It’s no secret that I think reading a good book is one of life’s superior delights, but if there’s one thing that can make the experience even better, it’s discussing that good book with a kindred spirit!
Over the course of my time sharing reading reviews on YouTube/BookTube, I’ve been fortunate to connect with so many wonderful fellow readers and creators through comments and messages — but nothing can replace a face-to-face conversation. It’s been so enriching to chat with followers and friends via video chat each month during my online “Bookish Kingdom Book Club” that started about two years ago. If you’ve followed my monthly reading wrap-ups, you’ll probably have heard me mention the book club a few times! We’ve read and discussed so many lovely books this year - from The Hobbit in January to a Mary Stewart mystery in April to Mark Twain’s Joan of Arc in August to a spooky Oscar Wilde Victober read in October.
Our book club list for 2024 has been created with help from the book club members themselves - I sent out a poll to narrow down the options, and it was so much fun to see which titles everyone voted for! There were also so many fantastic suggestions of future reads - I think I’ll have no trouble coming up with book club picks for 2025 and beyond.
If you’re interested in joining the book club, we’d love to have you! Just send me an email (emma@bookishprincess.com), and I will add you to the book club email list so you’ll get information about upcoming meetings. I should add a quick clarification for those receiving and reading this substack newsletter via email: the book club email list is separate from the substack newsletter email list, so if you’re not yet receiving emails about the book club and would like to, be sure to drop me a line at emma@bookishprincess.com.
The dates and times below are tentative: we’ll confirm them as we get closer to each month’s meeting, but I wanted to get the list out now for anyone who likes to plan their reading ahead of time. Without further ado, here are our book club picks for 2024!
Saturday, January 27 at noon et: The Scarlet Pimpernel by Baroness Orczy
Saturday, February 24 at noon et: Belinda by Maria Edgeworth
Saturday, March 23 at noon et: A Little White Horse by Elizabeth Goudge
Saturday, April 20 at noon et: Pilgrim’s Regress by C.S. Lewis
Saturday, May 25 at noon et: Pat of Silver Bush by L.M. Montgomery
Saturday, June 29 at noon et: Jurassic Park by Michael Crichton
Saturday, July 27 at noon et: Mansfield Park by Jane Austen
Saturday, August 31 at noon et: The Way of Perfection by St Theresa of Avila
Saturday, September 28 at noon et: The Perilous Gard by Elizabeth Marie Pope
Saturday, October 26 at noon et: The Three Brides by Charlotte Mary Yonge
Saturday, November 23 at noon et: Merry Hall by Beverley Nichols
Saturday, December 7 at noon et: The Legend of Holly Claus by Brittney Ryan
I’m so excited for more great reads and discussions with the Bookish Kingdom in the new year! ✨
Cozy Classics to Read in the New Year