Celebrity book clubs have a lot of pull in the publishing world. I know that when I see a sticker, it makes me do a double take of that book. Over the years, I have read many books from a range of celebrity book clubs and have found some that I can depend on and others that usually leave me a bit disappointed. All opinions are my own but check out these book clubs and book lists to find something that speaks to you.
The ole’ standby:
Oprah’s Book Club
Host: Oprah Winfrey
I still remember the first book I read that brandished the Oprah’s Book Club seal of approval. I was probably 13 years old, and I read Where the Heart Is by Billie Letts (great book by the way.) Ever since, I knew I could trust Oprah and her book recommendations. I mean, does she do any wrong? Not in my book (pun intended.)
Oprah’s current book club pick is one I recently purchased and have seen nothing but rave reviews. Check out her current (and past) books, as well as a printable list of every Oprah book, ever.
Printable list: 201608-obc-complete-list-01a.pdf (oprah.com)
One that I am on the fence with:
Reese’s Book Club
Host: Reese Witherspoon
Full honesty here, I have a love/hate relationship with Reese’s Book Club. I love that she focuses on women authors, but several of the books she has picked have been duds. I will say, there have been some I loved such as Little Fires Everywhere, The Last Mrs. Parrish, Where the Crawdads Sing, Daisy Jones & the Six, and Seven Days in June. Then there have been others that were not for me, We Were Never Here, The Paper Palace, Group, etc. I’m about 50/50 if I am going to like something she picks.
Personal favs:
Read with Jenna
Host: Jenna Bush Hager
I have to say, Jenna Bush Hager has great taste in books. I have enjoyed almost everything I have read that she has picked, and she does a great job of diversifying her book choices and not always choosing well known authors. Personal favorites of mine have been Black Buck, The Four Winds, The Girl with the Louding Voice, Transcendent Kingdom, Black Cake, The Lincoln Highway, and A Woman is No Man.
Book list by month: Read With Jenna's Book List - TODAY.com | TODAY | TODAY
Good Morning America (GMA) Book Club
The GMA Book Club is a newer celebrity book club hosted by the Good Morning America crew. They tend to pick literary fiction reads, but the ones I have read have all been five star reads. A personal favorite (and an under-rated gem) is The Violin Conspiracy and recently, The Change.
GMA Book Club list: Shop 'GMA' Book Club picks | GMA (goodmorningamerica.com)
Lesser known and newly discovered:
Belletrist
Host: Emma Roberts
Belletrist book club is a newer one to me, hosted by Emma Roberts and her best friend, Karah Preiss. What started as a book exchange through mail, became a book club to share with other book lovers. They tend to pick outside the box reads and lesser-known titles and authors. I appreciate a celebrity book club that doesn’t always go for the shiny new release that is hyped all over social media. If you are looking to diversify your reading, check this one out.
Belletrist book selections: Belletrist | BookClub
Between Two Books
Host: Florence Welch
Between Two Books is hosted by none other than Florence (and the Machines) herself. When a fan reached out to her and suggested she start her own book club, she took up the idea and BTB was born. Book discussions have also been known to have special celebrity guests like well-known musicians and authors (added bonus!) Her book selections are definitely more on the eclectic side but feature modern day classics like The Goldfinch and Heartburn.
Book list: Home - Between Two Books
Funny enough, my friends Tina and Renee from BookTalk, etc. are on the same creative wavelength as me because their weekly podcast episode featured celebrity book clubs. If you haven't checked out their podcast yet, you are missing out on some fun conversation and book talk. Check out their latest episode!
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