Reese Witherspoon's Best Book Club Picks
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When we’re craving a new book to read and have no idea where to look, sometimes the best place to find a quality recommendation is to look to the stars. No, not those ones. We’re talking about celebrity book clubs, specifically Reese Witherspoon’s book club!
The Oscar winner and self-professed bookworm has been offering up some great book recs from established and up-and-coming writers, highlighting her new picks on social media the first Tuesday of every month. We’ve been combing through Witherspoon’s past selections, and now we’ve rounded them up for your one-stop shop that’ll fill up your library in no time.
Each of these books is so distinct. Some are perfect for fans of the true crime genre, others are inspiring and uplifting, and still more delve into stories we may have never known about were it not for the authors who wrote them. What’s great about Witherspoon’s book club is that there’s really something for everyone. So, you won’t be disappointed when you scroll through some of her best picks below.
Regardless of what season it is, there’s never a wrong time to pick up a new book and dive into a fresh story. Whether you’re buying for yourself, a friend, or a family member, you won’t be disappointed by the diverse selection of novels that have the Witherspoon stamp of approval. Take a look at some of our favorites below!
A version of this article was originally published in March 2022.
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‘The Henna Artist’ by Alka Joshi
The Henna Artist by Alka Joshi is a tale of female strength and perseverance. The novel follows seventeen-year-old Lakshmi who escapes her abusive marriage and moves to Jaipur in the 1950s and becomes the go-to henna artist to the upper class. But as she establishes her new life, her long lost secrets threaten to destroy everything.
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‘Wrong Place Wrong Time’ by Gillian McAllister
If you love a thriller with a dash of science fiction, Wrong Place Wrong Time by Gillian McAllister is the ideal book for you. It’s about a mother who worries constantly about her teenage son. One night, she looks out her window and sees him stab a man in their front yard. By the next morning, she’s traveled back in time to the day before the crime, and it’s up to her to piece every part of this mystery together before it’s too late.
'Wrong Place Wrong Time' by Gillian McAllister
‘The Last Thing He Told Me’ by Laura Dave
You won’t be able to put this novel down, trust us. The Last Thing He Told Me by Laura Dave follows Hannah, whose husband Owen goes missing. He’s left a note for his wife of one year: “Protect her.” Hannah thinks the note refers to Owen’s 16-year-old daughter, Bailey, whose relationship with Hannah isn’t close by any means. Nevertheless, Hannah and Bailey set out to put the pieces of Owen’s disappearance together, and discover that the man they knew isn’t at all what he seemed.
'The Last Thing He Told Me' by Laura Dave
‘Romantic Comedy’ by Curtis Sittenfeld
Romantic Comedy by Curtis Sittenfeld is the perfect novel if you want to swoon and laugh all at the same time. The novel follows Sally Milz, a sketch writer for a Saturday Night Live-inspired show called The Night Owls. After thinking she’ll never find someone for her, in comes Noah Brewster, a pop music sensation who has a reputation for only dating gorgeous models. “Dazzled by his charms, Sally hits it off with Noah instantly, and as they collaborate on one sketch after another, she begins to wonder if there might actually be sparks flying,” the description teases.
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‘The Light We Lost’ by Jill Santopolo
If you’re looking for a romance book to make you believe in love, The Light We Lost by Jill Santopolo should be your next read. The novel follows Lucy and Gabe as they meet during their senior years of college and pursue completely different careers (Gabe becomes a photojournalist assigned to the Middle East and Lucy pursues a career in New York) while keeping each other in their hearts the whole way through.
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‘The Paper Palace’ by Miranda Cowley Heller
Dubbed “the perfect beach read” by Witherspoon, The Paper Palace by Miranda Cowley Heller is perfect for a relaxing summer vacation. During a family summer getaway, 50-year-old Elle has one night of passion with her old flame Jonas, while her husband and Jonas’ spouse are totally unawares. The novel chronicles the decision Elle has to make between the idyllic life she has, and the one she lost with Jonas.
'The Paper Palace' by Miranda Cowley Heller
‘Our Missing Hearts’ by Celeste Ng
After his mom left him at just nine years old, Bird Gardner has lived a quiet life away from drama in Our Missing Hearts by Celeste Ng. That is, however, until he receives a cryptic message that sets him on a quest to find his mother after so many years.
“His journey will take him back to the many folktales she poured into his head as a child, through the ranks of an underground network of heroic librarians, and finally to New York City, where he will learn the truth about what happened to his mother and what the future holds for them both,” the description reads.
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‘The Guest List’ by Lucy Foley
The Guest List by Lucy Foley is all about a meticulous picture-perfect wedding gone terribly wrong.
“As the champagne is popped and the festivities begin, resentments and petty jealousies begin to mingle with the reminiscences and well wishes,” the description reads. “The groomsmen begin the drinking game from their school days. The bridesmaid not-so-accidentally ruins her dress. The bride’s oldest (male) friend gives an uncomfortably caring toast.”
“And then someone turns up dead. Who didn’t wish the happy couple well? And perhaps more important, why?”
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‘How to End a Love Story’ by Yulin Kuang
How to End a Love Story by Yulin Kuang is about two writers, Grant and Helen, who haven’t seen each other since a tragic accident 13 years ago. But after over a decade of building their lives far away from each other, Grant joins the writers’ room for a TV adaptation, which just happened to be based on Helen’s novel. “Working together is messy, and electrifying, and Helen’s parents, who have never forgiven Grant, have no idea he’s in the picture at all,” the description reads.
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‘Anita de Monte Laughs Last’ by Xochitl Gonzalez
Anita de Monte Laughs Last by Xochitl Gonzalez follows main characters, Raquel and Anita. “Anita de Monte, a rising star in the art world, is found dead in New York City; her tragic death is the talk of the town. Until it isn’t,” the description says of the artist.
13 years later, Raquel, a student at College Hill, becomes fascinated by Anita’s work. “When Raquel becomes romantically involved with a well-connected older art student, she finds herself unexpectedly rising up the social ranks,” the description details. “As she attempts to straddle both worlds, she stumbles upon Anita’s story, raising questions about the dynamics of her own relationship, which eerily mirrors that of the forgotten artist.”
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‘L.A. Weather’ by María Amparo Escandón
A dry spell in Los Angeles is the backdrop for the Alvarado family drama in L.A. Weather by María Amparo Escandón. Chosen by Witherspoon as her book club’s September 2021 selection, this novel follows three sisters, their parents, and the complicated relationships that bind them together. Using the weather to mimic the bonds between these family members, this novel highlights the endurance of sisterhood.
'L.A. Weather' by María Amparo Escandón
‘The Club’ by Ellery Lloyd
This novel is a killer murder mystery. The Club by Ellery Lloyd chronicles the strange happenings at an exclusive club for the rich and famous. When everyone begins to lose their nerve — and their lives — it becomes clear that once you’re in this club, getting out is a deadly feat.
'The Club' by Ellery Lloyd
‘The Island of Missing Trees’ by Elif Shafak
Witherspoon’s November 2021 selection for her book club was The Island of Missing Trees by Elif Shafak. Described by the actress as a book about “world wars, great love” and so much more, this magical story follows a young girl named Ada, her connection to her family, her parents’ love story, and a special tree that recounts those stories.
'The Island of Missing Trees' by Elif Shafak
‘Eleanor Oliphant is completely fine’ by Gail Honeymoon
Eleanor Oliphant is completely fine by Gail Honeymoon is the book that started it all! Back in 2017, Witherspoon first announced her book club with this “beautifully written and incredibly funny” novel.
The book follows the titular character, a quirky, timid woman who lacks social skills, avoids human interaction and spends her weekends drinking vodka, eating pizza and calling her mom. Her life changes when she meets Raymond, an awkward guy with poor hygiene who works in the IT department in her office, and an elderly man who they save after a fall, Sammy. Together they become an unlikely trio and Raymond’s big heart becomes the key to healing Eleanor’s damaged one.
Eleanor Oliphant is completely fine
‘We Were Never Here’ by Andrea Bartz
Back in August 2021, Witherspoon chose what might be the perfect novel to finish out the summer. We Were Never Here by Andrea Bartz is a thrilling story about a backpacking trip gone deadly wrong. Emily and Kristen are two best friends who get together every year for a new adventure. The only thing is, death seems to follow them wherever they go.
'We Were Never Here' by Andrea Bartz
‘Honor’ by Thrity Umrigar
This unfiltered novel is completely eye-opening. Honor by Thrity Umrigar follows Smita, a journalist who returns to India to cover a story. While there, she realizes the story she’s pursuing resonates with her, and mimicks her own experience. You won’t be able to put down this thrilling tale of love and hope.
'Honor' by Thrity Umrigar
‘Counterfeit’ by Kirstin Chen
Counterfeit by Kirstin Chen follows picture-perfect Ava Wong, a mom and wife whose life is crumbling around her: her marriage is falling apart, her expensive law degree hasn’t been used in years, and her toddler’s tantrums are pushing her to the breaking point. In comes her college roommate Winnie Fang, who’s turned her life around after successfully an ingenious counterfeit scheme bringing seemingly luxury bags from China to the US. With so little excitement in her life, Ava wonders if joining Winnie’s scheme would be the excitement she needs.
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‘The Night Tiger’ by Yangsze Choo
The Night Tiger by Yangsze Choo follows two ambitious characters: Ji Lin and Ren. While Ji Lin embarks on a quest to find the story behind a gruesome souvenir, Ren is on a mission to fulfill his former master’s dying wish. “Ji Lin and Ren’s increasingly dangerous paths crisscross through lush plantations, hospital storage rooms, and ghostly dreamscapes,” the description reads.
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‘The Other Woman’ by Sandie Jones
The Other Woman by Sandie Jones is a psychological thriller that’ll leave you on the edge of your seat. The novel follows the hopelessly romantic Emily as she falls for her Mr. Right, Adam. That is, however, until his mom Pammie proves she won’t stop at anything to make sure Adam’s attention continues to be on her – no matter the cost.
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‘The Marriage Portrait’ by Maggie O’Farrell
The Marriage Portrait by Maggie O’Farrell tells the story of Lucrezia, the young daughter of a grand duke in 1550s Florence who’s thrust into marriage after the sudden passing of her sister. Now, instead of living her life in the shadows, she’s right in the middle of the spotlight by marrying the ruler of Ferrara, Modena and Reggio.
“As Lucrezia sits in constricting finery for a painting intended to preserve her image for centuries to come, one thing becomes worryingly clear. In the court’s eyes, she has one duty: to provide the heir who will shore up the future of the Ferranese dynasty,” the description reads. “Until then, for all of her rank and nobility, the new duchess’s future hangs entirely in the balance.”
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‘Little Fires Everywhere’ by Celeste Ng
In a book that meant so much to Witherspoon, she even starred in the TV adaptation herself, Little Fires Everywhere by Celeste Ng follows the picture-perfect Richardson family as a single mother called Mia moves into their small town and unleashes a dangerous rivalry.
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‘Did You Hear About Kitty Karr?’ by Crystal Smith Paul
Did You Hear About Kitty Karr? by Crystal Smith Paul follows three Black and wealthy sisters, the St. John sisters, as they inherit a multimillion-dollar estate from silver screen icon Kitty Karr Tate. The sudden connection, of course, raises eyebrows, including from one of the sisters Elsie St. John herself, who then begins a mission to find out why Kitty did what she did.
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‘The Alice Network’ by Kate Quinn
The Alice Network by Kate Quinn follows the story of two characters: American college girl Charlie St. Clair who’s determined to find her cousin Rose after getting kicked out of her family’s home and Eve Gardiner, a former spy in WWI who’s still reeling over what happened decades earlier. When their paths meet, it “launches them both on a mission to find the truth…no matter where it leads.”
