They inspired us. Entertained us. Enlightened us. Made us better for spending time with them. They were bestsellers. Award winners (Nobel, Hugo). History makers. Some were also by our friends! We hope they’ll become yours, too and that you’ll find something on our list that makes it onto yours. Happy reading!
GBC's Third Annual "Best Reads of the Year"
*Linnea’s Picks*
Be Ready When the Luck Happens by Ina Garten (Random House, 2024)
Ninth Street Women by Mary Gabriel (Little Brown, 2018)
Still Life by Sarah Winman (HarperCollins, 2021)
“The history of womanhood in America is one of radical change. Sometimes, within a single generation, a woman might be expected to accept the role of the humble dependent, to serve and obey…only to be encouraged—most often in times of national crisis and in great haste—to forget those limitations…and to take charge, use her brains, show her strength.”
— Ninth Street Women
*Ita’s Picks*
How to Move Up When the Only Way is Down by Judah Taub (Wiley, 2024)
Rich AF by Vivian Tu (Penguin Random House, 2023)
*Katherine’s Picks*
The Goddess Guide to Branding: Your Blueprint for Building an Abundant & Authentic Feminine Brand by Jane McCarthy & Kate McAndrew (Skyhorse, 2024)
The God of the Woods by Liz Moore (Penguin Publishing Group, 2024)
Martha’s 100 Favorite Recipes: Lessons and Stories from My Kitchen by Martha Stewart (Clarkson Potter, 2024)
*Liza’s Picks*
The Alice Network by Kate Quinn (HarperCollins, 2017)
The Dictionary of Lost Words by Pip Williams (Random House, 2021)
Lessons in Chemistry by Bonnie Garmus (Knopf Doubleday Publishing Group, 2022)
The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo by Taylor Jenkins Reid (Atria Books, 2017)
*Jeanie’s Picks*
Democracy Awakening: Notes on the State of America by Heather Cox-Richardson (Penguin Publishing Group, 2024)
The Truths We Hold: An American Journey by Kamala Harris (Penguin Publishing Group, 2020)
A Woman’s Story by Annie Ernaux, translated by Tanya Leslie (Seven Stories Press, 2011)
*Danielle’s Picks*
The New Menopause: Navigating Your Path Through Hormonal Change with Purpose, Power, and Facts (Harmony/Rodale/Convergent, 2024)
Perspective Agents: A Human Guide to the Autonomous Age by Chris Perry (Fast Company Press, 2024)
*Cary’s Picks*
A Gentleman in Moscow by Amor Towles (Penguin Publishing Group, 2016)
The Three-Body Problem by Cixin Liu, translated by Ken Liu (Tor Publishing Group, 2014)