My Head Is Full of Books: Top Book Club Selections of 2025

These are my top ten book clubs selections of 2025.

I am in two book clubs. I asked the ladies in each club for their input and factored them into my list. Good book club choices not only need to be interesting, well-written books but also ones which generate thoughtful discussions. All of these books qualify on those points and I recommend them for your club.

See my reviews of all 2025 book club selections here.

1. James by Percival Everett -- James was my favorite book read in 2024. It was everyone's favorite book that year, topping almost all end-of-the-year lists. When I asked the RHS Ladies what were their top three books of the year, all identified James in their top three, most named it #1. Several said that James was so far above all the other books, it was hard to identify another favorite. It is as if I should put a line underneath James to create separation between it and all the other titles on this list. If you haven't read it, you must! (January, RHS Ladies #1)

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2. Frozen River by Ariel Lawhon -- A gripping historical mystery based on the life a real colonial midwife, Martha Ballard, who defied the legal system and gender mores of the day. This club had read her diary years before so it was fun to be re-introduced to this character from history. (May, RHS Ladies #2)

3. Say Nothing: A True Story of Murder and Memory in Northern Ireland by Patrick Radden Keefe -- The only nonfiction book on this list. Even though the book is long (441 pages) none of the gals complained about it. None of us knew much about the "troubles" in Northern Ireland but now we do. This book will likely make my top ten books of the year, too. My review includes discussion questions. (August, SOTH Gals)

4. How to Read a Book by Monica Wood -- This is a marvelous book about friendship, second-chances, and the life-changing power of stories. It is also a great book for book lovers to read and discuss. This is my sentimental favorite on the list. Just rereading my own review made me smile. (June, RHS Ladies #3)

5. Moloka'i by Alan Brennert -- This is possibly the perfect book club selection. Why? Well, first there was a ton of topics to discuss: colonialism; the Hawaiian monarchy; Hawaiian culture--which included religion, food, and words; the evolution of leprosy treatment; cultural and familial reactions to leprosy; Moloka'i; historical events like the invention of airplanes and WWII; childbirth and adoption; missionaries and the Catholic Church; friendship and family. I read this book in 2021 in one books club and this year with the other. It was popular with both clubs. (April, SOTH Gals #2)

6. Sandwich by Catherine Newman -- This book was suggested by a member because she felt like we would all be able to relate to it. We are all in a sandwich between our aging parents and our adult children who are launching into their own lives. Plus, she said, the book is funny. We did have a lot of fun with this one. (February, RHS Ladies)

7. The Book of Lost Names by Kristin Harmel -- Set in France during WWII, a surprisingly fresh new story about resistance efforts which involved creating documents so Jewish children could escape Germans who were hunting them. (June, SOTH Gals #1)

8. Martyr! by Kaveh Akbar -- This is a cilantro book, either you will love it or hate it. I loved it. No one else in club did. But we actually had a fantastic discussion because of its many themes: addiction, grief, fatih, LGBTQ issues, the meaning of life. I included some discussion questions on my review. Check them out before you decide to select it or not. (April, RHS Ladies)

9. Three Days in June by Anne Tyler -- Looking for a short novella your members can read in a few days? Three Days in June is that book. A sweet story about love and family, and acceptance. I was charmed by this book. (October, RHS Ladies)

10. The Personal Librarian by Benedict and Murray -- Belle da Costa Greene is hired by J.P. Morgan to curate his collection of rare manuscripts, books, and artwork for his newly built J. Pierpont Morgan Library. But Belle has a secret, one she must protect at all costs. She is "colored," passing as white. Oh boy, did we have a lot to discuss. (September, SOTH Gals #3)

Looking for even more suggestions?

Click links to check my past book club favorites by year: