Cincinnati’s Under Cover Book Club Unveils January 2025 Selections: Thriller, Memoir, and Campus Novel Highlighted

CINCINNATI, Ohio — As the calendar turns to January 2025, Cincinnati’s literary scene is set to engage enthusiasts with a unique blend of titles curated by the Under Cover Book Club. These selections are slated to be central to the club’s signature book-based scavenger hunt across the city, offering readers an interactive way to delve into new narratives. A recent report from Cincinnati CityBeat, published on January 1, 2025, detailed the three books chosen for this month’s activities, highlighting a diverse array of genres and storytelling approaches.

The featured books, reviewed in the Cincinnati CityBeat piece, include “A Gorgeous Excitement,” “American Thighs” by Elizabeth Ellen, and “Vantage Point” by Sara Sligar. Each offers a distinct literary experience, from introspective collegiate drama to sharp social commentary and a suspenseful thriller.

Exploring the January Selections

The Under Cover Book Club is known for integrating reading with exploration, turning the city of Cincinnati into a dynamic backdrop for literary discovery. For January 2025, the curated list serves as the backbone for this month’s scavenger hunt, encouraging participants to read the books while navigating physical locations related to their themes or content. The reviews published by Cincinnati CityBeat provide potential participants and general readers with insights into what to expect from these chosen works.

“A Gorgeous Excitement”: Collegiate Life and Literary Parallels

The first book highlighted is “A Gorgeous Excitement,” characterized in the CityBeat article as an intelligent exploration of college life. This narrative is noted for its nuanced portrayal of the academic and social complexities inherent in the university setting. For readers who appreciate authors renowned for their sharp psychological insight and distinctive prose, such as Sally Rooney, Jenny Offill, and Rachel Cusk, “A Gorgeous Excitement” is specifically recommended. The review positions it as a title likely to resonate with those who favor contemporary fiction that delves deeply into character and consciousness.

Published by Crown Publishing, this novel comprises 368 pages. Interestingly, while featured in the January 1, 2025, article, its listed publication date is later in the month, specifically January 21, 2025. This timing suggests an early look at a forthcoming title, offering the Under Cover Book Club participants a chance to engage with a very recent, or soon-to-be-released, work.

“American Thighs”: A Study in Identity and Voice

Next on the list is “American Thighs” by author Elizabeth Ellen. This work is described as employing a voice that is both cutting and vulnerable, promising a raw and unflinching look at its subject matter. The novel follows the character of Tatum Grant, a former child star whose life takes a dramatic turn when she adopts a stolen identity. This transformation sees her living as a high school sophomore in Elkhart, Indiana.

The narrative structure of “American Thighs” is presented through the viewpoints of various individuals connected to Tatum’s new life. This includes the perspectives of students, teachers, and even social media influencers, creating a multifaceted portrait of her adopted world and the perceptions surrounding her. The multiple perspectives are expected to build a complex understanding of identity, performance, and the impact of external gazes, offering a critical look at fame and reinvention.

“Vantage Point”: Politics, Perception, and a Pivotal Twist

The third book selected for the January scavenger hunt is “Vantage Point” by Sara Sligar. This novel falls into the thriller genre, specifically described as a slow-burning narrative that builds suspense gradually. The story centers on siblings Clara and Teddy, whose lives are dramatically affected by a scandal.

The central conflict arises when intimate videos of Clara are leaked, an event that unfolds amidst Teddy’s Senate campaign. This plot point sets the stage for an exploration of themes such as perception versus reality, public image, and the personal cost of political ambition. The Cincinnati CityBeat review highlights that “Vantage Point” features a significant twist, suggesting a narrative that will keep readers engaged and potentially challenge their initial assumptions about the characters and events as the story unfolds toward its conclusion.

The Cincinnati Connection

The inclusion of these three distinct books in the Under Cover Book Club’s programming for January 2025 underscores the club’s mission to foster community and engagement through literature within Cincinnati. By linking the act of reading to a city-wide scavenger hunt, the club transforms solitary reading into a shared, active experience. The report from Cincinnati CityBeat serves as an important announcement for the local literary community, providing details on the texts that will guide participants through this month’s urban exploration rooted in narrative.

The diversity in genres—from the thoughtful campus novel and the incisive character study to the suspenseful political thriller—ensures that the January 2025 selections offer something to appeal to a wide range of literary tastes, all tied together by the unique framework of a city-based adventure.