Katie Couric, 69, Reveals Her Book Club’s Favorite Picks—Including One She Says ‘Slips Under Your Skin’
The veteran journalist's book club debut is already making waves
Key Takeaways
- Katie Couric's new book club spotlights unforgettable novels about family, friendship and secon
- From Ann Patchett to Elizabeth Strout, Katie's favorite books feature bestselling authors.
- Katie says that one of the books was recommended to her by Elin Hilderbrand.
Jenna Bush Hager, Reese Witherspoon and Mindy Kaling aren’t the only ones with a book habit worth following. Katie Couric just launched her own book club, and it’s quickly becoming one to watch. Started as part of her 2026 New Year’s resolution to “scroll less, read more,” the Katie Couric Book Club (KCBC) has already delivered a string of standout picks, complete with candid author interviews on her Substack. Curious what’s made her list so far? Keep scrolling.
Katie Couric’s books
From family sagas to small-town tales, here are our favorites of Katie Couric’s book club picks.
‘The Correspondent’ by Virginia Evans
This New York Times bestselling novel unfolds entirely through letters to and from Sybil Van Antwerp, a retired lawyer who has spent a lifetime putting pen to paper. Sybil writes to everyone: old friends and estranged family members, beloved authors whose books changed her life, even businesses when she has a complaint or compliment to share. Through these intimate letters, we piece together Sybil’s story—her heartbreaking past, the choices she regrets, relationships she’s tried to mend and the career that defined her. A tender, deeply moving novel that celebrates the art of letter-writing that will have everyone smiling.
What Katie says: “If you’re looking for a book that slips under your skin and stays there, then The Correspondent by Virginia Evans is a great pick…Evans weaves themes of regret, aging, memory, and connection (even the ones we didn’t intend) into a narrative that feels gentle and fierce. It’s not just a novel; it’s a letter to the reader that asks the question, ‘What have your unsent letters been holding?’”
What readers are saying: “The Correspondent is unlike anything I’ve read recently. It’s thoughtful, insightful and quietly captivating. Rather than relying on dramatic twists, it draws you in through beautifully developed characters and the gradual unfolding of their lives.”
‘Theo of Golden’ by Allen Levi
When Theo moves to Golden, Georgia, he discovers a coffee shop with 92 hand-painted portraits of town residents lining the walls. Captivated by the artwork, Theo makes a plan to buy every portrait and personally deliver them to the people depicted. As Theo knocks on doors and hands over portraits, he’s invited into homes and lives. He hears stories of love, loss and ordinary moments that shaped extraordinary lives. Along the way, Theo discovers a sense of belonging that he never had before. But Theo and the Golden residents have secrets, and nothing can keep them from coming out.
What Katie says: “The second KCBC pick was Theo of Golden and I love Allen Levi. I love this book, and I love the community of people who have joined me in my mission to read more in 2026.”
What readers are saying: “Theo of Golden is a beautiful story that lingers in the soul long after the last page. Written with a quiet tenderness, the book invites readers into the life of Theo, whose journey of self-discovery and quiet courage is both inspiring and deeply moving.”
‘More Than Enough’ by Anna Quindlen
In Anna Quindlen’s newest novel, English teacher Polly Goodman seems to have it all figured out. She’s surrounded by her supportive book club friends, and her veterinarian husband is her steady anchor through life’s ups and downs. Her world feels complete—until a joke gift changes everything. When Polly receives an ancestry test kit as a gag present and decides to try it, she’s stunned by the results: She has a DNA match with a complete stranger. As Polly begins to unravel this mystery, long-buried family secrets come to light, forcing her to question everything she thought she knew about her identity and her past. A powerful saga about love, loss and the family ties that bind us—even the ones we never knew existed.
What Katie says: “Elin Hilderbrand was raving about this book so I picked it up and was immediately hooked. But I’m not surprised—Anna Quindlen is so prolific. I’ve been reading her fiction and nonfiction for years; I feel like we’ve aged together, in a way…For anyone who’s ever been curious about their ancestry and tempted to take one of those DNA tests, this novel is for you.”
What readers are saying: “I could go on all day trying to describe this book for you, but I could never do it justice. If you have never read Anna Quindlen before, or even if you have, after you read More Than Enough you are probably going to want to start your own Anna Quindlen book club, just to keep up with her wonderful work.”
‘Whistler’ by Ann Patchett
When 53-year-old Daphne Fuller spots her former stepfather, Eddie Triplett, at the Metropolitan Museum of Art, her carefully ordered world shifts. Eddie was married to her mother for one year when Daphne was 9, and she hasn’t seen him in decades—not since the night that changed everything. As they reconnect, wandering through galleries and sharing memories, they discover that some bonds transcend time. A tender, soulful story about love, loss and the connections that define us.
What Katie says: “I love Ann Patchett’s books, and I was so excited to read this one…I spoke with Ann on my Substack about Whistler, her beautiful new novel about the people who truly see us—and how even a brief childhood connection can shape the rest of our lives. We got into the real friendship that inspired the book, why she sees friendship as its own great love story, and the surprising intimacy of showing up for someone through illness and loss.”
What readers are saying: “I stayed up half the night to finish this book and was not disappointed in the ending. If you like to read books about flawed people who are capable of love and change, this is a book for you. Written with specificity, honesty, and accessible prose style, Whistler is structurally masterful. This is one of my favorite Ann Patchett books.”
‘The Things We Never Say’ by Elizabeth Strout
This page-turning tale explores the weight of secrets kept too long. The story follows Artie Dam, a mild-mannered history teacher who’s been living a carefully constructed double life for years. To the outside world, he’s a devoted husband in a decades-long marriage, spending peaceful weekends at his cottage by the Massachusetts coast. But Artie is harboring a secret—one he’s kept buried for so long he almost believed it would stay hidden forever. When the truth finally surfaces after all these years, everything Artie has built threatens to crumble. Now he must decide: continue living the lie, or finally speak the words he’s never been able to say?
What Katie says: “I love Elizabeth Strout’s books, and unsurprisingly, I devoured this one.”
What readers are saying: “I love Elizabeth Strout’s novels and this was no exception. Artie is a poignant example of how people do the best they can as they try to navigate life in this world.”
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