Are you wondering what your favourite Celebrity Book Club is reading this month? Do you enjoy book communities as a way to read along with others? If so, each of these celebrity book clubs is internet-based and open to all who follow. So if you’re like me and always on the lookout for the next great read, you will now find these picks all in one spot – That Happy Reader’s blog! Without further adieu, let me introduce you to Celebrity Book Club Picks for August 2024.
Click on the book’s cover to add it to your Goodreads shelf!
Reese Witherspoon’s Book Club (Hello Sunshine)’s pick for August 2024:
Founded in 2017, Hello Sunshine always chooses books with women at the centre of the story. Their website notes “We make our choices thoughtfully and look for ways to deepen our connection to books, authors and ourselves”. This book club chose “Slow Dance” by Rainbow Rowell as their August 2024 pick.
Length: 400 pages.
Genre: Romance
Summary:
“Slow Dance” is the poignant tale of Shiloh and Cary, best friends in high school whose futures seemed intertwined yet divergent. Shiloh dreamt of becoming an actress, while Cary envisioned a life in the Navy, both determined to escape their north Omaha roots. Despite their deep connection, life took them on separate paths, leading to fourteen years of silence. Now, at thirty-three, Shiloh returns home, divorced with two children, and her life far from what she imagined. A wedding invitation rekindles memories and hopes, and as Shiloh contemplates seeing Cary again, the story unfolds into a journey of rediscovery and healing, exploring whether two friends who lost everything can find their way back to each other and the love they never recognized.
Good Morning America’s Book Club’s pick:
The GMA Book Club is officially called “Cover to Cover” and was started in the Fall of 2019. Their selections highlight diversity and books are chosen from both fiction and non-fiction genres. The book club chose “The Seventh Veil of Salome” by Silvia Moreno-Garcia as their August 2024 pick.
Length: 336 pages.
Genre: Historical Fiction
Summary:
In the glamorous and cutthroat world of 1950s Hollywood, the coveted role of Salome, a legendary figure who has inspired artists for centuries, becomes the epicenter of desire and ambition. When Vera Larios, a relatively unknown Mexican actress, lands the role in a high-profile film, she instantly becomes the center of attention and envy. Nancy Hartley, a struggling actress desperate for fame, sees Vera’s success as her own missed opportunity and is willing to do anything to claim the spotlight. Amidst the backdrop of scandal and intrigue, the story also weaves in the tale of Salome herself, a princess torn between duty and her intense longing for the prophet who predicts her stepfather Herod’s downfall. This Technicolor saga of ambition, envy, and heartache unfolds, promising both tears and tragedy.
Read With Jenna (Jenna Bush Hager)’s pick:
In March 2019, the former First Daughter announced her book club on the Today show. Each month she chooses a book that is sure to generate discussion. Jenna chose “The Wedding People” by Alison Espach as her August 2024 pick.
Length: 384 pages.
Genre: Women’s Fiction
Summary:
In Alison Espach’s “The Wedding People,” the charming town of Newport, Rhode Island, sets the stage for an unexpected journey of self-discovery and new beginnings. When Phoebe Stone arrives at the elegant Cornwall Inn alone, dressed to impress, she is mistaken for a wedding guest amidst the bustling preparations. Despite not being there for the wedding, Phoebe’s presence soon intertwines with the meticulous bride’s plans, leading to an unlikely connection between the two women. As the weekend unfolds, Phoebe’s solo retreat, intended for introspection and healing after a life-altering change, turns into a series of humorous and heartfelt encounters. Through these chance meetings and the candid confessions they inspire, Phoebe and the wedding party discover that sometimes, the most surprising guests are the ones who help us find our way back to ourselves.
Oprah’s Book Club:
Oprah Winfrey started this book club in 1996 as a segment on her TV show. Many obscure titles have risen to bestseller status as a result of her picks. Oprah’s latest pick is “Familiaris” by David Wroblewski.
Length: 992 pages.
Genre: Historical Fiction
Summary:
In “Familiaris,” spring of 1919 finds John Sawtelle and his new wife Mary embarking on a journey to Wisconsin’s north woods with their closest friends and three loyal dogs, seeking a fresh start after John’s imagination leads to yet another mishap. Hoping to discover a life filled with meaning and adventure, they soon realize their destination is far more mysterious and dangerous than anticipated. Their quest for purpose takes them through the remnants of a small-town automobile factory, the chaos of a midwestern firestorm, and the challenges of a WWII dog training program. Along the way, they forge new alliances with both human and otherworldly companions, exploring timeless themes of love, friendship, family dynamics, and the enduring bond between humans and dogs. By blending humour and heartbreak with enchantment and mystery, “Familiaris” crafts an unforgettable tale of resilience, ambition, and the universal desire to create something lasting and beautiful.
Other Recent Celebrity Book Club Selections:
Do any of these books appeal to you? I’ll be reading “The Wedding People” and “Slow Dance”. Come back next month as I let you know what the September picks are!
Jonetta | Blue Mood Café
I’ve got two of them!
thathappyreader
Which two Jonetta?
Karole Thomas
All great choices..enjoyed them
thathappyreader
Glad to hear that Karole!
ER LeVar
I fully forgot there’s a new Rainbow Rowell! Thanks for the reminder–and thanks to Reese, too, I guess. Haha!
thathappyreader
I hope that you enjoy it ER!
angiesrecipes
I would love to read Familiaris! It’s always fun to read the story involving animals, esp. dogs and cats.
thathappyreader
I hope that you enjoy it Angie!
Her Digital Coffee
I love seeing which books are chosen for book club. The Wedding People sounds interesting and I can’t wait to hear your thoughts on that one. Thanks for sharing!
thathappyreader
Thanks Winnie!
Carla@CarlaLovesToRead
The only one on my TBR is The Wedding, but I did read Edgar Sawtelle years ago, so I might check out Familiaris.
thathappyreader
I hope you enjoy both of these books Carla!