Reese Witherspoon Book Club List 2021

Outlawed

Author: Anna North

Genre: Historical Fiction

Year: 2021

More info: January 2021 Reese Witherspoon Book Club Pick

Plot

Set in the late 1800s, a year into her marriage with no baby to show for it, Ada leaves to join the Hole in the Wall Gang. Led by The Kid, the gang is trying to create a safe haven for women but to do they need to break some laws in the process. Ada sees the vision, but can she abide by their new world order?

The Sanatorium

Author: Sarah Pearse

Year: 2021

Genre: Mystery

More info: Detective Elin Warner #1 , February 2021 Reese Witherspoon Book Club Pick

Plot

Oh boy, was this a creepy haunted house book! I wish I had chosen to read it during the wintertime instead of the summer because seeing snow while reading it would have made it that much creepier.

With dead bodies piling up, and a blizzard keeping the guests of the fancy sanatorium-turned-hotel stuck inside, will Elin be able to solve the mystery before she becomes a victim herself?

Why Kirsten likes it

This is such a great blizzard book for mystery book lovers. It is creepy and everything else you want in a thriller and it’s an iconic book to read during a snowstorm!

Find this book in: Fiction Serial Killer Books / Locked Room Mystery / Isolation Book / Reese Witherspoon 2021

Infinite Country

Author: Patrica Engel

Year: 2021

Genre: Fiction

More info: March 2021 Reese Witherspoon Book Club Pick

Age Range: 18+

Plot

This story of an immigrant family split apart by US policy and ICE had such potential, but I had trouble keeping the timeline and the characters all straight in my head. It’s told from the mother, father, and one daughter’s point of view.

Trigger Warnings

Animal Cruelty, Rape

Why Kirsten loves it

The struggles of a husband and wife separated for almost a decade were heartbreaking, but the way it was laid out had me confused and frustrated.

Find this book in: Immigration Books / Reese Witherspoon 2021

Northern Spy

Author: Flynn Berry

Genre: Mystery Thriller

Release Date:

More info: April 2021 Reese Witherspoon Book Club Pick

Plot

When alerts go out for people to help locate suspected IRA terrorists, Tessa is shocked to see a video of her sister, Marian, pulling a ski mask over her face. Determined to find her sister and get to the bottom of everything, new mom Tessa uses her background as a producer at the BBC to investigate on her own.

The Last Thing He Told Me

Author: Laura Dave

Year: 2021

Genre: Mystery

More info: May 2021 Reese Witherspoon Book Club Pick

Spice Rating:💋

Age Range: 16+

Plot

I raved about this book when I read it earlier this month! Well-chosen, Reese! The story of a stepmother and her daughter as they try to find the girl’s father after his abrupt departure. Owen Michaels gives his wife a note that says “protect her” before disappearing without a trace.

Hannah and Michael have been married for only a year and now Hannah must become everything to 16-year-old Bailey. As Hannah and Bailey search for Micheal, there are more questions than answers. Why was Michale’s boss arrested? Why is the FBI at their house?

Why Jackie loves it

This mystery has so much heart as you see Hannah bond with and try to protect her new stepdaughter, Bailey. I did not see the ending of this book coming, but absolutely adored it. This is one of the mystery books that will keep you turning the page.

Find this book in: Domestic Noir / Books About Mothers / Ultimate Mysteries / Best Beach Reads / Best Books of 2021 / Popular Thriller Books / Best Reese Witherspoon Books / Reese Witherspoon 2021

Seven Days in June

Author: Tia Williams

Year: 2021

Genre: Romance

More info: June 2021 Reese Witherspoon Book Club Pick

Spice Rating:💋

Age Range: 18+

Plot

The latest Reese’s Book Club pick was quite a unique read. It was billed as a romance but that doesn’t do this novel justice. Yes, there are some steamy scenes, but it also deals with childhood trauma, drug addiction, racial issues, and single motherhood.

Eva Mercy is a single mom and a bestselling author of Erotica. Shane Hall is an award-winning novelist. The two meet at a literary event and sparks fly, but what nobody knows is that the two met years ago and spent a week together. Since that time, their novels have been declarations of love for each other.

Trigger Warnings

Trauma, addiction

Why Kirsten loves it

It was much heavier than I expected especially with a second chance romance novel. If you are looking for something that will make you think, this is the right pick for you from our list of books about books.

Why Jackie likes it

This is such a complex and deep second-chance romance. The years have been difficult for these two and they carry a lot of baggage.

Find this book in: Books About Books Books / Becoming Movies in 2024 / Second Chance Romance Books / Romance Books About Books / Reese Witherspoon 2021

The Paper Palace

Author: Miranda Cowley Heller

Genre: Fiction

Release Date: 2021

More info: July 2021 Reese Witherspoon Book Club Pick

Plot

On a lovely summer morning, Elle wakes up in her summer home, “The Paper Palace.” But this morning is the day after she cheated on her spouse by sleeping with her best friend Jonas for the first time. Now Elle needs to decide if she wants to stay with Peter in the life she loves or move on with Jonas into the life of her childhood dreams.

We Were Never Here

Author: Andrea Bartz

Year: 2021

Genre: Thriller

More info: August 2021 Reese Witherspoon Book Club Pick

Spice Rating:💋

Age Range: 16+

Plot

A thriller that had me on the edge of my seat! Two best friends, Emily and Kristen, commit an accidental murder on vacation in Cambodia when they try to stop Emily from being sexually assaulted.

But the following year in Chile, it happens again. As Emily begins to suspect something is off with her best friend, she starts trying to distance herself from Kristen. But Kristen wants to keep Emily close.

With a narrator that is unreliable, because she can’t seem to trust her own instincts or memory, the twists and turns keep coming with this thriller.

Trigger Warnings

Sexual assault

Why Kirsten likes it

If vacation books are your thing, this thriller from books like People We Meet on Vacation is such a great pick. And, it is perfect for books with unreliable narrators.

Find this book in: Books Like People We Meet on Vacation / Complete List of Reese Witherspoon Books / Reese Witherspoon 2021

L.A. Weather

Author: María Amparo Escandón

Year: 2021

Genre: Fiction

More info: September 2021 Reese Witherspoon Book Club Pick

Spice Rating:💋

Age Range:

Plot

This family drama covers a year in the life of the Alvarado family, consisting of Oscar, Keila, and their grown daughters.

So much happens in this book including, infidelity, divorce, fertility issues, kleptomania, a brain tumor, hidden secrets, job losses, and climate change issues. It’s like a full-on telenovela.

Trigger Warnings

Infidelity, Climate Change

Why Kirsten likes it

The best part for me was the Jewish-Mexican representation. I honestly think this might have been the first Jewish Mexican-American family I have ever read about and I loved it.

Find this book in: Novels About Weather / Reese Witherspoon 2021

Sankofa

Author: Chibundu Onuzo

Genre: Fiction

Year: 2021

More info: October 2021 Reese Witherspoon Book Club Pick

Plot

Anna is at a crossroads in her life as a bi-racial woman in her 40s whose only known parent has recently died. Now divorced and with a grown daughter, Anna heads to Africa to search for the father she’s never known.

The Island of Missing Trees

Author: Elif Shafak

Year: 2021

Genre: Historical Fiction

More info: November 2021 Reese Witherspoon Book Club Pick

Spice Rating:💋

Age Range: 16+

Plot

After the recent death of her mother, Ada’s aunt shows up for the winter holiday and Ada begins to learn the story of how her parents fell in love in Cyprus in the 70s. Since one was a Turk and one a Greek, their love had a forbidden element that reminded me of Romeo and Juliet….and the Fig tree, now growing in Ada’s backyard, witnessed it all.

Trigger Warnings

War

Why Kirsten loves it

I was so excited to read Reese Witherspoon’s latest book pick because it sounded so different – a fig tree as a narrator? I wasn’t sure it would work, but Elif Shafak pulled it off with aplomb.

Find this book in: Books Set in the 70s / Reese Witherspoon 2021

Lucky

Author: Marissa Stapley

Year: 2021

Genre: Fiction

More info: December 2021 Reese Witherspoon Book Club Pick

Age Range: 16+

Plot

This is a story about a con-artist named Lucky who is running from the law while trying to cash in the 300 million dollar lottery ticket she bought.

Kirsten’s Thoughts

This was one of my least favorite Reese book club picks ever. Flashing between her current scenario and her childhood, I’m clearly suppose to care for her. Except I never did. Instead, I found this book to be dull. I easily could have skipped it and almost didn’t finish it.

You Have a Match

Author: Emma Lord

Year: 2021

Genre: YA Romance

More info: Winter 2021 YA Reese Witherspoon Book Club Pick

Spice Rating:💋

Age Range: 14+

Plot

When Abby signs up for a DNA service, she does it to support her best friend and secret crush, Leo. She doesn’t expect to find an older sister she never knew she had. ⁣To find uncover the entire story and get to know her green juice-loving, Instagram queen sister, Abby heads off to camp where her sister works. It also happens to be the same camp where Leo works as a staff chef.

Why Jackie likes it

This Reese book club YA winter pick is a perfect YA romance with a little more depth and emotion. It’s one of our favorite books about sisters!

Find this book in: Books About Camp / Books About Sisters / Beach Reads 2021 / Reese Witherspoon 2021

Firekeeper’s Daughter

Author: Angeline Boulley

Year: 2021

Genre: YA Fiction

More info: Spring 2021 YA Reese Witherspoon Book Club Pick, Firekeeper’s Daughter #1

Age Range: 14+

Plot

I have not read many books where the central characters are Indigenous Americans. This book takes place on the Michigan side of Sault Ste. Marie where Daunis is going to have a fresh start in college when she witnesses a murder. She suddenly finds herself working as a CI for the FBI as they investigate a lethal form of meth slowly killing her people. Her knowledge of science as well as the Ojibwe traditional medicines makes her the perfect person to help. 

While this is characterized as YA thriller, it has the depth and soul to appeal to any audience. I can see why this book has already been optioned for a Netflix Series.

Trigger Warnings

Drug Abuse

Why Jackie loves it

I did not know much about the Ojibwe culture before reading this book; the little bits about traditions and spirituality were fascinating. Each added more depth to the story and I could not put it down. The narration was wonderful and added to the story. #gifted by Macmillan Audio

Adaptation Information

President Barack Obama and his wife, Michelle, purchased the rights to this book via their production company, Higher Ground Productions. It’s scheduled to become a TV series on Netflix.

Find this book in: Books by Female BIPOC Authors / Books About Mental Illness / Fun Books for Teens / Books Becoming TV Series / Best Books of 2021 / Best Reese Witherspoon Books / Reese Witherspoon 2021

Tokyo Every After

Author: Emiko Jean

Year: 2021

Genre: YA Fiction

More info: YA Summer 2021 Reese’s Book Club Pick, Tokyo Ever After #1

Spice Rating:💋

Age Range: 13+

Plot

Izumi Tanaka does not feel like she fits in as a Japanese American in her mostly white California town. When she finds out that her unknown father is actually the crown prince of Japan, she is determined to meet him. When she travels to Japan to be with her dad, she’s overwhelmed by all the customs and traditions she knows so little about. There is also a sweet romance in the story where Izumi, now a princess, falls for her handsome bodyguard.

Why Kirsten loves it

What a fun quick book by Emiko Jean. This book was one part Princess Diaries and one part Crazy Rich Asians. It was an entertaining and light summer read that will satisfy your desire to escape into a royal getaway.

Find this book in: Best YA Romance Books / Beach Reads 2021 / Royal Reads / Best Reese Witherspoon Books / Reese Witherspoon 2021

The Downstairs Girl

Author: Stacey Lee

Year: 2021

Genre: YA Historical Fiction
More info: Late Summer 2021 YA Reese Witherspoon Book Club Pick

Age Range: 14+

Plot

This is a story of a lady’s maid turned advice columnist (under a pseudonym). Her column becomes very popular and she uses her pen to try and fight against the things she does not like in society. As people try and figure out who she is, she begins to draw unwanted attention.

Jackie’s Thoughts

Some YA historical fiction books are incredibly appealing to adult readers, and other YA stories fall flat. Unfortunately, the latest Reese’s Book Club pick falls into the latter category for me because the writing did not draw me in.

Find this book in: YA Historical Fiction Books / Reese Witherspoon 2021

Within These Wicked Walls

Author: Lauren Blackwood

Year: 2021

Genre: YA Fantasy

More info: Instant New York Times Bestseller
Reese’s Book Club Fall 2021 YA Pick

Spice Rating:💋

Age Range: 12+

Plot

This debut novel is billed as an Ethiopian-inspired fantasy retelling of Jane Eyre but I think the Jane Eyre part is the least exciting part of this fantastical tale. (Which is saying something!)

I’ve never read any YA Fantasy book like this one. The world-building is so unique. Andromeda is an exorcist who cleanses households of the evil eye. Magnus Rochester is desperate to have the evil eye removed from his household but no other exorcist will take the job. 

Why Kirsten loves it

The chemistry between these two is intense and instant, the scenes of terror throughout the book are ideal for the haunting season, and the subtle Jane Eyre references bring the whole thing up a notice. This YA fantasy is one of the best retellings I have read and I loved it.

Find this book in: Novels about Africa / Reese Witherspoon Book Club List 2021