Read with Jenna Book Club List 2024
The Read with Jenna Book Club List 2024 is a complete list of Jenna Bush Hager’s book picks for 2024. 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 2024. 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 2024
Each colorful block below represents the best book in a subgenre. Click on the arrow to reveal my “best” pick in any category. You’ll also be able to use a page jump to see more books in that section.
1.
All the Colors of the Dark by Chris Whitaker
2.
Wedding People by Alison Espatch
3.
The Blue Sisters by Coco Mellors
*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 2024
The Waters
Author: Bonnie Jo Campbell
Year: 2024
Genre: Literary Fiction
More info: January 2024 Read with Jenna Book Club Pick
Age Range: 15+
Plot
This is a book like Where the Crawdads Sing in the sense that it’s focused on the inhabitants of the swamp lands of a rural community. But “Herself” is an herbalist who has cured local women for generations.
Her daughters though, are each as different from her as from each other. But her granddaughter, Donkey, is more like “Herself” – with her deep understanding of swamp life and the healing power of herbs. But Donkey, like her mother and Aunts before her, also wants a life outside the swamp. And more specifically, she wants a father.
Trigger Warnings
Rape
Why Kirsten likes it
This family saga kept us intrigued with the constant unveiling of secrets, and the swamp was a character of its own. Yet the writing, while beautiful, seemed to drag in places and some of the events were too imaginative to be believed.
Find this book in: Read With Jenna / Read with Jenna Book Club List 2025
Good Material
Author: Dolly Alderton
Year:2023
Genre: Contemporary Fiction
More info: February 2024 Read with Jenna Book Club Pick
Age Range: 15+
Plot
Andy’s girlfriend, Jen, has recently broken up with him and he’s wallowing as he tries to get over her. He needs to get a new place to live and kick his career as a comedian up a notch, but he can’t seem to stop replaying the end of his relationship in his mind. Why did it turn out so wrong?
Trigger Warnings
Alcoholism
Why Kirsten loves it
It was so intriguing to see a break-up from a male perspective and yet I wanted to throttle Andy on numerous occasions. He was just SO whiny. Jen’s perspective is showcased in the last few chapters of the book and it brought so much clarity to the relationship and break-up. I loved the added perspective – it elevated the book.
Find this book in: Read With Jenna / Read with Jenna Book Club List 2024
The House on Mango Street
Author: Sandra Cisneros
Year: 1984
Genre: YA Fiction
Age: 13+
More info: March 2024 Read with Jenna Book Club Pick
Plot
This classic kid’s book is about a Latino neighborhood in Chicago. Widely studied (and banned) across the country, Esperanza Cordero’s coming-of-age story defines a generation.
Within its pages, Esperanza is struggling against stereotypes and the expectations of growing up on Mango Street. While she fights to leave her neighborhood behind, she realizes that she can’t outrun the impact the neighborhood had on shaping her.
Trigger Warnings
Sexual Assault
Why Kirsten loves it
While Jenna recently picked the 25th-anniversary edition for her book club, I have loved this story since I read it in middle school. The way Cisneros writes paints the most vivid picture in my mind.
Find this book in: Coming-of-Age Books for Teens / Read with Jenna / Books with Food in the Title / Best Read With Jenna Books / Read with Jenna Book Club List 2024
The Great Divide
Author: Cristina HenrÃquez
Year: 2024
Genre: Historical Fiction
More info: March 2024 Read with Jenna Book Club Pick
Spice Rating:💋
Age Range: 16+
Plot
Set during the building of the Panama Canal, this story follows several people directly or indirectly affected by the building process. There is Omar, a lonely country boy looking for adventure and connection in the big city whose father is against his decision to work for the evil canal company.
Ada is an immigrant from Barbados who is working in Panama to send money home to her mother and ailing sister whose stories are followed as well. She works for the Oswald family. John Oswald is a white doctor in town to help rid the area of malaria and his wife, Marian, has fallen ill and needs Ada to care for her.
Each of their stories are interwoven over the course of the novel, and readers are also exposed to the social, economical, and environmental impact of the Panama canal on the region.
Trigger Warnings
Racism, Colonization
Why Kirsten likes it
Epic in scale, I learned so much about the impact of the Panama Canal on the world and the people of Panama during this. I had no idea that the canal’s building process resulted in so many deaths and was not well-received by the people of Panama. I had my eyes open to the effects of colonization while reading this story.
That said, I found the story confusing at times, weaving a few too many threads for me to follow. Still, it was a delight even if I might have missed a few things along the way. #gifted by Penguin Random House
Find this book in: Ultimate List of Historical Fiction / Read with Jenna Book Club List 2024 / Books Set in Tropical Locations
The Husbands
Author: Holly Gramazio
Year: 2024
Genre: Sci-fi Fiction
More info: April 2024 Read with Jenna Book Club Pick
Spice Rating:💋
Age Range: 16+
Plot
Think of this book as Sci-Fi lite. It calls upon sci-fi-based principles – mainly multiverses – but it doesn’t dwell on the scientific for even a moment.
The premise is simple. Lauren, a single woman, comes home one night to a husband she didn’t know she had. Her phone, friends, and photos in her apartment reflect this new life but she can’t remember it. And then something crazy happens.
He goes up to the attic to change a lightbulb and a new husband descends from the attic. Whenever a new husband emerges, the life around her shifts again. So with an endless supply of husbands, she finds herself torn between knowing when to send them back and when to keep one and start living.
Why Kirsten loves it
Easily one of the most unique plots I’ve ever read. Even as a confirmed disliker of Sci-Fi books, I found this story compulsively readable. I had a blast watching Lauren try to figure out her life and the revolving door of husbands had me giggling at times. #gifted by PRH Audio
Adaptation
Apple is releasing this adaptation as a tv series with Juno Temple in the lead role!
Find this book in: Best Sci-Fi Books / Summer Reads 2024 / 2024 Fiction Favorites / Best Read With Jenna Books / Read with Jenna Book Club List 2024 / Books Becoming Movies
Real Americans
Author: Rachel Kong
Year: 2024
Genre: Contemporary Fiction
More info: May 2024 Read with Jenna Book Club Pick
Age Range: 15+
Plot
Told by three separate narrators, this story of love, family, and belonging is quite a literary feat. When Lily, the daughter of a Chinese immigrant, meets Matthew, the heir to a billionaire’s fortune, sparks fly immediately.
But something happens that causes Lily to leave her love shortly after the birth of their son, Nick. Twenty years later Nick’s part of the story is quite different from Lily’s as he struggles to be his own man as he grapples with the choices his mother made for him.
We are then propelled back in time for the latter third of the novel when Nick’s grandmother’s story plays out during Mao’s rise to power. Her story ultimately ties up questions left unanswered.
Trigger Warnings
Racism, Rape
Why Kirsten loves it
Epic in scale, each narrator’s story layered onto the lore of the Chen family until a compelling, richly woven history was crafted. I found myself flip-flopping my opinions of various characters – particularly Matthew – throughout the novel. Ultimately, I was left pondering how Nick’s life differed from his grandmother’s vision for her family when she first escaped China.
Find this book in: Family Sagas / Best Contemporary Fiction / Read With Jenna 2024 / Read with Jenna Book Club List 2024
Swift River
Author: Essie Chambers
Genre: Historical Fiction
Release Date: 2024
More info: June 2024 Read with Jenna Book Club Pick
Plot
It’s the summer of 1987 in Swift River where Diamond Newberry teased about her weight. She also feels out of place because she is the only Black person in all of Swift River. This summer, Ma is determined to declare Pop legally dead, he has been gone for seven years, so that they can collect his life insurance money, get their house back from the bank, and finally move on.
But when Diamond receives a letter from a relative she’s never met she is introduced to two generations of African American Newberry women. Is this the way that Diamond can finally figure out who she is?
All the Colors of the Dark
Author: Chris Whitaker
Year: 2024
Genre: Literary Fiction/ Mystery
More info: July 2024 Read with Jenna Book Club Pick
Spice Rating:💋
Age Range: 16+
Plot
The book begins in 1975 when Patch, a local boy, saves the daughter of a wealthy family from abduction. He is taken by the serial killer and presumed dead by everyone except his best friend, Saint. She spends almost a year following the clues to find him.
Patch spends the rest of his life searching for Grace, the girl who kept him company while he was a captive unsure if she is real or a figment of his imagination to keep him sane while alone in the dark. And Saint dedicated her life to finding people. Nobody’s life will ever be the same.
This book is much more than a mystery. It is the story of a life and all those that are connected to that life. What happens to those who survive and can we ever move on from tragedy?
Trigger Warnings
Abduction, Murder, Abuse
Why Jackie loves it
This book is a long one and there were some parts in the middle that I felt were a little too long. However, I absolutely loved this book. Whitaker weaves a story like nobody else. The characters are complex, flawed, and relatable on many levels. The writing is beautiful and the story comes together seamlessly.
Find this book in: The July 2024 Celebrity Book Club Spoilers / Best New Fiction Books of 2024 / The Best Books of 2024 / Best Read With Jenna Books / Read with Jenna Book Club List 2024
The Wedding People
Author: Alison Espach
Year: 2024
Genre: Contemporary Fiction
More info: August 2024 Read With Jenna Book Club Pick
Spice Rating:💋
Age Range: 18+
Plot
When Phoebe Stone arrives at the Cornwall Inn, she is the only person in the hotel who is not there for the wedding. She’s there to commit suicide after her marriage ends and she feels she has nothing else to live for.
Lila, the bride, has thought of every detail but did not account for Phoebe being at the hotel. She figures out what Phoebe is there to do and Lila will NOT let it happen. Soon, Phoebe is joining in on the weeklong festivities and readers get to learn about Lila’s motivations too. This funny, poignant novel about the people we meet along the path of life is sure to be a hit.
Trigger Warnings
Suicide Attempt, Infertility
Why Kirsten loves it
I love it handled anxiety, depression, and the ending of a relationship. It reminded me of Crazy Rich Asians because of the over-the-top wedding vibes. There is so much to discuss in this one that I think it’s perfect for book clubs. #gifted Macmillan Audio and Libro.fm
Find this book in: Books About Weddings / Best Books for Book Clubs to Read / Best New Fiction Books of 2024: Contemporary and Literary Fiction / Best Read With Jenna Books / Read with Jenna Book Club List 2024
Blue Sisters
Author: Coco Mellors
Year: 2024
Genre: Literary Fiction
Spice Rating:💋💋
Age Range: 16+
More info: September 2024 Read with Jenna Book Club Pick
Plot
In this poignant novel, the three Blue sisters are returning home to stop the sale of their family’s NYC apartment a year after their fourth sister, Nicky, dies unexpectedly. Normally scattered across the world, when they are forced to live under one roof, they face just how much each of them has spiraled since Nicky’s death.
Avery, the eldest and a recovering alcoholic, is typically the mom of the bunch. But she’s been sabotaging her relationship with her wife to avoid facing the harder truths of her marriage. Lucky, who struggles to do anything without a drink, has recently been dropped by her modeling agency after ruining a Parisian runway show. Bonnie, is adrift in LA working as a bouncer after a failed run at becoming a boxing champion.
Each sister is struggling with her own demons but together, they might just be able to overcome the loss of Nicky and get their lives back on track.
Trigger Warning
Alcoholism, Addiction
Why Kirsten loves it
This character-driven story focuses on grief and finding your way after a devastating loss. But it also looks at the cycle of addiction and the role our families play in that cycle. This is a meaty story that is filled with discussion points for a book club, but be aware of the trigger warnings. #gifted by Penguin Random House.
Find this book in: Books About Sisters / Best Books About Siblings / Read with Jenna Book Club List 2024
The Mighty Red
Author: Louise Erdrich
Genre: Historical Fiction
Release Date: October 1, 2024
More info: October 2024 Read with Jenna Book Club Pick
Plot
Pulitzer Prize winner, Louise Erdrich is back with a new literary historical novel set in rural North Dakota during the economic collapse of 2008. It has a love triangle, a connection with the spiritual realm, and everyday people trying to survive uncertain times. It’s a finalist for the Kirkus Prize for Fiction.
This Motherless Land
Author: Nikki May
Genre:
Release Date: October 29, 2024
More info: November 2024 Read With Jenna Book Club Pick
Plot
Nikki May has written a retelling of Jane Austen’s famed Mansfield Park! The retelling finds Nigerian-born Funke relocating to England, the home of her mother – a place she only knows from her mother’s tales. She finds it cold and the people uninviting except for her cousin Liv. As they grow up together, they are torn apart when tragedy strikes. Set in both Lagos and Somerset, this book is sure to be a triumph!
Devotions
Author: Mary Oliver
Year: 2020
Genre: Poetry
More info: December 2024 Read with Jenna Book Club Pick
Plot
Mary Oliver’s selection of poems came out in 2020 but Jenna recently selected it for her end-of-year pick. It’s a selection of Oliver’s writings from the last 50 years.
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 2024 Read with Jenna Book Club List?
All the Colors of the Dark by Christ Whitaker is the best book from the Read with Jenna Book Club list 2024. This is a deeply emotional mystery that explores the themes of love and family.
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Epilogue
What is your favorite book from the Read with Jenna Book Club of 2024?
