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Discover all the best books for book clubs 2017 has to offer.

Book clubs are a great way to expand your knowledge and immerse yourself in a new world. Whether it's in a corporate setting, gathering of friends, or part of an educational initiative, an effective book club can transform lives. Many great books have been published so far in 2017. We've compiled 10 of the best 2017 books for book clubs that would make fantastic additions to your reading list.

 

Business

1. The Spark and the Grind: Ignite the Power of Disciplined Creativity by Erik Wahl

Artist, speaker, and entrepreneur Erik Wahl explains how to create unity between creativity and hard work. He provides surprising insights and practical advice on how to be a grinder (someone who works hard) as well as a creator of constant sparks, or new ideas. Use this book to rethink the role of creativity in your work environment in your next company-wide book club!

 

2. No Limits: Blow the Cap Off Your Capacity by John C. Maxwell

Grab your coworkers and settle in with this riveting new title from bestselling author John C. Maxwell. Learn to expand your limits by blowing the "cap" off your capacities. These 17 core capacities include abilities we already possess (such as energy, creativity, and leadership) and aspects of our lives controlled by our choices (like attitude, character, and intentionality).  Maximize and grow your potential in each through Maxwell's clear and actionable advice.

 

3. The Net and the Butterfly: The Art and Practice of Breakthrough Thinking by Olivia Fox Cabane and Judah Pollack

Train your brain to have more breakthrough insights by incorporating both your butterfly-like creative mode and your net-like executive mode. New discoveries in neuroscience have revealed hidden patterns to seemingly random breakthrough moments. With years of coaching and training top Silicon Valley firms, Cabane and Pollack provide easy steps for accessing the part of the brain that produces these moments. This book is an insightful way to "think outside the box," suitable for book clubs in and out of the workplace.

 

4. Reset: My Fight for Inclusion and Lasting Change by Ellen Pao

Former CEO of Reddit, Ellen Pao, shares her experiences with the lawsuit that exposed the tech world for its discrimination against women and other underrepresented groups. She shines a light on the troubling issues surrounding today's workplace and provides practical, inspiring, and achievable goals for a better future. All businesses will benefit from adding this title to their book club list.

 

5. Time, Talent, Energy: Overcome Organizational Drag and Unleash Your Team's Productive Power by Michael C. Mankins and Eric Garton

Dedicate your next corporate book club towards improving your team's productivity. Authors Michael C. Mankins and Eric Garton present their findings on using employee time, talent, and energy to expose your organization's productive power. They offer practical advice and in-depth examples to identify specific causes of organizational drag and how managers can overcome it.

 

Nonfiction

1. Astrophysics for People in a Hurry by Neil deGrasse Tyson

How do we fit into the universe and how does it fit within us? Ever wanted to learn about astrophysics?Acclaimed astrophysicist Niel deGrasse Tyson guides readers through these questions in a clear, succinct way perfect for those on the go. Tyson impressively boils down complex ideas to their basics, complete with allegories and jokes. Book clubs of all reading levels will enjoy learning about astronomy with this humorous and fun read.

 

2. Hunger: A Memoir of (My) Body by Roxane Gay

With bracing candor, vulnerability, and power, Roxane Gay explores what it means to take care of yourself while still feeding your hunger. This honest and refreshing memoir chronicles Gay's experiences with food, weight, and self-image. She uses her own emotional, physical, and psychological struggles as a means of exploring our shared anxieties over pleasure, consumption, appearance, and health. Poignant and thought-provoking, this memoir is a must for your 2017 book club book list.

 

Fiction

1. Pachinko by Min Jin Lee

This National Book Award Finalist follows four generations of a poor Korean immigrant family as they fight to control their destiny in 20th-century Japan. Sunja, the teenage daughter of a crippled fisherman, becomes pregnant by a wealthy, yet married stranger. Instead of being bought, she accepts a marriage offer from a gentle, sickly minister on his way to Japan. This momentous decision to leave her home and reject her son's powerful father starts a chain of events that echoes throughout multiple generations. This moving tale is sure to captivate readers and spark lively discussions in book clubs nationwide.

 

2. A List of Cages by Robin Roe

Adam Blake lands the best elective — aide to the school psychologist. However, when the doctor asks him to track down a troubled freshman, Adam discovers that the boy is Julian, the foster brother he hasn't seen in over five years. At first glance, Julian is the same boy he once knew. As they spend more time together, Adam learns that Julian is keeping secrets. He is determined to help his friend, but becoming involved could be dangerous and possibly fatal. This gripping story is recommended for high school book clubs.

 

3. The Hate U Give by Angie Thomas

Start your next school book club with this important and socially relevant novel. Sixteen-year-old Starr Carter lives between two worlds: the poor neighborhood where she lives and the elite prep school she attends. The balance between these worlds is shattered as she witnesses a police officer shoot and kill her childhood friend. As Khalil's death becomes a national headline, everyone wants to know what really happened. The only person who can answer that is Starr, whose response could upend her community and — even worse — endanger her life.

 

Find these and other great 2017 books for book clubs on the BookPal website. Do you have another 2017 book that would be a great fit for book clubs? Comment below!

 

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This post was written by Megan Habel, the marketing associate at BookPal. She is currently reading No Barriers: A Blind Man's Journey to Kayak the Grand Canyon by Erik Weihenmayer and Buddy Levy.