The Highest Rated Reads From Young Sheldon Star Raegan Revord's Book Club

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There are plenty of celebrity book clubs, but Raegan Revord's is special because it caters to young adult readers. The "Young Sheldon" star shared on TikTok that they were inspired to start theirs back in 2022 after noticing there was a lack of YA representation in the book club space. Since then, the club has grown to over 50,000 followers on Instagram, and provided recommendations for numerous novels from established and up-and-coming authors. 

The selections span genres, from thrillers and romance to fantasy, and are united by engaging plots and dynamic characters. These are the kind of picks that could only come from a lifelong reader and devoted book lover. "It kind of is trying to figure out [if the club is] attention-snagging enough that people will be like, 'Oh I could put down a phone for this,'" Revord told People in 2024. "I try to find stories that are interesting from the get-go and stories that are diverse because I want people to feel seen and find someone in each story that they can relate to." If you're trying to decide where to start, we've identified their top-rated picks.

This summer camp thriller by Liz Moore garnered 4.11 stars on Goodreads, thanks to its propulsive plot and unique blend of history and mystery. When a 13-year-old camper disappears from her cabin, it quickly raises questions about another child's disappearance 14 years before. Readers of "The God of the Woods" will find themselves immersed in the leafy landscape of the Adirondack Mountains, where all sorts of secrets are obscured in the dark woods. "This book is so good right from the get-go," said Raegan Revord in a TikTok video announcing the selection. "It pulls you in."

@readwithraegan

Happy August! Get ready to unravel the secrets of the Van Laar family with our book club pick, The God of the Woods by @Liz Moore Books. Follow the griping mystery of Barbara Van Laar's disappearance and the dark history that surrounds her family. Grab your copy now through the link in my bio! 🌲 #readwithraegan #booktok #bookclub #readersoftiktok #bookrecommendations

♬ august full song – kacey ✧.*

"The story gives us not one intriguing mystery to unravel but two, and along the route to the surprising conclusion, it includes family dynamics, social hierarchy, and commentary such as the status of women, abuse, and misogyny that takes your breath away," writes one Goodreads reviewer. "There's deeply rooted toxicity and prejudice, but to counterbalance this, there's also a strong element of friendship which shines like a beacon amongst the less savory elements." If you love this book, then you might want to check out one of these edge-of-your-seat mystery and thriller books.

If you gravitate towards stories about star-crossed love, then you'll enjoy Adrienne Young's intriguing blend of fantasy and mystery. "The Unmaking of June Farrow" is about the generations of Farrow women who have operated a flower farm in the foothills of North Carolina, and the daughter who is finally brave enough to try and break free from a decades-long familial curse. "On the surface it seems like a fun, mysterious fantasy book," said Raegan Revord in a TikTok video introducing the novel. "And then you read it and there's an intense, heartbreak love story."

@readwithraegan

The Unmaking of June Farrow by Adrienne Young follows small-town girl, June Farrow as she unravels her family's mysterious curse that caused her Mother to disappear a decade ago. I loved following June's time-bending journey that was equally complex as it was a sweet, heartfelt love story that proved time can't separate two people! If you're looking for a unique, mysterious, and romantic story this is definitely the book for you, Happy November! #ReadwithRaegan #booktok #readersoftiktok #bookreccomendations #bookclubfaves

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Readers praised the emotional stakes, multi-dimensional characters, and the satisfying plot turns, awarding the novel 4.12 stars. "If you love magical realism and a twisty-turny, sci-fi psychological mind game, look no further," wrote one Goodreads reviewer. "This book is so unbelievably good!" Young manages to beautifully span genres, incorporating a compelling romantic plot alongside a riveting murder mystery and artfully rendered intergenerational bonds. "The women in this book are so strong and protective of each other," wrote one Goodreads reviewer. "No family is perfect, and there are moments where they hurt each other in the process of trying to love. Seeing the love of mothers, daughters, and granddaughters portrayed in such a profound and realistic way was very touching." If you love this story, then consider checking out one of the best family saga picks from the Read With Jenna Book Club.

This debut novel from Sonora Reyes is the kind of YA book pick that even adults can enjoy. When 16-year-old Yami transfers to a new Catholic school, she's determined to keep her queer identity private. But then she begins to have feelings for her classmate, Bo. "I fell in love the characters from the very minute I started reading," said Raegan Revord in a TikTok video introducing the selection. "Yami is on a journey of self discovery throughout the book that I feel that a lot of people can really relate with."

@readwithraegan

The Lesbiana's Guide to Catholic School by Sonora Reyes is a fire debut novel about Yami, a queer Mexican American girl, trying to fit in at a mostly white Catholic school while staying true to herself. Yami's journey of self-discovery is super relatable, and her friendship-turned-romance with Bo is just the gay chaos we all need! If you want a book that's all about love, identity, and being brave, this one's a must-read! 🏳️‍🌈💕 #ReadWithRaegan #booktok #bookrecommendations #QueerLit #OwnVoices #BookClubFaves @HarperCollins

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"The Lesbiana's Guide to Catholic School" is an endearing sapphic romance, with themes of learning to stand in one's true identity, and it received 4.25 stars from Goodreads readers. "This book is a warm, protective hug for teens who are fighting to be seen as themselves in a world that wants them to hide," wrote one Goodreads reviewer. Readers praised the book for its hopeful themes, balanced against honest and realistic representation. "Yami is dealing with being at the intersection of multiple marginalized identities as a queer, Latinè woman terrified of her parents finding out and kicking her out of the house," wrote one Goodreads reviewer. "Please just give me everything Sonora Reyes writes because this was not only an important novel, but beautifully written with great characterization."

This multi-generational Iranian family saga from Abdi Nazemian will be a compelling read for anyone interested in the complicated legacy of trauma. When queer teenager Moud travels to see his dying grandfather in Iran, he's forced to confront the secrets of his family's past. His story becomes intertwined with the two previous generations: Saeed, living in Tehran in 1978, and Bobby, living in 1939. Reviewers highlighted the novel's historical elements and coming-of-age themes, giving it 4.43 stars on Goodreads. "I love this story because it jumps around different time periods," said Raegan Revord in a TikTok to introduce the book club pick. "It was so cool seeing them explore different timelines but it's all interconnected and it's all intertwined."

"Only This Beautiful Moment" is notable for its empathy and complexity, as well as its richly constructed characters. "I felt warmth seep through my body when I started reading 'Only This Beautiful Moment,'" wrote one Goodreads reviewer. "Moud, Saeed, and Bobby are fully fleshed-out and lovable characters, and the descriptive writing made me crave to visit Iran somewhere in the future. Abdi shows us his undying love for Iran and the importance of looking at people instead of the politics of a country." If you're looking to immerse yourself in an unforgettable work of historic fiction, this is a great place to start.

Kenneth M. Cadow's debut novel, "Gather" is a portrait of a teenager scrambling to hold his life together in the wake of his mother's opioid addiction. Protagonist Ian, who lives alone with his dog, finds himself prematurely responsible for his mother's well-being. Reviewers praised the novel's honest and realistic portrayal of rural life, awarding it 4.37 stars on Goodreads. "It's told through a dry, first-person perspective," explained Raegan Revord in a TikTok video introducing the monthly pick. "You will cry in this book, you will laugh in this book."

@readwithraegan

This month we're diving into Gather by Kenneth M. Cadow 📖✨ a story about Ian, a small-town teen who's not afraid to fight for family and home, no matter the odds. With his loyal pup by his side, Ian's journey reminds us of the power of resilience, love, and community. 🐾💙 Can't wait to hear your thoughts as we follow Ian and Gather on this unforgettable adventure! #ReadWithRaegan #booktok @Raegan Revord 🌻

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For many readers, the novel captures the emotional hardship of poverty and addiction with tremendous empathy — and the teen narrator offers a lens that can capture younger readers, too. "I KNOW Ian," wrote one Goodreads reviewer. "He is a real person to me, and his story is worth reading because it's insight into the world many kids deal with and then try to come to school and wonder why they can't learn, and what we teach them is totally useless to them. Their world is about survival, not onomatopoeia, not mitosis." Finally, importantly, the dog doesn't die, which means this book is safe for dog lovers.