Alumnae Book Club

Alpha Chi Omega hosts an online book club just for alumnae! Each month, you will have the opportunity to make connections with alumnae all over the country about the books we’re reading through virtual discussion in our Facebook group. If you have questions about the book club, please contact October Davis, associate director of volunteer and alumnae engagement. We look forward to reading alongside you

Join our Alumnae Book Club Facebook Group

We will read a new book and have a virtual discussion via the Facebook group each month!

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Book of the month

the lion women of tehran by marjan kamali

Many decades ago in Tehran, young Ellie, once leading a life of privilege, is thrust into a world of hardship following her father's sudden death. Amidst this upheaval, she forms a deep bond with Homa, a spirited and courageous girl, and together, they dream of becoming “lion women.” Their bond endures through personal hardships and the 1979 revolution, but a betrayal drives them apart. Years later, Ellie receives a letter from Homa, reigniting memories and unresolved emotions. As Ellie reflects on their shared past, she grapples with the complexities of forgiveness, identity and the enduring power of friendship. Marjan Kamali masterfully intertwines personal narratives with historical events, offering readers a rich tapestry of love, loss and the unwavering bonds that shape our lives.

Discussion Dates: november 16-20

Coming Up...

none of this is true by lisa jewell

Alix Summers, a popular true crime podcaster, meets Josie Fair on her 45th birthday and is stunned to discover they were born on the same day in the same hospital. Intrigued by the uncanny coincidence, Alix invites Josie to appear on her podcast, hoping to explore their mysterious connection. But the deeper Alix digs into Josie’s past, the more twists and surprises emerge: family secrets, unexpected coincidences and shocking truths that challenge everything Alix thought she knew about identity and fate. As their lives intertwine, Alix must navigate a web of deception, making for a gripping, twist-filled story that keeps readers guessing until the very last page.

Discussion Dates: december 14-18

Suggest Books for our List

Is there a book that you would love to read alongside sisters? Please submit your recommendations for our upcoming book lists!

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January Yesteryear by caro claire burke Natalie Heller Mills has perfected the art of the ideal life: a charming farmhouse, a handsome cowboy husband, six delightful children and millions of followers captivated by her carefully curated traditional lifestyle. But when Natalie suddenly wakes up in a strange version of her own life where modern conveniences are gone and her family is different, she has no idea how she got there or how to get back. As she struggles to make sense of her terrifying new reality, Yesteryear becomes a darkly funny and gripping exploration of tradition, fame and the complicated performance of womanhood.	Discussion Dates: January 25-29

February Kin by Tayari Jones Vernice and Annie have been best friends and neighbors in Honeysuckle, Louisiana, since childhood, but their paths take them in dramatically different directions. After leaving home for Spelman College, Vernice discovers a world of sisterhood, ambition, privilege and inequality, while Annie embarks on a dangerous journey driven by her longing to find her mother. As their lives unfold across different worlds, Kin explores the enduring bonds between mothers and daughters, friendship and sisterhood, and the complexities of womanhood.	Discussion Dates: February 22-26

march The Correspondent by virginia evans Sybil Van Antwerp has spent her life making sense of the world through letters, writing to family, friends, authors and even people she may never meet. Now, as she settles in to reflect on her life, unexpected letters from her past force Sybil to confront a painful chapter she has long kept at a distance. Tender, witty and deeply human, The Correspondent explores literature, friendship, forgiveness and the connections that can shape us.	Discussion Dates: march 22-26

April my husband’s wife by alice feeney When artist Eden Fox returns home from a run just before her first major exhibition, she discovers that everything she knows has been turned upside down. Her key no longer works, a woman who looks eerily like her answers the door and her husband insists the stranger is his wife. Six months earlier, Birdy inherits the same mysterious seaside home while grappling with a life-changing diagnosis and an unsettling clinic that claims to predict the date of a person’s death. As secrets from the past begin to surface, the lives of these two women become increasingly intertwined in a gripping web of deception, obsession and mystery where nothing and no one are quite what they seem.	Discussion Dates: april 26-30

May The calamity club by Kathryn Stockett Set in 1933 Oxford, Mississippi, The Calamity Club follows three women whose lives couldn’t look more different but who share a determination to take control of their futures. Eleven-year-old Meg, an “unadoptable” orphan; Birdie, an outspoken woman seeking help for her struggling family; and Charlie, a woman with a troubled past and plenty of grit, find themselves brought together by circumstance. As they form an unlikely sisterhood and embark on an audacious plan, they must navigate a world where women’s freedom is limited and the consequences of defying expectations can be severe. Filled with humor, heart, resilience and friendship, this novel is a celebration of three unforgettable women determined to create new beginnings from difficult circumstances.	Discussion Dates: may 24-28

June the five-star weekend by elin hilderbrand Hollis Shaw’s seemingly perfect life is shattered when her husband dies unexpectedly, leaving her to confront the cracks in her marriage and her complicated relationship with her daughter. Hoping for a fresh start, Hollis brings together her best friend from each stage of her life for a Five-Star Weekend on Nantucket. But with old flames resurfacing, friendships tested, marriages unraveling and a mysterious newcomer hiding secrets of her own, the weekend quickly becomes anything but relaxing. The Five-Star Weekend is a captivating story about friendship, love, secrets and the unexpected ways we discover who we really are.	Discussion Dates: june 21-25

July mad mabel by sally hepworth Eighty-one-year-old Elsie Mabel Fitzpatrick has lived on Kenny Lane for six decades, carefully maintaining her reputation as the neighborhood curmudgeon while keeping her darkest secrets buried. But when a curious young girl moves in and becomes determined to befriend her, Elsie’s carefully controlled world begins to unravel. As questions about her mysterious past emerge, the truth about the woman once known as “Mad Mabel” threatens to come to light and with it, the possibility that some secrets are better left buried. Mad Mabel is a twisty, suspenseful mystery about secrets, unlikely friendships and the dangerous ways the past can come back to haunt us.	Discussion Dates: july 26-30

August the bright years by sarah damof Ryan and Lillian Bright seem to have a happy future ahead of them as newlyweds and parents to their baby daughter, Georgette, but each of them is hiding a life-changing secret. As addiction, betrayal and tragedy reshape their family, Georgette grows up determined to distance herself from her parents and the pain of her childhood. Years later, the unexpected arrival of the half-brother she never knew existed draws Georgette back into her family’s complicated history, forcing her to confront the past and reconsider what family, love and forgiveness can mean. Told through three generations, The Bright Years is a tender and deeply moving family saga about the ties that bind us, the secrets that shape us and the possibility of finding our way back to one another.	Discussion Dates: august 23-27

September Whistler by ann patchett When Daphne Fuller unexpectedly crosses paths with Eddie Triplett, her former stepfather, at the Metropolitan Museum of Art, decades of memories come rushing back. Eddie was only part of Daphne’s life for a brief time when she was a child, but their relationship left an enduring mark on them both. Now reunited as adults, they find themselves reflecting on the choices, losses and pivotal moments that shaped their lives. Whistler is a luminous and deeply moving story about memory, love, connection and the extraordinary impact one person can have on another.	Discussion Dates: september 27 – October 1

October pictures of you by emma grey After surviving a devastating car accident that claims her husband’s life, Evie Hudson wakes in a hospital with no memory of the years that came before. As she works to piece together her past and understand the life she can no longer remember, long-buried truths begin to surface, forcing her to reconsider the choices that shaped her story. During Domestic Violence Awareness Month, this moving story offers an opportunity to reflect on how difficult it can be to recognize unhealthy and harmful relationships, the lasting impact they can have and the courage it can take to reclaim your story. At its heart, this is a story of love, loss, memory and the possibility of choosing a new path.	Discussion Dates: october 25-29

November keeper of lost children by sadeqa johnson Spanning three decades and following three lives shaped by war, family and love, Keeper of Lost Children weaves together the stories of Ethel Gathers, an American military wife determined to uncover the story of a group of multiracial children in postwar Germany; Ozzie Philips, a Black soldier navigating racism abroad while finding an unexpected connection with a German woman; and Sophia Clark, a young Black woman given the opportunity to integrate a prestigious Maryland boarding school. As their stories unfold across generations, secrets and unexpected connections reveal the far-reaching impact one person’s choices can have, creating a moving portrait of family, resilience and the many forms that love can take.	Discussion Dates: november 15-19

December by any other name by jodi picoult Two women, centuries apart, are determined to see their stories told despite a world that insists their voices belong in the background. In the present day, playwright Melina Green’s work is submitted under a male pseudonym, while in Elizabethan England, her ancestor Emilia Bassano secretly pursues her dream of bringing her own words to the stage. As their stories unfold across intertwining timelines, By Any Other Name explores ambition, courage, identity and the lengths women will go to have their voices heard.	Discussion Dates: december 13-17

October In the heart of Washington, D.C. in the 50s, Briarwood House, a boardinghouse for women, becomes the unexpected setting for a tale of secrets, betrayal and unlikely friendships. When widow Grace March moves into the attic room, she draws together a diverse group of women: poised English beauty Fliss, who hides deep emotional scars; Nora, a policeman’s daughter entangled with a dangerous gangster; Beatrice, a former baseball star grappling with the end of her career; and Arlene, a fervent supporter of McCarthy's Red Scare. Grace's weekly dinner parties and sun tea rituals offer solace and connection, but beneath the surface, each woman harbors her own mysteries. As tensions rise and a shocking act of violence disrupts their lives, the women of Briarwood must confront their pasts and decide who among them is the true enemy. The Briar Club is a compelling exploration of female resilience, societal pressures and the bonds that form in times of crisis.

September In the tranquil English countryside, Beth and her husband Frank lead a quiet life healing from the tragic loss of their son. Their world is upended when Gabriel, Beth’s first love, returns to their village with his young son who bears a striking resemblance to the child they lost. As Beth reconnects with Gabriel, long-buried secrets and unresolved emotions resurface, igniting a love triangle that threatens to unravel everything she holds dear. Tensions escalate, culminating in a murder trial that forces Beth to confront her past and make an impossible choice between the man she once loved and the life she has built. Broken Country is a gripping tale of love, loss and the complexities of the human heart, offering a compelling mix of romance and suspense.

August When 18-year-old Louisa, a fiery, grieving kid with spray paint in her backpack, breaks into a high-end art auction just to see “The One of the Sea,” a painting on a postcard she’s carried her whole life, she never expected to end up in a world of secrets, lost summers and troubled artists. The painting’s creator bequeaths this haunting piece to Louisa, kicking off a road trip of memories, revelations and a scramble to uncover who the three tiny figures at the end of a pier really are. As Louisa digs deeper, she’s pulled into the lives of four young friends whose summer on that pier shaped their destiny (and now hers). Laughter, pain and wild loyalty collide in a story that proves friendship can be its own kind of magic.

July When spunky up-and-comer Alice Scott lands on balmy Little Crescent Island hoping to finally get her big break, she’s thrilled … until Pulitzer-winner Hayden Anderson shows up chasing the exact same prize: the chance to write the biography of the reclusive and legendary Margaret Ives. Their rivalry lights up as Margaret offers both writers a month-long, NDA-locked audition to win the rights to tell her story. But as Alice digs into Margaret’s wild, scandalous past packed with long-buried secrets, she begins to suspect there’s more truth withheld than revealed. Amid undeniable chemistry between Alice and Hayden, mysteries in Margaret’s history, and high stakes that go far beyond bylines, Great Big Beautiful Life is a page-turning story about love, ambition and the way we define ourselves.

June Driven away from her Savannah home by a terrifying sexual assault, Sara Lancaster built a life far from the trauma she endured writing poetry and raising her daughter in protective silence. As she returns eight years later to take care of her father and run his bookstore, she discovers Jacob Wyler, the brother of the man who assaulted her, is also back. As old wounds resurface and their lives unexpectedly intertwine, Sara and Jacob must confront shared pain, buried secrets and the impossible question: can true forgiveness ever be found?

May Atmosphere is a dazzling tale of ambition, love and survival set against the thrilling backdrop of the space race. In 1980, brilliant physicist Joan Goodwin is chosen for NASA’s elite shuttle program, where grueling training and fierce competition push her to her limits. As she forges an intense bond with fellow astronaut Vanessa Ford and takes on the unexpected responsibility of raising her niece, Joan’s world expands in ways she never imagined. But when a catastrophic mission in 1984 places lives on the line, Joan must summon every ounce of courage and brilliance to make an impossible choice – one that could define her legacy among the stars.

april Lady Tan’s Circle of Women is a richly imagined historical novel inspired by the life of Tan Yunxian, a female physician in 15th-century Ming dynasty China. Trained by her grandmother and bonded with her midwife friend Meiling, Yunxian learns to treat women from all walks of life. When she is forced into an arranged marriage, her mother-in-law tries to silence her healing work, restrict her connections and confine her role. Yet Yunxian perseveres. Through friendship, dedication and a daring disregard for limitations, she builds a life of lasting significance – one whose remedies and impact echo centuries beyond her own time.

march Evie Porter is a master of deception, and she doesn’t actually exist. Hired by a mysterious figure she only knows as “Mr. Smith,” she’s been planted to weave herself into the life of Ryan Sumner, her assigned mark. As she moves closer to Ryan by relocating to his town, entering his social circle and even developing real feelings for him, an unexpected twist upends her controlled identity. The one thing she has always worked to keep clean – her real identity – just walked into town. Suddenly, the lies she’s built begin to unravel, forcing Evie to confront her past, question who she can trust and fight to retain control over her own story.

February Concordia, Virginia, 1963. Margaret Ryan lives the ideal suburban life with her husband, three children and all the trappings of “success,” but she can’t help feeling something is missing. Through a chance friendship with the eclectic Charlotte Gustafson, Margaret starts a book club with Charlotte and two other neighbors, Bitsy and Viv. Their first read, Betty Friedan’s The Feminine Mystique, becomes a catalyst, revealing shared dissatisfaction in the dream they were “sold.” Over one pivotal year, the four friends face betrayals, struggles in marriage and motherhood, hidden dreams, and the courage to reclaim their voices, ultimately discovering the strength and freedom that comes from sisterhood and living their truth.

January A gripping historical mystery set in Maine in 1789, this book centers on Martha Ballard, a midwife whose detailed diary makes her a rare witness into her tight-knit, often secretive community. When the body of a man accused of assaulting a woman months earlier is found frozen in the Kennebec River, the town assumes it’s an accident, but Martha’s instincts and medical knowledge tell her otherwise. As winter deepens, she finds herself unraveling threads of murder and betrayal, which lands her at the center of the scandal. As the case implicates the people she loves, Martha must decide how far she’s willing to go in the name of truth and justice.

December Jo Teale, a determined graduate student, is conducting research on nesting birds in rural Illinois when her solitary life takes an unexpected turn. A mysterious young girl named Ursa shows up at Jo’s cabin, claiming to be sent to witness five miracles. As Jo reluctantly takes the girl in, she forms a bond with her neighbor, Gabriel, and together they try to uncover the truth about Ursa’s strange origins. Along the way, Jo’s world opens up as she discovers love, hope and healing in the unlikeliest of places. This heartwarming and poignant novel explores themes of grief, connection and the magic of the unknown.

NOVEMBER Anna is confronted with discovering her own identity as she grieves the loss of her mother, a separation from her husband, and a daughter who is grown up and making her own decisions. While going through her mother’s belongings, Anna discovers journals detailing her long-absent father’s past. He is not only still alive but a political leader in West Africa. As Anna navigates the complexities of meeting her estranged father and understanding his legacy, she is forced to reconcile the past with her own sense of self. Sankofa is a powerful exploration of heritage, family and self-discovery, infused with sharp insights and emotional depth.

OCTOBER Iona, a quirky, no-nonsense magazine columnist, has her own set of unspoken rules for her daily train ride – including never talking to strangers. Until one morning when a fellow frequent commuter chokes on a grape and is rescued by another passenger. Unlikely friendships blossom among the once-silent commuters as they discover how much they have in common and the impact they can make on each other’s lives. With warmth, humor and charm, this heartwarming novel celebrates human connection and the magic of everyday encounters.

september Set in rural Colorado in the 1940s, this novel follows Victoria Nash, a teenager running her family’s orchard who meets a mysterious stranger. The chance encounter leaves her with a choice that will alter the course of her life. As tragedy strikes and her world unravels, Victoria must find the strength to rebuild her life amidst the sweeping beauty and challenges of nature. Go as a River is a deeply emotional, lyrical novel about the forces that shape us and the courage it takes to find our own way.
August Vera Wong, a sharp-tongued, lovable Chinese grandmother, runs a quiet tea shop in San Francisco—until she stumbles upon a dead body in her store. Rather than leaving the investigation to the authorities, Vera decides to take matters into her own hands. Armed with her instincts, nosy nature and a lot of unsolicited advice, she dives headfirst into solving the crime. This witty, cozy mystery is filled with humor, heart and a delightful amateur sleuth who’s impossible not to love.

july 2025 A young woman’s life is forever changed when she volunteers to serve as a nurse during the Vietnam War. Coming of age in the tumultuous 1960s, Frankie McGrath leaves behind the comforts of home and the expectations of her conservative upbringing to join the frontline, where she witnesses the brutality and chaos of war. Returning home, she struggles to reintegrate into a society that doesn’t understand or acknowledge the sacrifices made by women like her. With powerful storytelling, this novel weaves a poignant tale of courage, friendship and the fight for recognition in a world that often tries to erase women’s contributions.

June 2025 Daphne loves her own love story with fiancé Peter until he informs her he is actually in love with his childhood best friend, Petra. Stranded, alone and working her dream job in Waning Bay, Michigan, Daphne finds herself roommates with Petra’s ex, Miles Nowak. As they formulate a plan to post misleading photos of their summer adventures, Daphne and Miles end up in a comical, tense situation that slowly transforms into a deeper connection, challenging their perceptions of love, friendship and starting over.

May 2025 “On a quiet street in Dublin, a lost bookshop is waiting to be found…” A vanishing bookshop casts it spell on three strangers who learn all too quickly that their own lives are just as exciting as the ones in the books they love. This heartwarming novel transports readers from a past world of hardship to a future of hope through the transformative power of books.

April 2025 In The House of Eve, two women from different worlds are brought together by secrets, love and the choices that will shape their futures. The novel follows Ruby, a bright young woman with dreams of escaping her Philadelphia neighborhood, and Eleanor, a Howard University student navigating the pressures of race, class and marriage in Washington, D.C. As their lives intertwine, both women are faced with life-altering decisions that challenge their sense of identity and the paths they thought they were destined to follow. Rich in historical detail and emotional depth, The House of Eve is a powerful story of motherhood, ambition and resilience.

March 2025 The death of Ruby McTavish Callahan Woodward Miller Kenmore, North Carolina’s richest and most notorious woman, leaves her nine-figure estate to Camden McTavish. Cam is Ruby’s adopted son who is uninterested in being connected to the family finances or legacy. Another death in the family brings him back to Ashby House, which is as beautiful and terrifying as ever, and it tightens its grip on Cam and his wife, Jules. Jules can’t help but question Ruby’s legacy. Were the rumors true about her disappearance? How did all four of her husbands die mysteriously? Full of suspense and dark twists, this novel explores the complexities of wealth, family and the past that never truly lets go.
February 2025 In a nod to Healthy Relationships Week, Miss Morgan’s Book Brigade is the story of how one woman’s journey impacts France’s literary landscape through female friendships, the power of books and unending hope. As World War I rages, Jessie Carson leaves her role at the New York Public Library to support the American Committee for Devastated France, the group of women dedicated to rebuilding French villages. Jessie sees a need for something France has never seen before – children’s libraries. But then she disappears ... Many years later in 1987, librarian Wendy Peterson finds mention of Jessie in the NYPL’s archives. As she researches Jessie’s life, she can’t help but notice the many similarities between them. Their love of books isn’t their only connection, and the places where they intersect will intertwine their lives in unexpected ways.

January 2025 Phoebe Stone arrives to the lavish Cornwall Inn in Newport, Rhode Island with only a green dress and gold heels. The hope of shucking oysters, sunset sails and time with her husband led Pheobe here – except she arrived all alone. She’s mistaken as one of the wedding people, but she’s actually the only guest at hotel who isn’t there for the event, which is a surprise to the bride. Neither of them could guess they’d develop a bond and a desire to share their secrets. Alternating between absurdly funny moments and deeply moving reflections, this novel explores the unexpected paths life takes us down and the chance connections that can lead us to a fresh start.