The discussion-worthy books I couldn’t stop thinking about this year
If you’ve ever finished a book and immediately thought, I need to talk to someone about this, you’re in the right place. And if you’ve ever wanted deeper conversation around books, but didn’t know where to find it, you’re especially in the right place. This year, I read some truly incredible books. Not just books I enjoyed, but book club books. These are the kind that linger, challenge you, and invite thoughtful discussion. This list includes the stories that made me slow down, reread passages, wrestle with ideas, and then sit across from other women and talk it all out.
Reading alone is good.
Reading together is richer.
*I use affiliate links to share products with you. If you use the link to make a purchase, the cost of the book doesn’t go up for you. However, I will receive a commission and I do appreciate your support.
Below, I’m sharing the books I read this year that were worth discussing. If you’re looking for discussion-worthy books, book club recommendations, or some thoughtful reads to enjoy on your own, I hope this list helps you find your next meaningful read, or even inspires you to start a book club of your own.
The Books That Demand Conversation
These are the books that led to some of the most memorable conversations I’ve had all year.
The Age of Innocence
by Edith Wharton
I read The Age of Innocence while also listening to a podcast series from The Literary Life Podcast, and I learned so much from their analysis. Including insights into Wharton’s language, social critique, and moral tension, which deepened my understanding of the story in a way I wouldn’t have reached on my own. This is a perfect example of how reading, and discussing, a classic alongside others can completely transform the experience.
Don’t miss watching the film adaptation directed by Martin Scorsese. It was one of the best book to film adaptations I have seen.
Why Literature Still Matters
by Jason Baxter
The nonfiction book, Why Literature Still Matters, is a fantastic defense of reading good literature in a world increasingly shaped by speed and efficiency. Baxter’s emphasis on language felt especially important to me this year. One moment that stayed with me was his comparison of two letters written to daughters: one by Mark Zuckerberg, one by W.B Yeats. Both were framed as prayers. One felt sincere and weighty. The other felt rote and filled with platitudes. The contrast was striking, and it led to some fascinating discussion about language, intention, and what reading actually forms in us.
The Picture of Dorian Gray
by Oscar Wilde
This was my second time reading The Picture of Dorian Gray, and I am surprised to say that I enjoyed it even more than the first time. Its exploration of influence, change, beauty, and good versus evil feels just as relevant now as it did when it was written. It’s a book that almost demands discussion, because no one walks away with the exact same ideas.
Silas Marner
by George Eliot
Silas Marner surprised me in the best way. I didn’t expect the fairy-tale elements or the tenderness woven into the story. Eliot’s exploration of isolation, redemption, and unexpected love sparked some really meaningful conversations and made this an unexpectedly perfect book club choice.
Persuasion
by Jane Austen
I read Persuasion in an annotated edition, and I’m fairly certain it added to my enjoyment. (I’m also fairly certain I haven’t truly understood the other Austen novels the way I thought I had—ha!) This quiet, emotionally mature love story led to wonderful discussions about regret, second chances, and the kind of growth that only comes with time.
Till We Have Faces
by C.S. Lewis
I go back to my book club conversation about Till We Have Faces all the time. It completely changed me as a reader. On the recommendation of Father Andrew Lazo, I read it a second time backwards (starting with the summary, then Part Two, then Part One). That approach revealed just how unreliable the narrator is in the beginning and made the character’s transformation impossible to miss. This book taught me that reading itself can be an act of love. It’s a story entirely about love, including its slow work of seeing clearly.
Their Eyes Were Watching God
by Zora Neale Hurston
Reading Their Eyes Were Watching God while also talking with Rae Chesney about her continued study of Hurston made the experience especially meaningful. As someone from Central Florida, the setting and voice felt close to home. This novel led to some of the richest, most layered conversations of the year and reminded me how place, language, and story are deeply connected.
Lila
by Marilynne Robinson
Robinson’s writing is slow, thoughtful, and deeply interior. Lila invited quiet reflection and lingering discussion. I couldn’t help but feel that there’s a little Lila in all of us, as we are searching for belonging, meaning, and love.
Looking for a place to actually talk about books like these?
If you’ve ever finished a story and wished you had someone to sit with and talk it through, especially without rushing, explaining, or defending your taste, that’s exactly what we do inside The Literary Moms’ Book Club.
We read discussion-worthy books, gather in in-person, and create space for thoughtful, honest conversation. There’s no busywork, no pressure, and no need to “keep up” with trends.
The Book Club Books That Keep Showing Up
These are books I return to (or keep recommending to friends) because they offer something new every time they’re read or discussed.
Rebecca
by Daphne du Maurier
Rebecca is a second read for me, and a big surprise for many in our book club. Gothic fiction isn’t necessarily scary, and this novel led to some great conversations about identity.
Peace Like a River
by Leif Enger
Peace Like a River is a beautiful, faith-tinged story that continues to reward careful reading and discussion.
Lonesome Dove
by Larry McMurtry
It took me nine months to read Lonesome Dove, and it felt like being with friends for a very long time. The unlikely friendships and character development made this hefty novel completely worth the commitment.
The Remains of the Day
by Kazuo Ishiguro
After reading The Buried Giant last year, I was struck by how different, and equally beautiful, this novel is. The main character’s quiet wrestling with devotion to work versus presence with family made for thoughtful, honest conversation.
True Grit
by Charles Portis
True Grit was a re-read, and one I highly recommend on audiobook. Donna Tartt’s narration is phenomenal. Short, powerful, and surprisingly discussion-worthy. One of our members summed it up perfectly: “I need to have more grit.”
A Tale of Two Cities
by Charles Dickens
A Tale of Two Cities is my third Dickens novel, and I loved it just as much as the others. His language and thematic depth make this an excellent choice for book club discussion.
The Dutch House
by Ann Patchett
I listened to The Dutch House, narrated by Tom Hanks, and loved its slow, thoughtful pace. A great reminder that quiet books can still lead to rich conversation.
A Room with a View
by E.M. Forster
A Room with a View is wonderful novel, and a great movie. This book led to delightful discussions about freedom and personal growth.
The Rest of the Stack
If you’re building a reading list or looking for more book club books, these are all worth your time:
-
The Correspondent by Virginia Evans
-
The Hound of the Baskervilles by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle
-
All the Light We Cannot See by Anthony Doerr
-
How Far to the Promised Land by Esau McCaulley
-
Tell Me Everything by Elizabeth Strout
-
Ordinary Time: Lessons Learned While Staying Put by Annie B. Jones
-
The Yearling by Marjorie Kinnan Rawlings
-
The Enchanted April by Elizabeth von Arnim
-
Northanger Abbey by Jane Austen
-
Unreasonable Hospitality by Will Guidara
Why Book Club Books Matter
One of the greatest gifts of reading in community is the connections that begin to grow through your conversations. When we approach stories with curiosity instead of conclusions, reading becomes something more than a private hobby. It becomes a shared practice.
If these book club books resonated with you, and if you’re craving deeper conversation, slower reading, and a community that values thoughtful stories, I’d love to invite you into The Literary Moms’ Book Club.
This is a space for women who want to read books worth talking about and gather in a way that feels meaningful and doable in real life. You don’t need to be an expert reader. You don’t need to love what everyone else loves. You just need a desire to read together.
👉 Join us inside The Literary Moms’ Book Club
And if you’ve already read any of the books on this list, I’d love to hear which ones stayed with you. The best conversations often begin long after the last page.
Be sure to check out the Books of the Year Archives for other favorite book club books!
