Read with Jenna Book Club List 2023
The Read with Jenna Book Club List 2023 is a complete list of Jenna Bush Hager’s book picks for 2023. I wanted to make this list to see how the book choices change and evolve from year to year. I have been a fan of Jenna’s for a long time, but sometimes I get confused about which book came out when. To keep it straight, I wanted to divide the full list up by year and give reviews for the books that Jackie and I have read.
Jackie and I read a lot of books, especially celebrity book club picks. We want to be able to ensure that we are reading the best books so we can give you the best recommendations. Sometimes picking your next book can be hard, and I hope this list helps. Have a look through this list of Read with Jenna book club picks for 2023. If you are looking for The Complete Read with Jenna Book Club List, I have that list too.
The Best Read with Jenna Book Club Books 2023
Each colorful block below represents the best book in a subgenre. Click on the arrow to reveal my “best” pick for the Read with Jenna Book Club List 2023.
1.
Maame by Jessica George
2.
Chain Gang All-Stars by Nana Kwame Adjei-Brenyah
3.
The Celebrants by Steven Rowley
*Post contains affiliate links. Purchases made through links result in a small commission to us at no cost to you. Some books have been gifted. All opinions are our own.
Read with Jenna Book Club List 2023
Sam
Author: Allegra Goodman
Year: 2023
Genre: Contemporary Fiction
More info: January 2023 Read with Jenna Book Club Pick
Age Range: 18+
Plot
This is the coming-of-age story of Sam, from 7 years old until about 19 as she navigates life where she doesn’t quite fit in with her peers. She lives with her mom and younger brother, while her dad flits in and out of her life depending on if his addiction is under control.
As she grows up, Sam falls into rock climbing, scaling buildings and walls, sometimes competing on teams, and always trying to find her place in the world.
Why Kirsten likes it
As a mom, it was so interesting to see the world through Sam’s eyes. I sympathized with her struggles but also wanted to get in there and mom her myself! I did find the closure I wanted for her at the end of the book and I was proud of her as if she was someone I actually knew!
Find this book in: Coming-of-age Books for Adults / Read with Jenna Book Club List 2023
Maame
Author: Jessica George
Year: 2023
Genre: Literary Fiction
More info: February 2023 Read with Jenna Book Club Pick
Age Range: 16+
Plot
This story about Maddie, known as Maame to her family, was immersive and beautifully complex. Dealing with friendships, racism, familial obligations, and then grief, this story swept me away. Maddie lives in London as the primary caretaker of her father who has Parkinson’s. Her mother spends most of her time in Ghana.
Trigger Warnings
Death of parent, Grief, Mental illness
Why Kirsten loves it
I felt fiercely protective of Maddie while reading this book. There were times I wanted to swoop in to relieve some of the burdens of this wonderful character with a heart of gold. But it was more rewarding to see Maddie finding her inner strength and learning to prioritize herself and her dreams. I can’t recommend this coming-of-age book about grief enough – especially as a book for book clubs.
Find this book in: Best Books of 2023 / Best Coming-of-age Books for Adults / Novels about Africa / Beach Reads 2023 / Fiction Books about Grief / Best Books for Book Clubs to Read / Best Read With Jenna Books / Read with Jenna Book Club List 2023
Black Candle Women
Author: Diane Marie Brown
Genre: Fantasy
Year: 2023
More info: March 2023 Read with Jenna Book Club Pick
Plot
For generations, Augusta, Victoria, and Willow Montrose, have lived in a bungalow in California, keeping to themselves. When 17-year-old Nickie brings home a boy, their quiet existance is shattered because they have been keeping a secret from Nickie – a decades long curse dooming anyone they fall in love with to die.
Camp Zero
Author: Michelle Min Sterling
Genre: Sci-fi
Year: 2023
More info: April 2023 Read with Jenna Book Club Pick
Plot
This near-future dystopian novel is about a new building project in the northern part of Canada designed to be a new beginning of life. She agrees to go into the camp as a spy in order to gain a place to live for herself and her mother after she’s been displaced by climate change.
Chain-Gang All-Stars
Author: Nana Kwame Adjei-Brenyah
Year: 2023
Genre: Sci-fi
More info: May 2023 Read with Jenna Book Club Pick
Age Range: 18+
Plot
This book was a doozy in the most thought-provoking way. The story is about the stars of Chain-Gang All-Stars, the reality tv show that pits prisoners against each other in gladiator-type fights to the death.
Thurwar and Staxxx are stars of the show, brutally killing anyone they come up against, but as Thurwar gets ready to win her freedom after 3 years on TV, the creators of the show throw many hurdles in her path.
Trigger Warnings
Violence
Why Kirsten loves it
This searing look at racism and classism feels highly relevant to today’s world, when a show like this could easily exist in some states. The reality TV book was so unique. Even days later, I can’t stop thinking about the all-stars, the protesters fighting for their rights, and the stunning conclusion.
Find this book in: Dystopian Novels / Best Read With Jenna Books / Reality TV Novels / Read with Jenna Book Club List 2023
The Celebrants
Author: Steven Rowley
Year: 2023
Genre: Contemporary Fiction
More info: June 2023 Read With Jenna Book Club Pick
Age Range: 16+
Plot
This is a story of friendship that has lasted decades, cemented in stone when one of their best friends died by suicide shortly before college graduation. Never wanting to face the loss of each other or doubts of how much they mean to one another happen again, the friends make a pact: a living funeral, to see how long they will be missed.
Trigger Warnings
Suicide
Why Kirsten loves it
Steven Rowley writes with wit and humor as we see the lowest point in each character’s life when the previous funerals are reflected on. But he really shines, in the final chapters when these friends help Jordan and his partner grieve. It’s a lovely book about grief and friendship.
Find this book in: Fiction With a Funeral / June 2023 Celebrity Book Club Spoilers / Read with Jenna Book Club List 2023
Banyan Moon
Author: Thao Thai
Year: 2023
Genre: Contemporary Fiction
More info: July 2023 Read With Jenna Book Club Pick
Age Range: 15+
Plot
Minh, Ann’s grandmother, has died leaving her home to Ann and her mother, right during a time when Ann’s life is in upheaval. She just found out her long-term boyfriend is cheating on her and she’s now pregnant with his baby.
Traveling back to Florida to see the Banyan Tree house, Ann also has a chance to reconnect with her estranged mother, Huơng or sever the tie to her roots completely.
Why Kirsten likes it
I loved Ann’s journey to self-discovery and the flashbacks that told Minh’s life story and how she immigrated from Vietnam. My only caveat is that the ending wasn’t all I wanted it to be. It was good but left time wanting more from this family sage.
Find this book in: Read with Jenna 2024 / Family Sagas / Read with Jenna Book Club List 2023
Summer Sisters
Author: Judy Blume
Genre: Fiction
Year: 1998
More info: August 2023 Read With Jenna Book Club Pick
Plot
A modern beach classic, Summer Sisters takes a look at female friendship across decades. Vix and Caitlin have been friends since the summer of 1977. Now, decades later, Caitlin is getting married and begging Vix to be in her wedding party. Vix wants to join her if only to figure out what caused their friendship to fade.
Amazing Grace Adams
Author: Fran Littlewood
Year:2023
Genre: Contemporary Fiction
More info: September 2023 Read with Jenna Book Club Pick
Age Range: 15+
Plot
The premise of this book is so fascinating – a perimenopausal woman, is going through an epic midlife crisis and we get to see flashbacks of the previous months as she tries to win back her daughter on her 16th birthday – leaving chaos in her wake.
Trigger Warnings
Child Death
Why Kirsten LIkes it
I wanted to root for Grace Adams the entire time while reading this book, but I never really liked her! I liked her gumption, her determination to win back her daughter, and the ZERO fucks given about society’s standards, but mostly, I found her to be annoying! I loved the premise, but ultimately this character-driven book fell short because I just didn’t love Grace.
Find this book in: Read with Jenna Book Club List 2023
How to Say Babylon
Author: Safiya Sinclair
Genre: Memoir
Year: 2023
More info: October 2023 Read with Jenna Book Club Pick
Plot
In this stunning memoir, Safiya details her quest for a life outside her father’s control. He’s involved in a strick sect of Rastafari where music and militant combine into a volatile combination. Her stuggles to find her own voice are explored in this gripping work of nonfiction.
The Sun Sets in Singapore
Author: Kehinde Fadipe
Genre: Fiction
Year: 2023
More info: November 2023 Read With Jenna Book Club Pick
Plot
Lawyer Dara is living the expat dream in Singapore with her group of friends. Originally from the UK, she’s now a high-powered lawyer hustling to make partner. Nigerian-born Amaka is living the extravagant life of a banker abroad while Lillian, a former pianist, is now in Singapore with her spouse. But as a stranger infiltrates their group, cracks begin to show in their shiny, high-gloss life.
We Must Not Think of Ourselves
Author: Lauren Grodstein
Year: 2023
Genre: Historical Fiction
More info: December 2023 Read with Jenna Book Club Pick
Age Range:15+
Plot
This incredible novel is based on the true story of the Warsaw Ghetto inhabitants who recorded what life was like for their fellow occupants. Adam, the protagonist, is one of several secret archivists working to capture the truth of life within the ghetto. The story takes us through Adam’s life as he records testimonies from his friends and neighbors, but also gives us an in-depth look at his drive to survive the Nazis.
Trigger Warnings
Genocide, Antisemitism
Why Kirsten loves it
I was deeply moved by the intimate look at what Jews went through during that dark period, but this is a hard one to read in the current climate because it feels a breath away from happening today.
Find this book in: Read with Jenna Book List / Holocaust Reads / Read with Jenna Book Club List 2023
Expert Tip
Jenna Bush Hager has chosen so many great books since she started the book club in 2017, it can be hard to choose your next book. Here are some helpful hints:
- Are you a “Kirsten” or a “Jackie”? Have a look at our reviews of the books to help you choose
- This list includes books that may not be on other lists because we did not love all the books. Have a look at the thoughts section.
- If the description says “why I love it”, it’s a 4 or 5-star book.
- If it says “why I like it”, it’s a 3-star book.
- If it says “thoughts”, it was not a winner for Jackie or me.
- If you love a certain genre, pick a book from that genre as your next read.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best book from the 2023 Read with Jenna Book Club List?
Maame by Jessica George is the best book from the Read with Jenna Book Club list 2023. This book is a literary fiction pick that also made the Beyond the Bookends list of best books of 2023.
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Epilogue
What is your favorite book from the Read with Jenna Book Club of 2023?
