The best book club books for spring 2026

From the author of The Help comes this moving story of friendship, resilience and strong women. When eleven-year-old Meg Lefleur meets a young woman named Birdie, it seems that someone might finally care about her future. On her own quest, Birdie is determined to remind her socialite sister of her humble roots. But as the Depression worsens, Birdie begins to realise that her sister’s charmed life may have been a facade. Soon the fates of Meg, Birdie and a group of underestimated women converge – but in a town like Oxford, Mississippi, even the smallest acts of defiance can have consequences. 

When Theo arrives in the town of Golden, nobody knows who he is or where he’s from. But soon, Theo starts a project that will enrich the lives of those who live in the town. At the local coffee shop, ninety-two portraits by a local artist hang on the walls. Determined to return the portraits to the people they represent, Theo buys them and returns them to the ‘rightful owners’. With each portrait returned, a friendship is created, highlighting the invisible threads of kindness that can bind a community. 

Since the book’s breakout success, Warner Brothers has secured the rights to a feature film, with rumours that Tom Hanks will play the protagonist. Take this as your sign to read it before the film comes out!

Written as a series of letters, this book reveals the stubborn, opinionated and always writerly life of Sybil Van Antwerp. But as her life nears its end, Sybil decides there are few things she needs to set straight: 1. Fixing her relationship with her children, 2. Giving romance a chance, 3. Atoning for a legal case from her past and, finally, 4. Reckoning with the loss that she has avoided facing for the last thirty years. Heartwarming and witty, this portrait of one woman’s life will become a firm book club favourite.

On a quiet Melbourne lane, an elderly man is found dead by his neighbour, Elise Fitzpatrick. No one suspects any foul play until they discover Elise’s past – and her other name: Mabel Waller. In a world first, at age 81, Mabel finally decides to speak out and set the record straight. Touching on friendship, family and justice, this twisty thriller is perfect for those who prefer a pacy book club read.

From the author of Tom Lake comes this story of two adults reflecting on the moments that shaped them. When Daphne Fuller runs into her former stepfather, Eddie, at the Metropolitan Museum of Art, time falls away. Despite the fateful event that altered the course of both their lives, the two decide they don’t want to be separated again. Beautifully straightforward, this book reminds us that love endures and certain relationships – even if fleeting – can change us forever.

When food blogger Hollis Shaw’s husband is killed in a car accident, she decides to surround herself with her best friends from different stages of her life. The women gather for a weekend away in Nantucket, but it soon becomes clear that it’s not going to be a Hallmark movie . . . Each woman has her own struggles, but sometimes it’s the most imperfect friendships that have the biggest impact. (This book has also recently gotten a series adaptation, which you can stream on BINGE after reading the book!)

Book clubs that enjoy Emily Henry or friends-to-lovers plotlines will love this recently-released title from Carley Fortune. Frankie and George have been best friends forever . . . until their last fight. But after Frankie’s fiancé dumps her on their wedding day, George insists that the two go on the honeymoon to enjoy one week away. One thing is certain: this trip will unearth secrets that will either bring the two together or tear them apart for good.

This multi-award-winning book is a definitive must-read for any book club! With memorable characters, a stunning landscape and page-turning story, trust us when we say it’s unlike anything you’ve read before. Dominic Salt and his three children are the only people who live on Shearwater Island, not far from Antarctica. So when a mysterious woman washes ashore, they’re understandably suspicious. But she doesn’t trust the Salts either – and before long, it’s clear that everyone is hiding something. Tasked with protecting the island’s seed bank from impending storms, the Salts must decide whether the stranger will threaten their mission or help protect these ecological treasures before it’s too late.

Think you know the story of Cinderella? Think again! This retelling from the stepmother’s perspective will give you a whole new POV on this timeless tale. After the death of her second husband, Lady Etheldreda Verity Isolde Termaine Bramely is left solely responsible for her two daughters, her simpering stepdaughter, a falcon and a crumbling manor in the woods. As her stepdaughter’s engagement to the future king unfolds, it soon becomes clear that the royal family is hiding something. Dubbed ‘Bridgerton meets Circe’, this book is ideal for anyone who enjoys a well-written retelling.

What book club doesn’t love a book about book clubs? Set in the 1960s, this story follows Margaret Ryan, who appears to be living the American Dream. So why doesn’t it feel like it’s enough? Intrigued by the suburb’s newest resident, Charlotte, Margaret contrives a book club to get into her orbit. Soon, the two – and several of the other neighbourhood women – are sharing stories, cocktails and questioning whether the dream they’ve been sold is what they actually want.

When a family’s autonomous minivan collides with an oncoming car, killing an elderly couple, it seems like a tragic accident. But each family member harbours a secret that implicates them all. During a weeklong recovery vacation, the family confronts the moral dilemmas triggered by the crash. But the sudden intrusion of tech mogul Daniel Monet heightens suspicion. Is there a darker truth behind the incident? Where does moral responsibility lie in the age of AI?

Taylor Jenkins Reid is likely a name known among your book club. If you enjoyed her bestsellers, The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo and Daisy Jones and The Six, then you’re sure to like Atmosphere. Set against the backdrop of the 1980s space shuttle program, the book follows Joan Goodwin, who is training to be an astronaut at Houston’s Johnson Space Centre. Then, in December of 1984, on mission STS-LR9, everything changes in an instant.

When Tilly Nightengale receives a call telling her there’s a birthday gift from her husband Joe waiting for her at the local bookshop, she’s shocked. Her husband died five months ago . . . so how could it be possible? The gift is simple: twelve carefully-chosen books from Joe to help her cope during her first year without him. And so begins the reading-inspired journey that takes her around the world, discovering who she is now, after Joe.

Another book about books that’s sure to delight readers! When Harriet, Frank and Violet meet at a local Portland bookstore, their lives begin to intertwine in transformative ways. While the three are connected by a tragic drunk-driving accident, together they learn about the decisions that make a life. Profoundly hopeful, witty and full of heart, this touching novel will stick with you long after the last page.

One day, influencer Natalie wakes up in a strange, horrible version of reality. Suddenly, her nannies, producers, and industrial-grade ovens have disappeared – and she instead finds herself in 1850s upstate New York in a less-than-Insta-worthy version of her own farm.  Will she make it back to her usual life? Satirical and darkly funny, this book club pokes fun at the grand performance of womanhood and influencer culture.