Celebrity book clubs are all the rage right now. These days, it’s not enough for your multi-hyphenate celebrity to be a mere model-musician-whatever, they want to be a cultural tastemaker and shaker, too. And what better way than to launch your own book club? Of course, celebrity book clubs are not new in themselves: Oprah Winfrey launched hers in the late ‘90s and is still going strong.
Since then, plenty of other literary-minded celebrities have followed Winfrey’s footsteps in using Instagram to share their literary life with millions of eyeballs. They spotlight a new title each month, conduct interviews and make themselves available to fans specifically to chat books.
If you’re struggling to decide what to read next, or can’t join an actual book club, celebrity book clubs just might be what you’re looking for. Expect everything from fiction to memoirs and manifestos, from recent releases to literary classics.
Dua Lipa: Service95
Upon the launch of her book club in 2023, Dua Lipa wrote, “Ever since I can remember, anywhere I go I take a book with me. Reading is an incredibly important part of my life and one of my biggest joys.”
Every month, Dua uses her Service95 platform to highlight a novel, share author interviews, suggest books to her fans and receive their suggestions in return. Readers also have a chance to dip into discussion guides and author Q&As.
See here.
Reese Witherspoon: Reese’s Book Club
Reese Witherspoon launched her book club alongside her company, Hello Sunshine, in 2017. With the success of her book club, they transform popular books into films or TV shows. These adaptations are then sold to major streaming platforms. Think: Big Little Lies or Daisy Jones and the Six.
Each month, she adds another novel, memoir, or collection of short stories that she truly loves to her book club list. She’s particularly interested in promoting female authors and telling women-centric stories.
See here.
Kaia Gerber: Library Science
Just recently, model Kaia Gerber started her literary platform, describing it as “a platform for sharing books, featuring new writers, hosting conversations with artists we admire – and continuing to build a community of people who are as excited about literature as I am.” “Books have always been the great love of my life,” she added. “Reading is so sexy.”
Dubbed Library Science, the project intends on “spotlighting young voices, debut writers, translations, contemporary classics,” with a promise that she’ll curate books that aren’t on the typical bestseller lists. Rather, she’s committed to showcasing new fiction, short stories and poetry collections.
See here.
Emma Roberts: Belletrist
Belletrist – which in French, means a writer of beautiful works, launched in 2017 and is the brainchild of Emma Roberts and her friend, Karah Preiss. Upon the launch, Emma wrote, “You guys know I love to read. I’m constantly posting what I’m reading and wanting to know what you’re reading!”
They use the Belletrist platform to feature a diverse array of books, showcasing emerging voices and established authors alike. The selections often explore themes of identity, empowerment and personal growth, providing readers with a rich tapestry of stories to connect with and learn from.
See here.
Florence Welch: Between Two Books
The lead singer of Florence + The Machine, Florence Welch, has been running her book club since 2012. “When I was on tour about four years ago, I saw some fans tweeting about maybe starting a book club,” Welch said. “I just said it was a great idea and I’d love to help them and be involved somehow.”
She offers a diverse selection of reads that appeal to the creative spirit, encouraging young women to explore the intersections between literature, art and music. Readers take part by picking up a copy, getting to reading and following along with the discussion on Instagram.
See here.
Featured image: @service95 on Instagram
