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Summer is here, and it’s honestly one of the best seasons for book club meetings.
There’s plenty of sunshine, countless places to go, and an overall happier atmosphere.
If you have a book club and have been thinking about what books to add to your roster—or which books you and your friends should read together—you might enjoy the ones on this list.
I made sure to include a variety of genres so you can take your pick and read widely.
There’s everything from romance and thrillers to generational sagas, historical fiction, and more.
I also took it a step further by including potential discussion topics that can serve as conversation starters.
Picking a book for your book club can be a bit tricky (something I’ve talked about before), but at the end of the day, the goal is to keep your club as active as possible.
And nothing sparks great discussions like a book that tackles different themes and thought-provoking topics.
So, take a look through this list and let me know which books you’re adding to your book club’s TBR in the comments!
The Husbands by Holly Gramazio
Lauren’s life takes a bizarre turn when she finds a stranger in her flat claiming to be her husband.
The shocking part? Every piece of evidence—from photos to bills—proves he’s telling the truth.
Soon, she realizes her attic is mysteriously generating an endless supply of husbands.
Each one has his own quirks—some charming, some questionable.
There’s the one who makes perfect breakfast sandwiches, the one who turns everything into a cheeky joke, and the one who knows exactly how to calm her.
But with an ever-changing rotation of husbands, Lauren faces a big question: If you can always swap for a new one, how do you know when you’ve found the right one? And when should you stop searching?
This book is witty, fun, and surprisingly thought-provoking.
It plays with the idea of choice and perfection in relationships in a way that’s both lighthearted and deep.
Topics You Can Discuss:
- The idea of the perfect partner—does it even exist?
- How much do small, everyday moments matter in love?
- If you could tweak your relationships like Lauren, would you?
- The balance between excitement and stability in long-term relationships.
West With Giraffes by Lynda Rutledge
This beautifully written novel takes you on an unforgettable road trip across America in 1938, following two giraffes who miraculously survive a hurricane at sea.
Their journey to the San Diego Zoo is told through the eyes of young Woodrow Wilson Nickel, who drives them across the country.
Along the way, he meets people who change his life forever—an ambitious female photographer, a mysterious older man, and the giraffes themselves, who seem almost magical in their presence.
Inspired by true events, this book is a mix of adventure, history, and deep emotion.
It reminds us how animals can change our hearts, how kindness from strangers can make a difference, and how some stories need to be told before it’s too late.
Topics You Can Discuss:
- How animals have the power to heal and connect people.
- The impact of the Great Depression on everyday lives.
- The significance of preserving wildlife and endangered species.
- How a journey—physical or emotional—can change a person.
Real Americans by Rachel Khong
This sweeping novel follows three generations of a Chinese American family, and it explores identity, class, and the struggles of belonging.
It starts with Lily, a young woman in 1999 New York, who falls in love with Matthew, a wealthy heir.
Fast-forward to 2021, and their son, Nick, is on a journey to uncover the truth about his father—a truth his mother has kept hidden.
This book is both deeply personal and universally relatable, as it asks questions about what shapes us: our choices, our past, or the world around us?
It’s emotional, smart, and full of moments that make you pause and think.
Topics You Can Discuss:
- The idea of belonging—how do we find our place in the world?
- Family secrets and how they shape us.
- The American Dream—what does it mean for different people?
- How much of who we are is shaped by our past versus our choices?
The Summer Book Club by Susan Mallery
Three best friends, a no-stress book club, and a summer of big changes.
Laurel, Paris, and Cassie come together to escape life’s chaos and dive into books that fill their hearts.
But as they read about heroines taking big chances, they start realizing they might need to do the same in their own lives.
Laurel, recovering from a tough divorce, worries she’s failing as a mom. Cassie keeps falling for guys who take advantage of her kindness. Paris is still regretting pushing away a good man.
Can they take control of their own stories?
This is a feel-good book about friendship, love, and the courage to start fresh.
Plus, who doesn’t love a book about a book club?
Topics You Can Discuss:
- How reading can inspire real-life change.
- Taking risks in love and life—how do you know when to take the leap?
- How we can rewrite our own stories.
Same As It Ever Was by Claire Lombardo
Julia Ames has worked hard to build a stable, comfortable life after a chaotic youth.
But at 57, everything she thought was settled is suddenly upended—her son has shocking news, her daughter is growing distant, and ghosts from her past are knocking at her door.
This novel beautifully captures the dynamics of motherhood, the weight of the past, and the unpredictability of relationships.
It’s a deep, character-driven story about how life keeps surprising us, no matter how much we think we have it figured out.
Topics You Can Discuss:
- The complexities of parent-child relationships.
- How the past influences the present.
- The different ways people handle change.
- What it really means to have everything together.
The New Tourist by Paige McClanahan
Tourism has changed the world—sometimes for the better, sometimes for the worse.
This book takes readers across the globe to explore how travel impacts cultures, economies, and the environment.
It asks big questions: When does tourism help a place thrive, and when does it ruin its soul? Is there a right way to be a tourist?
This is a fascinating read for anyone who loves to travel or is curious about the impact of wanderlust on the world.
It’s eye-opening and thought-provoking but never feels like a lecture.
Topics You Can Discuss:
- The effects of mass tourism on small communities.
- Ethical travel—how can we be responsible tourists?
- The personal vs. global impact of travel.
- How travel shapes our view of the world.
The Heiress by Rachel Hawkins
Ruby McTavish lived a life full of mystery and scandal—kidnapped as a child, widowed four times, and the richest woman in her small town.
When she dies, her fortune passes to her adopted son, Camden, who wants nothing to do with the legacy.
But when his uncle dies, Camden and his wife, Jules, are pulled back into the family’s secrets.
Why did Ruby adopt Camden? What really happened to her four husbands? And is the McTavish fortune worth the danger that comes with it?
This book is full of twists, family secrets, and a touch of gothic mystery, so it is perfect for readers who love dark, juicy stories.
Topics You Can Discuss:
- Family legacies—are they a blessing or a curse?
- How money and power influence relationships.
- The appeal of gothic and mystery novels.
- What makes a great unreliable narrator?
Mary Jane by Jessica Anya Blau
In 1970s Baltimore, 14-year-old Mary Jane takes a summer nanny job expecting structure and rules.
Instead, she finds herself in a free-spirited household where a famous rock star and his wife are staying.
As the summer unfolds, Mary Jane gets a front-row seat to a world far different from the strict upbringing she knows.
This coming-of-age novel is heartwarming, funny, and full of nostalgia.
It’s about discovering who you are, stepping outside your comfort zone, and realizing there’s more than one way to live.
Topics You Can Discuss:
- The contrast between strict and free-spirited upbringings.
- Coming-of-age moments—what shapes us most?
- How different generations view change and rebellion.
- The impact of music and culture on personal growth.
Come and Get It by Kiley Reid
Millie Cousins has everything planned—graduate, get a good job, and buy a house.
She’s a senior resident assistant at the University of Arkansas, and when a visiting professor, Agatha Paul, offers her a unique opportunity, she can’t resist.
But soon, Millie finds herself tangled in a web of secrets, strange new friendships, and dorm room pranks that turn out to be more than just fun and games.
As money, power, and bad decisions collide, Millie starts to realize that getting what she wants might not be as easy as she thought.
This book is sharp, smart, and full of tension, and it explores what happens when ambition meets opportunity—and when things start to spiral out of control.
Topics You Can Discuss:
- The role of money and privilege in shaping people’s choices.
- Power dynamics between students and teachers.
- The blurred lines between mentorship and manipulation.
- The impact of small decisions that snowball into bigger consequences.
- How far someone will go to get ahead.
Little Bee by Chris Cleave
This is one of those books where the less you know, the better.
But here’s what I can tell you: it’s about two women whose lives are forever changed by a single event.
One of them has to make an impossible choice. Two years later, their paths cross again, and that’s where the story begins.
This book is deeply moving and beautifully written.
It will break your heart, but in a way that makes you feel grateful for the experience.
And once you finish, you’ll want to talk about it with someone—just don’t spoil it for them!
Topics You Can Discuss:
- How a single decision can change everything.
- The meaning of courage in impossible situations.
- Immigration and the challenges refugees face.
- The bond between strangers and what brings people together.
- The importance of storytelling in making sense of trauma
I’m Mostly Here to Enjoy Myself by Glynnis MacNicol
After spending over a year in isolation in New York City, Glynnis MacNicol is desperate for something new.
So when she gets the chance to spend a summer in Paris, she jumps at it.
What follows is a whirlwind of delicious food, new friendships, romance, and the joy of simply living life for herself.
This book is a love letter to pleasure, independence, and embracing who you are—especially in a world that often tells women their best years are behind them.
It’s funny, insightful, and filled with moments that make you want to book a one-way ticket to Paris.
Topics You Can Discuss:
- The idea of reinvention at any age.
- Why women are often discouraged from pursuing pleasure.
- How travel can change your perspective on life.
- The beauty of solitude vs. the ache of loneliness.
- What it really means to enjoy yourself.
All Adults Here by Emma Straub
When Astrid Strick sees a school bus accident in her small town, it shakes something loose inside her.
Suddenly, she starts rethinking the way she raised her now-grown children.
Did she make mistakes that still affect them? Can she make up for them now?
Her three kids are all dealing with their own struggles—one is lost in life, another is about to become a mother, and the oldest is measuring himself against impossible standards.
As old family wounds resurface, Astrid must decide how much of the past should be revisited and how much should stay buried.
This is a heartfelt, funny, and beautifully written story about family, parenting, and the way our childhood shapes us—even when we think we’ve moved on.
Topics You Can Discuss:
- The impact of parenting decisions on adult children.
- How family relationships evolve over time.
- Birth order and its influence on personality.
- The challenge of apologizing for past mistakes.
- Generational differences in understanding love and success.
The Girl From the Grand Hotel by Camille Aubray
It’s the summer of 1939, and the world’s biggest stars have gathered for the first-ever Cannes Film Festival.
Annabel Faucon has just arrived in France, hoping for a fresh start.
But instead of a quiet summer job at the glamorous Grand Hotel, she finds herself drawn into a world of Hollywood scandals, mysterious spies, and deadly secrets.
As war looms over Europe, Annabel realizes that the glittering world around her isn’t as safe as it seems.
And when she uncovers a Nazi communications plot, she must decide how far she’s willing to go to stop it.
This book is packed with glitz, danger, and historical intrigue.
If you love old Hollywood glamour mixed with a fast-paced spy story, you’ll be hooked!
Topics You Can Discuss:
- The role of spies in shaping history.
- Hollywood’s influence on politics and war.
- The glitz and darkness of pre-war Europe.
- The ethics of deception in dangerous times.
Their Divine Fires by Wendy Chen
Spanning a hundred years, this novel follows four generations of Chinese and Chinese American women, each shaped by love, loss, and political upheaval.
It all begins in 1917, when Yunhong’s wedding night is ruined by a shocking betrayal.
Her daughter Yuexin grows up never knowing her father.
Decades later, Hongxing and Yonghong navigate life in post-Mao China, trying to carve out their own paths despite family secrets.
In modern-day America, Emily tries to piece together the history that has shaped her family and herself.
This book is rich, emotional, and deeply layered. It explores the ways family history lingers, even across continents and generations.
Topics You Can Discuss:
- How political events shape personal lives.
- The weight of family secrets across generations.
- What it means to belong in a new country.
- The role of women in different cultures and time periods.
- The struggle between tradition and independence.
I Am, I Am, I Am by Maggie O’Farrell
Maggie O’Farrell has had 17 near-death experiences—some terrifying, some ordinary, but all of them life-changing.
From a childhood illness that nearly killed her to a dangerous encounter with a stranger, each story is a snapshot of life’s fragility and beauty.
It makes you think about the moments that could have gone differently in your own life.
And most of all, it reminds you just how precious and unpredictable life is.
Topics You Can Discuss:
- The moments in life that could have changed everything.
- How close calls shape the way we live.
- Fear, survival, and resilience.
- The beauty of ordinary moments we take for granted.
- What it means to truly be alive
A Love Song for Ricki Wilde by Tia Williams
Ricki Wilde has always felt different from her polished, high-society family.
So when she gets the chance to move to Harlem and open a flower shop, she leaps at the opportunity.
What she doesn’t expect is to be pulled into a love story that seems almost magical.
Set between modern Harlem and the Harlem Renaissance, this book is a dreamy, romantic tale of fate, art, and love that transcends time.
It’s lush, lyrical, and full of heart.
Topics You Can Discuss:
- The magic of Harlem, past and present.
- Following your dreams even when they don’t make sense to others.
- The connection between art and love.
- The idea of fate vs. free will.
- Family expectations vs. personal happiness.
Let me know which of these amazing summer book club books you and your book club, your friends, or whoever you’re reading with are planning to check out this summer!
And if you’re looking for even more great book recommendations, check out these posts:
- 15+ Best Summer Cozy Mystery Books
