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Jenna Bush Hager’s book club is definitely one of the biggest in the world, and over the past few years, the book club picks have been phenomenal.
So, I decided to create this post!
I’ve listed all the previous books selected for Jenna Hager’s book club that I think anyone would enjoy reading.
And, of course, I’ll be reading through the list myself so I can share my raw, unfiltered opinions with you.
March 2025: The Dream Hotel by Laila Lalami
A near-future world where even your dreams aren’t private? The Dream Hotel is both eerie and thought-provoking and it explores what happens when technology knows too much.
Sara is stopped at the airport and told that, according to data from her dreams, she is about to commit a crime against the person she loves most—her husband.
To keep him safe, she’s taken to a facility with other women facing similar accusations. The rules keep changing, and as the days stretch into months, escape feels impossible.
But when a new arrival shakes things up, Sara might finally have a way out.
This one gives off serious Black Mirror vibes, making us question how much control we really have over our own thoughts.
It’s a chilling, urgent read that asks: If we lose our privacy, do we lose ourselves?
February 2025: This is a Love Story by Jessica Soffer
Some love stories are grand, messy, and lifelong—just like Abe and Jane’s.
For fifty years, Central Park has been their constant, witnessing their highs and lows as lovers, parents, and artists.
Now, as Jane nears the end of her life, Abe tells their story, reliving their best moments and their biggest regrets.
Their son, Max, struggles with love, convinced Jane put art before family. Meanwhile, one of Abe’s students is looking for her own love story, unaware of the tangled past she’s stepping into.
Even Central Park itself seems to have a voice in this sweeping, emotional novel.
If you love beautifully written books that celebrate love in all its forms—romantic, familial, and artistic—this one is for you.
January 2025: The Life Cycle of the Common Octopus by Emma Knight
Set against the stunning backdrop of Edinburgh, this novel follows Pen as she arrives at university, hoping to uncover a secret her parents have been keeping.
She’s drawn into the world of Lord Lennox, a famous writer, and his mesmerizing family, just as she experiences love for the first time.
But this isn’t just a coming-of-age story. It’s about how women shape their own identities, the different ways motherhood can take form, and what it really means to grow up.
Pen’s journey is emotional, atmospheric, and full of self-discovery—perfect for fans of rich, character-driven novels.
December 2024: Devotions by Mary Oliver
A collection of poetry spanning five decades, Devotions is like a warm hug for the soul.
Mary Oliver’s poems celebrate nature, love, and the beauty in everyday moments, and he reminds us to slow down and truly see the world around us.
If you’re new to poetry, this is a wonderful place to start—her words are clear, heartfelt, and deeply moving.
Whether she’s writing about her beloved dog, the changing seasons, or the meaning of life itself, Oliver’s poetry always feels like a conversation with a wise friend.
November 2024: This Motherless Land by Nikki May
When Funke is sent from Nigeria to live with her mother’s family in England after a tragedy, she feels completely out of place.
The estate she’d heard so much about is falling apart, and her relatives are distant—except for her cousin Liv, who becomes her anchor in this strange new world.
As they grow up, their friendship is tested by family secrets, ambition, and the weight of their mothers’ choices.
Spanning decades and moving between Nigeria and England, this novel is a powerful story about identity, belonging, and the impact of generational history.
If you love African historical fiction books that explore complex family dynamics and cultural identity, this one is a must-read.
October 2024: The Mighty Red by Louise Erdrich
Set in North Dakota, this novel revolves around a chaotic wedding, a love triangle, and the deep connections between people and the land they call home.
Gary is set to inherit two farms, but his heart is tangled between Kismet, his impulsive fiancée, and Hugo, the quiet giant who’s also in love with her.
Meanwhile, Kismet’s mother has her own struggles, haunted by the uncertainty of the future.
Blending humor, tragedy, and environmental themes, this is a beautifully written book about love, resilience, and the unpredictable forces—both natural and human—that shape our lives.
September 2024: Blue Sisters by Coco Mellors
Avery, Bonnie, and Lucky were once four sisters—until they weren’t. After their beloved sister Nicky’s sudden death, they’ve drifted apart.
But when they reunite in New York to stop the sale of their childhood home, they’re forced to confront old wounds and painful truths.
Each sister is carrying her own struggles—addiction, grief, ambition—and as they navigate their complicated past, they begin to realize that the biggest secrets they’ve been keeping might not be from each other, but from themselves.
This one is an emotional rollercoaster, full of raw, messy family dynamics and the kind of sisterly love that lingers long after you turn the last page.
August 2024: The Wedding People by Alison Espach
Phoebe didn’t come to the fancy Rhode Island resort for a wedding—she came to escape her own heartbreak.
But when everyone mistakes her for a wedding guest, she gets swept into the weekend’s chaos and forms an unexpected bond with the bride.
Filled with humor, heart, and the magic of chance encounters, this book is about the unexpected moments that can completely change our lives.
It’s perfect for fans of smart, funny, and heartfelt stories about fresh starts and self-discovery.
July 2024: All the Colors of the Dark by Chris Whitaker
A small town. Girls going missing. A hero who never expected to be one.
Patch, a boy with one eye, saves a wealthy girl from a terrible fate, but his act of bravery sets off a chain of events that will change everything.
Spanning decades, this novel is part thriller, part love story, and completely gripping.
If you love books that blend mystery with deep emotion, this one is for you—it’s tense, beautifully written, and impossible to put down.
June 2024: Swift River by Essie Chambers
Diamond Newberry has always felt like an outsider in her small New England town, but this summer, everything is changing.
Her mother wants to declare her missing father legally dead, but when a letter arrives from a relative she’s never met, Diamond starts uncovering long-buried family secrets.
Spanning generations, this novel weaves together themes of identity, race, and resilience, showing how the past shapes the present.
It’s an emotional, beautifully written story about family, love, and the search for belonging.
May 2024: Real Americans by Rachel Khong
This novel takes us through the lives of Lily Chen and her son, Nick, across different generations and places.
In 1999, Lily is an unpaid intern in NYC when she meets Matthew—a wealthy, effortlessly cool guy who’s basically her opposite.
Despite their differences, they fall in love. Fast forward to 2021, and their son, Nick, is growing up on an isolated island with Lily.
But he can’t shake the feeling that his mother is hiding something big. His search for his father uncovers more than he ever expected.
This is a powerful story about identity, family secrets, and how our past shapes us.
It’s the kind of book that makes you think about destiny—are we shaped by our genes, or do we create our own paths?
If you love multigenerational stories that tackle race, class, and belonging, this one’s for you!
April 2024: The Husbands by Holly Gramazio
Imagine coming home to find a man in your apartment who swears he’s your husband—even though you’ve never seen him before.
That’s exactly what happens to Lauren. Her friends say she’s been married for years, her apartment has changed, and even her phone is full of photos with this stranger.
Then, just when she starts to accept this bizarre reality, he goes to the attic to change a lightbulb and disappears.
A new husband appears in his place, and Lauren realizes her attic is somehow generating endless versions of her life.
This book is funny, weird, and totally thought-provoking. It makes you wonder—if you could tweak your life just a little bit, how far would you go?
And when do you stop searching for something better and start appreciating what you already have?
Perfect for fans of mind-bending, slightly magical stories that explore love and choices.
March 2024: The House on Mango Street by Sandra Cisneros
This beloved classic tells the story of Esperanza, a young Latina girl growing up in Chicago, through a series of short, vivid snapshots of her life.
She dreams of escaping her neighborhood and creating a future of her own choosing, but she’s also shaped by the people and experiences around her.
It’s a small book with a big heart—sometimes heartbreaking, sometimes joyful, but always deeply real.
The writing is poetic and simple, which makes it an easy but unforgettable read. If you haven’t read this one yet, it’s a must!
March 2024: The Great Divide by Cristina Henríquez
Set during the construction of the Panama Canal, this historical novel follows the lives of the people who built it—people history often overlooks.
There’s Omar, a young laborer desperate for connection; Ada, a bold teenager from Barbados searching for work to help her sick sister; and John, a scientist fighting to control malaria while struggling to care for his own ailing wife.
Their paths cross in unexpected ways and it brings love, sacrifice, and ambition to the forefront.
This is one of those sweeping, immersive books that transport you to another time and place.
If you love historical fiction that shines a light on untold stories, this one will pull you in completely.
February 2024: Good Material by Dolly Alderton
Andy is heartbroken. His girlfriend, Jen, left him, and he can’t figure out why.
Now, he’s crashing on a friend’s couch, waiting for his stand-up comedy career to take off, and watching everyone else seem to move on with their lives while he’s stuck.
He’s convinced that if he can just understand what went wrong, maybe he can fix it—or at least feel okay again.
This book is both hilarious and deeply relatable.
It perfectly captures the messiness of breakups, the awkwardness of growing up, and the slow, painful process of moving on.
If you love books that are witty but also packed with heart, this one’s a winner.
January 2024: The Waters by Bonnie Jo Campbell
Deep in the Great Massasauga Swamp, a healer named Herself Zook has been helping women for generations.
Her youngest daughter, Rose Thorn, has left her own child, Donkey, to grow up wild in this strange and beautiful place.
But Donkey’s quiet life is about to be turned upside down by long-buried family secrets, dangerous men, and the unpredictable forces of nature.
This book is dark, atmospheric, and full of powerful women.
It’s about resilience, survival, and the complicated bonds between mothers and daughters.
If you love stories with a strong sense of place and unforgettable characters, this one is for you.
As you can see, Jenna Hager really knows how to pick the very best books! If you’d like to join her book club, head over to their website.
And if you’re looking for even more great book club reads, check out this post: The Best New Book Club Books of 2025.
