Reese’s book club: what an adventure!

I’ve always been a Reese Witherspoon fan. When my sister-in-law introduced me to Reese’s book club, I knew I’d want to investigate. Reese selects a book each month, and it’s always something she has found to be meaningful. Part of what she wants to accomplish with the club is fostering connection. There’s something special about sharing stories.

I’d like to share an overview of Reese’s book club, a little about Reese herself, and some highlights of some of the book selections.

An overview of Reese’s book club

From Reese’s shelf to yours

Reese Witherspoon’s passion for reading sparked a movement. What began as her way of sharing powerful, women-centered stories with other readers quickly became something bigger. By recommending a new book each month, she built a community of book lovers who are now part of a growing literary journey.

A community that grows together

At the heart of Reese’s book club is a lively, connected community. We grow through the voices we hear: authors, characters, and one another. Each pick is thoughtfully chosen to highlight women’s stories, amplify underrepresented voices, and celebrate the joy of reading. Because reading is better, richer, deeper, and more joyful when we do it together.

Who is Reese Witherspoon?

Early life

Reese Witherspoon was born Laura Jean Reese Witherspoon on March 22, 1976, in New Orleans, Louisiana. Raised in Nashville, Tennessee, she grew up in a medical family. Her father was a physician and her mother a nurse. Reese attended Harpeth Hall, a private all-girls school, and was part of Nashville’s debutante scene.

Her acting career began unexpectedly at age fourteen, when she responded to a casting call in the local newspaper and landed the lead in The Man in the Moon. She briefly attended Stanford University to study English literature but soon shifted her focus to acting full-time.

Breakthrough roles

Reese quickly gained attention for her roles in Pleasantville, Election, and Cruel Intentions. But it was Legally Blonde in 2001 that made her a household name. As Elle Woods, she charmed audiences and proved she could carry a major box office hit. The success led to a sequel and made Reese one of the most sought-after actresses in Hollywood. During this period, she married actor Ryan Phillippe. The couple had two children, Ava and Deacon, before separating in 2006.

Critical acclaim

In 2005, Reese earned widespread acclaim for her portrayal of June Carter in Walk the Line opposite Joaquin Phoenix. The role earned her the Academy Award, a Golden Globe, and a BAFTA. This success further established her reputation as a versatile and talented actress. She also appeared in other notable projects during this time, including Sweet Home Alabama, Vanity Fair, Penelope (which she also produced), and Four Christmases.

Personal challenges

Following her divorce, Reese experienced a difficult period both personally and creatively. In a 2014 interview, she reflected on feeling creatively stuck, sharing that she struggled to find passion in the roles she was taking on. Despite those challenges, she continued to work steadily, appearing in films like Rendition, Monsters vs. Aliens, Water for Elephants, This Means War, Mud, and Devil’s Knot.

A new chapter

Reese began dating Hollywood agent Jim Toth and married him in 2011. They welcomed their son, Tennessee James, in 2012. Around the same time, Reese shifted her energy toward producing.

In 2012, she co-founded Pacific Standard, a production company that would soon help reshape her career. That year, she helped produce two major projects: Gone Girl and Wild. She also starred in Wild, an adaptation of Cheryl Strayed’s memoir. Her performance earned nominations for the Academy Award, Golden Globe, and SAG Award.

In 2015, Reese launched Draper James, a lifestyle brand inspired by her Southern heritage. She also starred in the comedy Hot Pursuit with Sofia Vergara and later voiced a musically ambitious pig in the animated hit Sing (2016).

Television success

Reese found tremendous success on the small screen as both an actress and producer. In 2017, she co-produced and starred in HBO’s Big Little Lies alongside Nicole Kidman, Shailene Woodley, and Laura Dern. The show earned critical acclaim and major award nominations, returning for a second season in 2019 with Meryl Streep joining the cast.

She continued to take on impactful roles, appearing in A Wrinkle in Time and leading The Morning Show with Jennifer Aniston and Steve Carell for Apple TV+. In 2020, she starred in and executive produced the Hulu adaptation of Little Fires Everywhere, based on the novel by Celeste Ng. (I loved this series!)

Celebrating women

In 2016, Reese co-founded Hello Sunshine, a media company focused on women-centered storytelling. Through this venture, she launched her book club, curating monthly picks that amplify women’s voices and often lead to screen adaptations. Successful titles include Where the Crawdads Sing, Daisy Jones & the Six, Little Fires Everywhere, and The Last Thing He Told Me.

Hello Sunshine absorbed Pacific Standard and grew into a major force in entertainment. In 2021, the company was sold for $900 million, though Reese remained involved creatively.

Author

Reese added “author” to her list of accomplishments in 2018 with the release of Whiskey in a Teacup: What Growing Up in the South Taught Me About Life, Love, and Baking Biscuits. The book reflects her Southern roots and includes tips on entertaining, personal stories, and favorite recipes.

Legacy and cultural impact

From her early days as a teen actress to her current role as a producer, entrepreneur, and book club tastemaker, Reese Witherspoon has continued to evolve and lead. She has built a career focused not only on success in Hollywood but also on uplifting women’s voices and stories across media.

Some of Reese’s book club picks

I’ll highlight a few of the books in Reese’s book club list. I haven’t read very many of them, but I will definitely remedy that!

Eleanor Oliphant is Completely Fine by Gail Honeyman

This was Reese’s first book club pick back in May of 2017. I decided to start with this one since it’s where the book club began, and also because I love this book. I’ve read it twice. 🙂

Eleanor Oliphant lives a quiet, routine life, avoiding social interactions and sticking to frozen pizza, vodka, and weekly calls with her mother. She’s convinced everything is fine, until a chance encounter with a quirky coworker and a kindhearted stranger begins to shake up her world. As unlikely friendships form, Eleanor slowly discovers that healing and happiness might be possible after all.

Eleanor Oliphant Is Completely Fine is a witty, heartfelt novel about loneliness, connection, and the courage it takes to open your heart. Soon to be a major motion picture produced by Reese Witherspoon.

The Paper Palace by Miranda Cowley Heller

I just finished this book! Wow! It’s a deep one.

On a beautiful August morning at her family’s summer home, Elle faces an impossible choice. The night before, she crossed a line with her oldest friend, Jonas, while her husband, Peter, sat just inside. Over the next twenty-four hours, Elle reflects on a lifetime of love, loss, and family secrets as she wrestles with whether to stay in the life she’s built or risk everything for the one that might have been.

The Paper Palace is a layered and emotional novel about desire, loyalty, and the haunting impact of the past.

The Alice Network by Kate Quinn

This is another of Reese’s early picks. I chose to highlight it because I’ve been wanting to read it. I loved and reviewed one of Kate Quinn’s other books, The Diamond Eye.

From bestselling author Kate Quinn comes a gripping tale that weaves together two women’s stories across decades. In 1915, Eve Gardiner becomes a spy in the real Alice Network, risking everything in Nazi-occupied France. More than thirty years later, in 1947, American socialite Charlie St. Clair defies her family to search for her missing cousin in war-torn Europe.

When their paths collide, Eve and Charlie embark on a courageous journey of secrets, redemption, and uncovering the truth no matter the cost.

Braving the Wilderness by Brené Brown

Brené Brown, renowned social researcher and bestselling author, invites us to reconsider what it means to truly belong in today’s divided world. In Braving the Wilderness, she explores the inner journey of belonging. It’s not about changing ourselves to fit in, but about embracing who we already are. Brown blends research and storytelling to unpack the emotional and spiritual disconnect so many feel, offering four powerful practices that call us to show up with honesty, integrity, and courage.

She describes true belonging as a deeply personal practice. She challenges us to stand confidently in our own identity, even when that means standing alone. In a culture marked by perfectionism, people-pleasing, and division, Brown encourages us to step out of our comfort zones and into the “wilderness,” her metaphor for the vulnerable, untamed space where we can rediscover connection with ourselves and others. It’s not easy, but Brown shows that this brave, sacred space is where authentic belonging begins.

I wanted to include her book because her work has resonated with me in the past. Check out my five-star review of The Gifts of Imperfection.

Isola by Allegra Goodman

Marguerite was born into wealth and refinement, with a future full of comfort and elegance ahead of her. But when she loses her parents, her world unravels. Her mysterious and unpredictable guardian squanders her inheritance and forces her to join him on a voyage to New France. What begins as an expedition soon turns harrowing, as Marguerite is accused of treachery, subjected to cruel punishment, and abandoned on a remote island.

Once adorned in silks and pearls, she must now rely on her wits and courage to endure the harsh wilderness. As winter sets in and the island is encased in ice, Marguerite discovers a deep, resilient faith.

Inspired by the true story of a 16th-century woman, Isola is a powerful tale of endurance, transformation, and the will to survive. I haven’t read this one, but I find books based on true stories to be especially compelling.

The Three Lives of Cate Kay by Kate Fagan

Cate Kay is a literary sensation. Her blockbuster book trilogy turned hit film franchise has made her one of the most successful writers of her time. But there’s one catch: Cate Kay isn’t real. She’s never appeared in public, never done an interview, and her true identity has remained a mystery… until now.

Years ago, she and her best friend Amanda dreamed of leaving their troubled lives behind and chasing stardom in California. But the night before they were set to leave, a devastating tragedy changed everything. Since then, Cate has lived under different names, building a new life while outrunning the past. When a startling discovery brings old wounds to the surface, she realizes the only way forward is to stop hiding and finally go home.

Slow Dance by Rainbow Rowell

Shiloh Butler always believed she would leave north Omaha behind. She and her best friend Cary used to sit on her porch and dream about their futures. Shiloh planned to become an actress with a scholarship to a good college, while Cary had his sights set on the Navy. Cary, with his quiet strength and amber eyes, was one of the kindest people Shiloh ever knew. But they haven’t spoken in fourteen years.

When she’s invited to a friend’s wedding back home, Cary is the first person she thinks of. Shiloh longs to see him, yet she’s afraid of what he might see in her. At thirty-three, she’s a divorced mom still living in her childhood home, working at a desk instead of acting on stage. She wonders if Cary would even want to reconnect after all that’s passed between them. The answer is yes.

In Slow Dance, Rainbow Rowell explores love, longing, and second chances in a way that resonates deeply and lingers long after the final page.

Have you read any of Reese’s book club picks?

Do you have favorites? What books would you add? I’d love to hear your thoughts in the comments! Of the ones I’ve featured here, I have only read the first two. My goal is just to give you an idea of the types of books on Reese’s list and see if any of them pique your interest.

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Fondly,

Crysti