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!
Book of the month
stars in an italian sky by jill santopolo 
From 1946 to 2017, Stars in an Italian Sky is a telling of true love and the impact of opposing families. In post-World War II Italy, Vicenzo and Giovanna spend time exploring each other’s minds and Vincenzo’s family’s vineyard, Villa Della Rosa, until political shifts require them to choose a side, ending in perceived betrayal. Decades later in New York, Cassandra and Luca know they are each other’s perfect match even though their families aren’t a perfect fit. When Luca, an artist, convinces his grandfather to pose for a photo with Cassandra’s grandmother, secrets that have been threatening to resurface for years finally collid and change everything.
DISCUSSION DATES: december 16-20
Coming Up...January 2025
the wedding people by alison espach
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.
Discussion Dates: January 27-31
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!
Februarymiss morgan’s book brigade by janet skeslien charlesIn 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. |
Discussion Dates: February 24-28 |
marchthe heiress by rachel hawkinsThe 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. |
Discussion Dates: March 24-28 |
aprilthe house of eve by sadeqa JohnsonIn 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. |
Discussion Dates: april 21-25 |
Maythe lost bookshop by evie woods“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. |
Discussion Dates: may 26-30 |
Junefunny story by emily henryDaphne 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. |
Discussion Dates: june 23-27 |
July
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. |
Discussion Dates: july 21-25 |
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. |
Discussion Dates: August 25-29 |
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. |
Discussion Dates: september 22-26 |
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. |
Discussion Dates: October 20-24 |
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. |
Discussion Dates: november 17-21 |
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. |
Discussion Dates: december 15-19 |
November 2024Widower Mukesh and anxious teenager Aleisha are an unlikely pair as they forge a bookworm connection at the library. The two embark on a journey to read through a crumpled-up reading list found in an old edition of To Kill a Mockingbird. The reading list binds them together as they both grapple with loneliness and the hope of finding joy again. This book is a perfect read for sisters who find joy in the spine of a new book. |
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October 2024In the spring of 2020 in northern Michigan, Lara’s three daughters return home to the family orchard. As they spend time together, the daughters beg Lara to tell them stories of Peter Duke, an actor who she shared both a stage and romance with many years ago at the Tom Lake theatre company. Tom Lake is a tale of love: young love, married love and the beauty of the life your parents lived before they became your parents. |
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September 2024“Maame (ma-meh) has many meanings in Twi but in my case, it means woman.”Maddie’s life in London is far from what she expected ... her mother finds a way to be overbearing all the way from Ghana, she is primary caregiver for her father with advanced Parkinson’s, she doesn’t like her job and she is ready to experience some important “firsts.” When her mother returns from Ghana for a year, Maddie takes advantage of the break and embarks on a journey of self-discovery. While Maddie is taking charge of her own life, tragedy strikes, and she must deal with loss while finding the power to move forward. |
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August 2024When Bobby James is convicted of the 1969 disappearance of Alice Hilton, it seems like the end of the story ... until decades later when another little girl goes missing from Yew Tree Manor. Willow James, an architect working at the manor, discovers that the land around the house and the families attached to it may hold the secret to the disappearances. The Midwife’s Secret spans decades as Willow tries to unravel events from long ago. The truth is buried so far in the past that the betrayal of an innocent midwife may be the only key to the answers.
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July 2024The St. John sisters, three young, wealthy Black women, receive a multimillion-dollar estate when Kitty Karr Tate, a white movie star, dies. They are riddled with questions and learn from Kitty’s journals that the answers are not always what they seem. As Elisa St. John dives deeper into Kitty’s history, she must not only grapple with the impact of the secrets of the deceased but also with the decisions she has made in her own life. Did You Hear About Kitty Karr? unfolds as a sweeping narrative against the backdrop of the Hollywood industry, offering a perceptive exploration of the things we inherit – and the bold choices some women make to transcend them. |
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June 2024Persephone and Sam spent six summers together reading books, spending afternoons on the water and working at a restaurant. Their friendship blossomed into something spectacular, before it all completely fell apart. Fast forward a decade to a chic apartment in the city, and Percy couldn’t feel farther from the girl she used to be ... until she gets a call that sends her right back to Barry’s Bay. As the two return to the lake, they learn their connection is as undeniable as it has always been. Every Summer After is a nostalgic look at love and the people and choices that change us forever. |
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May 2024After years building her perfect life, Ann Tran is still reeling from a positive pregnancy test when she learns that her beloved grandmother, Minh, has passed away. Meanwhile, Ann’s estranged mother, Huong, is mourning the loss of her mother while managing resentment toward Ann and Minh’s relationship. The two women must come together for the first time in years to face their past and their future as they become the new owners of the Banyan House, the home that Minh escaped to in the midst of the Vietnam War. Banyan Moon is a story about mothers and daughters, the things we inherit and how we choose to live when long-buried secrets come to light. |
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April 2024Belle da Costa Greene, an intellectual, stylish and witty woman in her 20s, is hired by J.P. Morgan to curate a collection of rare books and art for the newly constructed Pierpont Morgan Library. She quickly becomes one of the most famed and powerful people in the art and book world due to her impeccable taste and negotiating skills as she builds a world-class collection. While Belle gains recognition, she must protect one secret at all costs: she was born Belle Marion Greener, daughter of the first Black graduate of Harvard who is now an advocate for equality. The Personal Librarian tells the story of an incredible woman and the lengths she will go to protect her family and her legacy. |
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March 2024Working for the Winchesters is Millie’s chance to start over … until she realizes that their secrets are far more perilous than her own. Millie spends her days cleaning their home, cooking and taking care of their daughter while Nina Winchester makes a show of making messes, telling lies and treating her husband, Andrew, poorly. As Millie gets to know Andrew, she can’t help but wonder what it would be like to live Nina’s perfect life. Nina discovers Millie’s desires, and it’s too late for Millie to learn that her bedroom door only locks from the outside. Millie reassures herself that the Winchesters don’t know her true identity and all she is really capable of. |
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FEBRUARY 2024London, 1939. Hazel and her younger sister, Flora, escape to a rural village in the midst of WWII. While living in a quaint stone cottage along the River Thames, Hazel creates imaginary tales of a place where they can let their minds wander. When Flora disappears, Hazel is overcome with guilt at the loss of her sister. After 20 years, Hazel has rebuilt her life in London with a new boyfriend, a classy Bloomsbury flat and a career at a bookstore. Life as she knows it is turned upside down when she receives a book about the secret, imaginary world she created for Flora. Is this a sign that her beloved baby sister is still alive after all these years? A novel full of twists and turns explores the powerful bonds of sisterhood and the magic of storytelling. |
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January 2024Sally Milz, a sketch writer for a late-night comedy show, is done with love after her fair share of heartbreaks. She also can’t help but notice a phenomenon where average-looking men from the show are dating very accomplished and beautiful women, which she knows would never happen in the reverse – until Noah Brewster, a pop music star and heartthrob, is the host and musical guest of this week’s show. Their connection is instant, but Sally reminds herself that real life isn’t a romantic comedy … |
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