4 Unforgettable Books From a Decade of Reading

Book Club-approved gems you'll want to add to your list

In late 2015, I met a woman my age, Mollie, at a networking event. I was in a brand-new city, and desperate for friends. She said the magic words, “I’ve always wanted to be in a book club,” and I saw my opening: “Why don’t we start one?”

(Side note: I just met her that night. I knew nothing about her. I didn’t have anyone to invite to this new “club.” But desperate times, you know?)

Our meetings started small — taking place monthly at Mollie’s house with a few of her co-workers and another friend I had made through work. I don’t remember much about those first meetings back in early 2016, except that the vibes were warm, the books were great, and the get-togethers provided me a much-needed social engagement every six weeks.

Now, nearly 10 years later, I still look forward to our meetings. We’ve had members come and go, but three lovely women have been with me since the beginning:

Lauren, smart-as-a-whip, savvy on all things pop culture and always guaranteed to have an opinion — or several — on our book. (Don’t even get her started on “The Silent Patient.”)

Melissa, kind, supportive and always laughing. Comically, she hardly ever finishes a book, but she brings a lot of life to our cozy book club chats.

Leah, who wears her heart on her sleeve, is always even-keeled, kind, and is one of the warmest people I’ve met in Los Angeles.

I asked Lauren, Melissa, and Leah to pick a favorite book from 10 years and the more than 70 books we’ve read together (This Google doc lists them all — s/o to Lauren for creating this!). The reads span myriad genres, including fiction (mystery, romance, contemporary, historical, science fiction, magic realism, humor, ‘chick lit,’ young adult and more), as well as non-fiction (memoirs, essays, books on politics, gender, race).

Being the wonderful humans they are, they accepted. (Thank you, thank you, thank you!)”

Here are our top recommendations — the page-turners, thought-provokers, and absolute favorites from 10 years of Book Club meetings.

Bookmark these and save them for a rainy day (or long flight… or long car ride… or beach day. You get it.)

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Title: The Dutch House
Author: Ann Patchett
Genre: Fiction; Contemporary; Historical
Year Published: 2019
Recommended by: Lauren

Awards: Goodreads Choice Award Nominee for Readers' Favorite Historical Fiction (2019)

“There is something that feels so effortless in the writing of this decades-long story following the ups and downs of one family after the story’s narrator moves into the titular Dutch house as a young boy. There’s tragedy and humor intertwined in the lives of all the characters, from loving siblings to fraught relationships with step-parents — just like the trajectory of any family. It’s hard to put into words what makes this book so magical, but author Ann Patchett creates such authentic characters that truly feel like real people, and you just might laugh and cry along with them as stories of loss, love, and complicated family history unfold.” — Lauren

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Title: Save Me the Plums: My Gourmet Memoir
Author: Ruth Reichl
Genre: Nonfiction; Memoir; Food
Year Published: 2019
Recommended by: Leah

Awards: Goodreads Choice Award Nominee for Readers' Favorite Food & Cookbooks (2019)

“I absolutely devoured (pun intended) Ruth Reichl's experience as editor-in-chief of Gourmet magazine. She lived my dream job during print media's golden age and delivers a fascinating account of how she revolutionized Gourmet during her 10 years at the helm. Not only did I enjoy her mouthwatering food descriptions and unpretentious accounts of working with famous chefs and writers, but I also connected with her struggle to manage life as a working mom who is trying to balance career aspirations and quality family time.

If nonfiction isn't your thing: Last year, I read Reichl's latest book The Paris Novel — a heartwarming story about a woman who visits the City of Light after her mother's death — and thoroughly enjoyed it, as well.” — Leah

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Title: The Library Book
Author: Susan Orlean
Genre: Nonfiction; History; True Crime
Year Published: 2018
Recommended by: Melissa

Awards: Goodreads Choice Award: Nominee for Readers' Favorite Nonfiction (2018)

“Being asked to choose just one book as a favorite was hard. We’ve read everything from non-fiction to classic literature and everything in between. But one that spoke to my entire being — but also, is an incredibly fun read — is Susan Orlean’s The Library Book.

It details the history of the Los Angeles Public Library, beginning with the tragic fire in the 1980s that was overshadowed by the Chernobyl disaster, and then weaves a tail of (the author’s) life, the history of Los Angeles and the history of the American library system. It’s a clever, entertaining and emotional read that is a must for any book lover — and any Los Angeles history nerd. — Melissa

(Honorable mention: Exit West by Mohsin Hamid)

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Title: Crying in H Mart
Author: Michelle Zauner (aka Grammy-nominee “Japanese Breakfast”)
Genre: Memoir/Non-fiction
Year Published: 2021
Recommended by: Emma

Awards: Goodreads Choice Award Winner for Readers' Favorite Memoir & Autobiography (2021)

“I love — and often find myself gravitating toward — reading memoirs. The way someone writes about themselves is a fascinating look at what makes them tick. And identifying with someone else’s journey — their triumphs, struggles, challenges and achievements — often makes me feel more connected to, and repeatedly in awe of, the human experience.

This particular memoir, coming from a musician I was already familiar with and inspired by, kept me up at night long after I read the final page. I felt deeply for Michelle as she unpacks the relationship she has with her mother before, during and after a diagnosis of terminal pancreatic cancer. It perfectly captured the evolution and nuances of a parent-child relationship (and all the love, frustration and shifting dynamics within them over time) while somehow managing to wind in beautiful tales of travel, descriptions of mouthwatering food and varying perspectives on race, romantic relationships, identity seeking and independence. Find a place to perch up and dig into this one (maybe in an H Mart, with a bowl of noodles in hand?). You won’t regret it.” — Emma

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I’m always looking for book recommendations. Have one you want to share? Drop a note and let me know.

Wishing you all a wonderful week ahead.

Emma Stern