In March 2020, as the world was shutting down, four college friends and I decided to start a virtual book club. We named ourselves the Plague Sisters Book Club, not knowing how long the pandemic, or our book club, would last.

More than five years and countless Zoom calls later, we’re still going strong and have read 50 books together! We’ve read everything from award-winning literary fiction to powerful memoirs to page-turning contemporary stories. We’ve had deep, hours-long conversations… and we’ve also had nights where the book barely came up at all. Both have been perfect in their own way.

In honor of our 50 book milestone, here’s the full list of books we’ve read, organized by sub-genre to the best of my ability. I hope this list inspires your book club and helps you discover a new favorite! 

The Plague Sisters Book Club’s Top Pick

Before I get into the list, you might be wondering which of the 50 books resonated most with us. 

Every single one of us can enthusiastically recommend Daniel Mason’s novel North Woods.

It’s a captivating novel about the power of place – in this case a yellow house nestled in an apple orchard – through the many people (and ghosts) who live in it over several centuries. As occupants come and go – from the young Puritan lovers escaping their community who lay the first stone for the house, to the arborist who plants the surrounding apple orchard, his daughters who inherit the land, and a slew of other seemingly disconnected and tragic characters, the house and its surrounding woods endure, silently bearing witness as each character leaves its mark on the house and its history. The novel is a rich, multi-layered story exploring themes of heritage, the American landscape, and the interplay between the supernatural, appearance, and reality. It’s a beautiful testament to the invisible links that connect us through nature and time. 

The Plague Sisters also nominated two runners-up: The Lincoln Highway by Amor Towles and Mouth to Mouth by Antoine Wilson. You’ll find descriptions for these and all 50 books below. Now let’s get into the full list of books!

Literary Fiction

Character-driven novels that explore complex themes and relationships rather than emphasizing plot. These novels may also have rich symbolism, beautiful prose, or experimental structures. You may feel like nothing is really happening while you’re reading them, but they will leave you deep in thought after you close the book.

My Grandmother Asked Me to Tell You She’s Sorry – Fredrik Backman

This international bestseller from a beloved author is a quirky, heartwarming tale of a young girl and her eccentric grandmother whose parting gift is a journey through letters, forgiveness, and the courage to be yourself.

The Vanishing Half – Brit Bennett

Twin sisters grow up inseparable in a small, Southern Black community, but their lives diverge dramatically when one passes as white – exploring identity, family, and the enduring influence of the past. This book was on many “best-of” lists, including the New York Times’ Best Books of 2020 and one of Barack Obama’s favorite books of the year.

Bel Canto – Ann Patchett

When terrorists in an unnamed South American country take a group of international diplomatic guests hostage, music, language, and unlikely connections flourish in the confines of a tense standoff.

The Girl with the Louding Voice – Abi Daré

In this New York Times bestseller and Reese’s Book Club pick, a Nigerian girl fights for her education and independence, determined to be heard in a society that tries to silence her.

A Visit from the Goon Squad – Jennifer Egan

A  time-hopping Pulitzer Prize-winning novel that uses interconnected stories to explore music, ambition, and the enduring influence of time.

All Fours – Miranda July

A highly provocative and offbeat exploration of midlife desire, creative stagnation, and self-reinvention. This one generated a LOT of discussion in our book club!

Demon Copperhead – Barbara Kingsolver **ONE OF MY TOP PICKS**

A Pulitzer Prize-winning modern reimagining of David Copperfield, following a boy’s fight to survive poverty, addiction, and neglect in Appalachia.

LA Weather – María Amparo Escandón

A wealthy Mexican-American family navigates secrets, infidelity, and climate catastrophe in a witty, drama-filled year in Los Angeles.

I Am Not Your Perfect Mexican Daughter – Erika Sánchez

A teen grapples with grief, identity, and her family’s expectations after the sudden death of her seemingly perfect sister.

The Coin – Yasmin Zaher

A wealthy Palestinian woman obsessed with cleanliness navigates displacement, inheritance, and identity as she pursues a new life in New York City in this unique and thought-provoking debut novel.

Drive Your Plow Over the Bones of the Dead – Olga Tokarczuk

In this Nobel prize winner, a reclusive woman in rural Poland investigates a string of mysterious deaths, blending murder mystery with astrological study and philosophical musings.

Three Days in June – Anne Tyler

A socially awkward mother of the bride navigates the emotionally challenging and nostalgic days before and after her daughter’s wedding in this slim novella.

Mouth to Mouth – Antoine Wilson

A chance airport encounter prompts a man to tell a mesmerizing, morally ambiguous story about debt, ambition, and manipulation.

Contemporary Fiction

Accessible, character-driven novels set in the present day, often centered on relatable topics like love, friendship, relationships, or self-discovery. These novels are perfect for book clubs wanting both depth and entertainment.

The Three Lives of Cate Kay – Kate Fagan

In this Reese’s Book Club pick, a reclusive, best-selling author hiding behind multiple identities decides to come clean about her past in a memoir with contributing chapters from various people in her life.

The Wedding People – Alison Espach

In this highly anticipated novel, an unhappy woman arrives at a hotel for a personal crisis and finds unexpected connections with the bride and others at the lavish wedding, leading to self-discovery and new friendships.

This Bird Has Flown – Susanna Hoffs

A romantic comedy written by former Bangles front woman Susanna Hoffs about a one-hit wonder singer who finds love and a potential career comeback after meeting a charming Oxford professor on a flight to London.

Less – Andrew Sean Greer

A charming and funny Pulitzer Prize winner that follows failed novelist Arthur Less on a journey of self-discovery as he travels around the world to avoid his ex-boyfriend’s wedding.

Historical Fiction

Immersive stories set in the past, bringing historical moments, figures, and eras to life. These books often combine rich period detail with compelling characters, offering both transportive storytelling and thought-provoking themes.

Paradise – Abdulrazak Gurnah

A coming of age story about a young boy in East Africa who gets sold into indentured servitude and experiences firsthand the impact of European colonialism in the early 20th century.

The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo – Taylor Jenkins Reid

In this bestseller from one of my favorite authors, Hollywood icon Evelyn Hugo reveals the truth about her glamorous and tumultuous life, including her seven marriages, to a young, unknown journalist.

The Night Watchman – Louise Erdrich **ONE OF MY TOP PICKS**

A night watchman for a jewel-bearing plant fights to protect his Native American tribe from the threat of federal termination policies in 1950s North Dakota. Erdrich is a well-known chronicler of Native American stories and The Night Watchman is based on her grandfather’s story.

James – Percival Everett **ONE OF MY TOP PICKS**

This reinterpretation of Adventures of Huckleberry Finn from the perspective of Jim, Huck’s enslaved companion, examines themes of freedom, identity, and power. We paired our reading of James with rereading Adventures of Huckleberry Finn for a deeper exploration of Percival Everett’s Pulitzer Prize-winning novel.

The Heaven and Earth Grocery Store – James McBride **ONE OF MY TOP PICKS**

Another Barack Obama favorite and New York Times bestseller, The Heaven and Earth Grocery Store is a a charming, character-rich novel about community and resilience set amongst the Black and Jewish residents in the Chicken Hill neighborhood of Pottstown, Pennsylvania in the early 20th century.

North Woods – Daniel Mason **ONE OF MY TOP PICKS**

A captivating novel about the power of place – in this case a yellow house nestled in an apple orchard – through the many people (and ghosts) who live in it over several centuries. We absolutely loved this book and its exploration of the invisible links that connect people through nature and time.

Great Circle – Maggie Shipstead

A dual timeline story featuring a brave and spunky 20th century female pilot who dreams of circumnavigating the globe and the troubled, present day actress cast to play her in a biopic.

Gilead – Marilynne Robinson

A Pulitzer Prize-winning luminous, meditative letter from an elderly pastor to his young son, reflecting on faith, family, and grace.

The Magician – Colm Tóibín

A fictional portrait of novelist Thomas Mann, exploring his personal life and artistic genius against the backdrop of the political tumult of the 20th century.

The Lincoln Highway – Amor Towles

In 1950s America, a young man just released from a work farm sets out on a road trip with some unexpected companions in this bestselling novel by one of my favorite authors.

Rules of Civility – Amor Towles **ONE OF MY TOP PICKS**

Yes, another Amor Towles novel. Rules of Civility is a glittering portrait of 1930s New York society, following a young woman’s transformation after a chance encounter. I’ve read this bestseller twice and loved it both times.

The Whalebone Theatre – Joanna Quinn

A crumbling English country estate becomes a stage for childhood imagination, wartime espionage, and lifelong bonds.

The Personal Librarian – Heather Terrell & Victoria Christopher Murray

This Good Morning America book club pick is a popular fictionalized account of the true story of Belle da Costa Greene, J.P. Morgan’s personal librarian who hid her Black identity to move in elite circles.

The Song of Achilles – Madeline Miller

This bestselling novel is a retelling of the Trojan War, with a special focus on the relationship between Achilles and Patroclus, exploring love, fate, and glory.

Mystery & Thriller

Page-turners filled with suspense, twists and turns, and psychological puzzles. From intricate investigations to a mounting sense of danger, these books keep readers guessing until the very last page.

The Last Thing He Wanted – Joan Didion

A journalist becomes entangled in her father’s shadowy arms-dealing world, blurring truth and lies.

Casino Royale – Ian Fleming

The first James Bond novel, where Bond must bankrupt a Soviet agent in a high-stakes game of baccarat.

The Silent Patient – Alex Michaelides

A famous painter stops speaking after murdering her husband, until a psychotherapist is determined to unravel her silence. This record-breaking debut thriller spent over a year on the New York Times bestseller list.

A Most Agreeable Murder – Julia Seales

A fun and witty Regency-era whodunit where social etiquette meets suspicious deaths.

Velvet Was the Night – Silvia Moreno-Garcia

Set in 1970s Mexico, a noir mystery of a missing woman, political unrest, and obsession.

Speculative Fiction & Sci-Fi 

Stories that stretch the boundaries of reality, whether through futuristic science, alternate worlds, or imaginative “what if” scenarios. These novels mix inventive premises with strong character arcs, sparking curiosity and big conversations.

Cloud Cuckoo Land – Anthony Doerr **ONE OF MY TOP PICKS**

A centuries-spanning tale from the Pulitzer Prize-winning author of All the Light We Cannot See linking five characters through a single ancient text that survives against all odds.

The Ministry of Time – Kaliane Bradley

A quirky time-travel romance on many “best-of” lists where an anthropologist escorts a Victorian polar explorer into the 21st century.

Project Hail Mary – Andy Weir

A lone astronaut must save Earth and an alien civilization armed only with ingenuity and an unexpected friendship. This is a good one to read before the movie starring Ryan Gosling comes out in 2026!

Sourdough – Robin Sloan

A San Francisco tech worker inherits a mysterious sourdough starter that leads to a secretive underground food scene in this quirky and entertaining bestseller.

Magical Realism

Real-world settings in the past or present, infused with surreal elements treated as part of everyday life. These stories use magical touches to illuminate emotional truths and deepen the impact of the characters’ journeys.

The Water Dancer – Ta-Nehisi Coates

A young enslaved man discovers a mysterious power that could lead him and others to freedom in this Oprah’s Book Club selection.

The Midnight Library – Matt Haig

In this international bestseller, a woman between life and death explores infinite alternate lives to see what could have been.

Classics

​​Enduring works that have stood the test of time. These novels remain relevant for their memorable characters, timeless themes, and lasting influence on literature.

A Christmas Carol – Charles Dickens

Ebenezer Scrooge is visited by three spirits who teach him the value of kindness and redemption. This was a fun one to read around the holiday season.

Adventures of Huckleberry Finn – Mark Twain

In this controversial classic of American literature, a boy and a runaway slave journey down the Mississippi River, confronting moral dilemmas and societal hypocrisy. This is on our list because we paired it with James, Percival Everett’s retelling of Huck’s story, in order to get a deeper interpretation of Everett’s work.

Nonfiction & Memoir

True stories told with the narrative drive of a novel. These books blend fact and personal experience with vivid storytelling, making real lives and historical events as compelling as fiction.

The Boys in the Boat – Daniel James Brown

The true story of the University of Washington’s underdog rowing team, their quest for Olympic gold at the 1936 Berlin games, and the hardships they overcame during the Great Depression. The movie is also quite good and would be fun to watch with your book club after reading the book.

Know My Name – Chanel Miller **ONE OF MY TOP PICKS**

A powerful and courageous New York Times bestselling memoir of survival, identity, and reclaiming one’s story after a high-profile sexual assault case.

The Library Book – Susan Orlean

A fascinating blend of history, true crime, and personal reflection centered on the 1986 Los Angeles Public Library fire.

The Yellow House – Sarah M. Broom

A National Book Award winning memoir chronicling the writer’s memories of her childhood New Orleans home and displacement after Hurricane Katrina.

Solito – Javier Zamora

A poet’s gripping account of his harrowing journey from El Salvador to the United States as an unaccompanied nine year old migrant.

Self Help

Books that inspire reflection, growth, and change, offering personal stories, practical advice, or a mix of both. These are ideal for sparking deep conversation and reflection among friends about our struggles and goals.

Untamed – Glennon Doyle

A highly popular memoir and manifesto urging women to trust themselves, break free from expectations, and live authentically that did not resonate with anyone in our book club. We are clearly in the minority with this opinion!

Reaching 50 books together feels like such a milestone, and looking back at this list reminds me of all the conversations, laughter, and debates along the way. I hope it gives you some ideas for your own reading and maybe even inspires a book club of your own. If you’ve read any of these books or have a can’t-miss recommendation, let me know in the comments!