The Best Picks From Reese Witherspoon's Book Club

This month, you can get your rom-com fix with Reese’s recent selection. "So excited to share my February for @reesesbookclubxhellosunshine: #TheProposal by @jasminepics,” Witherspoon wrote. “It starts with a proposal in front of 45,000 people at Dodger Stadium. But it’s not exactly #loveandbaseball for Nikole (who says no!!!), and as she’s chased out of the stadium by live camera crews, she’s saved by a couple… of siblings… find out what happens next!

Buy It! The Proposal, $12; amazon.com

Reese’s first pick of 2019 comes from author Susan Orlean. “This book is a love letter to libraries, and made me nostalgic for the long hours I used to spend there when I was a kid,” Witherspoon wrote. “The story follows the investigation of the huge fire that destroyed the Los Angeles Public Library in 1986, and the mystery, history and people that surround it. It’s a captivating story and I can’t wait for y’all to read it with me at @reesesbookclubxhellosunshine!”

Buy It! The Library Book, $17; amazon.com

Calling all hopeless romantics, Reese has the book for you! “If you like rom-coms, you will love my December book pick: #OneDayInDecember by @josiesilverauthor!” Witherspoon shared. “Get ready to be swept up in a whirlwind romance: Laurie falls in love at first sight with a stranger and spends the next year looking for him. Fate brings them back together at Christmas, but not in the way anybody expects: turns out he’s dating her best friend! It absolutely charmed me, and I can’t wait to share it with y’all over at @reesesbookclubxhellosunshine!”

Buy It! One Day in December, $13; amazon.com

Clear your schedule because you won’t be able to put this one down, according to Reese. “Ok y’all, it’s spooky season and my November @reesesbookclubxhellosunshine book pick – #TheOtherWoman by @sandiejones_author – has one of most twisted and entertaining plots,” Witherspoon wrote. “When Emily meets Adam, she thinks she’s found the one—but it’s not long before another woman tries ruin their relationship. And folks… that woman is HIS MOTHER. I can’t wait for y’all to read it because I NEED to discuss that ending with you!”

Buy It! The Other Woman, $19; amazon.com

You may need a big box of tissues for this moving read. “Every once in a while, I read a book that opens my eyes in a way I never expected,” Witherspoon shared. “This is why I’m so excited to share my October pick for @reesesbookclubxhellosunshine: #ThisIsHowItAlwaysIs by @laurie.frankel. It’s a book about family: childhood, parenthood, and the sometimes-heartbreaking decisions that come with it. As a mother, this story absolutely tore at my heartstrings. I can’t wait for you to read it!”

Buy It! This Is How It Always Is, $13; amazon.com

Get ready to take a trip down south with this selection. “I can’t even express how much I love this book,” Witherspoon wrote. “My September pick for @reesesbookclubxhellosunshineis #WhereTheCrawdadsSing by @authordeliaowens. It’s about a young woman named Kya, who’s left to raise herself in the marshes of North Carolina when her family abandons her at a young age. There is so much to her story: romance, mystery, and a murder… and it takes place in the breathtaking backdrop of the South. I didn’t want this story to end.”

Buy It! Where the Crawdads Sing, $16; amazon.com

This thriller packs plenty of plot twists, so be prepared! “I’ve got a page-turner for y’all! My August book pick is #StillLives by @mariahummel5656. It’s the ultimate mystery set in LA. An artist goes missing at the height of her controversial career, and the plot keeps you guessing who’s responsible. Was it a stunt or is she in danger ? You won’t know who to trust, and that ending… I won’t say any more—you’ll have to read it… or for my #HelloSunshineOnAudible folks, listen to it for yourself. I can’t wait for you to experience it so we can discuss all the crazy twists and turns at @reesesbookclubxhellosunshine!”

Buy It! Still Lives: A Novel, $14; amazon.com

“Forbidden love. Courage. Family secrets. @reesewitherspoon’s July book pick, #NextYearInHavana by @chanelcleeton, is one that’s filled with passion, mystery and romance—and we can’t wait for you to get your hands on this incredible story!” Witherspoon wrote. “When Marisol, a Cuban-American woman, returns to Havana to scatter her grandmother’s ashes, she starts to discover a side of her history that’s as complicated as it is beautiful… and in the process, she finds love where she shouldn’t. It’s an absolutely beautiful story that you’ll wish could go on and on, whether you’re turning pages or listening on @audible_com. We can’t wait to hear what you think!”

Buy It! Next Year in Havana, $15; amazon.com

“Still looking for the perfect #FathersDay gift? We asked some of our book pick authors — @brenebrown, @jillsantopolo, @ruthwarewriter, @ahoffmanwriter and many more — to give us their recommendations for dad,” the star wrote.

Buy It! Sing, Unburied, Sing, $13; amazon.com

“Octavia Spencer. Lizzy Caplan. Elizabeth Perkins. Aaron Paul. Mekhi Phifer. Tracie Thoms. Haneefah Wood. Michael Beach. Are you KIDDING us??” wrote Witherspoon. “Can’t wait for @reesewitherspoon and @hellosunshine’s thriller #AreYouSleeping to hit screens.”

Buy It! Are You Sleeping, $26; amazon.com

“We’ve got the perfect beach read for you! @reesewitherspoon’s June book pick is #SomethingInTheWater by @catsteadman,” the actress wrote. “It starts with a beautiful honeymoon that turns into a web of intrigue. When Erin and Mark find something in the water in Bora Bora and try to pull off what they think is the perfect crime, each choice they make has unforeseen consequences. You won’t want to put this story down…”

Buy It! Something In The Water, $19; amazon.com

“Who doesn’t love book announcement days? @reesewitherspoon’s May book pick is #YouThinkItIllSayIt by Curtis Sittenfeld, and get excited,” the star wrote. “This collection of short stories is the inspiration behind a TV series we’re developing at @hellosunshine, and we can’t wait for you to read it! Every single character in this book is complex, beautifully flawed and so multi-faceted—and all so interesting to unpack. You won’t want these short stories to end!”

Buy It! You Think It, I’ll Say It, $12; amazon.com

“In the latest episode of #HowItIs by @hellosunshine, host @dianeguerrero_ talks about the power of women’s voices, and how that’s empowered her to tell her own story in her book, #InTheCountryWeLove,” Witherspoon wrote.

Buy It! In The Country We Love, $10; amazon.com

“I’m so excited my new book, #WhiskeyInATeaCup, is coming out Sep 18th, y’all!” she wrote. “Pre-order in my link in bio! Can’t wait for you to read it!”

Buy It! Whiskey in a Teacup, $24; amazon.com

You’ve been waiting for it…@reesewitherspoon’s April Book Pick for @hellosunshine is: #Happiness by Heather Harpham!” the star wrote. “The memoir follows Heather’s journey as she gives birth to her daughter, Gracie, who is born with rare complications that leave her fighting for her life. In this battle alone, Heather relies on the kindness of the people around her: friends, family, and even strangers. She ends up reconnecting with Gracie’s father, and the way he comes back into their lives will leave you so emotional. The book is equal parts heart-wrenching and joyful, and you won’t be able to stop turning these pages!”

Buy It! Happiness: A Memoir, $13; amazon.com

Witherspoon shared a laugh with fellow actress Tiffany Haddish. “This magical unicorn made my day! I want to hang out with@tiffanyhaddish every Friday,” Witherspoon wrote. “Haven’t laughed that hard in a year! Check out my story because #sheready.”

Buy It ! The Last Black Unicorn, $16; amazon.com

“#EroticStoriesForPunjabiWidows has something for everyone: romance, a murder mystery and family drama,” Witherspoon wrote. “The story follows Nikki, a young British-Punjabi woman who’s struggling to find her place in the world. When she starts teaching a writing class to older women in a community she once distanced herself from, she finds herself in the most unexpected of scandals. Get ready, book club—there are so many thrilling twists and turns, and you won’t be able to get enough of these characters.”

Buy It! Erotic Stories for Punjabi Widows, $12; amazon.com

“Just in time for Valentine’s Day, the February@reesesbookclubxhellosunshine pick is here!” the actress wrote. “#TheLightWeLost by @jillsantopolo is a page-turning love story that spans decades and continents as two lovers try to return to each other. This book kept me up all night, turning the pages to find out. Can’t tell you the ending but definitely have tissues close by!! I loved it!”

Buy It! The Light We Lost, $12; amazon.com

Witherspoon loved Celeste Ng’s novel so much that she teamed up with Kerry Washington to create a limited-series adaption for Hulu. The actresses will both appear in the show, according to deadline.com. Read up in the meantime!

Buy It! Little Fires Everywhere, $18; amazon.com

“January is the perfect time to reflect and #BravingTheWilderness by@BreneBrown is the perfect book for this,” said Witherspoon on Instagram. “It really made me stop and think about the important things in life: i.e. having the courage to be confident in your decisions, the importance of connecting with others, as well as being thoughtful and open to having conversations with those who may have different opinions than you.”

Buy It! Braving the Wilderness, $17; amazon.com

“It’s a psychological thriller about a woman who conceives a plan to manipulate her way into the life of a married couple,” Witherspoon said of Constantine’s debut novel. “Filled with envy, deception, and power, it’s a great reading escape. And there is a thrilling twist at the end!!”

Buy It! The Last Mrs. Parrish, $10; amazon.com

Patchett’s collection of essays “explores what it means to have friends, fall in love, struggle and succeed,” the actress said on Instagram. “Reading this book is like talking to one of your best friends.”

Buy It! This Is the Story of a Happy Marriage, $13; amazon.com

“Sunday morning reading the best book,” Witherspoon said of this collection of “aha” moments from Winfrey’s Super Soul Sundayseries conversations with visionaries including Cheryl Strayed, Gary Zukav and Brené Brown.

Buy It! The Wisdom of Sundays: Life Changing Insights from Super Soul Conversations, $16; amazon.com

Hoffman’s latest work, a prequel to her 1995 novel Practical Magic, truly enchanted Witherspoon. “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,” the star said of the tale, which is “full of magic, love, family, heartbreak and redemption.”

Buy It! The Rules of Magic, $16; amazon.com

The classic whodunit by the “best-selling author of all time” follows detective Hercule Poirot’s quest to solve the mysterious murder of millionaire Samuel Edward Ratchett, whose stabbed body is discovered inside his locked cabin aboard the legendary Orient Express train. Did one of Ratchett’s fellow passengers commit the crime?

Buy It! Murder on the Orient Express, $9; amazon.com

“Can you imagine something you did as a teenager coming back to haunt you 17 years later? That’s the journey #TheLyingGame takes you on,” Witherspoon said of Ware’s suspense novel about four high school friends, now grown, who share a secret and are reunited by a mysterious text. “Will someone find out the truth? Will one of the women break the pact? So many questions… Until the very last page!”

Buy It! The Lying Game, $26.99; amazon.com

If you liked Witherspoon’s HBO series Big Little Lies (and the book upon which it was based), you’ll love Moriarty’s novel. “It’s a great summer book about 6 adults, 3 cute kids & BBQ that goes wrong,” said the star. “A real page turner!”

Buy It! Truly Madly Guilty, $13; amazon.com

“I think you’ll really enjoy this exciting and fast-paced story about a pregnant American socialite who teams up with a female ex-spy and a hot-tempered young soldier in the aftermath of WWII,” Witherspoon said of Quinn’s novel.

Buy It! The Alice Network, $13; amazon.com

Socially awkward Eleanor lives an extremely lonely life until she and her office IT guy Raymond save an elderly man after he falls on the sidewalk. The three become friends and ultimately rescue each other, with Raymond bringing Eleanor out of the shell that protected her from a tragic past. “#FunFact: At 40 years old, Gail Honeyman’s debut novel #EleanorOliphant was discovered through a writing competition, altering the trajectory of her life,” Witherspoon has said of the book, which she is turning into a feature film.

Buy It! Eleanor Oliphant Is Completely Fine: A Novel, $19; amazon.com

“@Diane_keaton is receiving an AFI Lifetime Achievement Award today. We’re prepping accordingly,” Witherspoon wrote on June 8, sharing images of Keaton’s books Let’s Just Say It Wasn’t Pretty and Then Again.

Buy It! Let’s Just Say It Wasn’t Pretty, $12; amazon.com

Then Again, $11; amazon.com

“I love all her characters, especially Darcy and Rachel! Emily,” the star said of, author Emily Giffin

whose works include The One & Only, Heart of the Matter, Something Blue and Baby Proof. “Her books are addictive!”

Buy It! Books by Emily Giffin

, amazon.com

Travel writer Lo Blalock is on assignment aboard a luxury cruise and all seems perfect until she witnesses the woman in the next cabin being thrown overboard. Or did she? According to the ship’s records, no passenger is traveling in that cabin! “#TheWomanInCabin10 is an edge of your seat thriller set on the most beautiful yacht in the world,” Witherspoon said on Instagram. “Full of great characters and twists, y’all should check it out!”

Buy It! The Woman in Cabin 10, $15; amazon.com

“I love this quote and I love you,” the actress gushed of Wild author Cheryl Strayed’s inspiring and insightful collection of quotes, gathered from her various writings.

Buy It! Brave Enough, $11; amazon.com

Witherspoon’s “weekend reading” is now an HBO series starring the actress herself. Moriarty’s book chronicles the lives of three women who have kids at the same preschool. As secrets are revealed, they realize that their lives are even more connected than they think.

Buy It! Big Little Lies, $10; amazon.com

“You won’t want to put it down,” the star wrote on Instagram of this “unpredictable page-turner” about federal agent Aaron Falk, who, decades after being accused of murder, is summoned to his hometown for the funeral of his best friend, who shot himself after killing his wife and son. As Falk investigates his friend’s death, the locals begin to question his own connection to the case.

Buy It! The Dry, $15; amazon.com

Lib, an English nurse, travels to an Irish village to observe a young girl who claims to have survived on no food for four months. Is it a hoax or a miracle? That’s the question Lib asks herself, when the child’s health suddenly begins to decline. Witherspoon called this book one of her “rainy day essentials.”

Buy It! The Wonder, $7; amazon.com

“Fueling up for the weekend,” a green-smoothie-sipping Witherspoon captioned this pic of Chopra and Snyder’s guide, which includes practices and recipes for living a healthier, more beautiful life.

Buy It! Radical Beauty, $18; amazon.com

“I go back and look at it over and over again,” Witherspoon said of this book based on Brown’s blog. “It’s laugh-out-loud funny, yet practical and shockingly accurate (Step 361: Don’t date someone who is mean to you!!) It talks about the mundane (how to clean your apartment) and the big issues (how to choose your friends). A great gift for basically … Any adult.”

Buy It! Adulting: How to Become a Grown-Up in 535 Easy(ish) Steps, $10; amazon.com

Even Oscar winners can use a little help in the kitchen — from fellow Oscar winners. Enter this cookbook, which is packed with quick and simple recipes. “Trying my best @gwynethpaltrow, to make it look like #ItsAllEasy!!! WishMeLuck,” Witherspoon wrote on Instagram.

Buy It! It’s All Easy: Delicious Weekday Recipes for the Super-Busy Home Cook, $25; amazon.com

“What would you do to protect your children? What lengths would you go to? This book explores those questions and more,” the star said of Walker’s novel, which she is bringing to the big screen. “A dark & twisting psychological thriller that had me guessing until the very end. *Fair warning that this book has some difficult / violent scenes.*”

Buy It! All Is Not Forgotten: A Novel, $8; amazon.com

Move over, Elle Woods. Another iconic blonde is coming to the big screen! Witherspoon is planning to make a movie based on this story of how Mattel cofounder Barbara Handler was inspired by her daughter to create a doll who looked like an adult instead of a child.

Buy It! Barbie and Ruth, $15; amazon.com

Witherspoon was so moved by this book that she couldn’t put it down: “It’s about an amazingly brave group of women who served in a Special Ops unit during the war in Afghanistan. Their strength and courage are an inspiration. P.S. I’m so proud to bring their story to the screen!”

Buy It! Ashley’s War, $9; amazon.com

Ani FaNelli is a successful woman who seems to have it all — including a dark secret that could destroy her. “It was the most non-stop nail-biting crazy train of a book with one of the most intriguing characters I have read in a long time!” raved Witherspoon, who is adapting the novel into a feature film.

Buy It! Luckiest Girl Alive: A Novel, $13; amazon.com

“Prepare to be scared….Really scared!” Witherspoon said of Ware’s psychological thriller. “When I read this page-turning book about a bachelorette party gone wrong, I almost bit all my fingernails off!

Buy It! In a Dark, Dark Wood, $10; amazon.com