We had such a great time last night discussing our LAST two books of The First Books Book Club! We also took a vote for the whole year on our favorite first book classics (spoiler: Danielle Steele did not win), our favorite modern premiere, and our favorite overall. Definitely share your votes in the comments!
I want thank each and every one of you for being a part of this book club. It has been such a treat to read along side you and discuss the good, bad, and ugly of all our first books. I’m so excited to read together next year and am thrilled to announce the selections…
I also shared the selections for next year’s book club American Families! I am ALL in on America’s 250th anniversary so we’re going to read four novels about American families from all over the United States (and we’re going to take AT LEAST one field trip so stay tuned for those details!)
The novels for 2026 are:
First Quarter: Giant by Edna Farber This sprawling multi-generational novel, published in 1952, follows wealthy Virginia socialite Leslie Lynnton after her marriage to Texas cattleman Jordan “Bick” Benedict and her struggle to adapt to the harsh, bigoted, and misogynistic culture of the Reatta Ranch. The novel (which runs about 351 pages) won the Pulitzer Prize and caused quite an uproar among Texans.
Second Quarter: Ragtime by E.L. Doctorow Published in 1975, this historical novel set at the turn of the century follows the affluent New Rochelle family and intertwines the family’s story with historical figures like Harry Houdini, Henry Ford, and Emma Goldman. Ragtime was a major success, winning the National Book Critics Circle Award for fiction in 1975 and was turned into smash Broadway musical. It typically runs about 300 pages depending on the edition.
Third Quarter: Roots by Alex Haley This influential novel, published in 1976, traces the life of Kunta Kinte, an 18th-century Mandinka captured in Africa, and follows his descendants through major historical events and slavery in the United States, down to the author himself. The book spent won a special Pulitzer Prize in 1977 and inspired a national interest in genealogy. It’s our longest read at about 700 pages.
Fourth Quarter: The Joy Luck Club by Amy Tan Sneaking in one first book! Amy Tan’s debut novel was published in 1989 and focuses on four Chinese immigrant mothers in San Francisco and their four American-born daughters, who meet to play mahjong and share their lives. The Joy Luck Club was a finalist for both the National Book Award and the National Book Critics Circle Award and is about 288 pages long.
Other Westerns recommended during our discussion:
