About Reese’s Book Club
Each month, Witherspoon selects a female-protagonist-centered read for her audience on the first Tuesday of the month. It feels like we’re all BFFs with Witherspoon with a shared interest in beautiful scenery, dynamic plots (and plot twists!), and heartstring-pulling characters.
Reese’s Book Club 2024 Picks
December ’24: “City of Night Birds” by Juhea Kim
Amazon
Goodreads rating: 3.83/5 stars
About the book: “City of Night Birds” by Juhea Kim is a lyrical exploration of identity, love, and longing, following a young woman of Korean descent as she navigates the complexities of cultural displacement and personal transformation in New York City.
“In this powerful story, Natalia faces a choice: return to the demanding world of Russian dance that nearly broke her or walk away for good,” Witherspoon said in her Instagram post. “This story left me thinking about the ways we overcome setbacks and redefine what truly matters.
Buy on Hardcover | Buy on Paperback | Buy on Kindle
November ’24: “We Will Be Jaguars” by Nemonte Nenquimo and Mitch Anderson
Amazon
Goodreads rating: 4.66/5 stars
About the book: “We Will Be Jaguars” by Nemonte Nenquimo and Mitch Anderson is a powerful narrative about the struggle of the Waorani people of Ecuador to protect their ancestral lands from oil extraction, highlighting the deep connection between Indigenous identity, environmental stewardship, and resistance to colonial exploitation.
“This is an unforgettable memoir about fighting for your home and your heart,” Witherspoon said. “‘We Will Be Jaguars’ follows the life of internationally acclaimed activist Nemonte Nenquimo and her journey to protect her people and indigenous lands, alongside her husband and writing partner Mitch Anderson. I was so moved by this story.”
Buy on Hardcover
October ’24: “Society of Lies” by Lauren Ling Brown
Amazon
Goodreads rating: 3.84/5 stars
About the book: “Society of Lies” by Lauren Ling Brown explores the complexities of truth and deception within human relationships, revealing how societal expectations can distort personal identities and connections.
“On the first day of October…we’re here with a thriller!” Witherspoon said. “If you’re looking for a page-turner that keeps you on the edge of your seat this spooky season, this one is a must-read!”
Buy on Hardcover | Buy on Paperback | Buy on Kindle
September ’24: “The Comfort of Crows” by Margaret Renkl
Amazon
Goodreads rating: 4.37/5 stars
About the book: “The Comfort of Crows” by Margaret Renkl is a collection of essays that beautifully weaves personal reflection with observations of nature, exploring themes of life, loss, and the solace found in the natural world.
“‘The Comfort of Crows’ by Margaret Renkl is a beautiful love letter to nature and the world around us,” Witherspoon said. “Divided into fifty-two chapters, it follows the creatures and plants in Margaret’s backyard over the course of a year, capturing both the joy of nature’s ongoing pleasures and the grief of fleeting moments.”
Buy on Hardcover | Buy on Kindle
August ’24: “Slow Dance” by Rainbow Rowell
Amazon
Goodreads rating: 3.93/5 stars
About the book: “Slow Dance” by Rainbow Rowell is a short story about a young woman who experiences a moment of connection and romance during a slow dance at a high school dance, highlighting themes of vulnerability and fleeting intimacy.
“This month’s pick, ‘Slow Dance’ by Rainbow Rowell, invites you into the bittersweet world of Shiloh and Cary, where childhood promises are tested by time, and love finds its way back through unexpected twists,” Witherspoon said.
Buy on Hardcover | Buy on Paperback | Buy on Kindle
July ’24: “The Cliffs” by J. Courtney Sullivan
Amazon
Goodreads rating: 3.69/5 stars
About the book: “The Cliffs” by J. Courtney Sullivan is a short story that explores the complexities of friendship and grief, as two women reconnect during a difficult time and confront the past on the scenic cliffs of Ireland.
“‘The Cliffs’ by J. Courtney Sullivan follows main character Jane’s journey as she uncovers the past lives of a home,” Witherspoon said. “It’s an entrancing spin on a generational novel and filled with mystery.”
Buy on Hardcover | Buy on Paperback | Buy on Kindle
Reese’s Book Club 2017 Picks
December ’17: “The Last Mrs. Parrish” by Liv Constantine
Amazon
Goodreads rating: 3.97/5 stars
About the book: “The Last Mrs. Parrish” by Liv Constantine is a riveting psychological thriller about a woman who meticulously schemes to replace the seemingly perfect wife of a wealthy man, only to uncover unsettling truths and face unexpected consequences.
“It’s a fun and fast-paced psychological thriller about two determined women who play a high-stakes game of deception that only one can win,” Witherspoon said.
Buy on Hardcover | Buy on Paperback | Buy on Kindle
November ’17: “This Is The Story of a Happy Marriage” by Ann Patchett
Amazon
Goodreads rating: 4.00/5 stars
About the book: “This Is The Story of a Happy Marriage” by Ann Patchett is a compelling collection of essays that explores themes of love, commitment, and personal growth through the lens of Patchett’s own experiences and reflections on relationships, career, and life choices.
“This collection of essays explores what it means to have friends, fall in love, struggle, succeed, and most importantly, meet the right dog,” Witherspoon said.
Buy on Hardcover | Buy on Paperback | Buy on Kindle
October ’17: “The Rules of Magic” by Alice Hoffman
Amazon
Goodreads rating: 4.00/5 stars
About the book: “The Rules of Magic” by Alice Hoffman is an enchanting prequel to “Practical Magic” that delves into the lives of the Owens siblings as they navigate love, loss, and the complexities of their magical heritage in mid-20th-century New England.
“This story is full of magic, love, family, heartbreak, and redemption,” Witherspoon said. “It’s about two sisters and a brother who discover they come from a magical family that’s been cursed — whoever they fall in love with will die. I got so swept up in this enchanting story.”
Buy on Hardcover | Buy on Paperback | Buy on Kindle
September ’17: “Little Fires Everywhere” by Celeste Ng
Amazon
Goodreads rating: 4.08/5 stars
About the book: “Little Fires Everywhere” by Celeste Ng is a gripping novel that explores the intersecting lives of two families in a suburban community, unraveling deep-seated secrets and tensions as issues of race, privilege, and motherhood ignite a devastating conflict.
“To say I love this book is an understatement,” Witherspoon said. “Which, makes sense, since she starred in the hit show on Hulu.”
“This deep psychological mystery about two families in Ohio moved me to tears,” she adds. “Ng writes with stunning accuracy about the power of motherhood, the intensity of teenage love, and the danger of perfection — and a fire that destroys it all.”
Buy on Hardcover | Buy on Paperback | Buy on Kindle
August ’17: “The Lying Game” by Ruth Ware
Amazon
Goodreads rating: 3.53/5 stars
About the book: “The Lying Game” by Ruth Ware is a
