Reese’s Book Club ’20

The Chicken Sisters by KJ Dell’Antonia

In tiny Merinac, Kansas, a century-long feud between Chicken Mimi’s and Chicken Frannie’s over the best fried chicken embroils three generations of the Moore and Pogociello families. Thirty-five-year-old Amanda Moore, caught between loyalties, invites the reality show Food Wars to settle the score, sparking chaos that threatens to ignite the rivalry further.

A Cuban Girl’s Guide to Tea and Tomorrow by Laura Taylor Namey

Lila Reyes’s perfectly planned future falls apart after a series of heartbreaks, prompting her parents to send her to Winchester, England, for the summer to heal. Struggling to adjust, Lila meets Orion Maxwell, a teashop clerk who helps her rediscover joy through the charms of the English countryside and its quirky community. As she begins to envision a new life, Lila must decide if she’s ready to let go of the plans she once held so tightly.

Group: How One Therapist and a Circle of Strangers Saved My Life by Christie Tate

In this candid and compelling memoir, Christie Tate, a high-achieving but deeply lonely young lawyer, joins a psychotherapy group led by the unconventional Dr. Rosen. Through raw honesty, unexpected connections, and challenging directives, she discovers the power of human connection and begins to heal her long-held wounds. Group offers an intimate, often humorous look at the transformative journey of group therapy and the courage it takes to rebuild yourself.

Fable by Adrienne Young

Seventeen-year-old Fable, abandoned by her powerful trader father on a treacherous island after her mother’s death, survives by trusting no one and honing the skills her mother taught her. Determined to reclaim her place by her father’s side, she enlists the help of a young trader, West, to cross the dangerous Narrows. But as rivalries and secrets surface, Fable must navigate storms, betrayal, and a perilous world to find her family and her place in it.

His Only Wife by Peace Adzo Medie

Afi Tekple, a young seamstress in Ghana, agrees to an arranged marriage with Elikem Ganyo, a wealthy man who doesn’t even attend their wedding. She soon learns he’s in love with another woman and that her role is to win him back for his family’s sake. But as Afi builds a new life in Accra, she discovers her own strength and independence, redefining what it means to choose her own path in a changing world.

Furia by Yamille Saied Mendez

In Rosario, Argentina, Camila Hassan lives a double life: a dutiful daughter at home and La Furia, a fierce soccer talent, on the field. When her team qualifies for a South American tournament, Camila sees a chance to chase her dreams of an athletic scholarship—if she can win her family’s approval and resist distractions, including her rekindled feelings for Diego, now an international soccer star. As challenges mount, Camila must fight for her place in a world that often denies girls like her the chance to dream.

The Last Story of Mina Lee by Nancy Jooyoun Kim

When Margot Lee discovers her mother, Mina, has died under suspicious circumstances, she begins unraveling the secrets of Mina’s life as a Korean War orphan and undocumented immigrant in Los Angeles. As Margot digs into the past, she uncovers Mina’s struggles, sacrifices, and a love story that shaped their lives and led to the night of her death. Interwoven with Margot’s search is Mina’s poignant journey of hope and resilience in pursuit of the American dream.

You Should See Me in a Crown by Leah Johnson

Liz Lighty dreams of escaping her small, prom-obsessed Indiana town to attend Pennington College and become a doctor, but when her financial aid falls through, she reluctantly enters the race for prom queen to win a scholarship. Navigating social media drama, fierce competition, and her fear of the spotlight, Liz finds an unexpected ally—and potential romance—in Mack, the new girl and a fellow queen contender. Now Liz must decide if pursuing her dreams means risking her heart.

Everything Inside by Edwidge Danticat

A poignant collection of eight stories exploring love, family, and community in locales from Miami to Port-au-Prince. These emotionally rich tales delve into moments of connection and loss: wounded friends find unexpected romance, a marriage ends with lasting consequences, and lovers reunite after profound tragedy. With sharp insight and humanity, the collection captures the complexities of the human heart.

I’m Still Here by Austin Channing Brown

A powerful memoir of growing up Black, Christian, and female in majority-white spaces, beginning with the revelation that her parents gave her a “white-sounding” name to combat racial bias. She recounts her journey to embracing her Blackness while navigating systemic racism in schools, churches, and workplaces. Through vivid storytelling, Brown challenges readers to confront apathy, reevaluate diversity efforts, and recognize the transformative power of Blackness in the fight for racial justice.

The Guest List by Lucy Foley

At a luxurious wedding on a remote Irish island, a glamorous celebration turns deadly when a guest is found murdered. Amidst the picturesque setting and the perfect details, simmering tensions, old resentments, and hidden motives surface as the bride, groom, and their guests unravel in the wake of a shocking crime. In this atmospheric thriller, secrets are revealed, and the question becomes: who among them would kill to stop the wedding?

The Henna Artist by Alka Joshi

Seventeen-year-old Lakshmi escapes an abusive marriage and builds a new life in Jaipur, becoming the most sought-after henna artist and confidante to the city’s elite women. As she navigates her growing success and the delicate balance of keeping her own secrets, her world is shaken when her estranged husband reappears with a young sister Lakshmi never knew she had. Amidst personal and social challenges, Lakshmi strives to maintain her independence while empowering those around her.

Untamed by Glennon Doyle

Glennon Doyle shares her powerful journey of self-discovery, learning that being a responsible mother means showing her children how to truly live, not sacrifice herself. Through navigating divorce, blending families, and embracing her own brokenness, she reveals the importance of trusting ourselves, setting boundaries, and embracing our full, authentic selves. With raw honesty and passion, Doyle offers a call to women to reclaim their power and say, “There She Is.”

The Jetsetters by Amanda Eyre Ward

Seventy-year-old Charlotte Perkins enters a “Become a Jetsetter” contest, hoping to reunite her estranged children—Lee, a nearly-famous actress; Cord, a bachelor venture capitalist; and Regan, a frazzled mom—on a luxury Mediterranean cruise. As the family embarks on a ten-day journey through Athens, Rome, and Barcelona, old wounds resurface, and long-hidden secrets come to light. Amidst the revelations, they must confront the choices that shaped their lives and decide if they can reconnect and find peace in their fractured family.

The Scent Keeper by Erica Bauermeister

Follows Emmeline, who grows up on a remote island with her father, learning about the natural world through her senses. As she matures, her curiosity about the mysterious scents stored in their cabin deepens, leading her on a journey of self-discovery when she is unexpectedly thrust into the complexities of the outside world. A moving coming-of-age story, the novel explores how scents can unlock hidden truths and shape our identities, love, and relationships.

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