Aug 28

Aug 28 13 Celebrity Book Clubs: Where Hollywood and Literature Meet

In recent years, celebrity book clubs have evolved from occasional side projects into cultural powerhouses—shaping bestseller lists, driving pre-orders, and creating thriving online communities. When a star with millions of followers recommends a title, it can transform a quiet literary gem into a national conversation overnight. And while the glamour of the spotlight is part of the draw, there’s more to it than star power alone.

People follow celebrity book clubs for many reasons. For some, it’s the thrill of knowing their favorite actor, musician, or public figure is reading the same book they are—a sense of shared experience that transcends the usual fan–celebrity relationship. Others appreciate the curated nature of these clubs; instead of wading through endless bookstore shelves or online lists, they can trust a personality they admire to point them toward compelling stories. And because many celebrities use their platforms to highlight diverse voices, debut authors, or books with important social themes, their picks often broaden readers’ horizons in ways that algorithm-driven recommendations can’t.

The ripple effects on the book community are profound. A celebrity endorsement can change the trajectory of an author’s career, introducing them to an audience they might never have reached otherwise. Publishers and booksellers benefit from increased sales and foot traffic, while readers discover stories that challenge their perspectives, offer comfort, or spark joy. Book clubs run by public figures often create built-in discussion spaces—through social media threads, live interviews, newsletters, or even podcasts—turning solitary reading into a shared, interactive experience.

Whether you’re a die-hard follower of your favorite star’s every recommendation or a casual browser curious about what’s catching the attention of Hollywood, these celebrity book clubs offer more than just a list of good reads. They’re shaping the literary landscape, fostering community, and reminding us that stories still have the power to connect people across geography, background, and life experience.

13 Celebrity Book Clubs

Celebrity Book Clubs: Where Hollywood and Literature Meet

Reese Witherspoon’s Book Club (Reese’s Book Club)

Reese Witherspoon’s book club is practically the gold standard when it comes to celebrity literary influence. Every month, she picks a book with a strong female lead—often stories written by women, for women. With the tagline “Read with Reese,” her picks consistently hit bestseller lists and frequently go on to become adaptations under her media company, Hello Sunshine. Reese's influence is so strong that being chosen as a pick can launch a book into the spotlight overnight. Her club includes a vibrant community across Instagram, an app for tracking picks and discussions, and even themed merchandise.

📚 Notable picks: Funny Story by Emily Henry, The Husbands by Chandler Baker, The Last Thing He Told Me by Laura Dave.

Jenna Bush Hager’s Book Club (Read with Jenna)

Jenna Bush Hager brings warmth and relatability to her monthly selections on NBC’s Today Show. “Read with Jenna” tends to spotlight deeply emotional novels that invite reflection and discussion. Her picks often explore identity, family, and resilience—books that feel personal and rich with meaning. What sets Jenna’s club apart is its wide mainstream reach and the fact that her selections often introduce lesser-known authors to a huge national audience. The club fosters thoughtful conversations both on-air and online.

📚 Notable picks: The Berry Pickers by Amanda Peters, Fellowship Point by Alice Elliott Dark, Maame by Jessica George.

Natalie Portman’s Book Club (Nat’s Book Club)

Natalie Portman’s Nat’s Book Club offers a deeply contemplative take on celebrity-led literature circles. Rather than buzz and pop culture cachet, Portman brings a discerning, empathy-centered approach—highlighting books that challenge, illuminate, and reflect shared human experiences. Her website features monthly picks, authentic author interviews, and a newsletter that creates a welcoming literary community for thoughtful readers.

📚 Notable picks: Jenny Odell’s Saving Time to Jacinda Ardern’s memoir A Different Kind of Power—guiding readers on a journey of insight, identity, and reflection.

Mindy Kaling’s Book Recs (Mindy’s Book Studio)

It’s not a book club in the traditional sense, but Mindy Kaling’s Book Studio—her Amazon publishing imprint—has quickly become a go-to destination for discovering binge-worthy books with bold, cinematic storytelling. Focused on elevating diverse, emerging voices—especially women of color—her selections are funny, fresh, emotionally resonant, and often primed for screen adaptation. Each title reflects Kaling’s signature charm and wit, offering stories that are as entertaining as they are meaningful.

📚 Notable picks: The Vibrant Years by Sonali Dev, I’ll Stop the World by Lauren Thoman, The Rules of Fortune by Danielle Prescod.

Celebrity Book Clubs: Where Hollywood and Literature Meet

Emma Roberts’s Book Club — Belletrist

Belletrist isn’t your average celebrity book club—it’s a vibrant online reading community co-founded in 2017 by Emma Roberts and her friend Karah Preiss (then expanded into Belletrist Productions)! Every month, Belletrist selects one book and invites readers into a shared experience filled with thoughtful recommendations, author features, and community-driven discussions. Roberts explained that their picks are driven by emotional resonance: “we try to pick books that we read and then need to talk about. You read it and you’re like: I gotta talk to someone about this—now!”. The club has even partnered with Tertulia to deliver picks straight to members’ doorsteps.

📚 Notable picks: The Motherload: Episodes from the Brink of Motherhood by Sarah Hoover, The Mystery Guest by Grégoire Bouillier, The Strange Case of Jane O. by Karen Thompson Walker.

Oprah’s Book Club

It’s the original celebrity book club—and still the most iconic. Since launching in 1996, Oprah’s Book Club has transformed countless titles into household names and propelled authors to literary stardom. Her picks are deeply emotional, often centered around resilience, trauma, justice, and redemption. Each selection is paired with rich discussions, author interviews, and deep dives into the book’s themes—often aired on Super Soul Sunday or Apple Books. Oprah’s seal of approval isn’t just a boost—it’s a cultural moment, uniting readers across generations and backgrounds in conversation about the power of story.

📚 Notable picks: Let Us Descend by Jesmyn Ward, Wellness by Nathan Hill, The Covenant of Water by Abraham Verghese.

Emma Watson’s Our Shared Shelf

Emma Watson’s Our Shared Shelf carved out a unique space in the literary world as a feminist reading community powered by curiosity, activism, and empathy. Launched in 2016 as part of her work with UN Women, the club spotlighted intersectional feminist titles—from memoirs to manifestos—and sparked global conversations around gender, identity, and social justice. Though officially inactive since 2020, the reading list remains a powerful resource for anyone seeking books that inform, challenge, and empower through a feminist lens.

📚 Notable picks: The Color Purple by Alice Walker, The Beauty Myth by Naomi Wolf, Why I'm No Longer Talking to White People About Race by Reni Eddo-Lodge.

Dua Lipa’s Service95

Dua Lipa’s Service95 Book Club is a compelling monthly literary experience within her global-minded lifestyle platform. Launched in June 2022 through her Service95 newsletter and website, it reflects her passion for reading diverse stories from around the world—fiction, memoirs, manifestos, and more—each thoughtfully selected and accompanied by exclusive author interviews, essays, playlists, and other editorial content. With an equally engaging podcast presence, Dua brings her own curiosity and warmth to the conversations, giving fans a rare chance to enter the minds of the authors behind the books

📚 Notable picks: This House of Grief by Helen Garner, Shuggie Bain by Douglas Stuart, Trust by Hernan Diaz.

Florence Welch’s Between Two Books

Florence Welch’s Between Two Books—established in 2012—is a literary oasis for readers who, like her, gravitate toward mythic storytelling, emotional depth, and off‑beat picks that resist algorithmic predictability. Curated by the ethereal lead of Florence + the Machine and her circle of guest contributors, the selections span genres—from memoirs and poetry to literary fiction and cultural criticism—and often echo her musical sensibility. This club invites readers into rich, reflective conversations and reinforces that reading can feel as visceral and poetic as music itself.

📚 Notable picks: Year of the Monkey by Patti Smith, Good Morning, Midnight by Jean Rhys, and The Parable of the Sower by Octavia E. Butler

Celebrity Book Clubs: Where Hollywood and Literature Meet

Dakota Johnson’s TeaTime Book Club

Dakota Johnson’s TeaTime Book Club, born from her production house TeaTime Pictures, has become a literary retreat grounded in depth, curiosity, and immersive storytelling. Curated via Instagram, each selection arrives with poetic flair—paired with exclusive author clips, themed playlists, and Johnson’s own thoughtful commentary. Her picks lean toward lyrical literary fiction, often spotlighting first-time novelists and female-forward voices that demand reflection and conversation.

📚 Notable picks: Cinema Love by Jiaming Tang, Model Home by Rivers Solomon, and We Were the Universe by Kimberly King Parsons

Kaia Gerber’s Library Science

Kaia Gerber’s Library Science, co-founded with Alyssa Reeder in 2020 and formalized in 2024, is a curated online reading community that champions under-the-radar and underrepresented voices. Instead of spotlighting bestsellers, Library Science blends contemporary works with literary classics to enrich conversation and encourage deep engagement. Its mission is clear: all books are for everyone, and the most profound learning often lies in stories outside our usual spotlight. The platform brings readers together through thoughtfully selected books, author interviews, and vibrant discussions hosted across Instagram and YouTube.

📚 Notable picks: Bonjour Tristesse by Françoise Sagan, Early Thirties by Josh Duboff, and The Wickedest by Caleb Femi

Sarah Jessica Parker’s SJP Lit

SJP Lit—Sarah Jessica Parker’s publishing imprint in collaboration with Zando Projects—is a literary beacon for thoughtful, expansive fiction rooted in diversity, emotion, and powerful storytelling. Rather than steering readers toward mainstream titles, SJP Lit champions underrepresented voices—showcasing novels that are sweeping, discussion-driven, and often unearthly in their resonance. Parker’s selections mirror her deep love for literature and her instinct for books that linger long after the final page.

📚 Notable picks: These Days by Lucy Caldwell, Women and Children First by Alina Grabowski, and Coleman Hill by Kim Coleman Foote

Jimmy Fallon’s Book Club

Jimmy Fallon’s Book Club—launched in 2018 on The Tonight Show—has become a playful yet meaningful way to rally his audience around a shared reading experience. Reinvented in 2024 with a March Madness–style bracket and fan voting, the club invites viewers to take part in choosing the next pick, turning reading into a collective, screen-to-page event. More than just a host picking a book, Fallon brings his signature humor and energy—revealing the winning title in a dramatic briefcase moment and even gifting audience members copies live on-air.

📚 Notable picks: My Friends by Fredrik Backman, The God of the Woods by Liz Moore, and Nightwatching by Tracy Sierra

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