Reese Witherspoon Book Club List: UPDATED The Best Books Ranked

Anatomy: A Love Story by Dana Schwartz

Winter 2022 Reese Witherspoon Book Club YA Pick

This gothic historical fiction is centered around Hazel, a 16 year old woman who lives in Edinburgh Scotland with her mother and younger brother. She has always had an obsession with anatomy and wants to be a surgeon despite the fact that no women are allowed to study to become doctors.

In order to study and pass her exam, she must have dead bodies to look at. Enter Jack, who earns extra money by taking bodies from their graves at night.

This was such a quick read with amazing details to keep the story moving. There were some surprise details that really added to the story. The ending, however, felt very rushed to me- especially when compared to the rest of the book. It left me feeling that I was missing something.

The Last Thing He Told Me by Laura Dave

May 2021 Reese Witherspoon Book Club Pick

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.

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 How it Always is by Laurie Frankel

October 2018 Reese Witherspoon Book Club Pick

Wow! There are so many things that I loved about this book.  Rosie and Penn have five boys.  The youngest, Claude wants to be a girl when he grows up.  As this family navigates life with secrets, 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 in which not everybody is open-minded.  This book is poignant and all too realistic.  It captures the innocence of youth and the struggles of an entire family. 

Daisy Jones & The Six by Taylor Jenkins Reid

March 2019 Reese Witherspoon Book Club Pick

I started reading this book but when my audiobook library hold came in I changed over to the audiobook version. HOLY COW. The audiobook is EVEN BETTER. Seriously, I think this might have been my favorite audiobook of all time. I expect it to sweep the Audies this year for sure. The book is laid out in chronological order about the making of a band in the 70s, but the story is told in interview style from a dozen sources.

The audio version has a different narrator for each character and the performances the actors give are stupendous. I was overcome with emotion numerous times while I was listening. The story itself about the rise and fall of one of the hottest bands was so utterly fabulous – it’s pure sex, drugs and rock n’ roll in all the best ways. There is a Spotify playlist that goes with it – scroll down for all the details.

Where the Crawdads Sing Deluxe Edition by Dehlia Owens

September 2018 Reese Witherspoon Book Club Pick

I will admit when I saw the description of this 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.  This book has that spark, that special something that makes it extra.  It is no surprise that we chose this as our favorite of 2018.

We have an entire post dedicated to this book and how to host a book club around it!

Such a Fun Age by Kiley Reid

January 2020 Reese Witherspoon Book Club Pick

Such a Fun Age is a remarkable debut contemporary fiction from Philadelphia native Kiley Reid. This novel made me think and question the role our environment plays in who we are and who we become. ⁣ I love how the author addresses racism without drilling it in.  Rather, she shows what it looks like from the overt to the subtle. The book focuses on the relationship between an African -American woman who is a nanny and her employer who is a white woman.

The Alice Network by Kate Quinn

July 2017 Reese Witherspoon Book Club Pick

This historical fiction takes place during the First World War and after the Second World War as the story of two woman come together.  One is a female ex-spy another is a pregnant single woman, and they are joined by a shady ex-con as they embark on a quest.

This was such a good book to listen to and although the subject matter was serious, there were moments when I was laughing out loud.  There was just the right amount of humor to make this a very readable book.

The Guest List by Lucy Foley

June 2020 Reese Witherspoon Book Club Pick

Real talk. I’ve just read THE thriller of summer 2020 and it’s soooooo good.⁣ A murder at a wedding. On an isolated island. In the middle of a power outage.⁣ Yaaaaaaaaas. ⁣This is an unputdownable thriller. The murder sets the scene and then we get the story in flashbacks without knowing who is murdered until the end. ⁣I’ve become v picky about thrillers recently and this one is hands down my favorite of the year so far.⁣ It also made our best of 2020 list!

The Light We Lost by Jill Santopolo

February 2018 Reese Witherspoon Book Club Pick

A warm and yet sad story about an intense love that ends. The story 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 own relationship evolves. Be prepared with a box of tissues when you read this one. I was bawling like a baby by the end.

Firekeeper’s Daughter by Angeline Boulley

Fall 2021 YA Reese Witherspoon Book Club Pick

I have not read many books where the central characters are American Indian. 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. I really did not know very much about the Ojibwe culture before reading this book and the little bits about traditions and spirituality were fascinating. Each tidbit added more depth to the story and I could not put it down. I will read anything that Ms. Boulley writes! Thank you Macmillan Audio for my ALC of this book. The narration was wonderful and added to the story.

The Club by Ellery Lloyd

March 2022 Reese Witherspoon Book Club Pick

This book was a WILD ride and I loved every exhilarating twist and turn! The Home Club is clearly based on members-only celebrity clubs like SoHo House but the newest Home Club is opening on a private island and features an opening weekend to die for.

Literally, because it’s a murder mystery. Except we the readers don’t know who is murdered, how, or why at the beginning…but instead we are treated to various narrators telling the points of view of the weekend as it unfolds.

The layered approach to telling the story of the celebrity shenanigans and the murder of a key figure in the Home Group family had me flipping through the pages of this book. A truly enjoyable beach read!

The Island of Missing Trees by Elif Shafak

November 2021 Reese Witherspoon Book Club Pick

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.

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 many years ago. 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.

Tokyo Every After by Emiko Jean

Summer 2021 Reese Witherspoon Book Club Pick

What a fun quick book by Emiko Jean. I feel like this book was one part Princess Diaries and one part Crazy Rich Asians.

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.

This book was an entertaining and light summer read that will satisfy your desire to escape into a royal getaway.

A Cuban Girl’s Guide to Tea and Tomorrow by Laura Taylor Namey

November 2020 YA Reese’s Witherspoon Book Club Pick

This is an adorable YA romance that had my tea-loving heart at the title but, the story was sweet and had me turning the pages. But fair warning, you will be hungry while reading this book.

Lila is leaving Miami to spend the summer in England with her mom’s best friend as a way to help Lila’s mental health. With the unexpected break up with her boyfriend, her best friend leaving after graduation and the death of her beloved Abuela, Lila’s life is not where she thought it would be.

Slowly, with new friends and a new city, Lila starts to see a different side of life, and maybe change is ok.

Fable (Fable #1) by Adrienne Young

October 2020 YA Reese Witherspoon Book Club Pick

I’m not the resident fantasy girl, but HOLY YES BATMAN. This story of a bad-ass female pirate was incredible. Normally, I only like fantasies if they have a strong romantic element. But in Fable, I found myself drawn in by our namesake character and the vivid world description.

Well done, Reese with this pick. This one is top-notch.

Whisper Network by Chandler Baker

July 2019 Reese Witherspoon Book Club Pick

I heard so many mixed reviews and I finally decided to read it and then kicked myself for waiting so long. The story is about sexual harassment in its various forms – mostly around the workplace – and how women handle that harassment in different ways. A lot of the negative reviews stem from people not liking the main characters which I take MAJOR issue with.

Harassment is harassment. Character-likeability should have little to do with whether or not you believe the claims. There is a lot of grey area in the handling of harassment because it’s a personal issue and no two people will respond to the same harassment in the same way. I thought the author did a great job digging into those grey areas with characters who are complex. We did an entire post on how to host a book club for Whisper Network.

Next Year in Havana by Chanel Cleeton

July 2018 Reese Witherspoon Book Club Pick

I picked up Next Year in Havana after Reese Witherspoon recommended it in July – I wasn’t disappointed! This historical fiction tale about a young Cuban American woman who visits Cuba for the first time to spread her grandmother’s ashes is one of my favorite books of the year. What Marisol thought would be a simple quest turns her world upside down as she uncovers secrets from her grandmother’s past. Cuba becomes a character in this novel and it’s truly spectacular. 5 stars.

Erotic Stories for Punjabi Women by  Balli Kaur Jaswal

March 2018 Reese Witherspoon Book Club Pick

I adored this book that was so much more than I thought it was going to be.  Nikki is the daughter of Indian immigrants living in London.  When she takes a job teaching creative writing to Punjabi widows at a local community college, there is a mix-up.  She ends up helping the woman write erotic stories.  There is so much more to this story than “just” the erotic stories.  That is only a small part of this wonderful story of love, friendship, and believing in each other.

The Giver of Stars by Jojo Moyes

November 2019 Reese Witherspoon Book Club Pick

I’m not usually a Jojo Moyes reader, but this story about a mobile library was one that caught my eye. I’m so glad I ended up reading it because it was wonderful!

I had no idea that women used to travel by horseback to deliver books in the Appalachian mountains. These librarians were utterly badass as they thumbed their noses at societal norms for the betterment of their community.

Each woman’s story was woven together in a tapestry of love, friendship, and sisterhood. I couldn’t put it down.

One Day in December by Josie Silver

December 2018 Reese Witherspoon Book Club Pick

Another book I absolutely adored. This second chance love story takes place over 10 years and you’ll be rooting for this couple the entire time. 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.

Something in the Water by Catherine Steadman

June 2018 Reese Witherspoon Book Club Pick

Another former Reese Book Club pick, this thriller was a slow build with an explosive finish. When two newlyweds find something in the water on their honeymoon, the story picks up the pace and I couldn’t put it down. I really loved how the heroine changes over the course of the book. It felt very realistic based on the circumstances.

Dictionary of Lost Words by Pip Williams

May 2022 Reese Witherspoon Book Club Pick

I have to say that I never had any idea how the dictionary was made and how “abridged” my version actually is (think 20 volumes and 4ft of shelf space).

This historical fiction was brilliantly researched and detailed. The heart of this book is the importance of words and women finding their power in small ways in a male-centered world.

At times I thought the book moved a little slowly but it is well written and enjoyable.

Within These Wicked Walls by Lauren Blackwood

Fall 2021 Reese Witherspoon Book Club YA Pick

This debut novel is billed as an Ethiopian-inspired fantasy retelling of Jane Eyre but I think the Jane Eyre part is the least excited 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. 

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.

L.A. Weather by María Amparo Escandón

September 2021 Reese Witherspoon Book Club Pick

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.

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.

Seven Days in June by Tia Williams

June 2021 Reese Witherspoon Book Club Pick

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.

It was much heavier than I expected and had I been more in the mood for such a book, I think I would have rated it higher.

You Have a Match by Emma Lord

Winter 2021 YA Reese Witherspoon Book Club Pick

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. ⁣This Reese book club YA winter pick is a perfect YA romance with a little more depth and emotion. Thank you so much to Macmillain Audio for my copy of the book!!!

The Proposal by Jasmine Guillory

February 2019 Reese Witherspoon Book Club Pick

I read this book on one plane flight.  It was light, funny and completely predictable.  When Nikole’s “boyfriend” proposes to her at a baseball game and cannot even spell her name correctly, it is a recipe for disaster.  Luckily, Carlos and his sister are at the game to help Nik escape the onslaught of paparazzi waiting.  You can guess the rest.  This is a great light read.

The Other Woman: A Novel by Sandie Jones

November 2018 Reese Witherspoon Book Club Pick

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.

The Cactus by Sarah Haywood

June 2019 Reese Witherspoon Book Club Pick

A pick for Reese’s Sunshine Bookclub, I enjoyed this story about Susan Green’s unlikely quest for love.  When her mother dies and leaves her home to Susan’s brother, Susan decides to hire a lawyer and get what she thinks is owed to her.  Susan also finds out that she is pregnant and she starts to lose control of her meticulously controlled life.  Meet Rob, her brother’s best friend, and the opposite of everything she has ever thought she liked before.  This quirky story is perfect for fans of Eleanor Oliphant.

The Rules of Magic by Alice Hoffman 

October 2017 Reese Witherspoon Book Club Pick

I love Alice Hoffman and I have read every book in this series. This one did not disappoint. I love that this book takes place one generation before Practical Magic.

We get to see Jet and Granny as kids growing up trying to escape the family curse- never fall in love. This Reese Pick was a sure-fire win from the beginning.

Eleanor Oliphant is Completely Fine by Gail Honeyman

June 2017 Reese Witherspoon Book Club Pick

I wasn’t sure how I felt about this book initially.  Eleanor bugged me in a way that I could not identify.  She is not supposed to be likable initially which is why I persevered and I ended up liking the book. 

As we get to know Eleanor and understand her profound loneliness,  it made me think about what initial judgments I make in other areas.

For more books like these, check out our list of Charming Books Like Eleanor Oliphant is Completely Fine

The Last Guest House by Megan Miranda

August 2019 Reese Witherspoon Book Club Pick

I liked the way the story was told in a dual timeline, I liked the many red herrings thrown in, and I was committed to making sure the main character came out unharmed. As with any thriller, the trick to success is not being able to predict the twists.

I was, unfortunately, able to come up with most of the plot points before the main character. The very, very ending took me a bit by surprise in how the climax played out, but overall, I saw the premise coming from a mile away. That doesn’t mean I didn’t enjoy the book, I just never got to the point of heightened anxiety that I expect in an unpredictable thriller.

The Scent Keeper by Erica Bauermeister

February 2020 Reese Witherspoon Book Club Pick

I snagged a copy of The Scent Keeper because Reese Witherspoon told me I should. #sorrynotsorry I usually love her picks and this was no exception. I’ve seen many mixed reviews on this one, but for me, it was a reflective read about what it means to be loved, and the memories that scents hold. The premise of a little girl growing up on an isolated island learning about scents had me picking up the book, but the hard-life lessons she learned along the way kept me flipping the pages.

We Were Never Here by Andrea Bartz

August 2021 Reese Witherspoon Book Club Pick

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.

The Sanatorium by Sarah Pearse

February 2021 Reese Witherspoon Book Club Pick

Oh boy was this a creepy story! 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 blizzarding 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?

Infinite Country by Patrica Engel

March 2021 Reese Witherspoon Book Club Pick

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. 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.

His Only Wife by Peace Adzo Medie

October 2020 Reese Witherspoon Book Club Pick

I generally love Reese’s book club picks. This particular one was billed as a Ghanan version of Crazy Rich Asians, a book I adored. I think I was expecting that level of over-the-top gossip and glamour and this book didn’t quite deliver. Sadly, I wish that comparison hadn’t been made. I did like the story of Afi’s struggles in her arranged marriage, though I got frustrated by her choices at certain points in the story.

The Henna Artist by Alka Joshi 

May 2020 Reese Witherspoon Book Club Pick

I really enjoyed this historical fiction set in 1950s India. I know little about the artistry and meaning behind henna prior to reading and I learned a great deal about henna, herbal remedies, and Indian culture while reading this book.⁣ Because of the descriptive writing, I could picture everything so vividly. The plot, and the class structure in India in particular, would make an excellent book club discussion.⁣

The Secrets We Kept by Lara Prescott

September 2019 Reese Witherspoon Book Club Pick

This was an interesting look at the subversive tactics the CIA took during the Cold War. I had no idea that they engaged in cultural espionage.
As always, it’s fascinating to see the role that females play within a spy network. It’s crazy to me that after WWII many former female spies were sent to the typing pool while their male counterparts got to remain active in the spy community.⁣

The book dragged a little towards the middle, but I’d still recommend it to lovers of historical fiction. You can see this and other female spy books here.

The Chicken Sisters by K.J. Dell’ Antonia

December 2020 Reese Witherspoon Book Club Pick

This was an enjoyable family drama based around two sisters competing in a fictional reality tv food competition. As the competition turns to tricks and sabotaging, the sisters’ war with each other turns ugly. Family secrets just keep getting exposed and the hijinx get better and better. This was the perfect light read to end 2020 with.

Little Fires Everywhere by Celeste Ng

September 2017 Reese Witherspoon Book Club Pick

I have mixed feelings about this book.  There was nothing I didn’t like.  It is a great story and written really well.  I think because of all the hype I was expecting to be completely blown away.  I actually stopped reading this book at about page 85 because I didn’t have the initial “wow” reaction.  I’m really glad I decided to give it another try.  Ng has depth to her characters and looks at highly emotional issues. I ended up really liking the book once I got past the beginning.

The Library Book by Susan Orleans

January 2019 Reese Witherspoon Book Club Pick

I have mixed feelings about this book. It was fine.  I finished it but, I definitely did not love it.  The facts related to libraries and the fire itself were extremely interesting.  It was well-written and relatable. 

The Last Mrs. Parrish by Liv Constantine

December 2017 Reese Witherspoon Book Club Pick

I read this one because it was a Reese Witherspoon pick AND because I had heard wonderful things about it. Unfortunately, I read The Wife Between Us back in January so I completely predicted what was going to happen in this book. As with all thrillers, when the element of surprise is missing, it’s not as good a read, but I still found it to be enjoyable.

You Think It, I’ll Say It by Curtis Sittenfeld

May 2018 Reese Witherspoon Book Club Pick

This collection of short stories 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.

Counterfeit by Kirstin Chen

June 2022 Reese Witherspoon Book Club Pick

When Ava learns about college friend Winnie’s counterfeit bag scheme, she does not intend to get mixed up in it. But as she struggles to get the treatment her child needs and time to herself, her she gets involved after all.

But soon she’s been caught and needs to explain what happened to the police. Is she going to be the one left to take the blame? I struggled to find compassion for Ava because she came off as self-serving. Ultimately, I didn’t care if she got caught or not.

Lucky by Marissa Stapley

December 2021 Reese Witherspoon Book Club Pick

This was one of my least favorite Reese book club picks ever. It’s 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.

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.

The Last Story of Mina Lee by Nancy Jooyoun Kim

September 2020 Reese Witherspoon Book Club Pick

I wanted to like this book, and I did like parts of it, but overall it just didn’t connect with me. It’s part mystery, part fiction, but the writing wasn’t great and I was never truly drawn into the world. I almost stopped reading it on numerous occasions. I wanted to learn more about the Korean immigrant experience, but sadly, this book was not cutting it.

Still Lives by Maria Hummel

August 2018 Reese Witherspoon Book Club Pick

While I had high hopes, this book just didn’t live up to my expectations.  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?  I found the story to be lacking and the suspense to be almost non-existent.  I finished the book but would have been just as happy to have someone give me the one-sentence breakdown. 

The Downstairs Girl by Stacey Lee

Late Summer 2021 YA Reese Witherspoon Book Club Pick

Some YA books are incredibly appealing to adult readers, and other YA stories fall flat.

Unfortunately, the latest Reese’s Book Club pick falls into he latter category for me. I was never able to fully get into the story of a ladies maid turned advice columnist because the writing never drew me in.

I cared about what happened to Jo but I found myself bored throughout.