Looking For The Next Great Read? These Celebrity Book Clubs Will Inspire You
Oprah Winfrey, started the book club back in 1996 that started a reading trend that was hugely popular during her infamous talk show era. Book clubs provide a forum for multiple people who are reading the same book together to chat about it together. Today, some of her celebrity friends are taking book clubs to an entire new level by using social media to attract fans. Here are 10 great celeb book clubs to Follow in 2019.
Oprah Winfrey’s Online Book Club 2.0
Oprah took some time off from an official book club when her show ended, but is now back on the online book club band wagon. She reads, reviews and recommends books from both new and accomplished authors. Thanks to O’s influence, she’s catapulted new authors int fortune and fame.
pinterestThe best thing about her still hugely popular book club is readers in the world respect her literary opinion. Books like Michelle Obama’s, “Becoming” and Elizabeth Gilbert’s, “City of Girls,” are two good reads endorsed by Lady O. Book Club 2.0 is defined as, “an interactive, multi-platform reading club that harnesses the power of social media, bringing passionate readers together to discuss inspiring stories.”
Reese Witherspoon’s – Hello Sunshine
Girl power is what this Hollywood A list celebrity is focused on in her awesome online book club, HelloSunshine. This Instagram based club is a community celebrating women’s stories. What more could a girl ask for? Beautiful Reese, some know her better as Elle from the hit movie, Legally Blonde, posts a selfie video introducing her book of the month and gives a brief review of why she personally picked it. It’s like Reese is your BFF sharing the scoop with you!
he authors’ of the selected books even get to chime in with videos of thanks, thoughts and clues to the next month’s selection. About a month before Jessica Knoll debuted her first novel, the thriller Luckiest Girl Alive, Witherspoon Instagrammed a video clip of herself lauding the book as a “huge summer read” . That day, Luckiest Girl Alive shot to the Top 100 on Amazon’s best-selling books ranking and few weeks later climbed into the Top 10 on Amazon.
Emma Roberts’ and Karah Preiss
Accomplished actresses, Emma and Karah are close friends, avid readers and co founders of Belletrist Book Club they started and continue to curate to ignite the public’s interest in reading. This growing community is endorsed by celebrating literature, authors, and the literary community. They invite you to, “meet your next favorite book,” by sharing favorites of members. They both agree that their goal is to do what Kylie Jenner has done to lip kits to books. It’s working, too.
instagram/emmarobertsThey share their love for reading with hundreds of book worms through Belletrist Book Club and say they, too, are reading more than ever before. Belletrist highlights independent bookstores, too which is awesome in the days of the shrinking small retail industry. Bravo to the beautiful and talented BFFs who encourage reading and inspire the entrepreneurial spirit!
Andrew Luck’s Book Club
How does a star NFL player get the idea to start his very own book club? Andrew not only had a love for football, he has always had a passion for reading. His story is the perfect content for his own book, but he explained that during a 2015 interview, the hosts suggested, jokingly, that he should start the Andrew Luck Book Club. Not long after, an article in the Wall Street Journal tagged Andrew as the NFL’s unofficial librarian.
shutterstockThe hashtag, #ALBookClub” began popping up on Twitter, so he decided it was meant to be and started his online book club that builds teams through reading. He recommends two books each month and include a variety of topics for all ages to enjoy. One will be for rookies, younger readers and the second for veterans, more seasoned readers. Podcast interviews with the authors will be posted and some special surprises will be shared during football season for his team of readers.
Jimmy Fallon’s Tonight Show’s Summer Reads
Funny man Jimmy Fallon has the perfect venue for a successful book club. He’s narrowed his time frame down to summer reading and has a different take on his format. For the second year, he shares five books to the Tonight Show viewers during his 11:00 pm show, reading a small overview of the plot. Of course, he adds some comedy along the way. Readers are to vote for their favorite and the one with the most votes will be the Jimmy’s Summer read.
instagram/fallontonightViewers follow the book club on Instagram using to find out how to order the book, meet the author and follow Jimmy’s comments. The 2019 viewer choice read is, “Ask Again, Yes,” by Martha Keane. Last year’s selection made it all the way to the New York Times, Best Seller List. That’s nothing to laugh about.
Emma Watson’s, Our Shared Shelf
Equality is very important to British actress, feminist, and activist, Emma Watson. Emma is best known as Hermoine Granger the part she played in the J.K. Rowling movie series, Harry Potter as well as other popular movies. She is also has a degree in English Literature and is an avid reader. Her book club, Our Shared Shelf was started to inform and education both women and men in the importance of equality and spearhead a positive platform to share.
instagram/emmawatsonIt’s easy to participate. Emma selects a book to read every two months and then poses questions and comments to get the conversation started. She also invites the authors to comment. Watson’s goal is to select “striking” books that challenge and encourage readers to learn about some of the most foundational texts in feminist thought as well as books that are written on the subject today.
Florence Welch’s Between Two Books
Most know Florence as an amazing vocalist and musician in the band, Florence and the Machine. Book enthusiasts know her as the founder of an unusual book club, Between Two Books. It works somewhat different than other online clubs. It is led by her fans.
pinterestFlorence or a guest will recommend books to read and a small group of fans will then manage the book club’s social media pages. Florence stated that Between Two Books was her favorite part of the internet and loves seeing how books bring readers together. She calls her members, “a lovely group of literary Florence Welch fans.”
Sarah Jessica Parker SJP For Hogarth
Sarah Jessica Parker is a celebrated actress and best known for her work as Carrie Bradshaw in the HBO series, Sex and the City where she wrote a column in a NYC newspaper column by the same name. Her favorite magazine was Cosmo in that show, but the fact is, Parker loves to read and has for many years. She says that from an early age, books were her constant companions and my local library a place she could find a new friend on every shelf.
instagram/sarahjessicaparkerFast forward a few years and now she is honorary chair of Book Club Central for the American Library Association and the star and executive producer of another successful series, but still makes time to read. Whether it is a script, a book from a new author or a classic, she says she enjoys reading about the lives of others that are much more interesting than her own.
Barack Obama’s Reading List
Barack Obama loves to read and this former president loves to share what he is reading with others. Each August, Obama lists both fiction and non-fiction reads that have to do with the American experience. He also shares his favorite movies and music with his social media followers with the intention of inspiring them to read more and learn more. There is always an increase in sales shortly after Obama announces them.
pinterestPeople are interested in his opinion and this reading community is making the authors of these books very happy. Obama said that sharing his favorites gives him the opportunity to highlight talented authors, artists and storytellers. It’s not surprising that one of the favorite reads at the tippy top of his list is “Becoming,” by his beautiful first lady, Michelle Obama.
Sonali’s Book Club
Discovering a new author is like discovering a hidden gem, said book club founder, Sonali Bendre, an Indian actress and author who wanted to jump start her love for reading and inspire others to read too. Sonali’s Book club, has members worldwide that read and discuss the same books via Instagram and Facebook. She also hosts the #SBC Masterclass, a series of conversations between successful authors and newbies to inspire budding artists with stories, tips and tricks to help their writing journey.
instagram/sonalisbookclubGoing even further and somewhat different from other celebrity book clubs, SBC Little Ones showcases appropriate books for younger readers to help parents find books their children will enjoy. Kudos to this Bollywood Start as she fights a battle with cancer but still continues to inspire the world to read and learn through her book club.
Jenna Bush’s Read With Jenna
Extra, extra read all about it and then read some more! Jenna Bush Hager, the daughter and granddaughter of two very famous American presidents, George Jr. and George Sr., has launched a book club with the help of The Today Show, called, Read With Jenna. FYI: Famous Mom, First Lady, Laura was a librarian so Jenna is the perfect fit for this read along club format.
instagram/jennabhagerJenna will encourage the authors of her selections to keep active on social media to answer readers comments and questions and get a more intimate look into the writing. Announced in March 2019, during a live broadcast of The Today Show, the first book is, “The Last Romantics,” by Tara Conklin. Read With Jenna will announce a new book to read each month.
Lea Dunham’s Lenny Letter
Lea Dunham took HBO by storm in the racy series, Girls. She played a writer wannabe on the show and now takes her love for reading and writing for that matter to her fans, but in a whole new way. Her book club, called Lenny Letter was a popular online community that she and her friend, Jennifer Konner celebrated women and women’s writing. They had a blog and newsletter, too and partnered with book publishing giant, Random House with a mission, to publish “impactful women’s writing.
varietyThe Lenny Letter tagline read, “feminism, style, health, politics, friendship, and everything else — unfiltered.” Unfortunately all good things must come to an end (including a good book club and partnership) and this platform shut its online doors in 2018 after a three-year run.
Aspire Book Club
This is a book club that lists books that different celebrities have read. Their tagline is, “discover the books that shaped thinking of people you admire.” Al Gore, Gwenyth Paltrow, Bradley Cooper, Sir Richard Branson, Cate Blanchett, and Hugh Jackman and the books they read are all listed on Aspire. Oprah is even listed as one of the celebrity readers on their site, and she should as she is the queen bee of the book club.
shutterstockAspireBookClub includes a brief bio of each celebrity, links to their websites and social media accounts so fans can like and follow them at their convenience. Well done for those out there who like to read, want to read, but maybe not chat with other folks about it. Just knowing a famous person read it, too is enough to “aspire” them.
Oprah Winfrey’s Pick
The next slides feature our favorite celebrity book club and the books they are reading and chatting about. Some are classics, some are brand new and some are somewhere right in the middle.
pinterest“An American Marriage” by Tayari Jones tells the fictional story about a marriage that is challenged because the husband keeps something he did from his bride and it takes them on a journey that wasn’t part of her plan. Oprah says that this book redefines the American love story and encourages readers to read along with a friend because it is, “so juicy.”
Reese Witherspoon’s Pick
“The Last House Guest” by Megan Miranda is one of the Summer 2019 books that Reese and her hellosunshine crew are reading. Reese says get ready because this smart summer thriller by an author who is an MIT graduate will keep you guessing from start to finish
Instagram/reesesbookclubThe Last House Guest by MeganL Miranda! Set in the small vacation town of Littleport, Maine, you’ll meet visitor Sadie Loman and resident Avery Greer. These two are inseparable for almost a decade—until Sadie Loman is found dead. Secrets that have been hidden for years will be uncovered in this thrilling story. “Was she murdered? Was it a suicide? This story will have you guessing until the very end. I can’t wait for y’all to read it so we can discuss all the twists and turns”the actress captioned her Instagram post.
Emma Roberts’s Pick
Emma Roberts started her book club to make reading sexy and cool and her selection, “The Rules Don’t Apply,” meets the standard. This awesome read is a memoir written by a New Yorker writer, Ariel Levy as she chronicles the adventures of being “a woman who is free to do whatever she chooses.” But is that really the truth.
instagram/emmaroberts/Can women have it all, right now? She once thought so as she tells her heartbreaking story about one day having it all and the next day it’s totally all gone.
Jimmy Fallon’s Summer Read
“Ask Again, Yes,” by Martha Keane was selected by Fallon’s audience for the 2019 Summer read. It must be a good one because this title has shown up on other celebrity book club lists and appeared on the New York Times Best Seller List.
instagram/fallontonightIt’s a story that opens in 1973 between two cops who become close friends and what happens to their children years later is what makes “Ask Again, Yes” an ingenious read from beginning to the end.
Emma Watson’s Pick
“The Color Purple,” a Pulitzer Prize winning novel by Alice Walker is a perfect example of the types of books Emma selects for her club. “The Color Purple” is a 1982 novel is a fictional account of how women and women of color were unfairly treated and abused by men in a Georgian town between 1909 and 1937.
instagram/emmawatsonThis book also appeared on the lists of other celebrity book clubs and later made into a successful movie.
Florence Welch’s Pick
Florence takes a look at a variety of writing styles like the poetry by Hera Lindsay Bird, she titles, “Pamper Me To Hell and Back,” is poetry that stretches the reader to follow her style, while enjoying the read along the way.
instagram/betweentwobooksThe writing is clever, emotional and raw similar to the lyrics in a Florence and the Machine song. Embrace the poetry or not, this British author challenges readers to soar.
Andrew Luck’s Pick
Andrew offers different levels of books for his team of readers and this month, for the rookies he has selected, “Nation,” by author Terry Pratchett. This fantasy novel is all about adventure, unexpected friendships and survival.
Insetagram/albookclubTwo people who are from very different parts of the world are torn away from everything they know. They survive a shipwreck and a storm that ravages a small village. This exciting story shares the trials, challenges and struggles that lead them to a long hidden secret that will turn their world upside down.
Sarah Jessica Parker’s Pick
SJP’s book list is full of amazing reads but one that tops her list is, “Heartland,” by Sarah Smarsh. This commentary and memoir style written book shares how our American Culture is full of excesses that we don’t even realize.
pinterestSarah uses her very own experiences and background and reviews our country’s class system and the reality of having less in a country “known for its excess.” Smarsh doesn’t believe in the American Dream and states that success in America is based on where you are born and who your parents are. Interesting, eye-opening and disturbing at the same time.
Barack Obama’s Reading List
Our 44th president of the United States brought diversity, talent and a well-read leadership to the Capitol. He still influences our country in many ways but his book list inspires readers to enjoy classics, fiction, nonfiction and everything in between.
instagram/barackobamaOne author that is celebrated on many book club lists is the late Pulitzer Prize winning author, Toni Morrison. Obama said on Instagram that her collected works, “Beloved,” “Song of Solomon,” and “The Bluest Eye,” should be read or reread as well as her other works. He summed it up by saying, ” You’ll be glad you read them.”
Sonali’s Pick
Sonali has many books recommended on her list but one that has become somewhat a classic is Mitch Abrahm’s, “Tuesdays With Morrie.” Originally published in 1987, this best-selling, memoir style novel is a quick read about how an older man and a young man formed a relationship during the last leg of the older man’s life.
instagram/iamsonalibendre/It discusses a series of emotional visits, author, Mitch has with his former sociology professor, Morrie Schwartz. It’s a timeless page turner and one Sonali (as has other celebrity book clubs) recommends to her worldwide community.
Read With Jenna
“The Last Romantics,” by Tara Conklin is the first book recommended by Jenna Bush in her new club she announced on the Today Show. “The Last Romantics” is an unforgettable journey about family devotion and responsibilities and the complex definition of unconditional love.
instagram/jennabhager/Perfectly imperfect siblings travel through a lifetime of challenging events that forces them to question all the decisions and choices they made and everything they did and will do in the name of love.
Aspire Book Club’s Pick
This is a cool site that lists all sorts of famous people and the books they have read. The late, great Apple founder, Steve Jobs read many books about famous business people and entrepreneurs, but one classic that he had on his must read list is, “King Lear,” a William Shakespeare tragedy written in 1605 and 1606.
shutterstockThe story tells the tale about an aging king who leaves his kingdom to two of his three daughters. The two who flattered him were given the land, but Lear’s favorite and youngest daughter, Cordelia, responded, “there are no words to describe how I love you,” was disowned and banished from the kingdom. The tragedy, gets worse for Lear and in true Shakespeare form, there is no happy ending.
Celebrities have always influenced us in many ways. Now, they are using reading to take us on unexpected journeys to learning, living and loving.
Next time you are looking for a good book and want to share along with someone who likes the same topics as you, take a look at your favorite celebrity book club and read, read, read!