Top 5 Best Book Club Books of 2021

As avid readers, we’re always on the hunt for a new book.

Joining a book club is a great way to engage in community and practice self-care. Plus, the perfect way to wind down after a hot summer day and indulge in some self-care is to sit by the pool with a good book! Whether you’re an avid reader or looking to incorporate more reading into your daily routine, we’re sharing the best book club books of 2021.

At the Daily Shifts, we love reading books of all types of genres. From memoirs and self-help to mystery novels and even science fiction. We know making reading a part of our daily routine is essential to our wellness and growth, but finding the time to choose a book can stop us. We’re sharing the best book club books of 2021 to inspire all of you to build healthy habits and get reading this summer.

Without further ado, here is our list of the best book club books of 2021:

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1. The Four Winds by Kristin Hannah

Kristin Hannah is the best-selling author of more than 20 novels, including my personal favorite, and soon-to-be movie, Nightingale. She has a tendency to captivate her readers with extremely emotional stories about surviving impossible times. Four Winds is a powerful tale about love and heroism and hope, set during the Great Depression: a time when the country was in crisis, when millions were out of work, and even the land seemed to have turned against them. 

Survival mode is all some of us know. Hearing stories of impossible survival is both powerful and humbling, even if they are fiction ;).

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2. The Unexpected Joy of the Ordinary by Catherine Gray

A gentle reminder to embrace and enjoy the mundane things in life. Catherine Gray delivers an insightful, soulful message to rediscover the joy in the ordinary that we so often now forget to feel. A delightful take on life in the modern-day, the reader will find solace and comfort in an overwhelming world. 

This story is perfect for those who like memoirs with a twist. Expect to find ways to focus on what you can control and more healthy habits for living a better life.

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3. The Vanishing Half by Brit Bennett

Unforgettable characters, complex storyline, tragedy, and romance. Need we say more? The intricate plot lines that weave together this story of twin sisters, growing up in a southern black community and running away at age sixteen connect through family dramas that stretch the entire novel. Looking well beyond issues of race, The Vanishing Half provides a complex look at the lasting influence of the past as it shapes a person's decisions, desires, and expectations, and eventually makes up an entire life.

Escaping for a moment into a good book can be one of the greatest joys of life, this novel is for mystery and history lovers.

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4. Between Two Kingdoms: A Memoir of a Life Interrupted by Suleika Jaouad

A raw and unfiltered story about one woman’s cancer journey, from diagnosis to life cancer-free, Jaouad expertly describes the complexities of how trauma reshapes the way we look at the world and the way we interact with the people around us. This memoir delivers the perfect balance of emotion and information to the reader as she speaks to a larger truth about finding selfhood in a constantly changing world.

We love a good hero’s journey and this story delivers. If you’re looking for new ways to learn and grow, check out our 21-day challenge.

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5. Holy Sh!t We're Alive by Doug Cartwright

A psychedelic journey into meditation, silent retreats, and astrophysics. This memoir takes us on the journey of an ex-Mormon millionaire living deeply unfulfilled to how he shifted his perspective on life. In Holy Sh!t We’re Alive, learn how you can live with more intention, trust yourself, and show up every day for a meaningful life. No matter your life circumstances, this book will give you permission and motivation to stop holding yourself back and do the work to maximize your human experience.

Personal stories are a great pick for book club books because they add that extra special touch when connecting to the main characters. Read the first chapter of Holy Sh!t We’re Alive.

PS: If you’re looking for more ways to add mindfulness to your life, check out these 5 Fun Mindfulness Activities to Try This Summer.

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