcare, and reproductive rights in America, which continue to be ongoing issues for women in this country.

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This moving novel is a powerful testament to the transformative power of education for young Nigerian girls.

Fourteen-year-old Adunni's story illuminates the reader on the ongoing fight for girls' education and the realities of child marriage and domestic servitude. These issues persist today for many her age who are unable to escape their financial circumstances.

Through her unwavering determination, Adunni refuses to be silenced, embodying the spirit of countless young women striving for a better future.

Daré's stunning prose and the immersive audiobook narration bring Adunni's voice to life, making this an unforgettable reading experience.

When you fall in love with Adunni, know that you can continue her story in And So I Roar when Adunni finds herself returning to her village, facing hard choices and a reputation now clouded by scrutiny.

This gripping, heart-wrenching young adult book pulls back the curtain on the dark side of the music industry and the exploitation of young Black women.

Enchanted, an aspiring singer, finds herself drawn into the world of R&B star Korey Fields, whose initial mentorship quickly turns into manipulation and abuse.

Jackson's poignant storytelling not only highlights the dangers of fame but also forces us to reckon with systemic exploitation that often goes unnoticed.

It is a powerful and necessary read that is especially timely as we examine the horrors committed by artists like R. Kelly and P. Diddy.

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Spanning four decades, this twin story masterfully unpacks the complexities of colorism and privilege as one sister embraces her Black identity while the other vanishes into whiteness.

Bennett's intimate and expansive storytelling offers a deeply emotional look at the generational impact of passing and the search for belonging.

It's the kind of meaty novel you don't want to end, as the reader longs for the two girls to come together and find their commonalities again.

This poignant and haunting Nigerian novel follows the life and tragic death of Vivek Oji, a young boy unlike any other.

He loves wearing dresses and keeping his hair long, which is unusual in Nigeria's conservative society. His family is supportive and protective of him, but they do not fully understand him.

One day his mother discovers his body wrapped in colorful fabric at her doorstep. As the family grieves and tries to make sense of the tragedy, they learn that Vivek had been keeping many secrets.

This story beautifully explores the challenges of growing up in a society that does not accept differences and the pain of losing someone who was never fully understood.

Emezi's writing is lyrical and powerful, and she creates unforgettable characters who will stay with readers long after they finish the book.

This book has left an imprint on my heart forever.

When I picked up this spicy romance novel, I wasn't expecting a history lesson, but Ryan thoughtfully honors the history of Black artists during the Harlem Renaissance.

Through Neevah's journey—from an overlooked Broadway understudy to the star of a groundbreaking biopic—Ryan highlights Black women's barriers in the entertainment industry while celebrating the rich history of Black storytelling in film and theater.

The novel also provides a deeply moving depiction of how Neevah's lupus impacts her career and relationships. It is a disease that disproportionately affects Black women, who are two to three times more likely to develop the disease!

This novel won an Audie Award for Best Romance with a full-cast narration that has made a favorite audiobook among romance readers.

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Colson Whitehead's searing, unflinching portrayal of slavery is a must-read.

Reimagining the Underground Railroad as a literal subterranean network, Whitehead blends historical fiction with surrealism, immersing the reader in Cora's harrowing journey toward freedom.

Each stop along her escape reveals a new face of American racism, from deceptive sanctuary to outright terror, mirroring the shifting realities Black people have endured throughout history.

Devastating, necessary, and unforgettable.

This novel is the remarkable true story of Belle de Costa Greene, who served as the personal librarian to J.P. Morgan and became the first director of the Morgan Library Museum. 

In a singular role during the early 20th century, Belle, a Black woman passing as white, made significant contributions to the world of art and literature.

The narrative follows Belle’s home life and rises in upper society as she makes a name for herself, procuring rare manuscripts and art to build Mr. Morgan’s personal collection. 

Constantly threatened by the shadow of her true identity, Belle navigates a world dominated by men, evading advances from various suitors. However, her heart is unexpectedly captured by a man who harbors a secret of his own.

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This stunning novel follows the lives of two half-sisters from Ghana. One sister marries the British governor of the Cape Coast Slave Castle, while the other is imprisoned in the castle's dungeon, awaiting transport to America.

The sweeping narrative winds between Ghana and America as their children and descendants live very differently. These two timelines connect beautifully, highlighting historical events and their impact on each generation.

More importantly, it yields a powerful exploration that is unflinching in both its depiction of the horrors of slavery and the triumph of the human spirit.

This novel was discussed in our Celebrity Book Deep Dive podcast episode as one of the most impactful reads ever selected for Jenna’s Book Club. Sadly, it has been a banned book in many school libraries as have many other books featured in today's list.

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Kindred is not just a propulsive page-turner; it's a journey.

This science fiction classic pulls the reader in with this jarring opening sentence. "I lost an arm on my last trip home. My left arm."

Dana is a Black woman married to a white man in the late 1970s. A modern African-American writer, she begins to find herself mysteriously pulled back in time when she experiences dizzy spells.

As this happens, Dana finds herself being pulled repeatedly to the South in 1815 after she arrives and discovers a little boy named Rufus is drowning in a river.

After saving him, it initiates the first of many visits where Rufus risks his life, and Dana returns to repeat this heroic act. The catch is that her role as a Black woman is not free in this era.

When pulled in, she must work as an enslaved person at the house and witness the true brutalities of an unkind enslaver.

What Butler does so well is offer readers a captivating dimension by giving Dana a white husband in a modern timeline. When they are transported through time together, he must act as her enslaver to keep her safe.

The dynamics in these roles cause stress and doubts between the two, unlocking unbelievable tension to see if their relationship can weather these changes in dynamics.

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Maya Angelou's first autobiography is a deeply personal yet universally resonant coming-of-age story.

The book recounts her early years in the segregated South, where she experiences racism, abandonment, and abuse, yet ultimately finds her voice through literature and self-expression.

With vivid imagery and poetic language, Angelou transports readers into her world, making them feel every hardship, triumph, and moment of self-discovery.

This collection of two searing essays, written as a letter to Baldwin's nephew and a reflection on his own experiences, lays bare the realities of racial injustice in America.

Baldwin's words are urgent and lyrical, filled with raw emotion and piercing insights about the country's failure to confront its racial history.

His analysis of religion, power, and identity remains as relevant today as it was in the 1960s. This is not just a book—it's a reckoning with the soul of America.

Janie Crawford's journey from a voiceless young girl to a woman who fully embraces her desires and dreams is told with dazzling prose and unforgettable characters.

The novel's unique storytelling techniques set it apart as one of the most beautifully written works in American literature.

Hurston captures the complexity of Black womanhood in the early 20th century, offering a narrative that feels both timeless and radical.

A novel of memory, loss, and haunting love, Beloved tells the story of Sethe, an escaped slave who is forced to confront the past when a mysterious young woman arrives claiming to be her deceased daughter.

Morrison's prose is poetic and deeply layered, immersing readers in a world where trauma and love intertwine heartbreakingly.

The novel challenges readers to grapple with the psychological scars of slavery and the ways the past refuses to be buried.

A winner of the Pulitzer Prize, this book is an unforgettable masterpiece of American literature.

Octavia Butler was a trailblazer and the first Black woman to be honored with both the Hugo and Nebula awards. It's impossible to not include more than one of her novels in today's list.

Set in a near-future America ravaged by climate change and social collapse, this novel follows Lauren Olamina, a teenage girl with a vision for a better world.

As she escapes her burning community, she develops a new spiritual philosophy called Earthseed, believing that humanity's destiny lies among the stars.

Butler's dystopian world feels eerily plausible, especially now, making this novel an unsettling premise.

This sweeping historical narrative chronicles the Great Migration through the lives of three individuals who left the South searching for a better life.

Wilkerson's research is meticulous, yet her storytelling is so engaging that the book reads like a novel. She captures the heartbreak, hope, and perseverance of those who reshaped America by leaving everything behind.

By weaving together personal stories with historical context, Wilkerson provides a deeply humanized perspective on one of the most significant movements in American history.

This groundbreaking book tells the story of Henrietta Lacks, a Black woman whose cancer cells were taken without her consent in 1951 and went on to revolutionize modern medicine.

Known as HeLa cells, they became the first immortal human cell line, leading to medical breakthroughs in vaccines, cancer research, and even COVID-19 treatments.

However, while her cells generated billions of dollars in scientific advancements, Henrietta's family was left in poverty, unaware of her immense contribution to medical science for decades. This story highlights racial and ethical injustices in healthcare, mainly how Black bodies have been historically exploited without consent.

What if you fell asleep in 2019 and woke up in 2021? That's the reality for Jack Jr., who emerges from a two-year coma to find his life unrecognizable. His job is gone, his apartment is lost, and his partner has moved on.

But in his return to his childhood home and his family's struggling restaurant, he begins to rebuild—rekindling relationships, rediscovering love with the male nurse who cared for him, and redefining what home truly means.

Jinwoo Chong shares the beautiful inspiration behind this poignant and tender slice-of-life novel on the Book Gang Podcast, which seamlessly blends a swoon-worthy love story in with a cozy family drama. We discuss how I Leave It Up to You evolved from a short story, the impact of the pandemic on its themes, and the role of food as both a comfort and a metaphor for resilience.

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Julia Whelan delivers an impeccable performance on Hannah's new historical fiction novel, offering an earnest portrayal of the lives of nurses who served in the Vietnam War but seemingly were forgotten.

This novel celebrates nurses and their service during the Vietnam War, a detail that few Americans think about, showcasing the sacrifices made and the disbelief in their journey when returning home. It delivers on the book's goals while encompassing a signature soapier spin perfect for fans of her earlier work on Firefly Lane.

There were many elements of surprise that made me glad that I read this. I had yet to learn that nurses could not take advantage of the VA benefits when returning home from their service. I appreciated the accurate portrayal of PTSD on returning and the haunting nature of caring for patients in this environment. I found it enlightening how women were demoted to the roles of candy stripers upon their return home despite their expertise in serving on the frontlines.

It has been an enormous hit with frontline workers, including my sister, so I included it in today's list. Fans of the novel will be excited to hear that Warner Bros. acquired the rights to The Women movie ahead of its bestselling release.

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Mary Kubica is back with her ninth thriller, and I'm so happy to report that her new book delivers. The story builds slow-burn suspense, but Kubica plots a line of dominoes that will all come tumbling down with her signature twists.

Meghan is navigating single parenting of her teen daughter and a demanding job as an ICU nurse. Put in charge of a patient with a traumatic brain injury, she learns that the patient has jumped from a bridge, triggering difficult memories of the loss of her sister.

But as you might have guessed, there is more to her story and some surprising overlap to Meghan's that will leave you guessing until the final pages.

The novel's cinematic Chicago setting, smart red herrings, and a believable mother-daughter relationship with her teenager enhance the storyline. I appreciated the researched medical details, from the demanding patient challenges to safety concerns to even oversights that can happen on an ICU floor.

As the story unspooled, the novel kept me up until midnight to finish as I closed in on the second half.

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Jimenez's satisfyingly clever concept for her new romance novel is bringing together two people who feel cursed in love for a potential fling to break their curse and meet their soulmates.

If that sounds enchanted, I will ground it a bit and tell you that they meet on a subreddit titled r/AmItheAsshole. Seeing this as a rather unique experience, they are stunned to discover they aren't alone in this haunting dating issue. Each person they break up with finds their soulmate after ending things with them. Could they potentially rig the system?

What starts as witty banter between Justin and Emma evolves into serious contemplation on taking a traveling nurse assignment near Justin for a summer fling. Her assigned job locations are three-month stints—a perfect amount of time to make this a short but successful run of a failed relationship.

Told in dual perspectives, Justin approaches the dating negotiations with adorkable charm, from sending Emma evites to conducting exit surveys on each of their planned dates.

Readers will discover some Easter eggs from past novels, but this novel can be read as a standalone.

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Katherine Arden may have been in your book stacks before with her popular magical realism series, The Bear and the Nightingale.

The Warm Hands of Ghosts is a haunting, lyrical historical novel set during World War I. The story follows Laura, a battlefield nurse who searches for her missing brother while confronting supernatural forces lurking in the trenches. The reader should be prepared to navigate the bloody trenches and the horrors of the war in vivid detail.

Arden shared on GoodReads that while this novel is not her longest, it was her most difficult to write.

She states, "Ghosts is a book about love and loss, how the world ends, and how it goes on. It's about the nature of evil and the shape of hell, and about war. I started it in 2019, and here it is coming out in 2024, when young men are fighting in trenches in Europe once again. Perhaps enjoy is the wrong word for the book I spent a long time calling the Fiend. But I hope it haunts you, as it has haunted me."

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From the Dagger Award-winning author of Norwegian by Night comes a vivid, thrilling, and moving World War II art-heist-adventure tale in which enemies become heroes, allies become villains, and a child learns what it means to become an adult. This highly-rated novel is recommended for fans of All the Light We Cannot See.

This genre-blending novel features a nurse caught in a dangerous adventure involving a legendary magician's secret. With elements of mystery, historical intrigue, and a touch of the supernatural, this book offers readers a fresh and thrilling take on the nurse-as-hero trope.

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In Nazi Germany, Allina Strauss is forced into service as a nurse at Hochland Home, a state-run "baby factory" where women are used to perpetuate the Aryan race.

As she navigates the horrors of the Lebensborn program, Allina must hide her Jewish identity while caring for the neglected children in her charge. When she uncovers the atrocities within the home, she risks everything—not only to save herself but also the innocent lives she's vowed to protect.

A book pairing with Necessary Lies following social workers navigating a secret eugenics project in the South would be a magnificent medical drama book pairing.  

This haunting novel was a MomAdvice Book Club selection that I highly recommend for a thought-provoking conversation.

This historical fiction selection is inspired by the real-life story of two girls, Mary Alice and Minnie Lee Relf. In 1973, at ages 12 and 14, they were surgically sterilized without their consent in Montgomery, Alabama.

This book adds dimension by using narration through the eyes of a Black nurse in her first job, unknowingly participating in this sterilization project, and what steps she takes once she finds out.

As she fights for justice, she's forced to confront the limits of her own power. Thought-provoking and heartbreaking, this novel explores race, healthcare, and the haunting ethics of medical intervention.

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Set in a Dublin maternity ward during the 1918 flu pandemic, this tense and beautifully written novel follows three women—a nurse, a doctor, and a volunteer—who work tirelessly to care for expectant mothers battling the deadly virus. Donoghue's immersive storytelling brings to life the claustrophobic urgency of a hospital under siege.

This 5-star novel had a surprising detail in the author's note that shared that Donoghue had submitted her draft well before COVID, as I had poured over eerie similarities to this tragic chapter in our lived history.

This novel follows an ambitious young woman determined to break barriers as a nurse and war correspondent from the Spanish-American War to the early days of World War I.

Our heroine has sworn off war nursing but receives word that an estranged friend is headed to Cuba to work for the Red Cross. Determined to stop her, she joins in her place, following Teddy Roosevelet's Rough Riders straight to the heart of the fighting.

Willig might not have a medical background, but the author has a PhD in history from Harvard, so readers know that the historical details in her novels will be top-notch.

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Set in the gritty underbelly of 1880s New York, this historical mystery follows a cunning con artist who escapes the law by posing as a nurse at Bellevue Hospital.

But when a series of murders shakes the city, she finds herself at the center of a deadly game. The Nurse's Secret is a fascinating look at the early days of modern nursing, wrapped in a twisty, page-turning plot.

Skenandore gives us a unique lens into this world because she isn't just an author; she's also a registered nurse and certified infection preventionist.

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Rachel Kalama is a spirited little girl who captures your heart immediately. She is living the typical life of a little Hawaiian girl, but when a rose-colored mark appears on her leg, her mother knows immediately that she has leprosy.

To protect her daughter, she covers the mark and hides other marks that appear on Rachel's body. It is the family's dark secret since all people afflicted by leprosy are quarantined and taken from their families.

But, when Rachel's sister gets in a fight with Rachel, and calls her a, "leper," the authorities are immediately notified. She is taken from her family and moved to the island of Kalaupapa, a quarantined leprosy settlement on the island of Moloka'i.

Her life should be over, but it is just beginning. Over the years, as Rachel grows up in Kalaupapa, she encounters dedicated healthcare professionals, including nuns and nurses, who provide care and compassion to the residents despite the stigma surrounding the disease.

While much of the story focuses on Rachel's resilience and personal journey, the role of nurses and other caregivers highlights the evolving understanding of public health, the ethics of patient care, and the humanity within the medical field during a time of fear and misunderstanding.

If you love the story, don't miss the sequel, Daughter of Moloka'i!

Fleeing a troubled past in Michigan, Eva joins the Army Nurse Corps, hoping for a fresh start in Hawaii.

Her journey begins aboard a military transport ship, where she finds herself drawn to the dashing Lieutenant Clark while navigating the tense atmosphere of intercepted Japanese signals and looming uncertainty.

As the attack on Pearl Harbor unfolds, Eva is hurled into the chaos, tending to the wounded in a hospital overwhelmed by the devastation.

With rich historical detail, this novel explores the intrigue surrounding the attack and the resilience of those who fought to save lives in its wake.

Inspired by true events, this novel tells the story of a nurse in 1926 who secretly places a premature baby in Dr. Couney's controversial Coney Island incubator exhibit in a desperate bid to save its life.

Decades later, a young teacher discovers her mother's hidden past, unraveling a family mystery that challenges everything she thought she knew. Armstrong crafts a deeply moving dual-timeline tale about medical ethics, motherhood, and courage.

This historic event made a cameo in The Last Carolina Girl and would be a perfect pairing with this novel.

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Based on the true story of Julia Stimson, this novel follows a pioneering nurse who leads a team of American women to the Western Front during World War I.

As superintendent of the Army Nurse Corps during World War I, Stimson became the first woman to attain the rank of Major in the United States Army.

This powerful and inspiring tribute to the women who served is penned by Tracey Enerson Wood, a registered nurse and military wife!

When people ask for books like The Women- this is ALWAYS my first recommendation.

Inspired by Fader's mother's career in nursing, this novel delves into the layers of tender and enduring bonds of friendship set against the backdrop of the Vietnam War, with rich dual timelines that offer glimpses into magnificent Hollywood settings.

The story begins with the funeral of BettyKay Beecher, a beloved nurse, and mother. Her daughters, Clara and Abby, are reunited for the somber occasion, but tensions arise as the two sisters cannot be more different in their lives and approach wrapping up their mother's estate.

However, things take an unexpected turn when Kitty Deveraux, a famous Hollywood actress, appears at the funeral and places an unusual pink button in the coffin.

Intrigued, Clara and Abby, invite Kitty to their mother's home, where she reveals that she knew BettyKay and their "Aunt Jenny" from their time as nursing students. The two odd-couple roommates had formed a fast comradery with Jenny, one of the few Black women in their nursing school program, a friendship that endured for many years.

Her daughters have never known of their friendship with Kitty or her secret past life, and Jenny does not seem pleased by her sudden appearance. So, as Kitty regales them with stories from their three friends' pasts, the girls learn surprising secrets about their mother they never knew.

While Molly Fader may be a new writer to me, she is well-known as the award-winning author of more than 40 romance novels under the pennames Molly O'Keefe and M. O'Keefe!

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The story is about a trio of nurses and was written by a trio of bestselling historical fiction writers!

Inspired by true events, this novel tells the harrowing story of three military nurses stationed in the Philippines during World War II, who become prisoners of war after the Japanese invasion. Their friendship and resilience become their greatest weapons as they fight for survival under brutal conditions.

Readers should be aware that as prisoners of war, they endure harrowing conditions yet continue to inspire by providing medical care to their fellow internees with minimal resources.

The partnership for this writing project came through the publisher Harper Muse, whose assignment coincided with the pandemic. These three friends selected characters based on their own backgrounds, which aligned with many details in this nurse story.

"Men tell stories. Women get on with it. For us it was a shadow war. There were no parades for us when it was over, no medals or mentions in history books. We did what we had to during the war, and when it was over, we picked up the pieces and started our lives over."

This novel is one of my favorite Kristin Hannah books because it highlights the courage and sacrifices of women during World War II, particularly those inspired by real-life nurses and resistance fighters who were the unsung heroes of this era.

Hannah tells a beautiful story of two sisters who fought the war in their own ways when the Nazis invaded France. It is a moving rendering of the survival skills needed during this time, focusing on the missions of one sister, who joins the French Resistance and brings soldiers to safety.

While her story may seem more significant, the everyday struggles of her own sister, who must house a Nazi soldier, are just as harrowing.

The writing is brutally honest and unflinching at what women must do to survive, and Hannah perfectly captures their journey.

Picoult's gripping courtroom drama centers on a Black labor and delivery nurse who is wrongfully accused of murder after a racist couple refuses her care.

When a baby goes into cardiac arrest while Ruth is on duty, she finds herself in the middle of a grueling murder trial and without a job to support her.

Kennedy, a lawyer assigned to this tough case, and the reader get to go along on this journey with Ruth as she agonizes over a split-second decision that may have cost her the job she has loved for so many years.

In a predictable Picoult fashion, there is a twist at the end that you may or may not see coming. Powerful and deeply relevant, this is one of Picoult's most thought-provoking and timely novels.

Myra Lipinsky, a dedicated visiting nurse, has built a quiet life centered around caring for others. At fifty-one, she has accepted her solitude, finding purpose in patient care rather than personal relationships.

When she is assigned to care for Chip Reardon, a former high school crush now terminally ill, her professional and personal worlds collide.

As she tends to his physical and emotional needs, Myra grapples with the boundaries of nursing practice, the complexities of human connection, and the profound impact of compassionate care.

Lib Wright, a nurse trained by Florence Nightingale, is tasked with a strange assignment in 19th-century Ireland: to watch over an eleven-year-old girl, Anna, who claims to have survived for months without food, living only on "manna from heaven."

As Lib and a nun monitor Anna's condition around the clock, Lib's skepticism gives way to a growing sense of doubt. As Anna's health deteriorates, she must confront her training and beliefs, questioning whether she's witnessing a miracle or a dangerous deception.

The Wonder movie can be streamed on Netflix, starring France Pugh, after you finish the book.

In Jacqueline Winspear's Maisie Dobbs series, nursing plays a crucial role in shaping the protagonist's journey. Before becoming a psychologist and private investigator, Maisie served as a nurse during World War I, an experience that deeply influenced her approach to both life and detective work.

These experiences fuel her compassion and sharpen her observational skills making her uniquely suited to uncover hidden truths.

As she investigates a mysterious case tied to the war, Maisie's background in nursing—and her understanding of both physical and emotional wounds—prove invaluable. Winspear masterfully weaves historical fiction, mystery, and a deep respect for the nursing profession into this compelling debut.

We have to have a nurse behaving badly story!

The infamous Nurse Ratched is certainly not a nurse to emulate, but she is one of the most well-known figures in literature.

While the novel critiques the oppressive nature of psychiatric institutions, it also highlights the critical role nurses play in shaping patient experiences—for better or worse. Nurse Ratched's character serves as a haunting exploration of power, compliance, and the ethical responsibilities of healthcare professionals.

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School nurse Kate Cypher returns to her rural Vermont hometown to care for her mother, who is battling Alzheimer's. On the night of her arrival, a young girl is brutally murdered—an unsettling echo of a similar crime that haunted Kate's childhood.

The victim back then was Del, a lonely outcast cruelly nicknamed the "Potato Girl," whose tragic fate still lingers in the town's memory.

As the novel weaves between past and present, Kate becomes entangled in the mystery of these two eerily similar murders. As she uncovers long-buried secrets, the boundaries between memory, guilt, and the supernatural become unclear.

A chilling ghost story, a gripping mystery, and a poignant coming-of-age tale, this novel delivers a dark and twisted narrative with a satisfying final twist like Jennifer McMahon's other works.

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When a glamorous Hollywood socialite is diagnosed with leprosy in the 1920s, she is sent to a Louisiana quarantine hospital, where she unexpectedly finds purpose as a volunteer nurse.

Mirielle, spoiled and wealthy, struggles to fit in, but as time goes by, she finds purpose at this clinic and discovers her new found family. How she connects with one young patient, in particular, speaks to Mirielle's character growth.

Skenandore's medical background helps bring to life this disease, its social stigma, and the experimental medical treatments used by this leprosy colony, making this an informative reading experience.

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Set during World War II, this sweeping historical novel follows Red Cross volunteer Irene Woodward as she embarks on a dangerous mission to bring comfort and coffee to soldiers on the front lines through her volunteerism with the Red Cross.

Inspired by the true story of the Clubmobile women, Urrea's poignant tale celebrates the resilience and camaraderie of women in wartime.

With rich historical detail and unforgettable characters, this novel is a must-read for fans of The Nightingale and The Alice Network.

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After surviving a tragic plane crash, Margaret Jacobsen faces a long and painful rehabilitation guided by an uncompromising but deeply compassionate physical therapist.

As she rebuilds her life, she learns that sometimes, the things we fear losing most aren't the things we truly need.

Center's signature blend of heart, humor, and hope makes this a compelling story of resilience and unexpected love.

Get your tissues out for this novel, which I'm strongly considering for next year's book club.

Set against the backdrop of war-torn Syria, this powerful novel follows Salama, a young pharmacy student turned volunteer nurse, as she struggles with an impossible choice—to stay and help her people or flee for safety.

A stunning mix of historical fiction and magical realism, Katouh's novel explores love, loss, and the heartbreaking realities of war through breathtaking prose.

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Allison Larkin shared with me that Home of the American Circus is the book she is most proud of, and it's easy to see why.

Her heart is on every page of this 432-page family drama, vividly capturing the author's hometown of Somers, New York- a place rich in history as the birthplace of the American circus.

This town's status symbol becomes the author's cornerstone for a story filled with reinvention and, perhaps, a reinterpretation that echoes her character's transformative journeys.

After a financial emergency, Freya reluctantly returns to the crumbling house she inherited from her estranged parents. What begins as a hesitant homecoming transforms into an emotional excavation of her past as she confronts the ghosts of broken friendships, familial betrayals, and unresolved love.

But it is her discovery of Aubrey, her fifteen-year-old niece secretly living in the neglected family home, who brings Freya's journey into sharp focus as she tries to make up for what she missed when she was gone.

Details about this town's historic circus roots unspool for the reader while the story is firmly rooted in this contemporary setting.

Release Date- 6 May 2025

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I fell in love with Jess Kidd's writing after reading her debut, and this circus-adjacent story perfectly for today's book list prompt.

Kidd's storytelling takes a dark turn with a female detective, Bridie Devine, who is trying to solve the kidnapping of Christabel Berwick, the secret daughter of Sir Edmund Athelstan Berwick. 

In Victorian London, a child with peculiarities and supernatural powers is hidden from society to protect her from a grim fate.

In this era, such "marvels" are exploited as sideshow spectacles in traveling circuses—or worse, children are killed, their oddities preserved in jars to satisfy the dark appetites of collectors and profiteers.

It's why Bridie is determined to find this girl, even if it means putting her past at risk. She isn't alone, though. A tattooed ghost aids her throughout this story and doesn't leave her side as she investigates. 

Kidd does a great job adding her signature humor into this dark story and weaves in history and folklore that anyone can appreciate. Fans of magical realism will love this unusual story that finds great beauty in the oddities.

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Inspired by the true life story of Austrian-American strongwoman Katie Sandwina, this Christian fiction novel introduces Mabel MacGinnis, Europe's strongest woman, in 1911.

When her father's sudden death leaves her unmoored, Mabel undertakes a journey with acrobat Jake Cunningham to find the mother she thought was dead.

Isabella Moreau, once America's most celebrated aerialist, now struggles with age, injury, and the ghosts of her past. When Mabel unexpectedly enters her life, accompanied by the man who wants nothing to do with Isabella, long-buried secrets are forced into the spotlight under the glittering lights of Madison Square Garden.

Kimberly Duffy's historical fiction novels often feature ahead-of-their-time heroines, and this is no exception to that rule. Readers have loved this story for its gender stereotype-breaking characters and its exploration of mental health.

I was CAPTIVATED by this 5-star circus novel the year it came out, as I've been with many of Benjamin's novels.

Vinnie stood a mere two feet and eight inches tall, but her small stature is only a tiny element of her big story.

Born in the nineteenth century, most families were encouraged to keep children plagued with genetic abnormalities or disorders hidden away from the public eye. Despite her parent's longing for her to choose a quiet, simple life, Vinnie always wanted to be in the spotlight.

When a "cousin" decides to start a traveling show, he reaches out to see if Vinnie is interested in participating. But the show isn't what Vinnie had hoped it would be, and she finds herself paraded as a freak rather than the life singing and dancing she thought she was going to have.

Ever determined to be and make more of her life, she sends a letter to P.T. Barnum that will forever alter the course of her life.

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This haunting and vividly atmospheric novel is set in Victorian England and follows Nell, a young woman whose unusual birthmarks make her a target of scorn in her small village.

When Jasper Jupiter's traveling Circus of Wonders comes to town, Nell's father sells her to the show. But, what begins as a betrayal transforms into an unexpected journey of self-discovery and fame as Nell becomes the star attraction, dazzling audiences with her uniqueness.

Elizabeth Macneal is best known for her debut novel, The Doll Factory. It won the Caledonia Noel Award in 2018 and became a TV series that that can be streamed on Prime.

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In 1931, young Lilly is locked away in the attic of Blackwood Manor, hidden from the world because of her albinism.

Sold to a Depression-era circus sideshow, her rare bond with animals becomes both her salvation and her curse amid the cruelty of the big top.

Two decades later, Julia, a runaway from the same manor, learns she's inherited the sprawling estate and haunting family secrets. As she pieces together the past, Julia unravels the dark legacy that binds her to Lilly's tragic story.

Readers should prepare for a challenging yet powerful story of child and animal abuse that makes this dual-timeline novel a heartbreaking page-turner.

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Fun Fact: Erika Swyler learned the bookbinding process and bound this manuscript to try to catch an editor's eye. You can learn more about that process in my interview with the author (linked below).

When young librarian Simon receives a mysterious book detailing the travails of a 1700s carnival, he uncovers chilling parallels to his family's history of drowning tragedies.

Desperate to break the curse looming over his sister, Simon pursues this mesmerizing mystery, which unfolds in a seamless narrative that pulls together the past and present, taking readers on a beautiful journey.

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Jacob Janowski, who is either ninety or ninety-three—a detail he can't quite remember—now resides in a nursing home. His life, however, wasn't always this way. After the untimely death of his parents, Jacob joined a traveling circus. He unwittingly embarked on this journey when boarding a train to escape his grief following his parents' passing.

When Jacob is appointed as the veterinarian, he faces a challenging role under August, a paranoid schizophrenic who serves as the circus's animal trainer. The reader is drawn into the heartbreaking lives of the animals and the ongoing abuse they endure.

The only sparkle of light in Jacob's life is Marlena, a beautiful circus performer who Jacob cannot stop thinking about. Sadly, he has fallen in love with August's wife, and the reader will be on the edge of their seat as Jacob risks it all to free Marlena.

This novel was later adapted for film with Reese Witherspoon and Robert Pattinson starring in the lead roles.

Set in early 20th-century Coney Island, this circus novel is about a young woman raised in a sideshow museum and her search for independence and love.

Coralie Sardie, a gifted swimmer, performs as the Mermaid in her father's sinister Coney Island freak show, The Museum of Extraordinary Things.

Her life takes a dramatic turn one night when she encounters Eddie Cohen, a dashing photographer and Russian immigrant, capturing the moonlit beauty of the Hudson River.

Eddie, having fled his restrictive community, is drawn into the chaos of the infamous Triangle Shirtwaist Factory fire, uncovering a young woman's disappearance. As Eddie's journey intertwines with Coralie's, their growing connection reveals hope and tenderness amid a world of exploitation.

Alice Hoffman is the author of more than thirty works of fiction, including The World That We Knew, The Marriage of Opposites, The Red Garden, The Dovekeepers, Here on Earth, and the Practical Magic series.

This heartwarming and adventurous story, by the author of Whistling Past the Graveyard, follows three misfits who form an unlikely friendship together.

Set in 1920s America, where hustlers travel town to town captivating crowds, we meet Henry, a mechanic with a shadowed past; Gil, a daring pilot with a streak of recklessness; and Cora, a fearless motorcycle stuntwoman determined to forge her own path. All three are running from their own broken lives when they form an unlikely alliance—a barnstorming "flying circus" to make ends meet.

As the trio's bond deepens into a makeshift family, their buried secrets threaten to unravel everything they've built together in this charming historical fiction novel.

Young Mable dreams of having adventures beyond her family's farm. Armed with her wit and a cigar box of treasures, she seeks the wonders of the Chicago World's Fair, where a chance encounter with showman John Ringling changes her life.

Twenty-five years later, Lady Rosamund boards a ship to America for one last adventure before her life is set.

When Rosamund meets Mable and enters the glamorous world of the Ringlings, she makes a life-changing decision. She chooses to abandon her comfortable future, opting instead for the adventurous life of a trick rider in the Ringling Brothers' circus.

Kristy Cambron is a Christy-award-winning author who holds a degree in art history/research writing. She spent fifteen years in education and leadership development for a Fortune 100 corporation before she stepped away to pursue her passion for storytelling.

Readers should prepare for a dark journey with this novel.

Cecile Cabot is bound to the Secret Circus, a magical world of illusions and wonder until a forbidden love affair threatens to unravel everything.

Decades later, Lara Barnes discovers her great-grandmother's journals while searching for her vanished fiancé, uncovering a dark family curse that has haunted generations—and may hold the key to her own heartbreak.

From the author of A Witch in Time readers are promised a spellbinding tale of family secrets that have sent a chill or two down the reader's spine.

Emily Roebling defies convention, determined to carve her own path until her husband's injury forces her to step into his role as the chief engineer of the Brooklyn Bridge.

With no formal training, she battles overwhelming obstacles to complete the monumental project while questioning whose legacy she is building—hers or her husband's.

Emily's journey intersects with the world of P.T. Barnum, whose circus empire sparks an unexpected romance in this fictionalized tale.

While Barnum's influence in Brooklyn is historical, Woods takes creative liberties by imagining a relationship between Emily and the famed showman, adding an intriguing circus layer to this historical fiction story.

Lena Papadopoulos, the daughter of a renowned illusionist, has always felt out of place in the circus world, dreaming instead of science and medicine despite her father's overprotectiveness and the constraints of her disability.

When a Jewish stowaway seeks refuge with the circus, Lena's life is irrevocably changed, leading her on a harrowing journey while facing the horrors of a Nazi-occupied world.

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A magical, nocturnal circus, filled with breathtaking illusions and dazzling performances, appears without warning. Behind the scenes, two rival magicians are locked in a deadly game, and only one can emerge victorious.

With lush descriptions and a rich atmosphere, this novel blends fantasy and suspense, where the boundaries between reality and magic blur in thrilling ways. It was a thrill to read it as a community read in our town!

Scarlett Dragna has never left the tiny island where she and her sister, Tella, live under the oppressive rule of their father.

When the sisters receive invitations to Caraval, a legendary once-a-year performance where the audience participates in the show, they become entangled in a game of love, magic, and heartbreak.

This is the first book in a trilogy! If you find a connection to it, you can continue this journey with Legendary and Finale.

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This dark and unforgettable novel was the most recommended by our reading community.

The story follows the Binewski family, who run a traveling carnival and deliberately create their own "freaks" through genetic manipulation. It is a gritty, twisted exploration of family, identity, and exploitation.

Katherine Dunn spent a decade writing this cult-classic novel that sold hundreds of thousands of copies and became a National Book Award finalist in 1989. 

The author passed away at seventy, but this unique circus story lives on through her readers.

In Ray Bradbury's most famous and beloved novel, Cooger & Dark's Pandemonium Shadow Show has arrived, bringing with it a strange and sinister mystery that threatens to disrupt the lives of everyone it touches.

The carnival appears sometime after midnight, ushering in Halloween a week early. In this chilling tale, two boys will uncover the secrets hidden within its smoke, mazes, and mirrors—two friends who will soon learn the heavy cost of wishes and the true nature of nightmares.

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We read this odd historical fiction novel about Marie Tussaud for our book club. In the 1700s, Marie was an orphan who was taken in by an eccentric wax sculptor and developed a growing curiosity and fondness for the art.

To pay for her food and shelter, she began as an apprentice and later tutored a princess in the art of creating wax sculptures. Learning about the craftsmanship that went into these wax figures, particularly in those days, was equally fascinating and horrifying.

Carey writes and illustrates this unusual novel, which reminded many of our book club participants of a good old-fashioned Dickens novel. Admittedly, this has a slow start, but I loved the rabbit trails it led me down after I finished it.

This sapphic novel, published in 1998, is Waters's debut and serves as a strong introduction to her work.

What makes it all so risqué is that this story is set in the 1890's London when women were really exploring the boundaries of gender roles during this era. Many women bucked the system and challenged these roles in some pretty shocking ways and Waters doesn't shy away from the scene.

In short, this is a steamy read that should come with a pack of smokes.

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This dazzling YA debut stand-alone fantasy is set on a magical island resembling Prohibition-era New York, inspired by Moulin Rouge's allure!

Luxe Revelle, a performer in her family's fantastical show, finds herself entangled in a dangerous game when she agrees to pose as the girlfriend of the son of Charmant's wealthiest family, in exchange for saving her family's struggling business.

Just as this happens, Jamison enters her life with his own mysterious past. Luxe and Jamison's connection begins to grow as they uncover the island's secrets, but the consequences of their hidden truths could shatter their worlds.

If you love time travel stories, this also has a time travel element that I loved, along with unique world-building.

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I still think about this memoir often. Many of us dream of escaping it all, but Tessa does this and applies for a job working with the World of Wonders, America's last traveling sideshow.

Bravely, she tries all sorts of incredible acts within this company, such as sword swallowing, snake charming, and even performing as an electric woman.

Surrounding herself with some of the world's most unusual people, she shares their stories with kindness and love for this misfit family and her time with them.

Layered between these captivating moments, she weaves in the parallel life of her mother and her own death-defying act of traveling the world amid health struggles that should have killed her.

She beautifully reflects poetically on the complexities of the mother-daughter relationship and how we increasingly understand our parents as we age.

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