These are the Penguin Random House books that over 48,000 book clubs voted as the best group reads this March.
Autumn is here, and it’s officially book club season!
While we at Penguin Random House think that every season is perfect for book clubs, the cosiness of autumn makes it an especially amazing time to read a book with friends. So, what are you waiting for? Put on the kettle, grab your cuddliest blanket, and get ready to dig into these great books with your book club.
Voted on by over 48,000 book clubs on Book Movement, these are the best book club books of autumn 2023.
The top-voted book club reads of March 2023
Lessons in Chemistry Bonnie Garmus
The last time we collated this list, Lessons in Chemistry took the #1 vote, according to readers. The fact that it’s still the most-loved book club book six months later goes to show that it really is worth the read! Best of all, we’ve even got a pavlova recipe and quiz inspired by the book to guarantee fun (and delicious) book club meet ups.
The Personal Librarian Marie Benedict, Victoria Christopher Murray
Another book that made the list last time, The Personal Librarian is perfect for book clubs that love to read historical fiction. Based on the true story of J.P. Morgan’s personal librarian, the book follows the life of a black woman, Belle da Costa Greene, who is forced to hide her true identity to protect herself and her family in the early 1900s.
Tomorrow, and Tomorrow, and Tomorrow Gabrielle Zevin
John Green loves Tomorrow, and Tomorrow, and Tomorrow and we’re sure your book club will love it too! This stylish, open-hearted story follows the lives of two children who grow up with intertwined lives. When they set out to create a video game together, their collaboration makes them superstars. Along the way, they’ll have to navigate the ups-and-downs that go hand-in-hand with superstardom. Best of all, we have some book club questions ready for you!
Black Cake Charmaine Wilkerson
Word on the street is that Black Cake will be a TV series soon – so best to get your book club reading before it drops. Following the story of the Bennett family, Eleanor’s two estranged children reunite at her funeral. Their whole world is upended as they discover a puzzling inheritance that teaches them about their mother’s tumultuous past and provides a recipe for black cake that promises to heal the wounds of the past.
The Thursday Murder Club Richard Osman
The first book in The Thursday Murder club series, this opening novel introduces the beloved cast of characters. Set in a retirement village, a crew of geriatric friends get together to investigate crimes. The books are fun, funny and page-turning, making this the perfect series to start with your book club. Hot tip: book club discussion questions can be found here.
Spare Prince Harry, The Duke of Sussex
Even if you know nothing about the royal family, the masses have spoken. And they say that you should definitely read Spare. While the book is obviously heavily focused on Prince Harry’s life, many readers were surprised to find the broader messages were much more relatable than expected – royal or not. Spare has received heaps of praise for the audiobook, a great format for the busy book club members who might want to tackle their reading while cooking, cleaning or commuting.
The One Hundred Years of Lenni and Margot Marianne Cronin
The One Hundred Years of Lenni and Margot follows two unlikely friends who meet in the terminal hospital ward. Realising that they have a shared one hundred years between them, the new friends decide to celebrate their shared century together. Painting their life stories, their friendship deepens as one thing becomes clear: life is not done with Lenni and Margot yet. If you want to read the tale of extraordinary friendship with your book club, print out these book club questions and get ready for a fabulous conversation.
Wrong Place, Wrong Time Gillian McAllister
Does your book club prefer a thrilling crime novel? Wrong Place, Wrong Time follows one mother as she turns back time in an effort to stop a murder before it happens. This book was also one of Reese’s Book Club picks, so you can rest assured knowing that it already has a popular stamp of approval.
Carrie Soto Is Back Taylor Jenkins Reid
If you're feeling the Taylor Jenkins Reid love with the new TV adaptation of Daisy Jones and the Six out in the world, why not read another one of her fabulous books with your book club? Following the life of a professional tennis player, the novel immerses readers in the competitive, intense and endlessly-fascinating world of elite athletes. If you want to channel your inner Carrie after reading, you can also check out some inspiring quotes from the book that will awaken your ambition.
A Gentleman in Moscow Amor Towles
A Gentleman in Moscow is a book club pick that will never get old. And after living through the lockdowns of the Covid-era, Count Alexander Rostov’s story is more relatable than ever. Confined to house arrest in Moscow’s Hotel Metropol, Rostov will have to redefine what it means to live a life of luxury.
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