Feminist literature? Bestselling fiction? Indie gems? There’s a book club (or at least a great recommendation) waiting for you.
I’ve always been the kind of person who reads what my favorites read. If a celebrity I admire swears by a book, I’ll probably add it to my cart before even reading the synopsis. Call it impressionable or just deeply invested in parasocial relationships, but for years, my reading list was shaped by celebrity book clubs. What started as a fun way to feel connected to my idols turned into a real love for books that expanded my perspective, taste, and better understanding of literature.
I’ve always been a reader. I grew up on Harry Potter and Angels and Demons, totally caught up in the magic and mystery. Then came The Historian by Elizabeth Kostova, which made me love historical fiction, and yes, I went through the full Twilight phase (no regrets). I even read Fifty Shades of Grey because I had to write about it for a magazine.
But book clubs changed the way I read. They introduced me to authors and ideas I never would’ve picked up on my own. Instead of sticking to the familiar, I was reading stories that challenged me, made me think, and helped me discover literature beyond the mainstream.
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Celebrity book clubs that shaped my reading
If you’re looking for a book club to join, or simply want to add more diverse reads to your list, here are some celebrity-led book clubs that have genuinely influenced my reading:
Emma Watson’s Our Shared Shelf
Emma Watson’s Our Shared Shelf introduced me to feminist literature. Launched in 2016 as part of her work with UN Women, it featured books that focused on gender, race, and activism. Through this, I read The Color Purple by Alice Walker, Persepolis by Marjane Satrapi, and Beloved by Toni Morrison. This book club isn’t active anymore, but if you’re looking for feminist reads, its archives are a goldmine.
Reese Witherspoon’s Book Club
Reese’s Book Club is perfect for readers who love emotionally charged, female-driven fiction. Each month, she selects a book that focuses on a woman’s story. Some of my favorites include Where the Crawdads Sing by Delia Owens (a mystery-meets-coming-of-age novel), One Day in December by Josie Silver (a heartfelt romance about destiny and fate), and Daisy Jones & The Six by Taylor Jenkins Reid (a novel that reads like a documentary on a fictional ‘70s rock band. This was turned into a series by Amazon too!). If you want a book club that feels like a warm hug with a little drama, this one is for you.
Dua Lipa’s Service95 Book Club
Yes, Dua Lipa has a book club. Service95 Book Club is about global literature. It doesn’t focus on bestsellers but rather on books that expand perspectives. While I haven’t read all the selections, I love how she highlights authors from different backgrounds. If you’re looking to step outside of mainstream Western narratives, this book club is a great place to start.
Belletrist by Emma Roberts and Karah Preiss
Emma Roberts’ Belletrist is for readers who love indie bookshop vibes. I haven’t read all their picks, but because of this book club, I watched The Booksellers, a documentary about rare book dealers, and it deepened my appreciation for literature. If you like books that make you feel intellectual, Belletrist is worth checking out.
Natalie Portman’s Book Club
Nat’s Book Club highlights books written by women too, often focusing on strength and identity. If you want thought-provoking, shorter reads, this club has great recommendations.
Kim Jones’ Literary broadcast channel on Instagram
Kim Jones, the Filipina-British creative, makes even heavy Russian literature feel approachable. She doesn’t just recommend books, she explains them, engaging with her followers in real discussions. Because of her, I became curious about Clarice Lispector, Dostoevsky, and Nietzsche in ways I hadn’t been before.
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And then, there’s pop culture
Sometimes, it’s not even about book clubs, just seeing a celebrity with a book can spark curiosity. I read Norwegian Wood by Haruki Murakami and Charles Bukowski’s Love is a Dog from Hell because of Harry Styles. There’s something about seeing a well-loved, dog-eared book in someone’s hands that makes you want to read it too.
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My girl crush French-American model Camille Rowe led me to Normal People by Sally Rooney and Drive Your Plow Over the Bones of the Dead by Olga Tokarczuk.
Daniel Radcliffe introduced me to The Master and Margarita by Mikhail Bulgakov, a novel so weird and wonderful it completely took me by surprise. Soviet satire and a talking cat, what more are you looking for? And of course, Gilmore Girls made me aware of Ayn Rand and Jack Kerouac, proving that sometimes, pop culture has a way of shaping our literary tastes.
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Joining a book club, for real
But for the first time, I decided to join a book club as an actual member. Joining the Korean Cultural Center Book Club, unlike my previous celebrity-influenced reading habits, felt like an intentional step toward reading in a more structured, communal way.
I had already read The Vegetarian and Human Acts by Han Kang, and those books left a deep impression on me. They were haunting, poetic, and unapologetically raw. But what really piqued my curiosity about Korean literature was working alongside K-drama and K-pop fans. Their enthusiasm for South Korean culture made me want to explore more than just its entertainment industry. I wanted to understand the country through its literature.
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Our first session is tomorrow, and we’re starting with Welcome to Hyunam-dong Bookshop by Hwang Bo-reum, a novel about a secondhand bookstore in Seoul. It promises to be a heartwarming and reflective read, a stark contrast to the darker, more intense works I’ve previously explored from Korea.
And of course, reading our own
Beyond book clubs, my love for books also extends to supporting local literature. Every time I visit Baguio, I make it a point to stop by Mt. Cloud Bookshop, a cozy indie bookstore that feels like a hidden literary sanctuary.
It was there that I found OHA by Krie Lopez, Karinderya Love Songs by John Pucay—Bukowski-like energy but with a distinctly Filipino voice. The kind of book that feels like a conversation over late-night beers. Then there’s Wings of the Locust by Joel Donato Ching, a fantasy novel rooted in Filipino mythology. It was refreshing to see Filipino folklore woven into a modern narrative, making it feel alive and relevant.
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Why book clubs matter
Book clubs have taught me that reading is more than just consuming words on a page, it’s about connecting with stories, ideas, and even people. I still follow celebrity book clubs, but now, I read with more intention. I pick books not just because they were recommended by someone I admire, but because I want to be part of the conversation they create.
If you’re looking to expand your reading list, consider joining a book club that aligns with your interests. Feminist literature, bestselling fiction, global perspectives, or indie gems, there’s a book club (or at least a great recommendation) waiting for you. And who knows? The next book you pick up might just change the way you see the world.
