HFBC Picks For Book #5
When: Tentatively Thursday, March 19, 2026 at 6:30 p.m.
Location: Holliday Farms Social Club, Caldemeyer Room (Pete’s Annex next to family dining)
So far, we’ve explored magical realism, historical fiction, memoir, and a fast-paced thriller. For HFBC #5, we are returning to fiction, with a carefully curated shortlist that leans into character-driven storytelling, big ideas, and smart literary suspense.
Each of these novels offers something different, but all are highly discussable and well suited for a lively book club conversation.
Read the summaries, explore the genres, and cast your vote for the one you would most like to read next. Whether or not you attended previous meetings, we want your input.
Voting will close on February 2nd, so please don’t wait!
Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases at no cost to you. Thank you for supporting my work and the causes I care about.
Everything I Never Told You by Celeste Ng (2015)
Genre: Literary Fiction, Family Drama
A quiet yet powerful novel about family, identity, and the expectations we place on one another. When a teenage daughter’s death exposes long-buried tensions, the story becomes an intimate exploration of grief, love, and misunderstanding. Thoughtful, emotional, and deeply discussable.
Eleanor Oliphant Is Completely Fine by Gail Honeyman (20217)
Genre: Contemporary Fiction, Character-Driven
A witty and moving novel about loneliness, healing, and human connection. Eleanor’s blunt honesty and unconventional worldview lead to moments that are both funny and heartbreaking. A warm, accessible read with plenty to talk about.
The Measure by Nikki Erlick (2024)
Genre: Speculative Fiction, Philosophical Drama
A high-concept novel imagining a world where everyone receives a box revealing how long they will live. As individuals and societies grapple with this knowledge, the story explores fate, choice, and what it truly means to live fully. Emotional, thought-provoking, and perfect for group discussion.
The Plot by Jean Hanff Korelitz (2022)
Genre: Literary Suspense
A writer is handed what may be the perfect plot, and later publishes a wildly successful novel based on it. As acclaim builds, so does a creeping sense of moral unease. Smart, unsettling, and ideal for conversations about ambition, authorship, and the cost of success.
The Maid by Nita Pross (2023)
Genre: Mystery, Contemporary Fiction
A fast-paced and charming mystery told from the unique perspective of a socially unconventional hotel maid. When she becomes involved in a high-profile crime, the novel offers both intrigue and insight into how we judge others. Engaging, accessible, and a crowd-pleaser.
Did any of these titles catch your interest? They are all great picks for our HFBC next book club, so feel free to vote and add them all to your reading list!
