Book clubs have come a long way to be what they are today—diverse communities gathering to enjoy a friendly discourse on their current read. The longstanding tradition has evolved, especially in the embrace of the digital age. Thanks (or no thanks) to the social media and streaming services, what used to be an enriching pastime is now replaced with fleeting memes and digestible adaptations.
Book clubs, however, have been a remedy to my reading rut and an escape from reality. The slew of celebrity-run book clubs have popped up, serving to nurture our literary appetite without the high pressures of committing to a formal reading group. From Laufey to Kaia Gerber, these celebrities are also fostering connection between readers and authors by providing a platform for authors to share their creative process, anecdotes and what inspires them most. Of course, while maintaining the conventions of dissecting text and discussing the hypotheticals, the added flair comes in transforming the reading experience to one that’s lived, albeit vicariously, by wholly immersing readers into the author’s world.
Besides enhancing the reading experience, these stars are integrating meaningful initiatives as part of their book club by supporting independent bookstores and elevating minorities’ voices, offering knowledge beyond familiarity. With the influx of celebrity book clubs on social media, we have spotlighted a few of our favourite book clubs for your next literary escapade.
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TeaTime Book Club by Dakota Johnson
Sharing the same quirky yet dark enigma as its founder, TeaTime Book Club offers unique monthly recommendations, such as Beautyland by Marie-Helene Bertino, a tender story of a woman who feels detached from her supposed home on Earth; We Were the Universe by Kimberly King Parsons, a dark comical novel that follows a young mother who remains incredulous to her sister’s death; and The Hypocrite by Jo Hamaya, an astute novel that scrutinises the relationship between a father and his daughter.
TeaTime’s all-encompassing book list includes voices from different walks of life, covering varying subjects that are sure to prompt rumination and provoke critical discourse. If you’re someone who likes to get a full grasp of the text—from understanding niche references to the nuances of language, you’re in luck. Dakota Johnson drags fellow keen readers along with her into this rabbit hole, where she peels the layers of the book in her broadcast channel by inviting authors to share intriguing deep dives regularly. The deep dives provide insights into their creative process—introducing people, places or media that have contributed to the birth of the novel.
With a cup of tea in one hand and a book in the other, join TeaTime book club if you’re seeking an in-depth comprehension of heartfelt, distinctive collection of stories.
Check out TeaTime Book Club’s latest selection here.
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Reese’s Book Club by Reese Witherspoon
Reese’s Book Club was conceived from her dissatisfaction with Hollywood and its scanty display of women onscreen. The Legally Blonde actress saw the decline of intriguing scripts for women and decided to take things to her own hands. So naturally, her eponymous book club (which functions as part of her production house, Hello Sunshine) is drawn to women-centric stories.
Selected titles such as Big Little Lies by Liane Moriarty, and Redwood Court by Délana R. A. Dameron, are just a few empowering stories Reese’s Book Club relays. In hopes of enhancing the connection between members of the community, authors are featured to answer searing questions, and notable literary enthusiasts are roped in to review the monthly picks.
Bringing more interesting scripts for women to the table, Reese’s Book Club, in tandem with Hello Sunshine, brings certain texts to life, projecting your imaginations to the screen. Some fan favourites include Daisy Jones and the Six, Where the Crawdads Sing and Big Little lies.
For aspiring authors, the book club presents an opportunity for unpublished writers to be mentored by professional authors through a fellowship, LitUp, preparing them to launch their first book in the market.
Check out Reese’s Book Club’s latest selection here.
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Library Science by Kaia Gerber
From an inaugural launch in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic, Kaia Gerber’s book club amassed attention when she brought her literary hub online with an official Instagram page and website this year, highlighting her commitment towards advocating for new voices, translated stories and more. From prose to poetry, Library Science spans genres freely. Some titles include Acts of Service by Lillian Fishman, Darling Days by Io Tillett Wright, and Dear Dickhead: A Novel by Virginie Despentes.
Each month, Kaia Gerber sits down with authors, actors and other public figures to discuss the thematic concerns, characters and concepts of her book choice. Her conversation reflects the peculiarity of the reading experience—where one’s takeaway not resonate with another’s, but by sharing, it enriches both. Authors on her channel shed light on their intentions and inspirations, cultivating the minds of readers.
Check out Library Science’s latest selection here.
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The Laufey Book Club by Laufey
Laufey attributes her artistry as a songwriter to books and storytelling. Her passion for music goes hand-in-hand with literature, and she shares the reads that harbour the inspirations for her songs at The Laufey Book Club.
A subset of Laufey Land, her literary hub helps her develop deeper connections with her audience. With a discord channel dedicated to her book club, expect to find active discussion rooms where fans are open to talking about all things literature-related.
For any type A-personality readers, fret not, you can find the different genres—novels, poetry, comics and even manga—categorised for members to share content in an organised fashion. At the end of the month, the jazz musician hosts a live stream with Lauvers for an intimate conversation.
While she’s on tour around the world, the Icelandic-Chinese songstress places her iconic little Laufey libraries for fans to exchange books in different cities. Also be sure to check out The Laufey Book Club pop-up where she collaborates with book stores in different countries to curate a shelf of her selections.
Check out The Laufey Book Club’s latest selection here.
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Service95 Book Club by Dua Lipa
When she’s not charting the billboards with sensational hits, the Grammy award-winning singer spends her time with a paperback in her hands. With her Service95 Book Club, the singer reveals her nuanced appreciation for literature.
Beyond the curated lists and discussion guides, Dua Lipa hosts dialogues with authors on her YouTube channel where she interviews them on a myriad of topics and concepts related to their books. From delving into theories of her own to scooping out authors’ exclusives, she elevates the reading experience with the abundance of knowledge shared. To literary connoisseurs, she extends an invitation to the book club’s monthly newsletters to recap the singer’s monthly read.
Check out Service95 Book Club’s latest selection here.
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Natalie’s Book Club by Natalie Portman
The Harvard-educated actress showcases her love for literature in her eclectic mix of recommendations that #BookTok followers might miss. The range of books, including Get the Picture by Bianca Bosker, Martyr! by Kaveh Akbar, and Sojourners by Mfoniso Udonfia, covers differing themes and valuable lessons.
Natsbookclub greets fellow club members on a regular basis with extracts of her favourite quotes from past reads, in hopes of inspiring, affirming and encouraging her audience as they navigate their way through life. Expect candid interviews with authors and a two-way interaction through the #BookClubChats segment.
As a children’s book author, Natalie Portman highlights that reading is effectively an act of practising empathy—an overlooked trait often undermined by the need to excel. So while we may not be Academy Award-winning actresses, we can all share the same goal of being compassionate by reading.
Check out Natalie’s Book Club’s latest selection here.
