Celebrity book recommendations to add to your reading list
The hottest new form of clubbing? That would be book clubbing.
Book clubs are having a mega moment.
Emma Watson is the latest celebrity to hatch a club dedicated to literature. Her feminist book club, Our Shared Shelf (she crowdsourced the name on social media) was set up in order to spark discussion. She released this statement of intent via Goodreads:
'As part of my work with UN Women, I have started reading as many books and essays about equality as I can get my hands on. There is so much amazing stuff out there! Funny, inspiring, sad, thought-provoking, empowering! I've been discovering so much that, at times, I've felt like my head was about to explode. I decided to start a Feminist book club, as I want to share what I?m learning and hear your thoughts too.'
Then there's Between Two Books, a book club set up by fans of Florence Welch, which has been steadily gaining traction for years. The premise is simple: read books on Florence's recommendation. It has grown to become a community with over 26,000 followers on Instagram, now endorsed wholeheartedly by Florence herself. The Shake It Out singer frequently collaborates with the group's founders, including setting up a coveted interview with Donna Tartt to discuss the author's most recent novel, The Goldfinch.
Across the pond, Reese Witherspoon has been sharing her appetite for all things book with her fans for some time - she regularly posts the books she has her head via Instagram. Top tip: they're all collated under the hashtag #RWbookclub.
Lastly, Lena Dunham's Lenny Letter has also coined 'Lit Thursday'. Each week new reads are uploaded to its site. Expect everything from rare children's books to biographies of badass women.
Now we just need to find the time to read all these awesome books.
Emma Watson
Emma Watson circulated copies of Maya Angelou's Mom & Me & Mom around the New York subway system for commuters to find and read, as part of her global feminist book club Our Shared Self.
Reese Witherspoon
First up, Reese Witherspoon joined the A-list book club, posting her recommendation for this summer's must-have read, writing, 'I could not put down this thriller by @kimberlymccreight about a teenage girl who sets off on a mission to save her best friend, uncovering secrets and betrayal as she slowly realizes something more sinister is at work ... #TheOutliers #RWBookClub #Thriller'
Emma Watson
Emma posted a lovefest to feminist icon Caitlin Moran on her Instagram, inadvertently urging her fans to read Caitlin's classic memoir, How To Be A Woman. It's already on our wishlist...
Emma Watson
Another Caitlin novel to bide the time, with Emma reading Caitlin's Moranifesto as part of her online book club, Our Shared Shelf.
Emma Watson
Emma is loving the feminist icons these days, posting her reading Gloria Steinem's memoirs.
Karlie Kloss
@karliekloss
'Hey @emmawatson, about that book club... Count me in! 📚'
Karlie Kloss
@karliekloss
'I have had my nose in this book all weekend....If anyone is looking for an incredible summer read, you must pick up @DVF's #TheWomanIWantedToBe. I have always been inspired by Diane (I have been lucky enough to work with her since I was 16), but reading about her extraordinary life journey has given me a whole new appreciation for the resilient, passionate and loving woman she is.'
Reese Witherspoon
@reesewitherspoon
'So proud of my friend @lynseyaddario, who has written the most riveting memoir about being a female war photographer in places like Libya, Darfur, and Afghanistan. If you want a story that will open up your mind and heart, I recommend hers. She's fearless! (P.S. The book "It's What I Do" is so good that #StevenSpielberg is making it into a movie! 👍) #BookClub'
Rosie Huntington Whiteley
@rosiehw
'Saturday reading... #GIRLBOSS @sophia_amoruso 💁👊'
Anne Hathaway
@annehathaway
'...I loved this book! Hope you do too. xx'
Lady Gaga
@ladygaga
'🎻'
Sofia Vergara
@sofiavergara
'Summer reading🐳'
Olivia Wilde
@oliviawilde
'This book is NOT about Paco. But it IS very very good. And he is seething with jealousy.'
Olivia Wilde
@OliviaWilde
'This was written by two of my heroes, with a foreword by another hero! Jackpot! I am in awe of their passion, resilience, and extraordinary accomplishments. These are the stories that give me hope for humanity. Visiting them in Kenya was completely life changing. Pick up a copy of this book and let them blow your mind. 🙌 @shofco'
Lena Dunham
@lenadunham
'Tech scout @housingworksbks and I cannot resist a few new volumes by female authors #caughtbrowing #aliceandfredaforever #thelifeanddeathofsophiestark'
Florence Welch
@florence
'@betweentwobooks so shall we do this poetry thing then? These are two of my favourites, Mira Gonzalez is an amazing young poet, I found her collection when I was in LA, and Ted Hughes is the boss. Big influence on 'Lungs' GOD HELP THE WOLF AFTER WHOM THE DOGS DO NOT BARK. X'
Kerry Washington
@kerrywashington
'Studying'
Alexa Chung
@chungalexa
'🍆👀'
Kate Hudson
@katehudson
'Beautiful! 🙏 #AllTheLightWeCannotSee #AnthonyDoerr #MustRead'
Gwyneth Paltrow
@gwynethpaltrow
'On my way to The Windy City with this sweet and brave memoir @officialmariabello'
Sarah Jessica Parker
@sarahjessicaparker
'In the cab. Both books worth reading. Couldn't be more different. On to the next 2 selections. X sj'
Emma Roberts
@EmmaRoberts
'Been counting down the days for this !!!!!!! #joandidion'
Emma Watson
@emmawatson
'Who has their book? #OurSharedShelf #BookClub #MyLifeOnTheRoad'