5 Star-Studded Celebrity Book Clubs + Their Favorite Picks: From Mystery to Romance!

Whether it comes from your local library's new display, a bookish Facebook group, bibliophile friends or another source, uncovering a fantastic book recommendation is a small victory for book lovers everywhere. And in recent years, a number of A-listers have started recommending books and launching their own celebrity book clubs. In fact, when a beloved star like Reese Witherspoon shares her most recent favorite read, the book shoots up to the bestseller list shortly after.

The popularity of celebrity book clubs is partly due to the star factor ("Well, if Reese loved this book so much, I just have to see what it's about!"), but also, these book clubs are fun for readers. They offer optional engagement through discussions and posts on social media and, of course, plenty of great books to add to your (never-ending) TBR. Here, we gathered the top 5 celebrity book clubs and some of their favorite recent picks. Happy reading!

Reese’s Book Club

Reese’s Book Club, founded by actress and icon Reese Witherspoon (What like it’s hard?), has been doling out book picks since 2017. In Reese's club, you’re guaranteed to find an array of different genre picks — from mysteries to women's fiction and romance. Reese's goal is to ensure there’s a book for every mood and reader. Another thing she looks for in her picks every time? Stories in which a woman or women are the central focus. Over the years, Reese's Book Club grew into her production company, Hello Sunshine. Many of her book picks not only became bestsellers but also major motion pictures and TV series such as Where The Crawdads Sing by Delia Owens, Big Little Lies by Liane Moriarty, Little Fires Everywhere by Celeste Ng, and more.

3 of Reese’s picks

How To End A Love Story by Yulin Kuang

The story follows Helen Zhang, who hasn’t seen Grant Shepard in the 13 years since the accident that changed their lives. Now, Helen is a bestselling author. When Grant and Helen come face-to-face again, they are forced to deal with the past and the present — and all the chemistry crackling between them.

Where The Crawdads Sing by Delia Owens

Set in the 1950s, this New York Times bestselling novel by Delia Owens follows Kya Clark, an illiterate 10-year-old who must fend for herself in the North Carolina marshes after her family abandons her. Intelligent Kya has survived for years alone in the marsh, finding friends in the birds and lessons within nature. When she meets two young men in town who are intrigued by her, Kya sees the possibility of a different life. Then, something unfathomable happens. A beautiful, mystery-laced coming of age story.

Yellowface by R. F. Kuang

Authors June Hayward and Athena Liu were supposed to rise to fame together. But before long, Athena is a literary darling…and June is not. So when June witnesses Athena’s death in a freak accident, she does something unthinkable: She steals Athena’s just-finished manuscript. She even comes up with a pen name, Juniper Song, complete with an ambiguous author photo — because June is not Asian American. As the success pours in, June still can’t seem to escape Athena, and as evidence comes to light in Athena’s death, all her carefully constructed lies might be revealed.

Related: FIRST Summer Reading Guide: 13 Must-Read Books That Feel Like An Instant Vacation!

Shondaland (Shonda Rhimes) Books

When it comes to TV and movies, Shonda Rhimes is a household name. Known for her work as a creator, producer and screenwriter on cult favorites including Grey's Anatomy, The Princess Diaries and, of course, Bridgerton, there's nothing she won't do. That even includes books. Though she doesn't have a book club in the most traditional sense, the TV mogul loves showcasing her favorites on Shondaland Books. And it would come as no surprise if she develops some of these titles into television shows or movies. So while it isn't an official book club, the passionate recommendations are certainly overflowing!

3 of Shonda's picks

The Women by Kristin Hannah

It’s 1965 when 20-year-old nursing student Frances “Frankie” McGrath hears four words that change her life: Women can be heroes. After her brother Finley ships out to serve in Vietnam, she joins the Army Nurse Corps and follows his path. Even after the overwhelming day-to-day of the war, the real challenge Frankie will face is coming home to a changed America. A story about courage, friendship, love, loss and the women who bravely served their country.

Related: Kristin Hannah Talks About Her New Novel ‘The Women’ + How She Went From Attorney to Bestselling Author

Banyan Moon by Thao Thai

This evocative debut novel follows the heartfelt, heartwrenching family dynamics of three generations of Vietnamese American women. When Ann Tran’s beloved grandmother Minh passes away, she returns home to face her mother, Huong. While there, they learn Minh left them the Banyan House, the manor that was Ann’s childhood home. As the past interweaves with the present, Ann and Huong try to rebuild their relationship.

Normal People by Sally Rooney

The story follows Marianne and Connell, who pretend not to know each other in school. Connell is a popular soccer player and Marianne is quiet, introverted and lonely. One day Connell picks his mother up from her housekeeping job at Marianne’s family’s home and a small yet strong connection begins to grow between them. A year later, they reunite while studying at Trinity College in Dublin. What follows is an ode to first loves, undeniable connections and how far you’d go to save the ones you love.

Mindy’s Book Studio

Mindy’s Book Studio, founded by actress and all-around-powerhouse Mindy Kaling, is on the newer side with its first pick taking flight in 2022. Kaling picks each binge-worthy book herself and has the first option to develop any of of her selections into films. Her fresh, vibrant book picks are from diverse voices and are generally in the rom-com or coming-of-age genres.

3 of Mindy’s picks

Woke Up Like This by Amy Lea

All Charlotte Wu needs to do is plan the perfect prom and then she’ll be done with high school. But then, she falls off a ladder right in front of her archnemesis, J. T. Renner. Even worse? When Charlotte wakes up, she finds out that not only is she 30 years old, she’s also engaged to Renner. Now, the two must piece together what happened during the years they missed and try not to fall in love in the process.

Friends in Napa by Sheila Yasmin Marikar

Mindy Kaling described Friends in Napa by Sheila Yasmin Marikar as "smart and wildly entertaining…like drinking a glass of wine with an endlessly witty, scandalous friend." The story follows six old friends who head to Napa Valley for a glamorous weekend of fine wine and fun...until old tensions begin to rise. A dark comedy that reads like a juicy gossip session among best friends.

The Vibrant Years by Sonali Dev

This heartwarming, hilarious novel follows three generations of women navigating different phases of their lives. When 65-year-old Bindu Desai inherits $1 million, she’s shocked and worried — as it may expose a secret from years ago. Trying to keep the secret hidden, she spends all the money at once on a new condo in a luxe retirement community in Florida. This news comes as a surprise to her 47-year-old ex daughter-in-law, Aly, who still lives with Bindu…even after her divorce from Bindu’s son. Then, Aly’s daughter Cullie is facing work problems and enlists Bindu and Aly to help. What follows is a multi-generational story that Mindy Kaling describes as “a joyful and fun read about a group of underestimated women demanding respect and embracing their most authentic selves.”

Sarah Jessica Parker (SJP) Lit

The newest of the celebrity book clubs, but certainly not lacking in books, is SJP Lit. Founded in 2022 by beloved actress Sarah Jessica Parker in partnership with Zando, this book club is really more of a publishing imprint that focuses on provocative and inclusive stories. “I make no secret of my devotion to books, the necessary role they play in my life and my endless admiration for authors and storytellers,” said SJP in an Instagram caption.

3 of SJP’s picks

Women and Children First by Alina Grabowski

Told through alternating points of view, Women and Children First by debut author Alina Grabowski chronicles the occurrence and aftermath of a young woman’s mysterious death in a small, close-knit coastal town in Massachusetts.

They Dream in Gold by Mai Sennaar

This literary journey, written by debut author Mai Sennnaar, follows Bonnie and Mansour on their trek around the world. The two meet in the late 1960s, and their chemistry is palpable from the start. However, when Mansour goes missing, Bonnie must power through as a newly pregnant woman and uncover the truth about his whereabouts. Spanning over two decades, this book delves into the feeling of belonging and the importance of family.

Coleman Hill by Kim Coleman Foote

Coleman Hill is told from the perspective of nine different characters across 70 years. This multigenerational story by debut author Kim Coleman Foote follows two American families as their paths cross during the Great Migration. Celia Coleman and Lucy Grimes leave their homes in the post-Civil War-south in hopes of a better life up north. When these women’s lives intertwine 10 years after leaving, they rely on each other as they face continuous challenges. The story is fiction but effortlessly weaves in family legends and occurrences from Coleman Foote’s own life.

Read with Jenna

Today Show host Jenna Bush Hager chooses a book each month for her reader-favorite book club, Read with Jenna. The book picks have been flowing since she started the book club in 2019, and she mainly selects books that will entertain and challenge readers. You can just be along for the reading ride or join the discussions on Instagram, Facebook (The 'Read With Jenna' Facebook has more than 77,000 members!) or Goodreads.

3 of Jenna’s Picks

Good Material by Dolly Alderton

This tale is an exposé on life after heartbreak and follows Andy, a 35-year-old man struggling with a dwindling comedy career and, most recently, an abrupt dumping by the long-term love of his life, Jen. As the story unfolds, it becomes an intriguing and witty commentary on post-breakup woes.

Maame by Jessica George

Full of heart and humor, this captivating saga stars Maddie, whose life in London is far from rewarding. She’s the primary caretaker for her father with Parkinson’s and her boss is a nightmare. Maddie decides to take a chance on herself and starts saying “yes” to other opportunities. But when tragedy strikes, and she finds herself torn between two cultures, she’s forced to search for where she truly belongs.

Remarkably Bright Creatures by Shelby Van Pelt

After Tova Sullivan’s husband died, she began working the night shift at a local aquarium — and she befriended a giant Pacific octopus named Marcellus. What follows is the unraveling of the mystery behind the disappearance of Tova’s son many years ago, with Marcellus serving as a part-time narrator.

For more book recommendations click through the links below:

FIRST Summer Reading Guide: 13 Must-Read Books That Feel Like An Instant Vacation!

The 12 Best Romance Movies Based on Books, Ranked — Sure To Make Your Heart Flutter

FIRST Book Club: ‘The Paradise Problem,’ ‘Good Material’ and More Recommended Reads for May 10 to May 16