by Damla
Reading is very much in fashion nowadays. Besides the endless book-to-movie adaptations that sweep all the awards and the many book-related accessories from high fashion brands, book-talk has made its way into our lives through yet another avenue: celebrity book clubs.
There are so many A-listers with a book club that I seem to stumble across a new one every time I am scrolling away on social media. They always feature a photo of said celebrity excitedly holding up a book to the camera, and the clubs themselves boast a carefully curated selection of books that feed seamlessly into the celebrity’s public image.
This might seem like a bit of a cynical take, but my feelings about these book clubs are quite the opposite. I think they are a great way to spread the excitement around reading in a world that seems to be hooked on celebrity influence. The selection of books also seem to encourage people to pick up books they would otherwise pass on and elevate some of the minority voices, given that many of the books chosen for these book clubs seem to climb to the top of the bestseller lists soon after. What’s not to love? The sense of connecting with and getting a glimpse inside their minds of these widely-loved celebrities is of course another added bonus.
Here is a collection of some of the best celebrity book clubs out there and what they are currently reading:
Oprah Winfrey: Oprah’s Book Club
You might have seen the mark of Oprah’s bookclub as stickers on some of the bestselling titles. At the top of the list as the longest running celebrity book clubs out there, Oprah has been picking a wide range of titles to share with her audience since 1996.
The latest pick: Hungered by Amanda Rizkalla
Dua Lipa: Service95
One of the newest and most influential book clubs, Dua Lipa’s Service95 has become wildly popular very rapidly. This is one of my personal favorites, as I find her remarks on the book and the post-read author chat very thoughtful. It is clear that she is a bookworm at heart, and genuinely enjoys reading and discussing these titles. The curation of the club is also great, little wonder as she has also opened a new bookshop in Porto dedicated to banned and challenged titles.
This month’s pick: Klara and The Sun by Kazuo Ishiguro
Laufey: The Laufey Book Club
The bookclub for the multiple Grammy winning artist Laufey. This month’s pick is May We Feed The King by Rebecca Perry.
Dakota Johnson: TeaTime Book Club
Mostly highlighting debut novels, Dakota Johnson’s book club (under the umbrella of her production company TeaTime Productions) also shares author interviews, watchlists, playlists, and a Discord chat group to allow participants to discuss their onions throughout the month.
This month’s pick: Verity by Colleen Hoover
Reese Witherspoon: Reese’s Book Club
Clearly an avid reader, Reese Witherspoon’s book club has been going strong for almost a decade. During its run, she has enjoyed the selection so much that she has bought the movie rights to (and produced) many a title on the list!
This month’s pick: Standing There by Meg Mason
Natalie Portman: Natalie’s Book Club
Natalie’s Book Club mostly focuses on nonfiction or the more serious side of fiction. This might be the group if you are looking for some deeply resonating and reflective reads.
This month’s pick: Edith’s Diary by Patricia Highsmith
Emma Roberts: Belletrist
One of the celebrity book clubs with the largest followings, Emma Roberts’ club run in collaboration with Karah Preiss has become a foundation stone in celebrity-led cultural undertakings. The club usually picks books penned by women authors and always supports independent bookstores (which is a cause that is very near and dear to our hearts, of course.)
This month’s pick: The Oracle’s Daughter by Harrison Hill
Florence Welch (Florence + The Machine): Between Two Books
Another personal favorite of mine (mostly because I am a big fan of her mystical witchy vibes as well as her music and am convinced that she has great taste), Florence Welch’s book club inspired by a fan suggestion features wonderful monthly selections as well as an independent reading list.
The latest pick: The Steps by Juliano Zaffino
John Mulaney: Mulaney Reads
Not so much a book club as monthly reading recommendations, John Mulaney shares the latest books he has read and enjoyed on his instagram page as a way to share his passion for reading.
His latest picks: Tears of Autumn by Charles McCarry (followed by the rest of Paul Christopher series in any order)
Jack Edwards: Inklings Book Club
Probably not a celebrity per se but certainly a star in the social media literary circles, Jack Edwards has his own book club that selects culturally relevant and timely books and features in-depth interviews (in video form) with authors and other celebrities.
This month’s pick: East of Eden by John Steinbeck
Kelce Brothers: Kelce Brothers Reads
After fans shot an audiobook (The God of The Woods by Liz Moore) heard on Taylor Swift’s docuseries to the top of the bestsellers list, Kelce brothers (one of whom is married to Swift, if you didn’t know already) have decided to create a monthly book club to create a shared experience with their fans. Since then, they have been picking a book to discuss together on their substack.
This month’s pick: Hollow Bones by Jodi Picoult
Anthony Jeselnick: Jeselnik Book Club
Hoping to encourage more people (and men in particular) to get into reading, the comedian has started a book club that ends with a wrap up video featuring his review and a Q+A session.
This month’s pick: The Trees by Percival Everett
And finally…
We might not be a celebrity by the same measures as others on this list, but we also have some great book clubs here at the ABC.
The Harry Styles Book Club
A new bimonthly Harry Styles-themed book club organized by Harry fan Alice, located at our Amsterdam store.
Next meeting’s pick: The Year of Magical Thinking by Joan Didion (November 12th)
ABC The Hague Book Club
Gathering every first Sunday of the month, booklovers meet up to discuss their opinion on the latest pick (and others, too, undoubtedly), and also just being in the comforting company of other book lovers.
Next month’s pick: Extracurricular by Rachel Lynn Solomon
See details about the next meet-up HERE. (November 8th)
ABC Book Chats
This monthly book club is dedicated to the fine art of slowing down, taking stock, and doing what we do best: talking about our favorite books. Like-minded booklovers from around the community gather, on ABC’s Discord channel and in-person in alternating months, to chat about a selected novel which has been making waves and capturing imaginations around the world.
This month’s pick: The Correspondent by Virginia Evans
See details about the next meet-up HERE. (October 22nd)
