There is nothing like your favourite bookworm to get you reading again, right?
As hustle culture dips in popularity, more of us turn to third spaces as a respite from life’s responsibilities. Besides, what better way to find community than bonding over a shared interest? For some, those spaces may look like run clubs or the local bar, while for others, it could be a gathering of readers to discuss their latest tome.
Right before the pandemic, at the mention of ‘book clubs’, our minds would conjure an image of well-dressed studious individuals gathering at a local bookshop or cafe to discuss their current reads. However, these clubs are now hosted over social media—be it through a Discord channel or Instagram Live.
Recent years have seen a boom in book clubs founded by celebrities—from British-Albanian singer Dua Lipa to model and actress Kaia Gerber. Not only have these clubs given authors the platform to share their work and passion, but they have also fostered connections between readers and amplified the voices of minorities. Luckily, we’ve listed six of our favourite celebrity-led book clubs below. Take your pick.
Here’s a list of celebrity book clubs to boost your brain:
Service95 Book Club (Dua Lipa)
While it seems the British singer has got her hands full with making the next radio hit or preparing for world tours, many don’t know she spends her time off from popstar duties curating the next monthly read and hosting discussions with authors for her Service95 Book Club members. An extension of the weekly lifestyle newsletter which she founded, the book club further provides readers with playlists and reading lists to accompany each monthly pick.
The Laufey Book Club (Laufey)
If you are familiar with the jazz-pop singer’s dreamy, romantic tunes, it comes as no surprise that her songwriting is heavily inspired by literature. While on tour, fans will find Little Laufey Libraries placed in the towns she performs in for the fans to participate in pre-loved book swaps. The Chinese-Icelandic singer would also collaborate with local bookstores to have pop-ups displaying her book recommendations and merch.
Library Science (Kaia Gerber)
Originating as a humble online book club in 2020, Library Science is now a complete literary platform four years later where, every month, the renowned model will host conversations with artists and writers to discuss topics raised within each monthly pick. From poetry, short stories and plays to debut fiction and translations, Gerber shows her passion in highlighting difficult but necessary conversations in today’s climate.
TeaTime Book Club (Dakota Johnson)
When it comes to reading, actress Dakota Johnson likes to spiral down the rabbit hole to understand all references made in the book—whether it be a specific art piece or a particular musician mentioned. If you’re also someone who likes to go the extra mile to understand the context of a story, you’d want to join the TeaTime Book Club where curated playlists and watchlists accompany each monthly pick.
Natalie’s Book Club (Natalie Portman)
Natalie’s Book Club picks range from a myriad of genres—from fiction and non-fiction to memoirs and classics. Through this community, the actress hones in on the importance of empathy which reading allows us to practise. Recent selections from the book club include Saving Time by Jenny Odell and Yael van der Wouden’s The Safekeep.
Between Two Books (Florence Welch)
Founded in 2012 by Florence + the Machine’s lead singer, Between Two Books began with a tweet from a young fan proposing the idea of a book club, which Welch quickly welcomed. Ever since, the club has been frequently hosting book discussions including readings and Q&A sessions with authors over multiple platforms. Guest recommendations from names like Sally Rooney, Greta Gerwig and Fiona Apple—to name a few—have also been featured.
