Is there anything better than discussing books with your friends? We certainly don’t think so. Here’s a diverse list of books and audiobooks being published in 2021 that are sure to get your book club talking.
My Heart Is a Chainsaw by Stephen Graham Jones
Book clubs that enjoyed The Only Good Indians will be thrilled that Stephen Graham Jones returns this summer! Tourists are going missing in the small town of Indian Lake, leaving horror buff Jade feeling as though she’s living out the plot of the slasher films she loves to watch. Meanwhile, tensions are rising as designated park lands are converted to a development called Terra Nova that’s drawing celebrity attention.
Infinite Country by Patricia Engel, narrated by Inés del Castillo
Book clubs who want to dive into a new read ASAP can pick up the audiobook for Patricia Engel’s new novel, which came out earlier this month. Infinite Country follows Elena and Mauro, a Colombian couple who decide to move to the United States after the birth of their first daughter. Years later when Mauro is deported, Elena is left to care for their three children and finds herself unsure of what their future as a family looks like.
Hana Khan Carries On by Uzma Jalaluddin
Book clubs looking for a mix of romance and humor will want to have Uzma Jalaluddin’s sophomore novel on their radar. Hana waitresses at her family’s restaurant, Three Sisters Biryani Poutine, while pursuing her dream of turning her radio internship into a job. It’s through her work on a podcast that she starts to grow closer to one of her listeners, not yet knowing that he’s Aydin, the owner of the halal restaurant that could put her family’s out of business. Hitting shelves in April, this You’ve Got Mail-inspired rom-com makes for a perfect spring read!
The Weight of the Stars by K. Ancrum, narrated by Joniece Abbott-Pratt
Ryann Bird would love nothing more than to see the stars up close, but she knows that a future in space travel isn’t in the cards for a girl living in a trailer park. It’s a surprise when she learns that Alexandra, a loner she’s tentatively becoming friends with, spends every night hoping to catch radio signals from her mother, an astronaut. Ryann agrees to help Alexandra, and soon their friendship is turning into something more. While the book originally published in 2019, the audiobook will be released in April, making this spring the ideal time to dive in.
The Jasmine Throne by Tasha Suri
If your book club is craving some fantasy, mark your calendar for June when the first book in Tasha Suri’s new trilogy hits shelves. This novel takes place in a world inspired by Indian history and stories. Priya uses her role as a maidservant to hide the magic she possesses, but when the imprisoned princess Malini discovers Priya’s secret, it offers them a chance to work together. Malini seeks to end her brother’s control of her, while Priya longs to find her family. With their combined skills, they set out on a journey that will change their empire forever.
Clark and Division by Naomi Hirahara
Naomi Hirahara draws on true events in this historical mystery. Set in 1944, the story follows 20-year-old Aki Ito, who is traveling to Chicago with her Japanese American parents after their release from a California internment camp. They’re supposed to meet Aki’s sister, Rose, but when they arrive they learn that she died. Though the cops believe Rose died by suicide, Aki isn’t convinced and starts to search for the truth. The audiobook for Hirahara’s latest is being produced this spring and releases in August—perfect timing for a summer book club meeting!
