6 Of The Best Modern Classics To Pick For Your Next Book Club Read

When it comes to book club, it's never just about picking a good book. In addition to considering the critical mistakes to avoid, you also want to pick a book that lingers on your readers' minds. You want the work to spark debate and challenge the perspectives of your readers. A good book club read will make your reader reflect, question, and see their world just a little differently than before.

Modern classics do just that, for readers of almost all age groups. Although these are not considered true classic novels, as they were written in the 20th or 21st century, modern classics are in their own league. Despite being written close to or during our time, these works have already proven their presence is more than worthy and that they will continue to captivate readers of all generations for years to come.

With themes and characters that resonate with today's readers, modern classics have solidified their status in the world of literature. So, let's dive into some compelling modern classic books we know your readers will love at your next book club meeting.

A Pulitzer Prize finalist in 1999, "The Poisonwood Bible" is regarded as a modern classic by many and remains a foundational book in many AP and IB literature courses. In this 500-page novel, Barbara Kingsolver explores the tragic consequences of colonialism and cultural clashes through a multi-perspective story told by the women of a missionary family in the Belgian Congo.

In 1959, Nathan, a devout Baptist, leads his family on a mission trip to a remote village in Africa. When Nathan refuses to adapt to the Congolese culture and change his rigid ways and extreme beliefs, tensions start to arise within his family, and also with the people living in the village. 

Not only does the family struggle internally with their faith and relationships, but they also meet with hardships due to the rising political tensions within the country. Will the family be able to overcome these tribulations? Or, will they change the group forever?

"A Thousand Splendid Suns," by Khaled Hosseini sold more than 1 million copies within the first week of its release and held the number one spot on the New York Times' bestseller list for four straight weeks after publication. In this critically acclaimed novel, Hosseini delves into the lives of two Afghan women who come together under extraordinary circumstances amidst the most turbulent years of political turmoil in their country.

Mariam, an illegitimate child, is 15 years old when she is sent off by her family to marry a troubled and abusive man 30 years her senior, Rasheed. Nearly two decades later, as political unrest intensifies, teenager Laila is met with the same fate and join's Mariam's family as Rasheed's new bride. 

Over the years, the two develop an unbreakable bond, almost like mother and daughter. Years later, the Taliban seizes control over their country and they face the most perilous times together. Their bond will show you that love is the only force strong enough to overcome the most daunting events that life may bring.

The winner of the 2015 Pulitzer Prize for Fiction and the Andrew Carnegie Medal for Excellence in Fiction, Anthony Doerr's "All the Light We Cannot See" uses lyrical prose and sensory detail to explore thought-provoking themes of human connection, the devastation of war and loss, and survival. The book was loved by so many that it was adapted into a Netflix series directed by Shawn Levy. Unfortunately, fans said the Netflix series did not live up to their expectations and the book is a much better option.

The story follows Marie-Laure, a blind girl who flees Paris for Saint-Malo with her father during the Nazi occupation. With her is a priceless and dangerous artifact from the Museum of Natural History, where her father worked. Years pass and Marie-Laure and her father are still living in hiding with her uncle in Saint-Malo. Marie-Laure and her uncle communicate with the outside world through a broadcast. 

Her path eventually crosses that of a teenage boy, Werner, who is a Nazi soldier skilled with radios. Utilizing his specialized skill, he is tasked with finding members of the resistance. He comes across Marie-Laure's voice and is drawn to her. One day, he hears her cry for help over the radio and comes to her rescue. Their unexpected connection amidst war's devastation portrays the resilience of humanity and the impact of love and hope in the darkest times.

"One Hundred Years of Solitude," by Gabriel Garcia Marquez won the Nobel Prize in Literature in 1982. Published in 1967, the book is often said to be one of the most influential novels of our time, and continues to be reprinted and sought out by many as a must-read. In the modern classic, Marquez explores a family's rise and fall, while also delving into powerful themes like fate, the power of time, and love.

"One Hundred Years of Solitude" is a multi-generational story that tells the tale of the rise and fall of a fictional town, Macondo, founded by the patriarch of the Buendía family, José Arcadio Buendía. Ever since its founding, strange and extraordinary events have happened in Macondo. With each passing generation, the lives of the Buendía family eerily mirror the state of their town. 

As they become trapped in cyclical patterns of solitude, history continues to repeat itself. Through Marquez's use of magical realism, readers will be kept on the edge of their seats until the very last page, yearning to discover the fate of the Buendía family.

Published in 1942, Albert Camus' "The Stranger" is widely regarded as one of the masterpieces of 20th century literature. Although he was often described as an existentialist, Camus rejected the label. In "The Stranger," he does an excellent job of weaving a compelling narrative that makes the reader want to keep flipping pages. At the same time, he provides profound philosophical insights that will leave readers in deep thought. This book makes a lasting impression on the reader long after they've read the final page. 

The story is set in 1940s Algiers, and follows an ordinary yet strange man named Meursault, a settler in French Algeria. Meursault often disassociates from reality and is emotionally indifferent. He is hardly ever affected by the events that happen around him and is unusually apathetic, even when his own mother passes away. 

Then one day, Meursault is involved in the senseless murder of an Arab man, which results in grave consequences. Through the experiences of Meursault, Camus explores the absurdity of life and the search for purpose and meaning.

Japanese-British author Kazuo Ishiguro was ranked as one of the 50 Greatest British Writers (since 1945) by The Times in 2008. His most famous novel, "The Remains of the Day," won him the Booker Prize in 1989. Ishiguro's "Never Let Me Go" is another masterpiece that takes place in a dystopian version of England. It was loved by so many that it was the second of his books to get a film adaptation. The novel explores the meaning of being human, fate and free will, and the ethics of science.

The story follows Kathy, Ruth, and Tommy, three friends in England. Kathy tells the story of their lives, starting from their days in an elite boarding school together, Hailsham. At Hailsham, the students are constantly reminded of how special their existence is, and it is at the school where the three friends form deep and complicated relationships with one another. Years pass, and Kathy reconnects with her two friends as adults. Through shared memories, she realizes an unsettling truth about their existence and what it means for their future.

When it comes to recommending modern classics, we curated a list that not only reflects the most widely recognized and influential titles of our time, but also diverse perspectives. We wanted to make sure the recommended works had thought-provoking themes that would engage readers — just like the modern classics that are among Julia Roberts' favorites. We vetted multiple lists and made note of common titles that appeared again and again.

One consideration for this list that didn't make the cut was Franz Kafka's absurdist masterpiece, "The Metamorphosis." But as an avid fan of modern classics, I instead chose a similarly existentialist novel, "The Stranger," which is one of my personal favorites. This is one book I've revisited time and time again since first reading it in 2008. 

Once we had a decent list of commonly named titles, we delved into the world of book and literature subreddits, #BookTok, and Goodreads reviews, where we searched for these titles to see discussions and reviews on them. We blended this insight to put this thoughtfully curated list together for you, and we can say with confidence these titles will spark deep discussions for your book club.