The 5 Best Book Club Picks Of 2024 So Far That Will Spark Thoughtful Discussion

Along with being a source of escape, books can provoke new ideas and ways of thinking. In some cases, they may even inspire thoughtful discussions about difficult subjects. For example, Margaret Atwood's "The Handmaid's Tale," originally published in the 1980s, imagines a world where women's rights are severely limited, while "The Hunger Games" gave us a glimpse at the kind of dark dystopian future that could happen in a society driven by greed and an ever-growing divide between classes.

With so many exciting new book releases in 2024, it can be tough to keep track of what's trending and decide what inspiring novel to read next. As much as we appreciate a light summer beach read, sometimes, we want something a bit deeper. So, we decided to make things a little easier. We delved into 2024's picks from three popular book clubs — Reese's Book Club, Oprah's Book Club, and Jenna Bush Hager's Read with Jenna — to bring you the most thought-provoking books that deserve a space on your shelf or e-reader.

Chosen by Oprah's Book Club, Lara Love Hardin's captivating memoir "The Many Lives of Mama Love" tells the inspiring story of how she turned her life around after addiction. Hardin was imprisoned for stealing her neighbours' credit cards to fund her drug addiction. But, while locked up, she practiced self-reflection and worked to improve her life and the lives of her inmates. She also touches on the roadblocks encountered when trying to find work after her release. This book raises questions about the true price of redemption, the weight of living with mistakes, and the impact prison time — and reform — really has on inmates. It also highlights society's treatment of criminals, as well as the true power of forgiveness not only for others, but for ourselves.

In an Instagram video, Winfrey described the non-fiction book as "a really compelling and moving memoir." Plenty of book club members shared how the book touched them in the comments section. "This was the best book I read last year. It's honest, it's raw, and it will always stay with me," one person wrote. "This book was life changing. I was so glad to learn about The Power of Now. This book gave so many of us permission to forgive ourselves and allow ourselves grace," another shared.

In "Redwood Court," DeLana R. A. Dameron tells the story of Mika Tabor, a young girl in the 1990s who learns a series of important life lessons from her family and community. Chosen by Reese's Book Club, it provokes discussion about how we rely so much on our families when we're young, the sacrifices they make that we may never see, and what being part of a family really means. "It's all about home and a sense of belonging," Reese Witherspoon summarized in a Reese's Book Club Instagram video.

The novel clearly resonated with Reese's Book Club members. One fan pointed out how the book instigated a discussion about the way perceptions of important topics can change over time. "[Mika] was born in a time where racism was very prominent, but I feel like she was a little blissfully ignorant to how dangerous racism used to be?" they wrote in the comments on Reese's Book Club's video. "She was just innocent and trying to understand the world around her." In a Goodreads review, another reader shared that it made them think about heritage. "There's an underlying theme of genealogy — of not being able to trace back generations like white people take for granted. It was this theme that consistently hit home for me," the shared.

Rachel Khong tackles important questions on "Real Americans." Chosen by Read With Jenna, this book follows Floridian Lily Chen, who moves to New York and meets a man named Matthew. The two have led totally different lives. Lily is from a poor immigrant family, while Matthew grew up as a trust fund child. They have a whirlwind romance and Lily finds herself pregnant, but she moves away to raise their son, Nick, alone, determined not to tell him about his father. "Really, it's a story of family and what we carry, what we pass down. Secrets, and how they can divide us and then bring us back together again," Jenna Bush-Hager explained in an Instagram video.

Does Matthew really deserve what he has? And can he be blamed for growing up wealthy? Is Nick better off not knowing who his dad is, or does Lily owe the truth to her child? The book also tackles a series of other thought-provoking topics, including the challenges of mixed race relationships and the expectations parents set upon their children. Jenna's Book Club members clearly loved the recommendation. "It's a great book! So thought provoking!" one person commented on Read with Jenna's Instagram video.

In the Young Adult non-fiction "Twelfth Knight," one of Reese's Book Club picks, Alexene Farol Follmuth tells Viola Reyes' story. The young girl doesn't feel accepted at school and escapes via an online game world. But, believing she wouldn't be treated fairly if the online community knew the real her, she adopts a male alter-ego. She comes across the most popular guy in school in the game, and begins to realize they have a lot in common. But her secret identity means he has no idea who he's bonding with. This thought-provoking book sheds light on issues relating to self-confidence and acceptance. Viola's online persona holds a mirror to how many of us feel the need to appear different to be accepted, particularly on social media. There's also an important lesson to be learned when Viola only finds a connection while being true to herself. Is it really okay to lie about who you are to protect yourself?

On Reese's Book Club's Instagram, parents shared how the read inspired discussions with their children. "I loved this book. I read it at the same time as our teenager. It was such a fun read and fun talking points with the kiddo," one reader commented. This recommendation is just one of many romantic reads shared by Reese's Book Club.

Another pick from Read With Jenna, "Good Material" by Dolly Alderton details Andy and Jen's breakup and the aftermath from both perspectives. As Jenna Bush-Hager put it in an Instagram video, "It's the unwinding of a love story." Andy in particular struggles post-split, as he finds himself moving in with a friend — even though he thought his life would look very different at 35. Not only does this novel provoke discussion about how breakups can be perceived so differently, but it also deals with the pressures we put on ourselves. Is there really a life timeline we should be following? If we haven't achieved our goals by 35, does that mean we've failed? The novel also touches on a few other societal issues, including the role social media plays in mental health, as Andy struggles being so connected to everyone and everything.

A number of readers praised Anderton's ability to tell such a deep story but still make us root for both characters. "Dolly manages to take the reader through the mania, the bargaining, and the desperation of searching for control in a situation that you did not choose to be in, and she does it without making us hate the woman who has caused the breakup," one Goodreads reviewer explained.

To make it onto our list, a book had to selected as one of Reese Witherspoon's Reese's Book Club, Oprah Winfrey's Oprah's Book Club, or Jenna Bush-Hager's Read With Jenna picks in 2024, though the book itself did not have to be written in 2024. When curating our list, we considered both fiction and non-fictions books that reviewers claimed raised questions about important societal topics such as racism, privilege, and prison reform. We also consulted social media like TikTok, X, Reddit, and Instagram for reader discourse to confirm that the books explored heavier themes and inspired thoughtful discussion.