One of our favorite parts of book club is that we rarely read the same kind of book twice. Each month gives us a chance to step into a different story, perspective, or experience. Some books challenge us. Some encourage reflection. Some are simply beautiful stories told well.

Below are the books we are considering for our June Book Club gathering at Engedi. Take a look through the list and let us know which one you would most like to read together this month.

The Correspondent by Virginia Evans

A thoughtful literary novel centered around the letters exchanged between people navigating grief, connection, memory, and the complicated beauty of ordinary life. Quiet, reflective, and deeply human, this book explores the ways words can both heal and reveal.

Whiskey When We’re Dry by John Larison

Set in the American West, this novel follows a young woman who disguises herself as a man while searching for her outlaw brother. It blends adventure, survival, family loyalty, and identity into a gritty but beautifully written story about resilience and belonging.

Finding Me by Viola Davis

Viola Davis shares her life story with remarkable honesty and vulnerability. From childhood poverty to becoming one of the most respected actors of her generation, this memoir is powerful, emotional, and deeply inspiring. A story about identity, perseverance, and becoming fully yourself.

I Cheerfully Refuse by Leif Enger

Part love story, part literary adventure, this novel unfolds in a near future America shaped by instability and loss. Leif Enger’s writing is rich and poetic, balancing heartbreak and hope in a story that ultimately asks what remains worth protecting in difficult times.

The Heaven & Earth Grocery Store by James McBride

Set in a small Pennsylvania town, this novel weaves together themes of community, race, compassion, and justice through a cast of unforgettable characters. James McBride combines humor, heart, and social insight in a story that feels both timeless and urgently relevant.

Everything Sad Is Untrue by Daniel Nayeri

Told in a storytelling style that feels both ancient and modern, this semi autobiographical novel follows an Iranian refugee boy navigating identity, loss, faith, and belonging. Funny, heartbreaking, and deeply original, it explores the power of stories to help us survive and make sense of the world.

Everyone Is Lying to You by Jo Piazza

A fast moving blend of mystery, satire, and social commentary, this novel dives into the curated world of influencers, internet fame, and the stories people tell online versus the truth underneath. Sharp, entertaining, and surprisingly thoughtful, it explores identity, authenticity, and the pressure to perform in the digital age.