Reese Witherspoon recommends you read these books

Best known for being a brilliant actress, our favourite Southern Girl is also an avid bookworm. She posts great pictures of what she’s reading and what she recommends on her official Instagram account. Witherspoon reads both fiction and non-fiction and has amassed several followers who follow her #RWBookClub.

Here’s a look at some books Witherspoon has particularly enjoyed and take a moment to appreciate the lovely pictures she takes of them.
(Picture Credit: Reese Witherspoon/via Instagram)

A collection of essays by the famous actress, this book is as funny as her performances. It provides insight into her life and success, her industry and the struggles she’s faced there, the standard of beauty media propagates and her own body image issues. It’s a quick inspirational and funny read.
(Picture Credit: Reese Witherspoon/via Instagram)

A true story about a courageous group of women who served in a Special Operations unit during the war in Afghanistan. It takes readers into this tough world where fierce women bound together by integrity, danger, and the desire to serve, work. Ashley’s War is a moving combat narrative and an ode to the unbreakable bonds born of war.
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A beautiful memoir by a war photographer that shows how she came about the profession, struggled to succeed in it and details on the horrors she witnesses and the crimes of the world. Her tale is eye-opening and inspiring and she beautifully brings out bravery, fear, injustice, the cost of war, love and freedom both in personal tales and in the things she’s witnessed.
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By the creator and producer of some of the most acclaimed and followed shows on television today, namely, Grey’s Anatomy, Scandal, How to Get Away with Murder, this book chronicles her experiences in the year she decided to say yes to all the new experiences she’s offered.
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Second Life is the second novel by the acclaimed author of Before I Go To Sleep. Set to a woman investigating the murder of her sister, it’s about the secret lives and dark places one can have and keep hidden from family.
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The autobiography of the brave girl who was shot by the Taliban for speaking out for women’s rights and right to education, in particular. This book provides the insight into life in Pakistan, the struggles her family and she faced against the society, the Taliban, the wars and how her conviction and strong spirit shone through it all and got her through the healing process of the complicated brain surgery as well. It’s an inspirational and insightful book.
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A sweet children’s book about envy and appreciating your individual strengths and abilities by her favourite author, I get the feeling that Witherspoon chose this title as it went with her name.
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A YA thriller about a girl searching for her missing friend guided only by mysterious texts. Be warned, it’s part of a series
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A funny and revealing memoir by the famous actress, this book is a mix of tales and experiences about her life that give you insight into her life and personality.(Picture Credit: Reese Witherspoon/via Instagram)

A compilation of quotes, this thin book is filled with inspiration, advice and thoughts to improve your days and quality of life.
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Though it falls under the category of YA reads, this book a great for all ages. It’s from the point of view of a 12-year-old girl who loses her best friend and withdraws into herself. With beautiful descriptions of her inner world it’s a moving tale of grief and friendship.
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A reclusive crime writer reluctantly agrees to a weekend away in an eerie glass house deep in the English countryside when a friend she hasn't seen or spoken to in years unexpectedly invites her. Two days later, she wakes up, injured, in a hospital knowing that someone is dead. She tries to piece together the events in this suspenseful thriller.
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In an autobiography as beautiful as the author, Cindy Crawford speaks of her life, growth, career and shares the lessons she learnt along the way with 150 pictures chronicling her career.
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When a commuter views something so unsettling in the brief moment she goes past on a train she reports it to the police. However when she starts investigating herself, many things get revealed. A clever psychological thriller that tells a suspenseful tale from many perspectives. “I don't know who you are #PaulaHawkins but you kept me up all night reading!”, says Reese.
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A children’s book about a school to train princesses, princes, and knights to fight witches and dragons. Witherspoon says, “I bid moms and little girls alike to read this book...because everyone deserves to know what happened to Snow White or how Cinderella became a warrior princess defending her land from dragons, right?”
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A beautiful tale of a quadriplegic and his carer and the profound impact they have on each other’s life. It explores the issues faced by handicapped people and the deep question of whether loving another person is enough if you don’t love yourself.
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A People Magazine Top 10 Best Book of the Year, it explores different relationships with four different characters. Despite the different settings, their stories the stories connect to each other in surprising ways.
(Picture Credit: Reese Witherspoon/via Instagram)

A new collection of essays by the witty author on several topics, tales from his travels, childhood and partner. Witherspoon found this book, “hysterical”.
(Picture Credit: Reese Witherspoon/via Instagram)

A detailed and informative guide to throwing parties, the book contains lists and pictures to inspire and organise the perfect party.
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Written by a former Managing Director of Wall Street the book looks into the difficulties working women face in the workplace, at home, and balancing their busy lives. It honestly depicts the sexism of the industry, the difficulty of parenting while having a taxing job and it approachably explains the financial crisis of 2007.
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Set in France during World War II, it’s the tale of two sisters and their struggle to survive. With a strong theme of love and finding yourself in love it’s a moving as well as gripping tale.
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In this true account, Kimberly Williams-Paisley writes beautifully on the struggles her family faced and overcame after her mother was diagnosed with dementia. With information on the disease and stories from her life it captures the difficulties of her changing relationship with her mother.
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When a young girl is given an amnesia-inducing drug to forget an attack, she can’t remember details, but struggles with its emotional residue as her father tries to find her attacker and her mother hides from the problem.
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A book on how one moment can affect so many lives, this book explores several themes: friendship, love, lust, family, parenting, childlessness, marriage, mental illness, and how guilt affects them all.
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A psychological thriller about love and evil, the story centres around a girl who supposedly survived months without food in good health and the nurse set to watch over her and check her claims.
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Julia Reed’s informative guide to throwing an unforgettable Southern party. Filled with secrets she has collected over a lifetime of entertaining, from invitations and setting a table to arranging flowers and creating the mood, she provides practical considerations and sources.
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A mystery novel about a man returning to his hometown to investigate the murder of his best friend. Witherspoon described it as, “an unpredictable page-turner.”
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Ruth Ware's facsinating thriller follows a journalist who witnesses something she shouldn’t have while on a cruise. The claustrophobic uneasiness of the rest of her adventure seeps into the masterful narrative as the protagonist tries to solve a mystery. (Picture Credit: Reese Witherspoon/via Instagram)

Eleanor Oliphant is Completely Fine by Gail Honeyman: Eleanor Oliphant is constantly struggling with her social skills and hence avoids interacting with others. Her weekends are spent by having frozen pizza, vodka, and phone chats with her mother. But Eleanor's life changes when she encounters an office colleague saving an elderly gentleman. This cooks up an unlikely friendship between the trio results in the trio’s friendship and brings about a huge change in Eneanor's life. Recommending the book to her fans and fellow RW Book Club members, Reese said, “Great Book Alert!! Beautifully written and INCREDIBLY funny”. (Picture Credit: Reese Witherspoon/via Instagram)

The Alice Network by Kate Quinn: This enthralling novel of courage and redemption begins in the year 1947 and follows St. Clair who is thrown out of her college after discovering that she is pregnant. To settle the issue, her parents want to send her to Europe but St. Clair is determined to track her cousin who is missing after the Nazi France war. That's when she is directed to an ex-female spy who is also in search of another person. (Picture Credit: Reese Witherspoon/via Instagram)

The Lying Game by Ruth Ware The story revolves around four friends from high school, who used to play a certain game called the 'Lying Game' during their teenage years. The rules of the game are strict and myriad, and none of them should hide anything from each other. Witherspoon shared the book on her Instagram account saying that it is quite an engaging read. “Until the very last page! Needless to say, I could not put this book down”, she wrote. (Picture Credit: Reese Witherspoon/via Instagram)

The Rules of Magic by Alice Hoffman: The story revolves around Susanna Owens and her three children who are dangerously unique. From the very beginning, Susanna sets down rules for her children, such as, no walking in the moonlight, no red shoes, no wearing black, no cats, no crows, no candles, no books about magic. And most importantly, never fall in love. Once during a visit to their aunt's place, the children discover their family's secrets and why are they unique. Recommending this book on RW book Club, Witherspoon said, "I just know you’ll love this book and the Owens family as much as I do. Happy reading". (Picture Credit: Reese Witherspoon/via Instagram)

This is the Story of My a Happy Marriage by Ann Patchett This is the Story of My Happy Marriage by Ann Patchett: The novel gives us a sneak-peak into Ann Patchett’s life- from her childhood to the present day, from a disastrous early marriage to a happier one later. It covers multiple topics, including relationships with family and friends, the hard work and joy of writing, and the thrill of opening a bookstore. "Reading this book is like talking to one of your best friends. I think you’ll enjoy it!" (Picture Credit: Reese Witherspoon/via Instagram)

The Last Mrs Parrish by Liv Constantine Sisters Lynne and Valerie Constantine wrote an addictive psychological thriller together under the pen name Liv Constantine. The novel is all about how a woman tries to manipulate her way into the life of a socialite and snatch her husband for prestige and money. But a skeleton from her past can destroy her well-laid plan and blow her cover. (Picture Credit: Reese Witherspoon/via Instagram)

Braving The Wilderness by Brene Brown: Through her book, Brown emphasizes on "how true belonging doesn't require us to change who we are. It requires us to be who we are”. Sharing the book on the RW Book Club, Witherspoon said, “It really made me stop and think about the important things in life: i.e. having the courage to be confident in your decisions, the importance of connecting with others, as well as being thoughtful and open to having conversations with those who may have different opinions than you. “
(Picture Credit: Reese Witherspoon/via Instagram)

The light we lost by Jill Santopolo: Sharing the book in the RW Book Club, Witherspoon wrote, ”a page-turning love story that spans decades and continents as two lovers try to return to each other. This book kept me up all night, turning the pages to find out. Can’t tell you the ending but definitely have tissues close by!! I loved it!”.
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Little Fires Everywhere by Celeste Ng: The novel is set in Shaker Heights, a placid, progressive and meticulously planned suburb and revolves around Mia and her daughter Pearl, and the Richardsons. The book explores the burden of long-held secrets and consequences that come along, and how the fear of abiding by rules can lead to disaster and heartbreak. Witherspoon shared, "To say I love this book is an understatement. It’s a deep psychological mystery about the power of motherhood, the intensity of teenage love, and the danger of perfection. It moved me to tears." (Picture Credit: Reese Witherspoon/via Instagram)

Erotic Stories for Punjabi Widows by Balli Kaur Jaswal: The story is about Nikki, a young British Punjabi woman. After the death of her father, Nikki takes a job as a teacher to meet her daily expenses. She teaches widows of Punjabi community, a place she had always distanced herself from. During the course, she gets to know their secret desires and encourages them to express it by their writings. With the sudden change of events, she finds herself in the most unexpected scandal. This gripping novel is full of twist and turns which will keep the readers hooked till the end.
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Happiness: The Crooked Little Road to Semi-Ever After by Heather Harpham: The book is a gripping page-turner that follows the story of Heather and the aftermath of her pregnancy. Sharing the book on RW Book Club, Witherspoon wrote, ”There’s heartbreak, joy, and lots of love— I won’t give it away, but trust me: have your tissues ready. I really loved this memoir, and I know you will too!”. She added saying, “book pick is going to put you on an emotional rollercoaster”.
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You Think It, I’ll Say It by Curtis Sittenfeld: The book has a collection of 10 different short stories based on the theme-how even the cleverest people can misread others' minds and deceive themselves in the process. The book was shared by Reese Witherspoon saying, “it’s her (Curtis Sittenfeld) first book of short stories! I really loved all the characters in this book. They’re so complex and interesting, and in every story, you’ll find them going through these pivotal moments in their lives.”
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Something in the Water by Catherine Steadman: The story revolves around newlyweds Mark and Erin who are on their dream honeymoon on a tropical island. While scuba diving in the sea, they find something in the water. Both of them need to make a choice either to speak out the truth or hide it completely. Their choices lead to a devastating chain of events. This gripping psychological thriller leaves you with the question: if you could make one simple choice that would change your life forever, would you? (Picture Credit: Reese Witherspoon/via Instagram)

Next Year in Havana by Chanel Cleeton: Witherspoon, while talking about the novel, said she “can never resist a good romance”. The love story offers parallel tales of entangled hearts affected by the Cuban Revolution. It follows the story of two different women, Elisa and her granddaughter Marisol. Elisa is forced to leave her home and migrate elsewhere as an aftermath of the Revolution. When Marisol returns to immerse her grandmother's ashes in Cuba, she discovers the roots of her identity and uncovers family secrets that were hidden since the Revolution. (Picture Credit: Reese Witherspoon/via Instagram)