Celebrity book recommendations you'll want to know about

Recommended by: Reese Witherspoon

A book about celebrities recommended by a much-adored celebrity, Miss Legally Blonde herself. A Reese’s Book Club pick in March 2022, The Club is an exhilarating, addictive read that gives us a voyeuristic look into the world of ultra-exclusive private members’ clubs. As the social elite gather on a luxurious island for the event of the decade, it turns out that even the most beautiful people keep the ugliest secrets and they’ll do just about anything to keep them. . . If you can’t get enough of celebrity drama in real life, you’ll love reading this deliciously deadly mystery.

Recommended by: Gwyneth Paltrow, Barack Obama

Hanya Yanagihara’s novel A Little Life is an undisputed literary phenomenon, beloved by celebrities such as Dua Lipa and Antoni Porowski (author of Antoni in the Kitchen and Let's Do Dinner). But her next novel also has celebrities talking, especially in Gwyneth Paltrow’s Goop offices. To Paradise is a bold, brilliant novel telling three different stories spanning across three centuries in an alternative version of American history. Prepare yourself for this work of emotional genius about lovers, family, loss and the elusive promise of utopia. Definitely one of the most talked about books of 2022, To Paradise also made its way onto Barack Obama’s list of essential summer reading.

Recommended by: Reese Witherspoon

Another of Reese Witherspoon’s Book Club picks from earlier this year was The Christie Affair, a stunning novel which reminagines the unexplained eleven-day disappearance of Agatha Christie that captivated the world. If you’re a fan of Christie’s writing, Nina De Gramont’s novel is the perfect read for you, almost out-doing Agatha herself with every twist and turn! The story is told from the perspective of Agatha’s husband’s mistress who holds the key to a dark secret about her disappearance. This enigmatic work of historical fiction might just satisfy your curiosities about what really happened.

Recommended by: Harry Styles

We think you’ll find this book incredibly thought-provoking, as did Harry Styles. In an interview with Dazed magazine, he revealed “It got me thinking, for a long time, about how scared I was of saying or doing the wrong thing. . . I’m not ashamed of those things any more”. We can tell, Harry. He’s a pop phenomenon who has become a symbol for celebrating freedom of expression and bringing people together. So You’ve Been Publicly Shamed is full of eye-opening truths about the rise of public shaming in our world of social media. Powerful and profound, Jon Ronson calls for all of us to be more compassionate online, and indirectly confronts the merciless mob of trolls that have the agenda, and platform, to ‘cancel’ anyone in a single heartbeat.

Recommended by: Barack Obama

What could be better than a recommendation from the much-loved and respected former President of the United States, Barack Obama? Well, the book he’s recommending of course, Sea of Tranquility. Included in his essential summer reading list, this is a story of time travel, parallel worlds and endless possibilities. Told in shifting timelines across four centuries, it follows the perspectives of multiple characters who have experienced anomalies in time. A beautiful and poignant introduction to the sci-fi genre, we’re sure that you’ll find this book as worthy a read as Barack Obama did.

Recommended by: Natalie Portman

Natalie Portman is the well-read owner of @natsbookclub on Instagram. She recommends you read the “confronting and modern” novel Breasts and Eggs, which is about three women struggling to determine their own lives in contemporary Tokyo. Not only does she post about the books she loves, Natalie goes one step further and gets on first name terms with the authors. In an interview with Meiko Kawakami, discussions around the female body, fertility, and sexuality share such an insightful window into the attitudes around the female experience in Japan. If Natalie Portman takes time out of her busy schedule for this book, it must be a winner.

Recommended by: Florence Welch

Is it any surprise that Florence Welch, lead singer of indie rock band Florence and the Machine, would recommend a book written with as much poetic lyricism as one of her songs? The Dance Tree, by Kiran Millwood Hargrave, is set in Strasbourg, 1518, during the middle of a scorching hot summer when a dancing plague sweeps through the city.  Inspired by true events, this is a story of superstition, transformative change and women pushed to their limits.

Recommended by: Richard and Judy

Described by Richard Madeley as “a writer as reliable as Rolex”, we wholeheartedly agree that you can never go wrong with a Ken Follet novel. Featured in the Richard and Judy Book Club, Never depicts a relentlessly escalating crisis of global instability. A timely read, if you’re all over current affairs this book is meant for you and will undoubtedly keep you transfixed to the final page.

Recommended by: Maisie Peters, Natalie Portman

Julia May Jonas’s debut novel Vladimir has been adored by not one, but two celebrities – singer Maisie Peters described the book as “one of my favourite things I’ve read this year” and Natalie Portman showed off her own copy on her gorgeous Instagram grid. This provocative novel is about a beloved English professor whose husband is under a formal investigation for inappropriate relationships with former students – a situation made more complicated when she develops an obsession of her own. A bold read, full of dark humour, Vladimir is undoubtedly one of this year’s hottest reads, so it's no wonder that it’s been noticed and loved by two incredibly vogue celebrities.

Recommended by: Emma Roberts

Alongside her bestie, Emma Roberts channels her love of books through their Belletrist book club. She deemed Luster good enough to feature on her own Instagram feed, a book that was longlisted for the Women’s Prize for Fiction, meaning our Wild Child really does have good literary taste. Edie, a young Black woman is trying to be seen, all whilst trying to find herself and survive her dead-end job in an all-white office. After reading this brutally funny book, you should thank Emma Roberts for the recommendation that you won’t be able to put down.

Recommended by: Emma Watson

Actress turned activist, Emma Watson is as much of a book nerd as the character that first made her famous, Hermione Granger. Emma’s passion for social issues is reflected in the books she reads and shares with her 68 million followers on Instagram, including Hassan Akkad’s memoir Hope Not Fear. Bearing a powerful message of triumphing over adversity, standing together and uniting in love, Hope Not Fear is a poignant and powerful account of Hassan’s journey, from seeking asylum in the UK to documenting his work as a NHS cleaner in a Covid-19 ward in London, all whilst adopting a hopeful approach to activism that will pull on your heartstrings. If you’re in need of a little faith restoration, his humanity, sense of service and ideals of kindness might just be the light you need.

Recommended by: Britney Spears

One of the most iconic entertainers in pop history, Britney Spears, is a huge fan of author Danielle Steel, describing her books as “classic in every way”.  One book in particular grabbed her attention, Invisible. Antonia Adams has discovered the safety in being invisible, until she is offered the opportunity to be a movie star. Thinking that it will lead to her true dream of becoming a filmmaker, she has to expose herself in ways she never has before, whilst navigating the struggle to stay true to herself. A story of being in the spotlight, and the struggles that come with it, is it any wonder this page-turning read resonated so deeply with Britney Spears?