We are a global group of women who value good books, great friends, and everything in between. It’s our mission to read more + connect more! Our heart’s dedication is to take our love for books & friendship and be able to connect with women all around the world who share these passions.
What better way to do that than with a Book Club? Insert Gals That Read.
Currently reading
The personal librarian by marie benedict + victoria christopher murray
Our latest Book Club pick is The Personal Librarian, jointly written by Heather Terrell, writing as Marie Benedict, and Victoria Christopher Murray.
The Personal Librarian recounts the remarkable, little-known story of J.P. Morgan’s personal librarian Belle da Costa Greene.
In her twenties, Belle is hired by J.P. Morgan to curate a collection of rare manuscripts, books, and artwork for his newly built Pierpont Morgan Library. In the process, she becomes known for her impeccable taste and shrewd negotiating, building a world-class collection and solidifying her position in the New York society scene.
But Belle has a secret that she must protect at all costs. She is the daughter of the first Black graduate of Harvard, a well-known advocate for equality. She is able to pass as white due to an alleged Portuguese heritage story she’s crafted, and becomes well-respected in society for her intellect, style, and wit. This book shares her story and the lengths she must go to in order to protect her family and her legacy in the racist world in which she lives.
About the Authors
Marie Benedict is a lawyer with more than 10 years’ experience as a commercial litigator. While practicing as a NYC lawyer, she dreamed of unearthing the hidden stories of historical women. Trying her hand at writing, she found this dream realized in excavating stories of fascinating, complex, and important women like Albert Einstein’s first wife (The Other Einstein), Winston Churchill’s wife (Lady Clementine), and many more. The Personal Librarian is her first co-written novel.
Victoria Christopher Murray is the author of nine bestselling novels. She has received numerous awards, including the African American Literary Award for Fiction and Author of the Year (Female), the Golden Pen Award for Best Inspirational Fiction and the Phyllis Wheatley Trailblazer Award for being a pioneer in African American Fiction. After four nominations, she also won the NAACP Image Award in Outstanding Literary Work for her social commentary novel, Stand Your Ground.
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past books
Our collection of previous Book Club picks & purchase links if you missed out and still want to catch these amazing reads.
Love, THeoretically by Ali Hazelwood
Our most recent Book Club read for September 2023 was Love, Theoretically, the newest release from author Ali Hazelwood.
The many lives of theoretical physicist Elsie Hannaway have finally caught up with her. By day, she’s an adjunct professor, tolling away at grading labs and teaching thermodynamics in the hopes of landing tenure.
By other day, Elsie makes up for her non-existent paycheck by offering her services as a fake girlfriend, tapping into her expertly honed people pleasing skills to embody whichever version of herself the client needs. Honestly, it’s a pretty sweet gig - until her carefully constructed Elsie-verse comes crashing down. Because Jack Smith, the annoyingly attractive & broody older brother of her favorite client, turn out to be the cold-hearted experimental physicist who ruined her mentor’s career & undermined the reputation of theorists everywhere. And that same Jack who now sits on the hiring committee at MIT, right between Elsie and her dream job. Elsie is prepared for an all-out war of scholarly sabotage but… those long, penetrating looks? Not having to be anything other than her true self when she’s with him? Will falling into an experimentalist’s orbit finally tempt her to put her most guarded theories on love into practice?
About the Author
Ali Hazelwood is a multi-published author of contemporary romcom novels about women in STEM and academia. She has also written several peer-reviewed articles about brain science, in which no one makes out and the ever after is not always happy. Originally from Italy, she lived in Germany & Japan before moving to the U.S. to pursue a Ph.D. in neuroscience. When Ali is not at work, she can be found running, crocheting, eating cake pops, or watching sci-fi movies with her two feline overlords (and her slightly-less-feline husband). She loves cats, Nutella, and side ponytails.
Fifty Words For Rain by Asha Lemmie
A previous book pick was Fifty Words for Rain by Asha Lemmie. A Good Morning America Book Club Pick and New York Times Bestseller!
About the Author
Asha Lemmie is a New York Times Bestselling Author. After graduating from Boston College with a degree in English Literature and Creative Writing, she relocated to New York City, where she worked in book publishing. Asha writes historical fiction that focuses on bringing unique perspectives to life. She divides her time among New York, London, and Kyoto.
Maame by Jessica George
Our Book Club read for June 2023 was Maame, the debut novel from Jessica George.
About the Author
Jessica George was born and raised in London to Ghanaian parents and studied English literature at the University of Sheffield. After working at a literary agency and a theater, she landed a job in the editorial department of Bloomsbury UK. Maame is her first novel.
All the Dangerous things by Stacy Willingham
A previous Book Club pick was All the Dangerous Things, the newest release from author Stacy Willingham.
About the Author
Stacy Willingham worked as a copywriter and brand strategist prior to writing fiction full-time. Her debut novel, A Flicker in the Dark, was published in early 2022 and went on to become a New York Times bestseller. All the Dangerous Things, published earlier this year, is her second novel, and her third is set to be released in early 2024. She currently lives in Charleston, SC, with her husband, Britt, and her Labradoodle, Mako.
Verity by Colleen Hoover
A previous book pick was Verity by Colleen Hoover, a #1 New York Times Bestseller and USA Today Bestseller.
About the Author
Colleen Hoover is the #1 New York Times and International bestselling author of multiple novels and novellas. She lives in Texas with her husband and their three boys. She is the founder of The Bookworm Box, a non-profit book subscription service and bookstore in Sulphur Springs, Texas.
Tomorrow, and Tomorrow, and Tomorrow by Gabrielle Zevin
Our first read for 2023 was Gabrielle Zevin’s Tomorrow, and Tomorrow, and Tomorrow. It is Goodreads Choice 2022 Winner.
About the Author
Gabrielle Zevin is the internationally best-selling author of several critically acclaimed novels, including The Storied Life of A.J. Fikry, which won the Southern California Independent Booksellers Association Award and the Japan Booksellers’ Award, among other honors. Her novels have been translated into forty different languages. She has also written books for young readers, including the award-winning Elsewhere. She lives in Los Angeles.
The vanishing half by britT BENNETT
Our last read from 2021 was The Vanishing Half by Britt Bennett. An Amazon Best Book of June 2020.
About the Author
Brit Bennett is the author of the New York Times–bestselling novel The Mothers; a finalist for the NBCC John Leonard Prize for the best first book, the PEN/Robert W. Bingham Prize for Debut Fiction, and the New York Public Library Young Lions Award; and a National Book Foundation 5 under 35 honoree. Her work has been featured in The New Yorker, The New York Times Magazine, The Paris Review, and Jezebel.
You are a badass by jen sincero
A past book pick was You Are A Badass: How to Stop Doubting Your Greatness and Start Living an Awesome Life by Jen Sincero. A New York Times Bestseller and Success Coach!
About the Author
Jen Sincero is a #1 New York Times bestselling author, speaker, and success coach who has helped countless people transform their personal and professional lives via her newsletters, products, seminars, public appearances, and books. A few years ago, Jen said goodbye to her home in California in order to travel the world indefinitely and encourages as many people as possible to live lives of unbridled awesomeness. You can find out more, and sign up for her newsletter at jensincero.com.
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For some of us, 2020 has put a bit of “extra time” on our plates. For me, working from home since February means that I no longer have to spend time on my commute to and from the office and I no longer have to get up early everyday to get ready to go into the office. This year has also meant that my weekends aren’t quite as busy as usual, which means I’ve had plenty of extra time to devote to other hobbies & activities. For me, I’ve been allocating some of that time to reading more.