The Tonight Show Book Club Book Reviews
In 2018, Jimmy Fallon, the host of The Tonight Show, launched his Fallon Summer Reads book club. He chooses five or six books and lets the audience pick which book they want to read. This is a unique setup in the world of celebrity book clubs, and Kirsten and I are all for it. I included reviews of the Tonight Show Book Club Books to help you choose your next book
Because Fallon lets his audience choose from a smaller list of books, the picks are popular fiction. Between Kirsten and me, we have read all, except one of the books. Two of these books are even found on the Beyond the Bookends best books of 2024 and best books of 2025!
If you want to see the complete list of the Jimmy Fallon Book Club, along with the finalists, you can check that out as well.
*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.
The Tonight Show Book Club Books
The Tonight Show Book Club Summer 2018 pick
Children of Blood and Bone
Author: Tomi Adeyemi
Year: 2018
Genre: YA Fantasy
More info: Legacy of Orisha, #1
An Instant New York Times Bestseller, A TIME top 100 Fantasy Books of All Time, A New York Times Notable Children’s Books, A Kirkus Prize Finalist
Age Range: 14+
Plot
When magic disappeared from Orisha, Zelie’s world changed forever. When the king ordered all the Maji killed, Zelie was left without a mother or magic. She is on a quest to find revenge and bring magic back to Orisha (Orisha is a mythical Nigeria). This is one of the fantasy books for teens that builds a whole new world and brings young adult fantasy books to a whole new level.
Zelie must use the help of a princess to escape from the crown prince who wants to finish what his father started and erase all magic permanently. This book is filled with magic, spirits, and danger.
Why Jackie loves it
I enjoyed this book which is the first in a fantasy series for Young Adults. I listened to the amazing audiobook and I loved listening to the story the way that the story was intended to sound.
Find this book in: Fantasy Book Series for Young Adults / The Ultimate List of YA Fantasy Books / YA Books About Witches / 15 Novels About Africa / Books by Female BIPOC Authors / The Best Books Like Fourth Wing
The Tonight Show Book Club Summer 2019
Plot
This is a beautifully written and poignant book about family, love, and how much we can forgive those that we love. This book is the story of two families who live next door to one another and find their lives intertwined.
Trigger Warnings
Alcoholism, Gun violence, Mental illness
Why Jackie loves it
This is such a realistic family drama book that deals with topics like mental illness and alcoholism. At times, I found it hard to read because I could feel the characters’ pain.
Find this book in: Coming-of-age Books for Adults / Family Dramas / Novels About Addiction
The Tonight Show Book Club Summer 2021 pick
The Plot
Author: Jean Hanff Korelitz
Year: 2021
Genre: Mystery
More info: The Book Series #1, New York Times Bestseller
Age Range: 16+
Plot
Jacob is a formerly successful writer struggling to write his next great novel. His student Evan dies without publishing his own incredible story, so Jacob decides to write it himself to great critical acclaim. But then someone starts threatening to expose him for the theft of the story, launching him into the truth behind the tale he wrote about.
Why Kirsten loves it
What a ride! Jean Hanff Korelitz’s thriller is quite something. It’s one I just adored even if I did figure the big twist out early on. It’s the journey with this book.
Adaptation Information
This is set to be adapted into a TV series for Hulu. Mahershala Ali is set to produce and star in the series.
Find this book in: Books Becoming Movies and TV Shows / Books About Con Artists / Books by Jewish Authors / Best Thriller Books / Books About Books / Mystery and Thriller Novels About Writers
The Tonight Show Book Club Summer 2022 pick
Tomorrow, and Tomorrow, and Tomorrow
Author: Gabriele Zevin
Year: 2022
Genre: Fiction
More info: New York Times Bestseller
Spice Rating:💋💋
Age Range: 18+
Plot
From the Author of “The Storied Life of A.J Fikry” comes a story that spans thirty years. Sam and Sadie have been friends since childhood when Sam opened up to Sadie in a hospital when he wouldn’t talk to anyone else. When they reconnect in their college years, they work together to create a hit video game, it ends up changing their lives forever with its juggernaut success.
As they navigate the ups and downs of friendship and working together, they come together and drift apart during the important moments that shape their lives. This novel examines what it means to love and be loved and how friendships evolve and shift over time.
Trigger Warnings
Gun violence, Suicide
Why Kirsten likes it
Unlike the majority of readers, I liked this story but didn’t love it. It was very character-driven, which I normally enjoy, but the lack of communication really frustrated me at times. It was understandable at first, but eventually got old. Still, I enjoyed learning more about the world of gaming, I liked following Sam and Sadie’s friendship through highs and lows, and I liked the balance between heavy-hitting topics and funny, quirky moments. It was heavy on the video gaming lingo and development process which I found fascinating but others might find dull.
Find this book in: Books about Friendship / Books About Women in STEM
The Tonight Show Book Club Summer 2024 pick
The God of the Woods
Author: Liz Moore
Year: 2024
Genre: Literary Historical Mystery
More info: New York Times Bestseller
New York Times Notable Book of 2024
People Magazine’s #1 Book of the Year
Age Range: 18+
Plot
Early one morning in August 1975, a camp counselor discovers that Barbara Van Laar, the daughter of the camper owners, has gone missing. Fourteen years earlier, her brother also went missing, and he was never found.
As the story flashes between the investigation into Barbara’s disappearance and the events leading up to Bear’s, detectives, family members, campers, and staff members’ lives are unfolded in a way that makes the mystery one of many threads woven into a masterful tale.
Liz Moore captured my attention from the very beginning and kept me engaged throughout as each secret and discovery unfolded into further mysteries.
Trigger Warnings
Child Death, Domestic Abuse
Why Kirsten loves it
I’ve not read many literary mysteries, but I can say that I like this subgenre of literary fiction. The mystery of what happened to Barbara and Bear was a fascinating central point, but I was so invested in each character’s story that I sometimes forgot what crime was being solved. I can see this not being for everyone, though — there are lots of characters and subplots buried within. It’s no cozy mystery, but that’s exactly why I think it’s one of my favorites of the year.
Why Jackie loves it
I will admit that it took me a little longer than usual to get into this book. As Kirsten mentioned, there are a lot of characters and subplots so it took longer to get into the heart of the story. You need to persist with the slower beginning of the book. Once you are 75 pages in, you won’t be able to put it down. The plot development is so well done as the stories from the past and present come together.
Find this book in: Books about Camp / The Best Books of 2024 / Historical Thrillers / Books to Get Out of a Reading Slump / Popular Nonlinear Narrative Novels / Books Set in the 70s
The Tonight Show Book Club Summer 2025 pick
Plot
A group of teenagers spends their summer on an abandoned pier where they take solace in their friendship, as they dream of leaving their small town and difficult childhoods. From that friendship comes one of the most famous paintings in the world which, years later, is given to 18-year-old Louisa, an aspiring artist.
After receiving the unexpected item, and struggling with her own feelings of abandonment and homelessness, she embarks on a cross-country journey to find the story behind the painting. What follows is a deep, touching story, of teens forced to grow up too soon, found family, and finding the light in the darkest of times… told as only Backman can write it.
Trigger Warnings
Domestic Violence
Why Kirsten loves it
It took me ages to read this book because of the incredible ruminations on life, love, death, and friendship peppered throughout this treasure of a novel. Numerous times, I would read a sentence, pause, read it again, and then marinate on the token of wisdom that felt like a gift from Backman.
This is not a story to be rushed, but one to be savored. Resoundingly one of my favorites of the year, it’s Backman at his best. #gifted by Simon and Schuster
Find this book in: Books About Art / Friendship Books / Best Fiction Books of 2025 / Giftable Books
The Tonight Show Book Club Lists with Finalists
Listen to the Read Carpet Report!
Do you love celebrity book clubs? Then you will love The Read Carpet Report – your backstage pass to celebrity book clubs, where red carpet buzz meets real reader reactions. It’s a fast, fun weekly podcast on celebrity book club reads, book adaptations, and the hottest new releases.
Expert Tip
The Jimmy Fallon Book Club is unlike other celebrity book clubs because he gives the readers a part in choosing the books! What does this mean? The books chosen are popular fiction picks. Often, summer is the only time people have to read, and decision fatigue is a real thing. I think the brilliance and appeal of the Jimmy Fallon Book Club is that you are reading one book a year that is almost guaranteed to be a great one.
- The Fallon Summer Reads book club started in 2018
- Fallon has chosen one book in 2018, 2019, 2021, 2022, and 2025
- Fallon chose two books in 2024 after a one-year hiatus
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best book from The Tonight Show Book Club?
We read and loved almost every book from the Tonight Show Book Club. However, Kirsten and I agree that God of the Woods by Liz Moore is our favorite book from the list. If you are going to read just one book from this book club, I think this is the one you should choose.
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Epilogue
What is your favorite book from Jimmy Fallon’s book club?
