Reese's Book Club Explained

Reese's Book Club is a celebrity book sales club run by Reese Witherspoon under her media company Hello Sunshine. Since its founding in 2017, the club has gained a reputation for boosting the careers of female authors such as Delia Owens, Celeste Ng, and Megan Miranda.[1]

Hello Sunshine has been involved in the adaptation of several Reese's Book Club Picks into films and television series, including Little Fires Everywhere, Where the Crawdads Sing, and Daisy Jones & the Six.[2] [3] [4]

History

Reese's Book Club was founded in 2017 and operates under Witherspoon's media company Hello Sunshine, led by Chief Executive Officer Sarah Harden.[5] [6] Harden was appointed to the position in 2018, after serving as interim CEO beginning in June 2017.[7]

Also in June 2017, Eleanor Oliphant Is Completely Fine by Gail Honeyman became the first book selected as a Reese's Book Club Pick. Since then, the club has highlighted a Book Club Pick every month, reportedly chosen by Witherspoon.[8]

Reese's Book Club has gained a reputation for boosting the sales of its Book Club Picks.[9] As of 2019, no Book Club Picks had sold fewer than 10,000 copies and novels selected as Book Club Picks reportedly outsell other fiction books by 700%.

In August 2020, Reese's Book Club announced that it would being selecting a monthly young adult Book Club Pick, with the first YA selection being You Should See Me in a Crown by Leah Johnson.[10]

Hello Sunshine Adaptations

Witherspoon's production company Hello Sunshine has optioned the film rights to several Book Club Picks, including Where the Crawdads Sing,[11] Eleanor Oliphant Is Completely Fine, Little Fires Everywhere, Daisy Jones & the Six, Tiny Beautiful Things, and The Last Thing He Told Me.

Brand Partnerships

In April 2022, Reese's Book Club partnered with furniture company Havenly to create a line of home decor called "Reading Room."[12] [13] [14]

Controversy

Where the Crawdads Sing

Reese's Book Club faced criticism in July 2019 after it was reported that Mark Owens, the ex-husband of Delia Owens, author of Reese's Book Club Pick Where the Crawdads Sing, was possibly connected to a murder that took place in Zambia in 1995.[15] [16] [17] [18]

The Nightingale

Reese's Book Club was the subject of controversy following the announcement of its March 2023 Book Club Pick The Nightingale by Kristin Hannah. In a video posted to the Reese's Book Club Instagram page, Witherspoon explained that the novel, which tells the story of two women in German-occupied France during World War II, was chosen in response to rising antisemitism. Some criticized this choice, noting that the novel does not prominently feature any Jewish characters and was not written by a Jewish author.[19] [20]

Book Club Picks

Reese's Book Club Picks!Year and Month "Picked"!Title!Author!Genre!Notes
August 2024Slow Dance Rainbow Rowellromance, contemporary
July 2024The Cliffs J. Courtney Sullivanhistorical fiction, domestic fiction, mystery
June 2024 The UnweddingAlly Condiemystery
May 2024How to End a Love StoryYulin Kuang romance, contemporary fiction
April 2024The Most Fun We Ever HadClaire Lombardocontemporary fiction, literary fiction
March 2024Anita de Monte Laughs LastXochitl Gonzalezhistorical fiction, magical realism
February 2024Redwood CourtDeLana R. A. Dameroncoming of age fiction, historical fiction
January 2024First Lie WinsAshley Elstonthriller
December 2023Before We Were InnocentElla Bermancoming of age fiction, thriller
November 2023Maybe Next TimeCesca Majorfiction, romance, magical realism
October 2023Starling House Alix E. Harrowfantasy
September 2023Mother-Daughter Murder Night Nina Simonmystery, thriller
August 2023Tom LakeAnn Patchettfiction
July 2023YellowfaceR. F. Kuangfiction, thriller, satire
June 2023Cassandra in Reversescience fiction
May 2023Did You Hear About Kitty Karr?Crystal Smith Paulhistorical fiction
April 2023Romantic ComedyCurtis Sittenfeldromance
March 2023The NightingaleKristin Hannahhistorical fiction
February 2023The House of EveSadeqa Johnsonhistorical fiction
January 2023The House in the PinesAna Reyesthriller
December 2022The Marriage PortraitMaggie O'Farrellhistorical fiction, thriller
November 2022Tiny Beautiful ThingsCheryl Strayedessaysadapted into a television series by Hello Sunshine[21]
October 2022Our Missing HeartsCeleste Ngdystopian fiction
September 2022On the RooftopMargaret Wilkerson Sextonhistorical fiction
August 2022Wrong Place, Wrong TimeGillian McAllistermystery, science fiction
July 2022Honey & SpiceBolu Babalolaromance
June 2022CounterfeitKirstin Chenthriller
May 2022The Dictionary of Lost WordsPip Williamshistorical fiction
April 2022True BizSara Novićcoming-of-age fiction
March 2022The ClubEllery Lloydmystery
February 2022The Christie AffairNina de Gramonthistorical fiction, romance
January 2022HonorTrinity Umrigar
December 2021LuckyMarissa Stapleythriller
November 2021The Island of Missing TreesElif Shafakhistorical fiction, romance
October 2021SankofaChibundu Onuzu
September 2021L.A. WeatherMaría Amparo Escandón
August 2021We Were Never HereAndrea Bartzthriller
July 2021The Paper PalaceMiranda Cowley Hellerromance
June 2021Seven Days in JuneTia Williamsromance
May 2021The Last Thing He Told MeLaura Davethrilleradapted into a television series by Hello Sunshine[22]
April 2021Northern SpyFlynn Berrythriller, historical fiction, spy fiction
March 2021Infinite CountryPatricia Engeldomestic fiction
February 2021The SanatoriumSarah Pearsethriller
January 2021OutlawedAnna Northwestern, historical fiction, alternate history fiction
December 2020The Chicken SistersKJ Dell'Antoniadomestic fiction, humor
November 2020GroupChristie Tatememoir
October 2020His Only WifePeace Medie Adzodomestic fiction, humor
September 2020The Last Story of Mina LeeNancy Jooyoun Kimthriller, mystery, historical fiction
August 2020Everything InsideEdwidge Danticatshort stories
June/July 2020I'm Still HereAustin Channing Brownmemoir
June/July 2020The Guest ListLucy Foleythriller, mystery
May 2020The Henna ArtistAlka Joshihistorical fiction
April 2020UntamedGlennon Doylememoir
March 2020The JetsettersAmanda Eyre Ward
February 2020The Scent KeeperErica Baurmeistermagical realism, coming of age fiction
January 2020Such a Fun AgeKiley Reidcoming of age fiction, domestic fiction
December 2019ConvictionDenise Minamystery
November 2019The Giver of StarsJojo Moyeshistorical fiction
October 2019Fair PlayEve Rodskyself-help
September 2019The Secrets We KeptLara Prescotthistorical fiction, spy fiction, thriller, romance
August 2019The Last House GuestMegan Mirandamystery, thriller
July 2019Whisper NetworkChandler Bakermystery
June 2019The CactusSarah Haywoodromance, humor
May 2019From ScratchTembi Lockememoiradapted into a television series by Hello Sunshine
April 2019The Night TigerYangsze Choohistorical fiction, magical realism
March 2019Daisy Jones & The SixTaylor Jenkins Reidhistorical fictionadapted into a television series by Hello Sunshine[23]
February 2019The ProposalJasmine Guilloryromance
January 2019The Library BookSusan Orleantrue crime, memoir
December 2018One Day in DecemberJosie Silverromance
November 2018The Other WomanSandie Jonesthriller
October 2018This Is How It Always IsLaurie Frankeldomestic fiction
September 2018Where the Crawdads SingDelia Owenshistorical fiction, mysteryadapted into a 2022 film by Hello Sunshine[24]
August 2018Still LivesMaria Hummelmystery, thriller
July 2018Next Year in HavanaChanel Cleetonhistorical fiction, romance
June 2018Something in the WaterCatherine Steadmanthriller
May 2018You Think It, I'll Say ItCurtis Sittenfeldshort stories
April 2018HappinessHeather Harphammemoir
March 2018Erotic Stories for Punjabi WidowsBalli Kaur Jaswal
February 2018The Light We LostJill Santopoloromance
January 2018Braving the WildernessBrené Brownself-help
December 2017The Last Mrs. ParrishLiv Constantinethriller
November 2017This Is the Story of a Happy MarriageAnn Patchettessays
October 2017The Rules of MagicAlice Hoffmanhistorical fiction, magical realism, fantasyprequel to Practical Magic
September 2017Little Fires EverywhereCeleste Ngdomestic fictionadapted into a television series by Hello Sunshine[25]
August 2017The Lying GameRuth Warethriller
July 2017The Alice NetworkKate Quinnhistorical fiction, spy fiction
June 2017Eleanor Oliphant Is Completely FineGail Honeymanhumor, romance
Reese's Book Club YA Picks!Date "Picked"!Title!Author
Winter 2022AnatomyDana Schwartz
Fall 2021Within These Wicked WallsLauren Blackwood
Late Summer 2021The Downstairs GirlStacey Lee
Summer 2021Tokyo Ever AfterEmiko Jean
Spring 2021Firekeeper's DaughterAngeline Boulley
Winter 2021You Have a MatchEmma Lord
October 2020FableAdrienne Young
September 2020FuriaYamile Saied Méndez
August 2020You Should See Me in a CrownLeah Johnson

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Grady . Constance . 2019-09-13 . How Reese Witherspoon became the new high priestess of book clubs . 2023-04-12 . Vox . en.
  2. Web site: Donnelly . Elisabeth . Celebrity Book Clubs Are Actually Selling Books . 2023-04-12 . BuzzFeed News . en.
  3. Web site: Reese Witherspoon to Adapt Bestseller Where the Crawdads Sing Into a Movie . 2023-04-13 . Peoplemag . en.
  4. Web site: O'Connell . Mikey . 2022-09-30 . Reese Witherspoon and Lauren Neustadter Are Doing Just Fine Without the Boys Club . 2023-04-13 . The Hollywood Reporter . en-US.
  5. Web site: The CEO of Reese Witherspoon's production company says 'empowerment feminism' is gaslighting women . 2023-04-11 . Fortune . en.
  6. Web site: Diane . Kaci . 2021-10-14 . Sarah Harden On How Hello Sunshine Is Building A Media Company With A Difference . 2023-04-11 . The WIE Suite . en.
  7. Web site: Otterson . Joe . 2018-01-26 . Reese Witherspoon's Hello Sunshine Names Sarah Harden CEO . 2023-04-11 . Variety . en-US.
  8. Web site: How Reese Witherspoon Made These Books into Bestsellers . 2023-04-12 . finance.yahoo.com . en-US.
  9. News: Hunt . Elle . 2022-12-12 . Legally bookish: Reese Witherspoon and the boom in celebrity book clubs . en-GB . The Guardian . 2023-04-12 . 0261-3077.
  10. Web site: 2020-08-19 . Reese Witherspoon's popular book club will now cover Young Adult books too . 2023-04-12 . Good Housekeeping . en-GB.
  11. Web site: Reese Witherspoon Reflects On Taking 'Where The Crawdads Sing' From Book Club To The Big Screen (Exclusive) Entertainment Tonight . 2023-04-13 . www.etonline.com . en-US.
  12. Web site: Tingley . Anna . 2022-04-27 . Reese Witherspoon's Book Club and Havenly Team Up for Dreamy Home Decor Collection . 2023-04-11 . Variety . en-US.
  13. Web site: Arneson . Krystin . 2022-04-27 . Havenly and Reese's Book Club just launched a cozy collection of furniture for book lovers . 2023-04-11 . CNN Underscored . en.
  14. Web site: Reese's Book Club Wants You To Embrace "Shelf-Care" With Its New Havenly Collection . 2023-04-11 . The Zoe Report . en.
  15. News: Miller . Laura . 2019-07-30 . The Dark History Behind the Year's Bestselling Debut Novel . en-US . Slate . 2023-04-12 . 1091-2339.
  16. 2022-07-13 . Why 'Where the Crawdads Sing' Is So Controversial . 2023-04-13 . Time . en.
  17. Web site: Goldberg . Jeffrey . 2022-07-11 . 'Where the Crawdads Sing' Author Wanted for Questioning in Murder . 2023-04-13 . The Atlantic . en.
  18. Web site: Terasaki . Kimberly . 2022-07-11 . 'Where the Crawdads Sing' Controversy Explained . 2023-04-13 . The Mary Sue . en.
  19. Web site: Nava . A. Mana . 2023-03-16 . A Reese's Book Club Pick Is Under Fire (Again) . 2023-04-13 . The Mary Sue . en.
  20. Web site: Herndon . Jaime . 2023-03-08 . Hey, Reese: About that Book Club Selection... . 2023-04-13 . BOOK RIOT . en-US.
  21. Web site: 2023-01-15 . 'Tiny Beautiful Things' Nails Those Awkward Conversations About Aging . 2023-04-13 . Glamour . en-US.
  22. Web site: Richard . Nate . 2023-04-12 . 'The Last Thing He Told Me' Review: Jennifer Garner Stars in Apple TV+'s Forgettable Mystery Series . 2023-04-13 . Collider . en.
  23. Web site: Riley Utley . 2023-02-18 . That Time Reese Witherspoon's Vacation Was Interrupted Because Daisy Jones And The Six's Producer Really Wanted Rights To The Book . 2023-04-13 . CINEMABLEND . en.
  24. Web site: Lang . Brent . 2018-12-07 . Reese Witherspoon to Produce 'Where the Crawdads Sing' Adaptation for Fox 2000 (EXCLUSIVE) . 2023-04-13 . Variety . en-US.
  25. Web site: Andreeva . Nellie . 2018-03-12 . Hulu Nabs 'Little Fires Everywhere' Limited Series Starring Reese Witherspoon & Kerry Washington . 2023-04-13 . Deadline . en-US.

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