Best Book Club Books: 10 Page Turners, From Romances to Thrillers to Historical Fiction

India Allwood grew up dreaming of being an actor. Armed with steadfast determination, she miraculously goes from awkward 16-year-old to Broadway star to TV superhero. And now, her newest movie is about adoption, but its spin is the same old tragic story. In real life, India is an adoptive mom to twin 10-year-olds and she wants everyone to know there’s real joy in families like hers. What follows is a huge media backlash, ongoing drama and family antics. A story that proves family ties — no matter how they’re formed — are always a little complicated.

A riveting story about love, sacrifice and following your dreams unfolds in this novel by bestselling author Fiona Davis. In 1956 New York City, 19-year-old Marion should be over the moon. She is about to marry her high school sweetheart and kick off a quiet life in the suburbs. But when she starts to feel trapped, she comes across an opportunity to audition for the Radio City Rockettes — the dazzling precision-dancing troupe — and she jumps at the chance to swap her ordinary future for this exciting opportunity. After landing the job, she falls in love with the work and the glamour. Then, when a bomber shockingly attacks the theater, Marion finds herself involved in the investigation. 

In her early 20s, Fern — who aspired to open a coffee shop in the city — spent a whirlwind day with Will, an artist. They agree to chase their dreams and meet again in one year, but Will doesn’t show. Ten years later, Fern is begrudgingly running her family’s lakeside resort when Will arrives. Together, they try to find a way to move forward (both in life and in love) and rekindle the spark that never faded.

From the bestselling author of Such a Fun Age comes Kiley Reid’s brand-new enthralling novel. Millie Cousins is a senior resident assistant at the University of Arkansas. When professor Agatha Paul offers her a career-boosting opportunity, Millie jumps at the chance. But she finds herself having to navigate odd new friends, vengeful dorm pranks and illicit intrigue. Tensions start to rise and Millie must decide what is worth sacrificing everything she’s worked for. 

Charming characters, original storylines and magically uplifting moments abound in this novel by bestselling author Matt Haig. Nora Seed finds herself in a library that contains an infinite number of books, each telling the story of her life as it could have been if she’d just made different decisions — and the librarian tells her she can go back and live in any one of them. Will she stick with the life she’s built, or make different decisions? 

Debut author Julie Chaves’ new memoir, Everyone But Myself, chronicles her busy life as a librarian, mom of two, wife and book lover living with anxiety. Chavez opens up about the trials and tribulations of navigating life when everything feels unmanageable. What follows is a hopeful, honest account of love and loss, a husband who can’t read minds, chaotic family outings and — despite all odds — finding a path toward peace and joy.

From the outside, Alicia and her husband seem to have it all: She’s a famous painter married to a fashion photographer and she lives in a beautiful house with windows overlooking a park in London. But one evening her husband Gabriel returns home late from a fashion shoot and Alicia shoots him five times. Then, she never speaks another word. She’s put into a psychiatric facility until criminal psychotherapist Theo Faber is arrives to try to unravel the puzzling murder…which threatens to consume him.

Glitz, glamour and intrigue abound in this bestselling novel by beloved author Taylor Jenkins Reid. Journalist Monique Grant is taken aback when she gets called by name to write a story for the famous actress Evelyn Hugo. When she meets Evelyn, Monique learns that the actress wants her to ghostwrite her biography. As Evelyn details her fame in the mid-to late-1900s, she talks about each of her seven marriages. But it becomes clear that Evelyn is trying to hide something. A ravishing story of love, fame, old Hollywood and secrets.

A surprisingly romantic, lyrical story unfolds in this daring debut novel by Emily Habeck. A few weeks after Lewis and Wren’s wedding, they are faced with an unfathomable turn of events. Lewis receives a rare diagnosis: He will retain most of his consciousness, memories and intellect, but his physical body will slowly turn into a great white shark. As Lewis develops the features and impulses of a shark, his complex artist’s heart struggles to make peace with his unfulfilled dreams. Will Wren be able to stay with Lewis or will she leave? How can she make this impossible choice?

Bestselling author Elin Hilderbrand is beloved for her captivating sagas set in beach towns — and this novel features beautiful Nantucket. Hollis Shaw’s life falls apart after she loses her husband. So when she hears about something called a “Five-Star Weekend,” she hosts her own on Nantucket, inviting a friend from each decade of her life to gather for the weekend. What follows is a dramatic yet healing weekend with best friends from all the different phases of her life.