The Best Books for Book Clubs in 2024

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What are the best books for book clubs that we’ve read recently? So glad you asked.

I come from a long line of book-club-loving women. I grew up going with my mother and grandmother to their clubs as a teen, then founded my own shortly after moving to New York City from California in my 20s. To me, the best part of a book club—and yes, we do actually discuss the book for at least 15 minutes—is the community I have found and the discussions I have had with other smart, hilarious women from all walks of life and perspectives.

But if your book club is anything like mine, you probably spend the last 10 minutes of every meeting scrolling your phones simultaneously, trying to come up with ideas for the best books for book clubs. So, when considering how we at Glamour could best contribute to the already rich tapestry of book recommendations online, I immediately thought of this pain point. I polled Glamour staff along with other readers we trust—our own ad-hoc book club, if you will—on the best books they read recently that they thought could spark a robust conversation among a group of women.

What followed was a truly diverse list of books of multiple genres that all have one thing in common: They are definitely book club worthy. So stop scrolling and pick your wine glass back up; here’s our curated list of the best books for book clubs.

(Note: This list covers books that were released either in late 2023 or any time in 2024. Stay tuned in the new year, when we will release an all-new list for 2025).

1/50

‘All Fours’ by Miranda July

This book feels so much more alive than anything else I’ve read recently. It follows the story of an unnamed narrator, an artist who embarks on a road trip from Los Angeles to New York. Her journey, though, takes her on a completely unexpected path.

All Fours is brutally honest, shockingly nimble, and completely unpredictable. In short, it’s book club gold.

—Jake Henry Smith, shopping editor

Out now

2/50

‘Ambition Monster’ by Jennifer Romolini

As a millennial in girl boss culture, I devoured Ambition Monster. Jennifer Romolini’s thoughtful and smart examination of how her lifelong devotion to success at all costs ultimately drove her a little bit insane.

Romolini’s unique background makes her story even more engaging. The daughter of teenage, quasi-hippie parents, Romolini works her way through a series of jobs—from waiting tables to C-suite media executive—through pure determination and a touch of workaholism. All who have thought to themselves, “What am I doing this all for, exactly?” will be able to relate, and reexamine their own “ambition monsters” anew.

—Stephanie McNeal, senior editor

Out now

3/50

‘A Great Country’ by Shilpi Somaya Gowda

When choosing a book-club book, you hope that it would spark a dynamic discussion and conversation to further open your understanding of the story. I’m so happy to report that A Great Country will absolutely deliver.

Gowda does a fantastic job exploring the complicated truth of this country’s “melting pot” reality. There are themes of race profiling, immigrant-parent-and-child relationships, political and social issues, and so much more. This thought-provoking book is one you don’t want to miss.

—Meagan Briggs, book influencer @meagansbookclub

Out now

4/50

‘A Love Song for Ricki Wilde’ by Tia Williams

On the surface, A Love Song for Ricki Wilde by Tia Williams is a love story that connects two artists across generations. But in reality, it’s a story about a young woman who takes a chance on herself and her dream. Ricki Wilde is a 20-something from Atlanta who comes from a wealthy and meritocratic family. Since childhood she always felt that she didn’t fit in, and maybe there’s good reason for that. Her inability to fit in, in addition to meeting her fairy godmother, leads her to Harlem.

As she immerses herself in her new community, which is filled with the history of the Harlem Renaissance, she meets a man. She feels an extraordinary but unexplainable draw to him, with multiple run-ins that don’t seem coincidental. Williams draws readers in with a modern day love story, sprinkled with colloquial humor and Louisiana voodooism. She balances Harlem’s intersection with music throughout history, and what the Harlem Renaissance offered Black Americans in the 1920s. Across generations, Williams uses Ricki’s business as a flower shop owner to pay homage to historical figures and places from that time. All of this, together with intense sex scenes, makes this a perfect book for the hopeless romantic and history buff.

—Monique Wilson, editorial assistant

Out now

5/50

‘Annie Bot’ by Sierra Greer

After I finished Annie Bot, I wanted to discuss it so badly with other women that I not only wrote about it for Glamour (read my interview with author Sierra Greer here), but I suggested it for my own book club. There’s just so much to unpack in this novel.

A brilliantly crafted examination of abusive relationships and patriarchal power, Greer tells her story through a futuristic lens, and the propulsive plot keeps the reader entertained as she makes her point. Annie is a Stella, an AI robot that can be purchased by humans for about the price of a luxury car to fill a void in their households. Stellas can be nannies or housekeepers, but Annie is set to “Cuddle Bunny” mode, meaning her primary task is to be a sexual and romantic partner to her owner, Doug. When Annie is changed to a different mode that allows her to learn from her environment, she begins to question her own value and worth. You won’t be able to stop thinking about Annie, her world, and how uncomfortably real the whole thing feels.

—S.M.

Out now

6/50

‘All Our Tomorrows’ by Catherine Bybee

I love a good billionaire story. All Our Tomorrows reminds me of a good drama series like Dallas or Dynasty. I love the dynamics of the storyline and all the characters, so many of whom are not to be trusted.

I’m counting down the days to the second book in the series to see what happens to all that money!

—Megan Sargent, bookstagrammer at Meg’s Book Club

Out now

7/50

‘Big Dip Energy: 88 Parties in a Bowl for Snacking, Dinner, Dessert, and Beyond’ by Alyse Whitney

Book club this, book club that—what about a cookbook club? It’s what it sounds like: Everyone makes a different dish from the same cookbook, then gathers to eat and discuss. It’s perfect for people who may not have time to read a whole novel every month but can expend 45 minutes on a recipe.

I suggest starting with Glamour contributor Alyse Whitney’s Big Dip Energy. Her dip recipes—or, as she calls them, “88 parties in a bowl”—are perfect for entertaining and easily modified for all dietary requirements, from her saag paneer artichoke dip to the multiple riffs on queso.

—Anna Moeslein, deputy editor

Out now

8/50

‘Brat’ by Gabriel Smith

It’s brat summer, but I’m not talking about Charli, I’m talking about Gabriel Smith’s debut, Brat. In a dizzying stream of consciousness, we follow Gabriel as he copes with the death of his father and struggles to write his first novel, all while he teeters on the verge of insanity.

The book is so bizarre, ghostly, and gruesome, which makes its humor all the more delightful.

—Channing Smith, designer

Out now

9/50

‘Come and Get It’ by Kiley Reid

Kiley Reid has such a way with words. Her latest novel, Come and Get It, follows a young college resident adviser named Millie who finds herself entangled with an older professor and three other students at the University of Arkansas. Reid describes her characters in one sentence that really cuts to their core and tells you exactly who they are.

This book tackles money, privilege, race, and power dynamics. I think this is a book that is begging to be discussed as Kiley explores these topics and leaves readers to draw their own conclusions. I couldn’t stop thinking about it after I finished reading, and the more I marinated in this book, the more I appreciated Kiley’s ambition.

—Nnenna Odeluga, book influencer @scsreads

Out now

10/50

‘Democracy in Retrograde: How to Make Changes Big and Small in Our Country and in Our Lives’ by Sami Sage and Emily Amick

Whenever I want to understand what happened in politics that day, I turn to Emily Amick, a.k.a. @emilyinyourphone. I’m not alone—Amick has made a name for herself on Instagram through her no-nonsense and easily digestible explanations of political news.

Now, she’s releasing her first book, teaming up with Sami Sage of Betches Media to make civic engagement something that young women can actually aspire to, even in these dark times. Through their frank and funny prose, and optimistic yet accomplishable ideas that are ripe for discussion, Sage and Amick make engaging in politics seem like less of a drag and actually maybe even fun.

—S.M.

Out now

16/50

“Intermezzo” by Sally Rooney

Intermezzo is a book that begs to be discussed. It features all the romance and frustratingly real relationship dynamics Rooney is known for, but adds some funky, experimental prose.

I can’t tell if I love it or hate it, to be honest, but I definitely want to talk about it.

—Sam Reed, senior trending news and entertainment editor

17/50

Ladykiller by Katherine Wood

I know you’re not supposed to judge a book by its cover, but that’s what drew me to pick up Ladykiller recently while on vacation. Its evocative pool scene just screamed beach read to me, and I wasn’t disappointed.

Abby is the long-suffering bestie of the flighty and sometimes cruel Gia, an heiress whose family once employed Abby’s mother. Though Abby has attempted to strike out on her own as a successful attorney, she can’t help but come calling whenever Gia needs her due to their long history and shared secrets. When Gia vanishes suddenly from her family’s Greek island estate, Abby and Gia’s brother Benny attempt to figure out what happened to her. It’s a decadent and sultry thriller, the perfect companion to your beachside margarita, and to chat about with your friends afterward.

—S.M.

Out now

18/50

‘Like Mother, Like Daughter’ by Kimberly McCreight

I’ve been a big fan of Kimberly McCreight for years for her previous novels, especially her debut, Reconstructing Amelia. She excels at crafting complex women characters who are grappling with real questions surrounding what it means to be a woman and a mother in the world, and her latest is no exception.

Like Mother, Like Daughter follows Cleo, a university student with a complicated relationship with her mother, Kat. When Kat suddenly vanishes, Cleo must examine what misconceptions she was holding about her mom and her life, in time to help her before it’s too late. It’s a readable thriller with some deep questions at its core that are ripe for discussion.

—S.M.

Out now

19/50

‘Long Island’ by Colm Toibin

It has been 20 years since Eilis Lacey left home, moved to Brooklyn, and married Tony. She’s now in her 40s, trying to navigate life after hearing the news of her husband’s infidelity. She decides to return home to Ireland and spend time with the family she left behind, along with the man she left when she moved to America.

Tóibín’s storytelling is rich and full of tension as he explores the complexities of life, the decisions we make, and the consequences that result.

—M.B.

Out now

20/50

‘Long Island Compromise’ by Taffy Brodesser-Akner

A remarkable follow-up to Brodesser-Akner’s 2019 novel (and subsequent FX miniseries) Fleishman Is In Trouble. But where Fleishman deals largely in sex, Compromise trades primarily in a topic that’s arguably more taboo: money. Or, more accurately, the very particular Semitic sort of generational wealth that usually is cultivated thanks to a singular work ethic and, often, a livelihood that’s tethered to mundane but necessary materials.

Jewish American family The Fletchers are rich. The patriarch, Carl, runs a polystyrene empire (also known as styrofoam; see: mundane materials) started by his father, who escaped Europe during the war. The novel opens with Carl’s kidnapping in 1980, and, after a large ransom is paid, he is returned home a week later to his family and everyone moves on. But, of course, they don’t.

The novel follows Carl’s three outrageously screwed-up grown children—LA screenwriter Beamer, nervous land-use attorney Nathan, and brilliant, bratty perpetual student Jenny as they attempt to navigate adulthood in the shadow of an event from 40 years before that has irrevocably traumatized the Fletcher family. And then there’s the issue of all the money going away.

Literally anybody who appreciates family sagas, postmodern fiction, and really great and funny writing will love this book, but I imagine Jewish American readers will feel a particular kinship to the novel thanks to its razor-sharp send-ups of familiar traditions, obsessions, verbal patters, definition of success, and superstitions.

—Perrie Samotin, digital director

Out now

21/50

‘Love Letters to a Serial Killer’ by Tasha Coryell

I’m a particular fan of women narrators who have a voice that’s sardonic, biting, or just straight-up self-absorbed. Hannah, the protagonist of Tasha Coryell’s often-hilarious debut is all three, and her black humor communicates truths about the current millennial ennui through her often outlandish remarks.

Hannah is a 30-something single woman who’s feeling adrift and bitter in both her personal life and in her dead-end job. After being ghosted by yet another f-boy, she finds herself becoming obsessed with the case of a string of young women found dead in Atlanta. When police arrest a successful lawyer named William for the killings, Hannah finds herself attracted to the case in more ways than one. You won’t stop laughing at Hannah’s observations on adulthood, true crime, and modern dating (and also will probably feel just a tiny bit dragged).

—S.M.

Out now

25/50

‘Rental House’ by Weike Wang

Rental House is a short and sweet book that is rich with things to discuss. Weike Wang paints a compelling and interesting picture through examining two vacations in the life of one couple: Keru and Nate.

The couple, who meet at Yale through a chance encounter at a Halloween party, are both navigating through a life vastly different than the culture they were raised in. Nate is a first-generation college student who struggles to connect with his rural, blue-collar, Appalachian family, and Keru is a first-generation immigrant who struggles under the expectation of her hard-working and exacting Chinese parents.

Through these characters, Wang drops keen observations of modern American life, from the rural/city divide to the immigrant experience. Oh, and there’s also a very cute (sounding) dog in the mix.

—S.M.

Out now