The Best Book Club Books of April

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Erica Ezeifedi, an Associate Editor, originally from Nashville, TN, has now made her home in the North East. Apart from being a writer, she has experience as a victim advocate and in public libraries, where she focused on creating safe spaces for queer teens, mentorship, and offering free test prep instruction to students. In her free time, she enjoys searching for her next great read and planning her next snack. You can find her on Twitter at @Erica_Eze_.

For the second consecutive month, I have chosen to revisit the most book club-friendly books released this month. I find that switching to this approach, rather than compiling a list at the beginning of the month, allows me to give some books time to be reviewed before including them. This method is also beneficial if you want to select one of these books for your book club’s next read, as they should all be available by the time this new list is published.

So, make sure to add these books to your collection. The selection includes a new mystery-filled romance by Emily Henry, a historical fiction spanning generations by Morgan Jenkins, nonfiction shedding light on the residential schools Indigenous children were forced to attend, and more.

– “Great Big Beautiful Life” by Emily Henry delivers a unique twist on writers-turned-lovers, featuring Alice Scott and Hayden Anderson competing to write the biography of the elusive Margaret Ives.
– “Zeal” by Morgan Jerkins explores the enduring effects of slavery and the power of love through the story of Harrison and Tirzah set in 1865.
– “Medicine River: A Story of Survival and the Legacy of Indian Boarding Schools” by Mary Annette Pember delves into the deliberate attempt to eradicate First Nations communities and cultures through cultural genocide.
– “The Pretender” by Jo Harkin is a historical fiction filled with intrigue, following John-now-Simnel and Joan as they plot to change the course of England in 1480.
– “When the Tides Held the Moon” by Venessa Vida Kelley presents a queer romance set in 1910s New York City, exploring themes of captivity and sacrifice.
– “The Lilac People” by Milo Todd tells the story of Bertie, a trans man, navigating life in Germany during Hitler’s regime and later in the US.
– “Julie Chan Is Dead” by Liann Zhang is a dark thriller that delves into the world of social media influencers and the consequences of identity theft.
– “Happy Land” by Dolen Perkins-Valdez uncovers the history of Appalachian queens through Nikki’s journey to reclaim her family’s legacy.
– “Searches: Selfhood in the Digital Age” by Vauhini Vara examines the impact of AI-powered technology on communication and self-expression.
– “The Cat Who Saved the Library” by Sosuke Natsukawa follows Nanami and Tiger as they race against time to save books from being destroyed.
– “Murder by Cheesecake: A Golden Girls Cozy Mystery” by Rachel Ekstrom Courage combines elements of mystery, humor, and friendship in a cozy setting with the Golden Girls.

For more book club recommendations and insights, visit the provided links.