Reese Witherspoon Book Club List 2018

Braving the Wilderness

Author: Brené Brown

Genre: Memoir

Year: 2017

More info: January 2018 Reese Witherspoon Book Club Pick, New York Times Bestseller

Plot

Bestselling author Brené Brown is back with a new story about finding yourself through connections with your community and culture.

The Light We Lost

Author: Jill Santopolo

Year: 2017

Genre: Fiction

More info: February 2018 Reese Witherspoon Book Club Pick, February 2025 Beyond the Bookends Book Club Pick

Spice Rating:💋

Age Range: The Light We Lost #1

Plot

In this moving novel, Lucy is struggling with her marriage to Darren while examining what happened during her relationship with Gabe. Flashing between the past and the present, we are privy to Gabe and Lucy’s relationship as they move on in their lives and relationships but stay in touch.

Told over 13 years, this story is an intimate look at love found and lost, as well as the profound way our relationships change our lives.

Trigger Warnings

Death

Why Kirsten loves it

A warm and yet sad story about an intense love that ends. The novel goes from good to excellent when we see how the former lovers support each other over the years in their future relationships and how their relationship evolves. Be prepared with a box of tissues when you read this one. I was bawling like a baby by the end.

Find this book in: Books That Will Make You Cry / Best Romance Novels of All Time / Second Chance Romance Books / Best Reese Witherspoon Books / Reese Witherspoon 2018

Erotic Stories for Punjabi Widows

Author: Balli Kaur Jaswal

Year: 2018

Genre: Fiction

More info: March 2018 Reese Witherspoon Book Club Pick

Spice Rating:💋

Age Range: 16+

Plot

Looking for a laugh-out-loud contemporary fiction book? This novel is about an Indian woman trying to marry her modern English identity with her parents’ conservative Indian values.

She takes up teaching a writing course for widows in her community and she learns so much about herself and them in the process. Between each chapter are hysterical and sometimes raunchy tales written by the widows in her class. I dare you not to smile while reading this book about books.

Why Kirsten loves it

This was such a unique concept for a book. It is one of the first books that I have read that celebrated older women as protagonists. This is the OG nod to older women.

Why Jackie loves it

I could not stop laughing while reading this book. The characters jump off the page and will make you smile!

Find this book in: Best Reese Witherspoon Books / The Ultimate List of Books About Books / Reese Witherspoon 2018

Happiness

Author: Heather Harpham

Genre: Memoir

Year: 2018

More info: April 2018 Reese Witherspoon Book Club Pick

Plot

This memoir was Reese’s second nonfiction pick of 2018. It tells the story of Heather and Brian’s unlikely courtship, Heather’s devastation about their breakup after she becomes pregnant, and their daughter Gracie’s birth and severe illness, which serves to rekindle their commitment to each other.

You Think It, I’ll Say It

Author: Curtis Sittenfeld

Year: 2018

Genre: Fiction

More info: May 2018 Reese Witherspoon Book Club Pick

Spice Rating:💋

Age Range: 16+

Plot

The sharp tales within this collection of short stories are perfect for the modern era. From a story about an influencer to a honeymoon vacation gone awry, each story takes a hard look at the flaws and envy our society produces within us.

Why Kirsten likes it

This collection was a lovely little break in my reading. I’ve long been a fan of Sittenfeld’s work, so I was eager to get to this collection. It was nice to be able to read a story in one sitting for a chance. I think I’ll have to read more short stories in the future, particularly if Sittenfeld is at the helm.

Find this book in: Short Stories / Fictional Books About Influencers / Reese Witherspoon 2018

Something in the Water

Author: Catherine Steadman

Year: 2018

Genre: Thriller

More info: June 2018 Reese Witherspoon Book Club Pick

Spice Rating:💋

Age Range:

Plot

This thriller was a slow build with an explosive finish. When two newlyweds find something in the water on their honeymoon, it alters the course of their lives and marriage.

Why Kirsten loves it

I loved how the heroine changes throughout the book. It felt very realistic based on the circumstances. The story itself was fast-paced from beginning to end and I couldn’t put it down.

Find this book in: Popular Thriller Books / Books set at the Beach / Reese Witherspoon 2018

Next Year in Havana

Author: Chanel Cleeton

Year: 2018

Genre: Historical Fiction

More info: July 2018 Reese Witherspoon Book Club Pick
The Cuba Saga #1

Spice Rating:💋

Age Range: 16+

Plot

I picked up Next Year in Havana after Reese Witherspoon recommended it in July – I wasn’t disappointed! This historical fiction tale is about a young Cuban American woman, Marisol, who visits Cuba for the first time.

She’s arrived to spread her grandmother’s ashes but what Marisol thought would be a simple quest turns her world upside down as she uncovers secrets from her grandmother’s past.

Why Kirsten loves it

Cuba becomes a character in this novel and it’s truly spectacular. I was so sad when my time with Perez Family ended, but I’m delighted that Chanel Cleeton decided to return to the family.

Find this book in: Best Books of 2018 / Best Beach Reads Ever / Chanel Cleeton Books / Best Beach Reads / Best Reese Witherspoon Books / Reese Witherspoon 2018

Still Lives

Author: Maria Hummel

Year: 2018

Genre: Thriller

More info: August 2018 Reese Witherspoon Book Club Pick

Age Range: 18+

Plot

A famous artist goes missing on the eve of her new exhibit.  Is she really missing or is it a publicity stunt?  Her new art features paintings of the most famous female murder victims from L.A.  Has art come to life? 

Jackie’s Thoughts

While I had high hopes, this book just didn’t live up to my expectations. I wanted to love and I ended up liking it. Still, Reese’s picks always offer something to think about with this unique book.

Where the Crawdads Sing Deluxe Edition

Author: Dehlia Owens

Year: 2018

Genre: Historical Fiction

More info: September 2018 Reese Witherspoon Book Club Pick

Spice Rating:💋

Age Range: 16+

Plot

The book begins when a body is found in a North Carolina marsh and is identified as Chase Andrews. The story moves between the past and the present to tell the story of Kya Clark, The Marsh Girl, who is a suspect in the murder.

Kya Clark, The Marsh Girl, is abandoned first by her mother, then by her siblings, and eventually by her father at a very young age. She is forced to fend for herself in the marshes, away from society.

With the help of two beloved friends, she learns to care for herself but not without experiencing cruelty and violence.  Then, she finds herself faced with murder charges and is forced to confront her secrets and past that have shaped her into the woman that she has become. 

Trigger Warnings

Abandonment, Domestic and child abuse, assault

Why Jackie loves it

I admit that when I saw the description of this coming-of-age book, I was not sold.  A trusted individual, who has never steered me wrong in the past, gave me an advanced copy so, I took the leap.  And wow, am I glad I did.  I read this book and then recommended it to everyone I knew. It is a story about love, nature, and perseverance.

Why Kirsten loves it

This is a novel that is so much more than the sum of its parts. It is part mystery and part historical fiction that shows the importance of human connections.

Find this book in: Books About Poverty and Its Impact / Best Mystery Books of All Time / Books Like Where the Crawdads Sing / Book Club for Where the Crawdads Sing/ Books with Food in the Title / Books That Will Emotionally Wreck You / Best Reese Witherspoon Books / Books Set in the 1960s

This is How It Always Is

Author: Laurie Frankel

Year: 2018

Genre: Contemporary Fiction

More info: October 2018 Reese Witherspoon Book Club Pick

Age Range: 16+

Plot

Rosie and Penn have five boys.  The youngest, Claude wants to be a girl when he grows up.  The family begins to navigate life with secrets because there is never a good time to explain that your youngest daughter was born a male. 

These loving and supportive parents try to navigate a world where not everybody is open-minded, all while trying to do right by each of their children.

Trigger Warnings

Transphobia, Homophobia

Why Kirsten loves it

This is one of the best book club books on this list and a powerful look at what motherhood is all about.

Why Jackie loves it

Wow! There are so many things that I love about this contemporary fiction book. The story is poignant and all too realistic.  It captures the innocence of youth and the struggles of an entire family. 

Find this book in: Coming-of-age Books for Adults / Books about Mothers / Family Drama Books / Best Contemporary Fiction / Best LGBTQ Books / Best Books About Siblings / Reese Witherspoon 2018

The Other Woman

Author: Sandie Jones

Year: 2018

Genre: Thriller

More info: November 2018 Reese Witherspoon Book Club Pick, New York Times Bestseller

Spice Rating:💋💋

Age Range: 18+

Plot

In this breakout hit from Sandie Jones, Emily is getting ready to marry the man of her dreams. But Adam’s mother, Pammie, quickly becomes a rival for his affection. Can Emily handle the mother-in-law from Hell or should she run away in fear…for her life?

Why Kirsten likes it

I wasn’t sure I was ready to listen to yet another thriller this year, but when my audiobook came up on hold from the library, I had to give it a try. What a doozy! I totally get the hype around this one and I think it would make a great movie. This one really turns the thriller category on its head with a girlfriend vs future-mother-in-law rift.

One Day in December

Author: Josie Silver

Year: 2018

Genre: Romance

More info: December 2018 Reese Witherspoon Book Club Pick

Spice Rating:💋💋💋

Age Range: 18+

Plot

When Laurie sees a man through the bus window, she just knows it’s love at first sight. But the bus drove away before she could do anything about it. While she desperately looks for him for a year, she meets him once again, as the boy her best friend, Sarah, is dating.

Over the next 10 years, readers are privy to the ups and downs of Jack, Sarah, and Laurie’s lives and relationships with one another.

Why Kirsten loves it

This is another holiday book I adored. This second-chance love story takes place over 10 years, and you’ll be rooting for this couple the entire time. 

Why Jackie loves it

The perfect winter romance – this one is a bit steamy – that will have you smiling from ear to ear. I listened to this one from my local library, but it would be just as good in print.

Find this book in: Best Holiday Books / Winter Books  / New Year’s Eve Books / Best Christmas Books of All Time / Christmas Book Club Books / Best Christmas Romance Books / Reese Witherspoon 2018