Celebrity Book Clubs

 

Celebrity book clubs have become a large part of our literary culture. They spotlight authors who otherwise might remain under the radar.  While well-known authors such as Louise Penny, Stephen King or James Patterson dominate bookshelves, celebrity picks often come from debut authors with compelling stories.

Three celebrities in particular have emerged as literary curators: Oprah Winfrey, Reese Witherspoon, and Jenna Bush Hager. Their book selections frequently land on bestseller lists, and each club has developed its own distinct tone and personality.

Oprah launched her book club in 1996 at the height of her daytime reign and to date has chosen over 100 books. What made her approach unique was that she chose a book asked people to read the book and encouraged them to join her for an in-depth discussion and exploration of the book while watching her show. 

Her books tend to lean toward serious literary fiction, memoirs and classics chosen for their thought-provoking themes.  I find that her recommendations elevate my book choices. Many of her books are a challenge to read but worth it since they leave a lasting impression.

I enjoy reading books that are emotionally rich, and character driven.  A few of her picks that are my personal favorites are Jewel, The Reader, Where the Heart Is and Becoming.    I appreciated her reintroduction to many of the classic such as The Heart is a Lonely Hunter, East of Eden and The Good Earth, books that I first read in High School but enjoyed reading again this time through an adult lens.

Reese Witherspoon launched her book club in 2017 through her media company, Hello Sunshine. The tone of her book club is very different from the Oprah Book club. I feel the books are more accessible and entertaining with a clear mission: to spotlight stories with women at the center.  Her selections often span contemporary fiction, thrillers, and historical novels and it is apparent that she chooses many of the books to adapt them into a film or series. I often find I am casting many of the characters while I read the book.

I’ve read many of Reese’s picks and enjoyed them all. One of my personal favorites is First Lie Wins, which I’ll explore in a separate post. 

Jenna Bush Hager launched her Read with Jenna book club in 2019. Her selections often feature debut authors and focus on themes of family, identity, and resilience. I imagine her love for reading was passed down from her mother, Laura Bush, and her grandmother, Barbara Bush, both strong advocates for literacy.  I will share more about of Jenna's picks in a future post.

These books club have created a space for new authors. Their recommendations provide books that encourage people to read and share their thoughts especially in book groups.

I’m a member of two book clubs myself, and they provide wonderful social interaction. I love gathering with my groups for lively discussion, laughter, and yes, some adult beverages and tasty munchies. That just adds to the ambiance and warmth of the experience.