The 52 Book Club: 2025 / 2026 Challenge discussion

43) Explores social class

Britannica defines social class as, “a group of people within a society who possess the same socioeconomic status.” And “Despite controversies over the theory of class, there is general agreement among social scientists on the characteristics of the principal social classes in modern societies. Sociologists generally posit three classes: upper, working (or lower), and middle.”

Social class is a complex discussion with a wide range of definitions. You can find more information on the topic here.

For this prompt, choose any fiction or non-fiction book that explores social class in some manner or another. It may dive into the differences between social classes, explore social mobility, or highlight one specific social class. The book may discuss the topic directly or touch upon the subject through overall themes, plot, etc. You may choose a book that explores social class at any point in history.


Click here for our Goodreads List of suggestions

I’ll be reading The Whisper Sister

The Games Gods Play

Primates of Park Avenue by Wednesday Martin

Invisible Women

I'm reading a book now that might fit this category. In A New York Secret by Ella Carey, no one takes Lily seriously as a potential head chef because she's from a wealthy family, and after the war (WWII), they think she'll quit and go back to her society parties.

Sheesh. This is a huge chunk of my TBR this year.

Evicted by Matthew Desmond fits the best, though.

Would Noughts & Crosses by Malorie Blackman fit this category?

The will of the many is a good one.

I am reading On Liberty by John Stuart Mill for this prompt

Heavenbreaker by Sara Wolf, in which FMC Synali rides against the nobles.

I will be reading:


The Hate U Give by Angie Thomas

HAPPY READING!!

Would Demon Copperhead fit this prompt?

The Help

I read The Woman in the Photo by Mary Hogan for this prompt and I really enjoyed it. A mix of present day and historical fiction with Social Class at the center.

Homegoing

I'm reading Feast of Sorrows by Crystal King, set in Ancient Rome which is all about social class (and cooking!) Haven't been able to put it down, highly recommend.

Beautiful People by Amanda Jennings

Red Rising by Pierce Brown.

I read The Whisper Sister which explores the social classes of various immigrant groups and the different parts of New York in the 1920's and early 1930's. The MC is a Jewish Ukrainian immigrant running a speakeasy and dealing with the mobsters supplying the booze and protection

“Realms of the Fire” by Sharon K. Gilbert is book 5 of an excellent series entitled Redwing Saga. Book 5 gives so much history about the classes on England 1888. It includes Queen Victoria and her peerage as well as the middle classes (police) and the lower classes (prostitutes, etc…). This series is also an amazing fantasy/ historical fiction blend that looks at Jack the Ripper and fallen angels. I definitely recommend starting with book 1, Blood Lies.

I read "The Last Garden in England," which follows five different women of multiple social classes over 3 different decades. All are connected by a special garden. It was a great first read for the challenge! I adored the description of the garden, especially right now as mine is hidden under snow.

Ordeal by Innocence by Agatha Christie

Compound Fracture by Andrew Joseph White

I put the Phoenix Crown there, could also be found family

I think The Lion Women of Tehran works here. If hoped to read it last year but maybe this is better. It fits perfectly and oh my goodness…it is a GREAT book!

I read Taiwan Travelogue set in Taiwan before WW2 when it was "owned" by Japan. Not only addresses social class but also colonialism

i read good material by dolly alderton. its a story about a breakup where two people are from two different social class

How about Poverty, By America?

I read that social class could include things like race and education.

There's a new book that's coming out next week that I think will work for this prompt:

Original Sins: The (Mis)education of Black and Native Children and the Construction of American Racism

Bandit Queens

How about Of Mice and Men?

How do we feel about spark of the ever flame?

Such a Fun Age by Kiley Reid

I completed audiobook The Mistborn: The Final Empire by B. Sanderson.

They explored more about the classes here including the Skaa.

Interesting tale, and graphic audio really helps!

Small Mercies by Dennis Lehane

I read The Paradise Problem by Christina Lauren.

I won an ARC from Goodreads called The Summer I Ate the Rich by Maika and Maritza Moulite. It's a YA Horror novel that releases in April and is perfect for this prompt. The Book is SO GOOD!

Corky Lee’s Asian America: 50 Years of Photographic Justice

North and South by Elizabeth Gaskell

I read Julia Kelly's new book The Dressmakers of London and it fits "Explores Social Class" perfectly.

I'm reading The Silent Governess

I am placing Yellow Crocus by Laila Ibrahim in this challenge.

I read Glass Sword by Victoria Aveyard

I read "Lady Tan’s Circle of Women" by Lisa See

I read The Will to Change by bell hooks.

I read The Other March Sisters by Linda Epstein.

Read I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings by Maya Angelou

Fagin the Thief by Allison Epstein. 4 stars.
Can meet other prompts of the challenge as well.

If I Loved You Less by Aamna Qureshi


Its an Emma retelling that I really liked.