Reese Witherspoon’s Book Club Picks of 2024

January: ‘First Lie Wins’ by Ashley Elston

When announcing her first pick of the year, First Lie Wins by Ashley Elston, Witherspoon passionately described the plot.

“This book tells the story of Evie Porter, who seems to have everything a girl could want in life. She has a perfect, doting boyfriend, she has a house with a picket fence and a fancy group of friends,” the actress said. 

But, despite appearances, Evie is living a “total double life.” “She uses an alias and her job is to infiltrate people’s lives and execute takedowns whenever her boss, the mysterious Mr. Smith, says to,” Witherspoon explained. “She has to stay one step ahead of her past to make sure she will have a future in front of her.”

“It’s such a fun read, there’s so many twists and turns and I just couldn’t put it down,” Witherspoon then gushed.

February: ‘Anita de Monte Laughs Last’ by Xochitl Gonzalez

Witherspoon was so excited with her February book club pick, Anita de Monte Laughs Last by Xochitl Gonzalez, that she even continued her love for painting because of it. 

“It’s about the mysterious world of art and which artists get celebrated and which don’t – and I’m gonna give you a little spoiler here – women do not get celebrated as much as male artists,” the actress said in her statement.

In the official description of the novel, we learn more about the main characters, Raquel and Anita. “Anita de Monte, a rising star in the art world, is found dead in New York City; her tragic death is the talk of the town. Until it isn’t,” the description says of the artist.

13 years later, Raquel, a student at College Hill, becomes fascinated by Anita’s work. “When Raquel becomes romantically involved with a well-connected older art student, she finds herself unexpectedly rising up the social ranks,” the description details. “As she attempts to straddle both worlds, she stumbles upon Anita’s story, raising questions about the dynamics of her own relationship, which eerily mirrors that of the forgotten artist.”

March: ‘Redwood Court’ by DéLana R. A. Dameron

“I’m so excited to reveal it to you,” Witherspoon said when she announced Redwood Court by DéLana R. A. Dameron as her March pick. “It’s set in the 1990s and it’s a collection of vignettes, all centered around this southern Black family, told from the youngest daughter’s point of view, her name is Mika. It’s all about home and a sense of belonging. I can’t wait for you to read it.”

All told through the eyes of Mika Tabor, the book explores the lives and experiences of her all-Black working class cul-de-sac. From her grandparents, who were children in the Jim Crow era, to her sister, who would rather listen to Alanis Morissette than Motown, Mika’s stories beautifully convey the importance of joy and being seen.

April: ‘The Most Fun We Ever Had’ by Claire Lombardo

When Witherspoon announced her April book club pick The Most Fun We Ever Had by Claire Lombardo, she summarized the 2019 novel in 5(ish) words. “Emotional, Sisters, Messy (in the best way), COMPLICATED relationships, character-driven.” 

In the official description, we learn that the novel follows the Sorenson family during a complicated time. 

“With the unexpected arrival of young Jonah Bendt—a child placed for adoption by one of the daughters fifteen years before—the Sorensons will be forced to reckon with the rich and varied tapestry of their past,” the description reads. “As they grapple with years marred by adolescent angst, infidelity, and resentment, they also find the transcendent moments of joy that make everything else worthwhile.”

May: ‘How to End a Love Story’ by Yulin Kuang

How to End a Love Story by Yulin Kuang, Witherspoon’s May book club pick, is about two writers, Grant and Helen, who haven’t seen each other since a tragic accident 13 years ago. 

But after over a decade of building their lives far away from each other, Grant join the writers’ room for a TV adaptation, which just happened to be based on Helen’s novel. “Working together is messy, and electrifying, and Helen’s parents, who have never forgiven Grant, have no idea he’s in the picture at all,” the description reads.

June: ‘The Unwedding’ by Ally Condie

Most recently, Witherspoon announced that her June book club pick was The Unwedding by Ally Condie. 

“#TheUnwedding by @AllyCondieBooks opens with a wedding at a gorgeous resort in Big Sur… but everything begins to fall apart when the main character Ellery discovers a dead body the morning of the ceremony. 😱” the actress detailed in her announcement. 

According to the full description, however, the death is only the beginning of the problem. “Before the police can reach Broken Point, a mudslide takes out the road to the resort, leaving the guests trapped. When another guest dies, it’s clear something horrible is brewing,” the description reads.