The Best Reese Witherspoon Book Club Picks Of The 2020s

Reese Witherspoon loves reading. In fact, her passion for books guided her to produce and star in an adaptation of Cheryl Strayed's "Wild," which led to an Oscar nomination for Best Actress. This all came from books, as Witherspoon told The New York Times in 2018. She was speaking to her husband, Jim Toth, about a dearth of decent roles coming her way after turning 40 when he said to her: "You don't seem like the kind of person who sits around and waits for the phone to ring. You read more books than anybody I know, so why don't you start making them into your own material?" It was a brilliant suggestion, and one that Witherspoon has embraced.

Considering Witherspoon's love of reading, it's no surprise that she also created the hugely popular Reese's Book Club. Every month, the "Legally Blonde" star selects one exceptional novel featuring a woman at the story's center. It's a brilliant way of celebrating women's voices, and Witherspoon isn't the only celeb promoting literature like this. Director Greta Gerwig's reading list is an impressive feminist guide. Likewise, Meghan Markle loves women-centered literature, and musician Lorde also favors female protagonists. But what sets Witherspoon apart from her A-list contemporaries is her book club, which has grown even more powerful than Oprah Winfrey's book club in terms of sway and influence. With that in mind, we've picked our top five books that are Reese-approved! 

Margaret Renkl's "The Comfort of Crows" made the September 2024 pick on Reese's Book Club. The book came out in October 2023 and has been a reader favorite ever since. Renkl's book covers the changing year from the vantage point of her backyard, with 52 separate chapters on the different plants and animals close to the author's home. In those meditations, Renkl steps back and looks at the changes taking place in human life, melding profound observation of life with a close eye on the natural world at hand. "The Comfort of Crows" is a family project in a way, too. The author's brother, Billy Renkl, provides 52 artistic renderings that make chapter covers for each turn in the book. 

"The Comfort of Crows" was a huge hit on GoodReads, earning a 4.25 out of 5 stars. Readers loved the gentle, ecological bend that the book took, enjoying Renkl's contemplative voice. "Lovely essays to read each morning, beautifully illustrated, about the connection of all creatures in the circle of life," one reviewer wrote. In a world of thrillers and murder mysteries, Renkl's book is an invitation to tranquility. "Wonderful, really comforting, nature writing! A gem of a book," a reader commented. "A beautiful tender reminder and meditation on how the natural world is our home and its inhabitants are our neighbors (yes, even the rats and the snakes)," someone else noted. It seems like calm and serenity is the order of the day. 

Ashley Elston's "First Lie Wins," which came out in January 2024, was Reese's Book Club pick that same month. This mystery/thriller features lead character Evie Porter who narrows in on her newest mark, Ryan Sumner, as dictated by her mysterious boss Mr. Smith. Suddenly, Porter wants out of the life she's been living, largely because she met Sumner. What unfolds is a shocking, tangled web of psychological suspense and unseen twists.

"First Lie Wins" scored a 4.04 on GoodReads, with reviewers praising the challenging plot turns that Elston gracefully navigates. "Yes! This is what I call an intense psychological thriller. I love how different it was from the typical plot of unfaithful couples, psychopaths hiding in plain sight or buried family secrets," a happy reader wrote. Some readers even admitted that they were difficult to please, but Elston managed to blow them away. "You know what the most surprising thing about this amazing roller coaster of a ride complete with upside down and backward twists and turns? That I had NO complaints ... none, zip, zero, de nada. NONE!" another added. "First Lie Wins" was a well-deserved favorite in Reese's Book Club. 

Renowned author Ann Patchett is a beloved figure in the contemporary literary world, so it's no wonder she's a favorite of Reese Witherspoon's. Her novel "Tom Lake," was selected as the July 2023 pick for Reese's Book Club, and tells the story of three daughters who return to their mother's home. While there, they ask their mother about Peter Duke, an actor and former lover of the mother's, back when she was an actress herself at the acting company, Tom Lake. The novel grapples with family dynamics and love in the different stages of life. 

"Tom Lake" did well on GoodReads, too, earning 3.98 stars. For many readers already familiar with Patchett's long career, "Tom Lake" was an exciting prospect. "I'm not sure how Ann Patchett keeps getting better and better with each book, but she does. I have loved them all, some more than others, but this is my favorite, probably until the next one," a reader wrote. If Reese's Book Club demands that a woman be at the center of the story, then "Tom Lake" definitely delivered. "Oh, this book was exquisite. The writing was so lovely, and I found myself fully immersed in this story," another reader began. "It's not a love story in the conventional sense, but it is a love story between a woman and her daughters, her life, her husband, and her past." Sounds pretty compelling. 

Kristin Hannah's novel "The Nightingale" came out in April 2017 and was featured by Reese's Book Club in March 2023. Set in France in 1939, the novel follows the lives of two sisters, Vianne and Isabelle Mauriac, who are forced to navigate Nazi-occupied France. Hannah uses her historical fiction to look at the women who played a role in World War II, and how they showed bravery and solidarity in the face of death. 

The novel was an absolute hit on GoodReads, earning a whopping 4.63 stars. Readers were deeply moved by the end of "The Nightingale," and couldn't hold back their praise. "With tears still running down my cheeks I'm writing this review," one began. "I've started this review several times and I don't think I'll be able to adequately put into words the power in which this novel has moved me." Another was equally emotional about the ending: "My heart is broken & my eyes are open now. 100 stars. There's not one thing I didn't love about this book. I cried so hard." Someone else was torn up about the ending, too. "I read a lot of amazing books this year but this one broke me. This novel was everything that I wanted in a historical fiction," they wrote. Sounds like a must-read! 

Sadeqa Johnson's novel "The House of Eve" was listed as Reese's Book Club pick in February 2023. The historical novel is set in Philadelphia in the 1950s and follows the story of two protagonists. The first, Ruby Pearsall, is a fifteen-year-old set to become the first member of her family to go to college, but she's tempted astray by love. Meanwhile, Eleanor Quarles falls in love with William Pride while attending Howard University, but his family doesn't accept her. The two women unexpectedly intersect, and their stories unfold in this touching success of a novel. 

"The House of Eve" was beloved by readers on GoodReads, earning 4.25 stars. "A powerful and thought provoking story of love, family, motherhood, and the desire to go beyond societal expectations," one reader began, later adding, "This is a gorgeously written novel that speaks to the cruelty faced by young [B]lack women in the 1950s. And yet so many elements being discussed are present even in today's society." Another praised Johnson for her willingness to face tough subjects. "Sadeqa Johnson is expert at excavating the parts of the past that we would rather not confront," they began. "She dusts off these harrowing histories, shines them up, and gives them their proper glory. She mines this terrain with soaring grace, shining intellect, and a love that resonates on every page." Undoubtedly, "The House of Eve" is well worth the time. 

We chose these five books based on a few key points. Of course, each book had to be a top pick for Reese's Book Club. Since there's such an abundance of excellent books on the club's website, we narrowed it down to contemporary releases, and books that made Reese Witherspoon's top reads from 2023-2024. We also felt it was important to balance the methodology with other readerly voices, and measured up these choices with reader ratings on GoodReads. Each book had to score around 4.0 out of 5 or higher; As anyone who peruses GoodReads will know, this is no easy feat. Readers are honest and have high standards, which is why we love the site. So any book that passes the bar for these bibliophiles is sure to be excellent. What makes us so excited about seeing them on Reese's Book Club is that Witherspoon often dips into her book pile for creative projects. Could one of these five treasures be next on her list? We can only hope.