I’ve always thought of books as my companions. They are quiet voices that slip into my life when I need them the most. But the joy of reading doubles for me when I know there are other people out there reading the same novel, feeling the same emotions, and rooting for the same characters as I am. That’s the magic of book clubs and celebrity book clubs.
Over the years, I’ve followed many celebrity reading lists. Some celebrity book club recommendations were outstanding, whereas some were just above average. From actors uncovering bold new fiction to musicians celebrating memoirs that resemble their own journeys.
These book clubs make reading feel universal and endlessly exciting. Read along and find out which clubs are the most inspiring, influential, and worth joining. Because your next favorite book might just come from a celebrity’s bookshelf.
1. Emma Watson’s Our Shared Shelf
Emma Watson is someone I’ve looked up to most of my life. From her powerful speeches during the Me Too movement to her unwavering commitment toward feminism, she has always been an icon.
Plus, I have closely followed her book club recommendations. She started Our Shared Shelf in 2026 where she selects a diverse range of authors who challenge, educate, and inspire.
Best Books:
- Persepolis by Marianne Satrapi
- Mom & Me & Mom by Maya Angelou
- The Vagina Monologues by Eve Ensler
- The Handmaid’s Tale by Margaret Atwood
- The Hate U Give by Angie Thomas
Instagram: @oursharedshelf
2. Dakota Johnson’s TeaTime Book Club
We’ve all seen Dakota’s first ever scene in 50 Shades of Grey. She’s an English Major student and she picks Thomas Hardy as one of her favorite authors. I never knew she would be a literature lover in real life. Johnson has a quiet, thoughtful presence on screen. That same energy shines through in her TeaTime Book Club.
She launched her book club with an intimate, creative flair. It’s all about slowing down, savoring stories, and connecting with others through literature the way friends do over a cup of tea. This literary-lover celebrity has curated books that feel deeply personal. They are emotional, reflective, and rich in character.
Best Books:
- Letters to a Young Poet by Rainer Maria Rilke
- The Antidote by Karen Russell
- The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy by Douglas Adam’s
- The Hypocrite by Jo Hamya
- The Ten Year Affair by Erin Somers
Instagram: @teatime.pictures
3. Kaia Gerber’s Library Science
Kaia Gerber’s book club picks shocked me the most. She had the most underrated books in her collection that blew me away. While many know Kaia as a fashion icon and runway favorite, her reading taste reveals a deeper, more introspective side.
Through Library Science, she has introduced titles that feel fresh, daring, and emotionally rich. Her collection has books that might not top bestseller lists, but absolutely deserve to.
What makes Kaia’s club so special is her instinct for spotlighting voices that often get overlooked: young authors, indie presses, and unconventional storytelling styles. Her selections explore themes like identity, creativity, mental health, and complicated family dynamics, giving each read a powerful sense of honesty and modern relevance.
Best Books:
- Bright Lights Big City by Jay Mcinerney
- The Unbearable Lightness of Being by Milan Kundera
- Blood and Guts in High School by Kathy Acker
- A Happy Death by Albert Camus
- I Love Dick by Chris Kraus
Instagram: @libraryscience
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4. Dua Lipa’s Service95 Book Club
The Levitating singer, Dua Lipa, has become just as influential in the literary world as she is in music. Through her global newsletter platform, Service95, she launched a book club that celebrates stories from every corner of the world.
Dua’s selections are bold and culturally rich they are. Rather than choosing safe, well-known titles, she gravitates toward books that challenge perspectives and spark conversation.
If you’re looking to step outside your comfort zone and read stories that open your eyes to new voices and viewpoints, Dua Lipa’s Service95 Book Club is a brilliant place to begin.
Best Books:
- Flesh by David Szalay
- The House of Grief: The Story of a Murder Trial by Helen Garner
- Still Born by Guadalupe Nettel
- There There by Tommy Orange
- On Earth We’re Briefly Gorgeous by Ocean Vuong
Instagram: @service95bookclub
5. Natalie Portman’s Natalie’s Book Club
Natalie Portman is one celebrity who has always carried an aura of intelligence with her. So it’s no surprise that her book club reflects exactly that. She started this book club in 2021 and she recommends a mix of both fiction and non-fiction books.
Her picks often highlight women authors and underrepresented voices. She provides readers a chance to explore perspectives they may not have encountered otherwise. Natalie doesn’t just post a list of titles, she dives into thoughtful discussions, interviews authors, and shares why each book resonates with her personally.
She even shares pictures of what she’s reading on her official Instagram handle that has around 9.2 million followers.
Best Books:
- The English Understand Wool by Helen DeWitt
- Saving Five: A Memoir of Hope by Amanda Nguyen
- The Coin by Yasmin Zaher
- Creation Lake by Rachel Kushner
- Heartburn by Nora Ephron
Instagram: @natsbookclub
6. Reese Witherspoon’s Reese’s Book Club
Reese’s Book Club is probably the most famous celebrity book club of all time. She has a remarkable talent for finding books that combine emotional storytelling with strong, complex female leads.
Every month, she selects a title written by a woman. She uplifts women’s voices and celebrates them. What started as a simple passion project has evolved into a cultural force that shapes bestseller lists. She launches debut authors into stardom and even inspires film and TV adaptations.
Best Books:
- Where the Crawdads Sing by Delia Owens
- Eleanor Oliphant is Completely Fine by Gail Honeyman
- Little Fires Everywhere by Celeste Ng
- Daisy Jones & The Six by Taylor Jenkins Reid
- The Dictionary of Lost Words by Pip Williams
Instagram: @reesesbookclub
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7. Oprah Winfrey’s Oprah’s Book Club
If there is one celebrity book club that changed the way the world reads, it’s Oprah Winfrey’s. Oprah’s Book Club isn’t just a literary project. It is a cultural institution. She started this book club on September 17, 1996, with Jacquelyn Mitchard’s The Deep End of the Ocean.
Since then, she has been introducing readers to powerful books that explore humanity in its rawest form. Her selections are emotional, challenging, and deeply reflective, often focusing on themes like trauma, resilience, family, and healing. Oprah’s curated reading lists offer reading experiences that stay with you for years.
Best Books:
- The River is Waiting by Wally Lamb
- The Pilot’s Wife by Anita Shreve
- Breath, Eyes, Memory by Edwidge Danticat
- All the Way to the River by Elizabeth Gilbert
- Bridge of Sighs by Richard Russo
Instagram: @oprahsbookclub
8. Emma Roberts & Karah Preiss’ Belletrist
The star of Scream, Emma Roberts, co-founded a book club with editor Karah Preiss. Belletrist feels like a love letter to classic, cozy reading with a modern twist. One thing that sets Belletrist apart from other celebrity book clubs is its commitment to celebrating books simply for the joy of reading.
They choose a new book at the beginning of the month. When I was going through their curated reading lists, I could sense Karah’s editorial expertise along with Emma’s genuine enthusiasm toward reading.
Best Books:
- Will There Ever Be Another You by Patricia Lockwood
- Finding Grace by Loretta Rothschild
- Lush by Rochelle Dowden Lord
- The Mystery Guest by Grégoire Bouillier
- The Strange Case of Jane O by Karen Thompson Walker
Instagram: @belletrist
Conclusion
Even though celebrity book clubs start with famous names, what keeps readers coming back is the shared love of storytelling. From feminist nonfiction and underrated literary gems to global voices and addictive page-turners, each of these clubs offers something uniquely special.
They remind us that reading doesn’t have to be a solitary experience. Reading can be communal, inspiring, and deeply personal all at once. Celebrities like Florence Welch and Jenna Bush Hager also run staff-created book clubs that have good recommendations.
From discovering bold new authors through Reese’s Book Club or reading addictive thrillers through GMA Book Club, there’s a space for every kind of reader. These clubs don’t just give you bestseller lists. They shape conversations, perspectives, and connections.
