While we may know (and love) her as the ditzy and determined student in "Legally Blonde" or the crass and cunning reporter in "The Morning Show," actress Reese Witherspoon has also made a name for herself as a book club curator.
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Since 2017, Witherspoon has been making monthly recommendations via her virtual reading group, Reese's Book Club. The books she supposedly handpicks span all kinds of genres and tropes, but they do have one very important thing in common: a female at the center of the story.
To date, the community's Instagram page has a whopping 2.7 million followers and has catapulted several books to the top of bestseller lists. Some of which have even been turned into feature films or TV series. And many go viral on BookTok.
"It's nice to highlight authors who don't have a track record of selling a lot of books," she told Vanity Fair in a 2020 interview. "To watch what happens to them is extraordinary, and really emotional for us."
Witherspoon has put her stamp of approval on a total of 88 books. While you can read your way through the entire Reese's Book Club list if you'd like, we dug through it and pulled out the 12 highest-rated picks according to Amazon and Goodreads.
So, if you're looking for a literary escape that's as guaranteed of a hit as you can get, keep scrolling.
"The Nightingale" by Kristin Hannah
Credit: Amazon
Goodreads: 4.6 stars
Amazon: 4.7 stars
Set in France during World War II, this novel follows two sisters as they navigate life under German occupation. It's a story of resilience, sisterhood, and bravery that will have you on the edge of your seat.
"The Light in Hidden Places" by Sharon Cameron
Credit: Amazon
Goodreads: 4.5 stars
Amazon: 4.7 stars
Based on the true story of Stefania Podgórska, this historical fiction novel tells the tale of a young girl who risks her life to save thirteen Jewish people during the Nazi occupation of Poland. Prepare to be both heartbroken and inspired by Stefania's courage.
"Where the Crawdads Sing" by Delia Owens
Credit: Amazon
Goodreads: 4.4 stars
Amazon: 4.7 stars
This New York Times bestseller follows a young woman named Kya as she navigates life in the marshes of North Carolina. But when a mysterious death rocks her small town, the so-called "Marsh Girl" is reluctantly thrust into the spotlight.
"I'm Still Here: Black Dignity in a World Made for Whiteness" by Austin Channing Brown
Credit: Amazo
Goodreads: 4.4 stars
Amazon: 4.7 stars
In this powerful memoir, Austin Channing Brown shares her experiences as a Black woman growing up in predominantly white spaces. From microaggressions to blatant racism, she offers a raw and unflinching perspective on what it means to exist in a world designed for whiteness.
"Honor" by Thrity Umirgar
Credit: Amazon
Goodreads: 4.4 stars
Amazon: 4.6 stars
Set in modern-day India, this novel follows an Indian American journalist covering the story of a Hindu woman who was attacked by her own village for marrying a Muslim man. While reporting on a society that favors tradition over all else, she discovers something that threatens to unearth the secrets of her own past.
"The Alice Network" by Kate Quinn
Credit: Amazon
Goodreads: 4.32 stars
Amazon: 4.6 stars
This historical fiction novel alternates between the stories of two women: Charlie, a pregnant American socialite looking for her cousin who went missing in France during World War I, and Eve, a former spy who's still reeling from a betrayal that tore apart her network of female operatives. As their paths intertwine, they uncover secrets that have been buried for decades.
"The Giver of Stars" by Jojo Myers
Credit: Amazon
Goodreads: 4.3 stars
Amazon: 4.6 stars
Based on true events, this historical fiction novel follows a group of five women who travel through the mountains of Kentucky, delivering books as part of Eleanor Roosevelt's traveling library program. As they journey, they form an unbreakable bond and face the dangers of a beautiful yet brutal landscape.
"Fire Keeper's Daughter" by Angeline Boulley
Credit: Amazon
Goodreads: 4.3 stars
Amazon: 4.6 stars
This YA novel follows 18-year-old Daunis as she navigates her Ojibwe heritage and takes care of her fragile mother. But when a tragedy strikes her community, Daunis is pulled into an FBI investigation that threatens to expose secrets about her family and the people she loves.
"The House of Eve" by Sadeqa Johnson
Credit: Amazon
Goodreads: 4.3 stars
Amazon: 4.5 stars
Set in 1950s Philadelphia, this story follows the stories of two women desperate to live better lives than the ones they were born into. As their lives unexpectedly collide, they each must decide what they're willing to sacrifice for the chance at a better future.
"Furia" by Yamile Saied Mèndez
Credit: Amazon
Goodreads: 4.2 stars
Amazon: 4.6 stars
This YA novel follows Camila Hassan, a talented soccer player in Argentina who gets the opportunity of a lifetime to compete in the South American tournament. There's just one problem—her controlling family has no idea about her passion for the sport. As she navigates secrecy, love, and sacrifice, Camila learns what it truly means to follow her dreams.
"Eleanor Oliphant Is Completely Fine" by Gail Honeyman
Credit: Amazon
Goodreads: 4.2 stars
Amazon: 4.5 stars
Eleanor Oliphant is a quirky and socially awkward woman who's perfectly content with her routine until she meets Raymond, the IT guy from her office. When they save Sammy, an elderly gentleman who collapses in the street, the three form an unlikely friendship that helps Eleanor confront her past and find a future she never thought possible.
"Tiny Beautiful Things: Advice from Dear Sugar" by Cheryl Strayed
Credit: Amazon
Goodreads: 4.2 stars
Amazon: 4.5 stars
Based on her popular advice column, Cheryl Strayed's "Dear Sugar" offers candid and compassionate guidance to readers struggling with love, loss, and everything in between. Her wise words will leave you feeling seen and understood, making this book a must-read for anyone seeking comfort and connection.
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