Our Book Club Picks for the First Half of 2026
Fantasy-mystery, contemporary fiction, and writer memoir/creativity work
Hello, Protagonists!
We previously revealed our first three Book Club picks for the year, but now we have filled out the schedule to get us from winter to summer!
Each meeting is approximately 1 hour long:
30-ish minutes: Book Discussion
30-ish minutes: Mini Creativity Coaching session
Our “Reading with Wonder” Book Club is for our community members who want to dive even deeper into how great books work. Come nerd out with us! 🤓
Recordings of past meetings & Discussion Qs are available HERE
Our Book Club Picks for the First Half of 2026
January:
The Favorites by Layne Fargo - Think Wuthering Heights meets Tonya Harding-esque machinations. A drama-filled story of the competitive world of ice dancing, complete with a love triangle, career sabotage, and told in an interesting documentary/narrative hybrid style. After you read this, the Winter Olympics might suddenly feel more intriguing.
Meeting date: Sunday, January 25, 2026 at 8pm ET / 5pm PT
February:
The Way of Integrity by Martha Beck - Inspired by Dante’s The Divine Comedy, Martha Beck maps out a four-stage journey to help readers reclaim their wholeness and reduce their anguish. She combines expert coaching techniques with practical advice to help us distinguish our true desires from societal pressures. Ultimately, this guide offers a path away from negative habits that zap our authenticity and toward a life of deep purpose and happiness.
Meeting date: Wednesday, February 25, 2026 at 8pm ET / 5pm PT
» Zoom link and Discussion Qs HERE
March:
The Correspondent by Virginia Evans - A novel about the power of writing letters, finding solace in literature, and connection with people we might never meet in person. It is also about the hubris of youth and the wisdom of old age, and the mistakes and acts of kindness that occur during a lifetime.
Meeting date: Sunday, March 29, 2026 at 8pm ET / 5pm PT
» ZOOM link to come
April:
The Tainted Cup by Robert Jackson Bennett - Imagine “Knives Out” with a Holmes-and-Watkins style duo. This is an interesting cross-genre book (fantasy-meets-mystery) that won the Hugo Award and World Fantasy Award.
Meeting date: Wednesday, April 22, 2026 at 8pm ET / 5pm PT
» ZOOM link to come
May:
Writing, Creativity, Soul by Sue Monk Kidd - From the bestselling author of The Secret Life of Bees and The Book of Longings: an intimate work on the mysteries, frustrations, and triumphs of being a writer, and an instructive guide to awakening the soul.
Meeting date: Sunday, May 31, 2026 at 8pm ET / 5pm PT
» ZOOM link to come
June:
These Summer Storms by Sarah MacLean - This was one of our favorite books that we read last year. After years of exile, Alice Storm returns to her family’s secluded Rhode Island estate for the funeral of her controlling father—only to discover he’s left behind a ruthless inheritance game forcing her and her siblings to confront old wounds, buried secrets, and one another. Amid the pressure, Alice must navigate complicated loyalties, simmering attraction with her father’s right-hand man, and her own longing for redemption.
Meeting date: Wednesday, June 24, 2026 at 8pm ET / 5pm PT
» ZOOM link to come
🫶🏼 Mini Creativity Coaching sessions
The second 30-minutes of each meeting are creativity conversations or mini coaching sessions!
Each month, Joanna chooses a topic (such as creative goal setting, the grief of rejection, the psychology of writer’s block, the power of play, etc.) and book club members will get to share their experiences, as well as receive reflection and support.
Together, we’ll see deeper into our creative selves, bask in the camaraderie of our community, and find ways through our challenges. 💛
If you’d like to join us in the Book Club, you can upgrade to a paid membership here:
or:
Refer friends to receive complimentary months:
1 referral = 1 month free
2 referrals = 3 months free
3 referrals = 1 year free
The more the merrier, so invite your friends!
These books sound great! I'm looking forward to Sue Monk Kidd's book and the fantasy. I'm excited!
Just listened to your January discussion - loved it! I did read The Way of Integrity and was so hoping to join you live on Wednesday but life got in the way that evening.... looking forward to watching the discussion when the recording is available! See you in March!