Walking into the school library, every student’s eyes are feverishly glancing over their phone or computer. Lifeless, the books adorn the shelves waiting to be picked. In modern society, many people have resorted to technology for entertainment rather than books. Whether it’s lack of motivation or interest, people are less likely to select a book off the shelf than stare at their screen. While the absence of books in many people’s lives is troublesome, book clubs are an important method of getting people engaged in reading. Book clubs are an incredible way of forming connections and growing communities. More specifically, celebrity book clubs are a great way to form reading communities. Celebrities have large platforms, allowing them to inspire and connect to a big audience. Knowing that an esteemed celebrity is recommending books causes many people to be inclined to read the same book as their favorite celebrity. 

Listed below are notable celebrity book clubs that have greatly influenced the reading community:

Oprah’s Book Club by Oprah Winfrey 

Oprah Winfrey made her book club debut in 1996 during an episode of her show, “The Oprah Winfrey Show.” Since then, Winfrey’s club has escalated in fame, attracting millions of people. Winfrey’s goal is to unite readers and discover new authors and books. Some of her more recent picks include “The Tell” by Amy Griffin and “Dream State” by Eric Puchner. Winfrey emphasizes the importance of collaborative discussions. This is demonstrated when once a month, Winfrey meets with the author of one of her selected books. She has an extensive and thought-provoking discussion with the author. These meetings are shared on Winfrey’s social media pages. For multiple decades, Winfrey has been a guide for many new people when starting their journey as a reader.

Reese’s Book Club by Reese Witherspoon

Hoping to inspire women in Hollywood, actress and producer Reese Witherspoon established her own book club in 2017: Reese’s Book Club. Many of her book selections focus on powerful and captivating women. A year prior to forming her own book club, Witherspoon also launched her own production company Hello Sunshine. Witherspoon promotes women-centric books and then brings these stories to screen. A prime example of her transforming a story was “Daisy Jones & The Six,” her March 2019 selection. This book engrossed the attention of millions of people due to Witherspoon’s promotion on social media. Four years later, Hello Sunshine brought the book to life in a limited series, influencing more people to read the book. Witherspoon’s book club is a successful approach to gaining a larger reading community. 

Natalie’s Book Club by Natalie Portman 

The Harvard graduate and famous actress Natalie Portman formed her own book club in 2021, hoping to spread empathy. Portman’s book club is focused on books that share a deeper understanding of the world and the impacts people have on others. She also emphasizes the importance of seeing yourself in characters and gaining more compassion through reading. While her book club is relatively new, Portman has attained a large audience on social media because of her sophisticated selections. Her most recent book selections include “Saving Five” by Amanda Nguyen and “The Coin” by Yasmin Zaher. Like many of her counterparts, Portman also hosts discussions with the authors of her selections. Overall, Portman’s book selections are a method of bringing mindfulness and empathy into reading.