Looking for the best discussion-sparking literary fiction and contemporary fiction book club books for your next read? You’ll love these popular must-read novels, from deeply emotional family sagas to lighter contemporary reads that will make you laugh (and everything in between)!
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Contemporary & Literary Fiction Books Perfect for Book Clubs
I love reading a variety of genres, but sometimes I’m in the mood for something very grounded in the real world.
I think that’s why literary fiction and contemporary fiction are such popular genres for book clubs. We can see ourselves in the characters and the world they inhabit, even if we’re experiencing something new through their eyes.
If you love sinking into the details of literary fiction, or the way contemporary fiction has the ability to mimic modern life, any of the books below would make a fabulous pick for your next book club meeting!
Need more book club ideas? Here are more wonderful, discussion-worthy book club books of 2024, perfect historical fiction novels for book clubs, and funny and feel-good novels perfect for book clubs. Or, try these enchanting book club fantasy novels!
Margo’s Got Money Troubles by Rufi Thorpe
Genre: Literary/Contemporary Fiction
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This humorous story follows a young woman as she grapples with adulthood, becoming a new (single) mother, and keeping herself afloat financially.
At twenty, she’s alone with a baby, doesn’t have a job, and is about to be evicted. Out of desperation, she starts an Only Fans account, and it actually takes off. But will her success last, or is her newfound online fame too good to be true?
Remarkably Bright Creatures by Shelby Van Pelt
Genre: Contemporary Fiction/Magical Realism
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After her husband dies, an elderly woman begins working the night shift at her local aquarium.
There, she befriends a giant Pacific octopus – who, surprisingly, might hold the key to what happened to her son when he vanished thirty years ago.
Meanwhile, in California, a young man feels adrift in his life after getting fired from another job. His girlfriend kicks him out, and he decides it’s time to finally track down the father he never knew.
Real Americans by Rachel Khong
Genre: Literary Fiction/Historical Fiction
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From the award-winning author of Goodbye, Vitamin comes a multi-generational story about fate, identity, family, and choosing your own path.
The story follows a teenage, Chinese-American boy living on an island in Washington state with his single mother. But when he decides to look into the identity of his biological father, he might not be ready for all the questions it uncovers.
Reading this novel for a book club? Here are book club questions for Real Americans to help fuel your discussion, plus a quick recap of the story!
Sandwich by Catherine Newman
Genre: Literary/Contemporary Fiction
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Every year, Rocky’s family escapes to Cape Cod for a summer vacation full of sun, delicious food, and unexpected messes.
This year, Rocky grapples with menopause and being “sandwiched” between her aging parents and her growing children.
But something happens that forces Rocky to relive the past – including secrets she has kept from her family.
Tom Lake by Ann Patchett
Genre: Literary Fiction/Romance
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At their family orchard in Michigan (during the summer of 2020), a mother tells her three daughters about her past romance with a famous actor – revealing truths that make them question everything they thought they knew about their mother and themselves.
You can find my Tom Lake book club guide with book club questions here!
Prima Facie by Suzie Miller
Genre: Contemporary Fiction
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This novel is based on the Tony award-winning play of the same name, written by the same author.
It’s about a female criminal defense lawyer who loves the law – until it lets her down after she’s the victim of a terrible assault.
She fights back, determined to get justice in court. But soon, she comes to find that the legal system is not built for victims, and she ends up being the one on trial instead.
Yellowface by R.F. Kuang
Genre: Contemporary/Literary Fiction
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This page-turning, satirical novel is about a struggling writer who decides to steal a manuscript and pass it off as her own.
It brings up themes of cultural appropriation, plagiarism, and the inner-workings of the publishing industry.
Same As It Ever Was by Claire Lombardo
Genre: Literary/Contemporary Fiction
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From the bestselling author of The Most Fun We Ever Had comes a new literary family drama that follows a middle-aged woman as she navigates her marriage, the unexpected messiness of family, and the seduction of the past.
The Rachel Incident by Caroline O’Donoghue
Genre: Contemporary/Literary Fiction
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This humorous story about friendship and love follows the messy relationships that grow – over the course of a year – between a young woman, her male roommate, her married English professor, and the professor’s wife – and a secret that could change everything.
North Woods by Daniel Mason
Genre: Historical/Literary Fiction
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This sweeping story follows one house in the New England woods, and the many lives who inhabit it across centuries.
It’s about memory, fate, the cyclical force of nature, and how we – as humans – interact with our environment.
Hello Beautiful by Ann Napolitano
Genre: Contemporary/Literary Fiction
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This beautiful and heart-wrenching novel follows a man with a tragic childhood and the woman he falls in love with. She and her three younger sisters – all very different – welcome the man into their lives.
But something happens to shatter the sisters’ closeness and loyalty to each other. Will they ever find it again? (From the author of Dear Edward.)
You Are Here by David Nicholls
Genre: Contemporary Fiction/Romance
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Marnie and Michael are two strangers struggling to get by in a world that’s wearing them down.
But when a mutual friend brings them together, they find themselves on an epic walk through England that may be the hopeful beginning of a new friendship – and possibly something more.
Check out these other swoon-worthy romance novels for book clubs!
Maame by Jessica George
Genre: Contemporary Fiction
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When Maddie’s mother returns from Ghana to take over the role of primary caretaker for Maddie’s father, Maddie decides it’s time to move out and start experiencing more of life – including dating.
This poignant novel covers themes spanning from racism, family, culture love, and beyond.
The Mostly True Story of Tanner and Louise by Colleen Oakley
Genre: Contemporary Fiction
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A feisty elderly woman and her aimless 21-year old caretaker – who seem to have nothing in common – take a sudden road trip together, embarking on what may become the biggest adventure of their lives.
This story is filled with quirky humor, healing, and an unlikely friendship that will warm your heart.
I Hope This Finds You Well by Natalie Sue
Genre: Contemporary Fiction/Humor/Romance
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When a woman’s venting about her office mates goes awry, she’s put on probation by her company. But somehow, instead of limiting her email use, she’s given access to the entire office’s private emails and direct messages.
She decides to use this information to save her job, especially when she finds out layoffs are coming. But as she learns more about her coworkers’ complex personal lives, she reconsiders what she wants her own life to look like.
Wellness by Nathan Hill
Genre: Literary/Contemporary Fiction
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Jack and Elizabeth meet in college in the 1990’s, and quickly fall in love. Twenty years later, they’re married with children, trying to navigate the insanity that is adulthood.
Can they come to terms with their disappointments and painful memories in order to continue growing as individuals – and save their marriage?
The Wedding People by Alison Espach
Genre: Contemporary Fiction/Romance
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After years dreaming of traveling to the Cornwall Inn in Newport, Rhode Island, Phoebe Stone arrives – but without her husband. And as it turns out, she’s the only guest that isn’t there for a wedding.
Somehow, she and the bride find themselves confiding in each other. Soon, Phoebe realizes that chance encounters can have a huge effect on the paths our lives take.
This has been getting rave reviews, and will likely be a popular summer read! It would also be a fabulous 2024 book club book.
Publication date: July 30th, 2024
A Love Song for Ricki Wilde by Tia Williams
Genre: Contemporary Fiction/Romance
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If you loved Seven Days In June, you’ll be happy to hear there’s a new novel by Tia Williams coming in February!
Ricki Wilde is the misfit daughter of a rich family in Atlanta. With famous socialites for sisters, she doesn’t feel like she belongs.
She leaves her former life behind to open a flower shop in Harlem, where she meets a dashing stranger who sweeps her off her feet.
Mad Honey by Jodi Picoult
Genre: Contemporary Fiction
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When young love ends in tragedy, one mother – a beekeeper living in a small town – questions if her son is involved, especially given his father’s history. Is her son hiding something from her? Should she protect him, despite her doubt?
There’s more to this story than meets the eye, and you’ll also learn some interesting facts about beekeeping. We read this one in my book club, and it made for a fascinating discussion!
Piglet by Lottie Hazell
Genre: Contemporary/Literary Fiction
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Piglet – a young woman and cookbook editor living in London – is engaged to be married, and happy. But two weeks before the wedding, Kit confesses something to Piglet that sends her spiraling.
Suddenly, she’s ravenous, her complicated relationship with food out of her control.
As her wedding looms closer, Piglet must decide what she will do and what kind of future she wants.
I hope your book club loves these literary and contemporary fiction books! Have you read any of these? Which was your favorite?