Jenna Bush Hager from the Today Show makes monthly selections for a nationwide book club! For more information on her book club, click here.
The Bluest Eye by Toni Morrison
Pecola Breedlove, a young Black girl, longs for blue eyes and blond hair, believing beauty will bring acceptance. As her desire intensifies, her life unravels under the weight of racism, rejection, and trauma. In her stunning debut, Toni Morrison explores the destructive pursuit of beauty and the deep impact of race, class, and gender.
White Ivy by Susie Yang
Ivy Lin, a seemingly demure young woman, was taught to steal as a child—skills she uses to chase wealth and status, especially the affection of Gideon Speyer, heir to a powerful family. Years later, as she manipulates her way back into Gideon’s life, a secret from her past threatens to unravel everything. A twist-filled exploration of ambition, identity, and the dark side of the American dream.
Leave the World Behind by Rumaan Alam
Amanda and Clay’s peaceful vacation is upended when an older couple arrives, claiming to own the home and warning of a mysterious blackout in New York. With no access to news or communication, tensions rise as both families grapple with uncertainty, fear, and mistrust. This gripping novel explores what happens when strangers are forced together amid a growing sense of dread and isolation.
Transcendent Kingdom by Yaa Gyasi
Gifty, a neuroscience PhD student, studies addiction and depression in hopes of understanding her family’s pain—her brother’s death from an overdose and her mother’s debilitating grief. As she turns to science for answers, she wrestles with the faith of her childhood and the limits of both belief and reason. Yaa Gyasi’s powerful novel explores the intersections of science, religion, and the immigrant experience with emotional depth and grace.
Here For It or, How to Save Your Soul in America : Essays by R. Eric Thomas
In this witty and heartfelt memoir-in-essays, R. Eric Thomas explores what it means to be an outsider—growing up Black, gay, and Christian in spaces that rarely made room for all three. Through sharp humor and poignant reflection, he recounts his journey of self-discovery, code-switching, and finding joy in a world that often felt alien. A vibrant celebration of identity, resilience, and claiming your place in the story.
The Comeback by Ella Berman
At the height of her career, Grace Turner vanished—leaving Hollywood and a dark secret behind. A year later, she’s back, determined to reclaim her life, even if it means confronting the powerful director who once controlled her. A gripping #MeToo-era novel about reclaiming agency, finding courage, and speaking truth to power.
Friends and Strangers by J. Courtney Sullivan
New mother Elisabeth, adrift in a small town, forms an unexpected friendship with Sam, a college senior she hires as a babysitter. As their bond deepens, class, ambition, and hidden tensions surface—culminating in a betrayal that reshapes both their lives. This sharp, insightful novel explores motherhood, privilege, and the complexities of female friendship.
A Burning by Megha Majumdar
Follows three intertwined lives in contemporary India: Jivan, a poor Muslim girl accused of terrorism after a Facebook comment; PT Sir, a teacher whose political rise depends on her downfall; and Lovely, an outcast with the power to save Jivan—at great personal cost. This riveting debut explores ambition, injustice, and the price of dreams in a society veering toward extremism.
All Adults Here by Emma Straub
A school bus accident triggers memories that lead Astrid Strick to question her parenting and the impact it’s had on her now-grown children. As her family navigates their own struggles—with identity, parenthood, and the past—Astrid searches for the courage to face old mistakes and speak the truth. Emma Straub delivers a warm, wise, and witty portrait of family, forgiveness, and the messy work of growing up—at any age.
Valentine by Elizabeth Wetmore
Set in 1976 West Texas, Valentine begins when a young girl, brutally attacked, appears on a neighbor’s porch—an act that shakes the women of Odessa to their core. As the town’s men chase oil wealth, its women confront the violence, injustice, and silence they’ve long endured. This powerful debut explores race, class, and resilience through the voices of unforgettable women bound by trauma, truth, and quiet courage.
Writers & Lovers by Lily King
Casey Peabody, a struggling artist grappling with loss and a broken heart, fights to hold onto her creative dreams while navigating love and life’s pressures. Set in 1997 Massachusetts, her journey captures the fragile, messy transition from youth to adulthood. Lily King’s novel is a poignant, witty exploration of ambition, heartbreak, and resilience.
The Girl With The Louding Voice by Abi Dare
Adunni, a fourteen-year-old Nigerian girl sold into marriage and then servitude, refuses to be silenced despite the hardships she faces. Amid tragedy and oppression, she fights to claim her voice—for herself and the girls who came before and after her. This powerful story is a testament to resilience, courage, and the power of words.
Dear Edward by Ann Napolitano
Twelve-year-old Edward Adler survives a devastating plane crash that kills his entire family and other passengers. Struggling with loss and identity, Edward embarks on a profound journey to find meaning, purpose, and what it truly means to live beyond survival. This moving story explores grief, resilience, and self-discovery.
List Kitty 
Leave a comment