Best Book Club Books Last 5 Years (2026): 5 Compared

The best book club books last 5 years give your group stories worth arguing about, from Reese’s and GMA picks to uplifting favorites. We compared five novels by their book club picks, publication dates and formats, so your next meeting has a strong shortlist.

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The picks

#	Product	Shelf Score	Buy
1	Spectacular Things	9.7/10	Buy on Amazon
2	Fifty Words for Rain	9.7/10	Buy on Amazon
3	The Last Days of You and Me	9.6/10	Buy on Amazon
4	In Five Years by Serle	9.6/10	Buy on Amazon
5	Troublesome Women by Bostwick	9.6/10	Buy on Amazon

1

Spectacular Things

Beck Dorey-Stein·9.7/10 Shelf Score

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The Shelf Score runs from 9.2 to 9.8 and weighs fit for the reader or goal (35 points), contents and edition (25), value (25) and listed reading age or level (10, where the listing gives one), using only what the book listing states. How we pick ›

A Reese's Book Club pick about two sisters.

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Pros

• A Reese's Book Club pick, a proven discussion starter.
• Published July 1, 2025, the newest here.
• Author Beck Dorey-Stein, stated in the listing.

Cons

• No format details are stated on the listing.
• No warranty term is stated.
• Only one edition is listed.

2

Fifty Words for Rain

Asha Lemmie·9.7/10 Shelf Score

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The Shelf Score runs from 9.2 to 9.8 and weighs fit for the reader or goal (35 points), contents and edition (25), value (25) and listed reading age or level (10, where the listing gives one), using only what the book listing states. How we pick ›

A GMA Book Club Pick and debut epic spanning decades and continents.

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Pros

• A GMA Book Club Pick.
• Debut novel with an epic, decades-spanning story.
• Rich themes of family, identity and belonging.

Cons

• Published September 1, 2020, the oldest here.
• No format details are stated on the listing.
• No warranty term is stated.

3

The Last Days of You and Me

Debbie Howells·9.6/10 Shelf Score

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The Shelf Score runs from 9.2 to 9.8 and weighs fit for the reader or goal (35 points), contents and edition (25), value (25) and listed reading age or level (10, where the listing gives one), using only what the book listing states. How we pick ›

An uplifting book club pick about friendship and love, in three formats.

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Pros

• Billed as an uplifting book club pick.
• Lists eBook, Audiobook and Paperback formats.
• From a Sunday Times best-selling author.

Cons

• No book club pick is stated on the listing.
• No warranty term is stated.
• Reader reviews mention heavy emotional themes.

4

In Five Years by Serle

Rebecca Serle·9.6/10 Shelf Score

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The Shelf Score runs from 9.2 to 9.8 and weighs fit for the reader or goal (35 points), contents and edition (25), value (25) and listed reading age or level (10, where the listing gives one), using only what the book listing states. How we pick ›

A lawyer who plans everything spends one hour five years in her future.

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Pros

• 288 pages, the shortest of the five picks, for a single meeting
• The premise gives a group a clear question about choices and plans
• Published by Atria Books on March 2, 2021, the oldest date here

Cons

• The description centers on a love story, so romance is a main theme
• Speculative premise may not suit readers who want realistic fiction
• Readers wanting suspense or a fast mystery should choose another pick

5

Troublesome Women by Bostwick

Marie Bostwick·9.6/10 Shelf Score

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The Shelf Score runs from 9.2 to 9.8 and weighs fit for the reader or goal (35 points), contents and edition (25), value (25) and listed reading age or level (10, where the listing gives one), using only what the book listing states. How we pick ›

Four neighborhood women in 1960s Northern Virginia start a book club that becomes a year of friendship and self-discovery.

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Pros

• The book club setting suits a group read, per the description
• The listing states a bonus Q&A with the author is included
• Published April 22, 2025, the second most recent date in this list

Cons

• The listing gives no page count, so length is hard to judge
• The listing mixes ebook fields (file size, screen reader) with print details; confirm the format before buying
• The description covers tears, arguments and a year of angst, so it is emotionally heavy in places

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More picks to compare

• The Last Book ClubA book club murder mystery, 304 pages.Check on Amazon

Compare the picks

Book details as published on each listing, collected 22 October 2026.

How we scored them

The Shelf Score weighs story appeal, writing, value, safety and warranty. For books, safety means stated age guidance and warranty means stated editions; no listing here states a warranty term. How we pick explains the weights.

Scores run from 9.2 to 9.8: each book’s point total is placed on that range, so more points always means a higher score. Reading age or level counts on a list where at least one listing gives one, and a book whose listing gives none then scores zero on it. Where no listing gives one, the score is taken over the other 85 points. Books carry no warranty, so warranty is not scored.

How to choose the best book club books last 5 years

Follow the book club picks

Reese’s Book Club and GMA Book Club picks are proven discussion starters. Browse every book club books list for more.

Check the publication date

Spectacular Things, published July 1, 2025, is the newest here; Fifty Words for Rain, published September 1, 2020, is the oldest. A recent book gives your group fresh ground.

Match the mood

The Last Days of You and Me is billed as uplifting, while Fifty Words for Rain is described as heartrending. Pick the tone your group wants.

Before you buy

• Check the format: The Last Days of You and Me lists eBook, Audiobook and Paperback.
• Confirm the publication date on the listing; Spectacular Things lists July 1, 2025.
• Check the edition on the listing to make sure you buy the novel, not a companion edition.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which of these are book club picks?

Fifty Words for Rain is a GMA Book Club Pick and Spectacular Things is a Reese’s Book Club pick.

Which is the newest book here?

Spectacular Things, published July 1, 2025. The oldest is Fifty Words for Rain, published September 1, 2020.

Which book is actually about a book club?

The Book Club for Troublesome Women and The Last Book Club are both about book clubs.

Still deciding? Our top pickSpectacular Things

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Related lists

See every Book Club Picks list and all Fiction lists. Also see our best new book club books. Also see our best book club books for discussion. Also see our best mystery book club picks.

More lists: browse fiction, thrillers and mystery and fantasy.