Tri-Valley ReadersReading List
Take a look at what we're reading this month, what we've read in the past, and what we want to read next!
August 2026
Lucien
Christopher “Atlas” Novotny arrives at Harvard on a scholarship, a talented painter raised amid hardship and unprepared for the privileged world his roommate Lucien Orsini-Conti introduces him to. As Lucien draws Atlas into a glittering social scene—and a dangerous scheme involving forged art—their friendship becomes something far more sinister in this dark academia thriller.
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July 2026
Disconnected
We're not usually nonfiction readers, but we really enjoyed Disconnected. It's such an eye-opening look not only at Eleanor and Lars' relationship, but at what it means to pursue love, connection, and romance later in life. Vincent writes so intimately and beautifully that the book felt just as immersive as any novel – a thoughtful and moving read. Getting to discuss the book with Eleanor herself was a wonderful added touch and gave our conversation even more depth.
June 2026
A Perfect Hand
A Perfect Hand was a fun, engaging read with an unexpected twist that sparked a lively discussion. It also served as a surprisingly fitting continuation of many of the themes we explored in our previous pick, Yesteryear, and gave us the chance to dive into a historical novel together. The evening was made even more special by the opportunity to discuss the book with Ayelet Waldman herself and hear firsthand about the inspiration, research, and writing process behind the novel.
May 2026
Yesteryear
We all highly anticipated reading this book given its recent hype and response. We found ourselves divided in our opinions and yet extremely eager to discuss our thoughts. This novel incited talk of motherhood, addiction, femininity, social media, class, and everything in between. Despite the variety in how likeable we all found the story, this reading is highly recommended to any bookclub looking for a basis of thoughtful discussion and sharing of life experiences.
April 2026
Yellowface
Yellowface was a novel our members simply could not put down. Although the story is told through an infuriating perspective, we found ourselves turning page after page to see what would happen next. Beyond its sharp exploration of cultural appropriation and ignorance, we also appreciated the behind-the-scenes look at the publishing world and its many flaws. Despite the absence of a single truly likable character, this was a book our club genuinely loved and thoroughly enjoyed.
March 2026
I Who Have Never Known Men
I Who Have Never Known Men was a profound read that left our club with much to discuss. For a story with so little action, we were pleasantly surprised by the nuance and insight found within the narrator's perspective. This novel pushed us to confront deep-seated ideas of femininity and humanity, prompting us to realize that the two are not so different.
February 2026
The Bluest Eye
Although it was a difficult and often heartbreaking read, our club found The Bluest Eye to be a moving and raw look at how internalized racism and family trauma can shape a person's life. This novel sparked deep discussions about how our upbringing affects the way we move through the world, as well as the specific struggles of being both a woman and a person of color. We were especially struck by Morrison's ability to write from so many different perspectives, which helped us truly understand the experiences of every character. Overall, we highly recommend this book and look forward to catching more of its deeper meanings on a future re-read.
Wuthering Heights
A dark, passionate tale of obsession and revenge on the Yorkshire moors, centered on the fierce bond between Heathcliff and Catherine Earnshaw and the damage it wreaks across two generations.
The Will to Change
Hooks examines how patriarchy harms men and argues that loving masculinity is possible only when men are willing to feel, connect, and reject domination. A compassionate call for men to embrace emotional honesty and change.
Beloved
Set after the Civil War, a formerly enslaved woman is haunted by the ghost of the baby she killed to spare her from slavery. Morrison weaves memory, trauma, and love into a profound meditation on freedom and the cost of survival.
The Handmaid's Tale
In the theocratic Republic of Gilead, fertile women are forced into reproductive servitude. Offred navigates surveillance, power, and resistance in a dystopia that feels chillingly close to possible.
Tender is the Flesh
After a virus makes animal flesh poisonous, society turns to breeding humans for consumption. A slaughterhouse worker’s moral numbness is tested in this brutal, satirical take on commodification and complicity.
Mrs. Dalloway
A single day in post–World War I London, following Clarissa Dalloway as she prepares a party and weaves through the city. Woolf’s stream of consciousness captures inner lives, memory, and the weight of the past.
Jane Eyre
An orphan grows into a principled governess and falls in love with the brooding Mr. Rochester—until his secret threatens everything. A classic of moral courage, equality, and the search for belonging.
The 7 Husbands of Evelyn Hugo
A reclusive Hollywood legend finally tells her life story to an unknown journalist: seven marriages, ambition, and the one love she had to hide. Glamorous, twisty, and deeply emotional.