The comedian, author and podcast host suggests books you can rely on to spark brilliant discussions
Sara Pascoe was first known as a stand-up comedian, but in recent years she has brought her off-kilter wit and philosophical musings to the literary world. Her debut novel, Weirdo, about an oddball heroine who gets a second chance at love, won the inaugural Jilly Cooper award at this year’s Comedy Women in Print prizes. With her fellow comedian Cariad Lloyd, Pascoe also co-hosts the podcast Sara & Cariad’s Weirdos Book Club, in which the duo discuss their favourite reads with writer and comedian friends.
So which are the books that she’d recommend you read with your own book club? Here, Pascoe chooses the five books you can rely on to spark brilliant discussions.
Hope: A Tragedy by Shalom Auslander
“A book you’re going to discuss with others needs to be interesting, accessible, and, hopefully, mildly controversial to inspire strong opinions. Auslander’s 2012 novel certainly fits the bill. It has a strong premise: Anne Frank survived the Nazis and is living sneakily in the attic of a house in the countryside. She’s an old lady now, still writing – this time, a smutty novel – and using an air conditioning unit as a bathroom. Hope: A Tragedy sounds like it could be in poor taste, but it’s actually outlandish, dark and hilarious, and you’ll find plenty to love about it. It considers the weight of history, trauma and death anxiety, and should provoke deep and meaningful conversations.”
Careless People by Sarah Wynn-Williams
“An insider account from a woman who worked in the top echelons of Facebook. Wynn-Williams tells some ugly truths about the tech company’s power in politics and world economies, and about how it affects all of our individual lives.
This is a great discussion starter because there are so many shocking allegations to react to, but also many situations about which you may ask yourself and one another – what would you have done? And what should be done? It’s also a page-turning read.”
Americanah by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie
“Warning, this is the kind of writing that will cause you to miss your bus stop. Americanah follows two childhood sweethearts who meet at school in Nigeria but whose lives pull apart when one moves to America, the other England. A perfect book club read because of its huge themes around race and class, education and identity politics. There will be so much to analyse and debate, but your whole group will fall in love with the two central characters – and it’s a very well told, compelling story, first and foremost.”
All Fours by Miranda July
“This novel has inspired book groups to form because to read it is to want to talk about it. July’s Women’s Prize-shortlisted novel, about a 45-year-old artist who goes on a road trip that leads to an erotic awakening, is a funny and groundbreaking exploration of female sexuality, perimenopause, long-term monogamy, mothering and artistry. It has got ideas pouring out of it and will leave the whole book group energised.”
Flesh by David Szalay
“The winner of this year’s Booker Prize, Szalay’s story spans many years of its protagonist István’s life, from his adolescence in a sleepy Hungarian town to his late middle age in London. The writing is matter-of-fact – and manly, if I dare say it – in under-communicating the emotions and psychology of the central character. It works in great balance with a book like All Fours, as it explores male sexuality and mental health, albeit with far less comedy than July’s book.”
The fourth series of Sara Pascoe and Cariad Lloyd’s Weirdos Book Club is out now. Pascoe’s show I Am a Strange Gloop is touring to 29 March 2026. sarapascoe.co.uk
