Reese Witherspoon's Hello Sunshine book club has been on quite a journey since its inception in 2018, and you can catch up with them if you want some good reads.
Curling up with a good book and some hot tea might be one of the best ways to spend a day indoors. There are many other people who think that books are a fantastic way to spend time. Actress and producer Reese Witherspoon might be one of them, considering that she runs a book club called Hello Sunshine. Every month, the actress-producer chooses a book with a woman as the central character.
For January 2021, Witherspoon's virtual community will be reading Outlawed by Anna North, the riveting adventure story of a courageous heroine and how she joins a mysterious gang of robbers, and their dangerous mission to transform the Wild West.
Witherspoon is also known to have adapted books like Celeste Ng's Little Fires Everywhere or Liane Moriarty's Big Little Lies for the screen. She reportedly brought author Delia Owens out of relative obscurity by featuring her book, Where the Crawdads Sing, in her club, as per Prevention. The Sweet Home Alabama actress is a keen reader and if you want to catch up with her, you can also join her book club or start off by reading the novels she picked for 2020.
Here are all the titles from the last year:
This book by Kiley Reid follows a young woman’s journey of self-discovery. This is not the usual self-discovery novel because the woman was wrongfully accused of kidnapping a child. The story works through the intersection of race, privilege, and work dynamics.
This novel by Erica Bauermeister, who is the national bestselling author of The School of Essential Ingredients, is a coming-of-age story. The protagonist, Emmaline, confronts the "modern world for the very first time. As she embarks on a journey of digging up her past, she is confronted with truth about love, family, and who she really is," adds Witherspoon.
This is a story about a "disconnected family that reunites on a cruise ship traveling through Europe," said the actress. The story runs deeper and also shows the courage it takes to reveal our honest and true selves to people.
Glennon Doyle's memoir is packed with "incredible insight" about women today. It tells the story of one woman but shows what it means to be a woman of today, and what women do to be "loved." It tells a story of joyful motherhood as well.
The Henna Artist by Alka Joshi is a window into another world, that is fanciful and stark at the same time. It is the story of one woman in 1950s India fighting for her independence after escaping an abusive marriage.
Austin Channing Brown's book sits right at the intersection of being Black and Female in White America. Witherspoon said that the book taught her "so much about how we perpetuate racism in our society." She acknowledged that there was more for her to learn and invited her readers to join her in this journey.
This murder mystery is reminiscent of Agatha Christie and is a fun read if you like whodunnits. It will take you on an emotional journey and surprise you completely. A wedding celebration turns dark when someone gets killed. While you solve the crime, the novel weaves the complicated histories of each of the main characters.
The stories show us the intricacies of Haitian culture, and Witherspoon picked it because of "the resilience and strength that these women exemplified." Edwidge Danticat's book is a window to a culture that gets overlooked.
Nancy Jooyoun Kim's novel is told through the lens of a mother and daughter. It's a mystery thriller as much, looking for answers as it explores family ties, immigrant lives, and what it means to belong.
Peace Adzo Medie's novel is also about a strong female character, who is flawed and fallible. It's a witty and smart novel about life in Ghana and shows one woman's journey towards gaining her independence.
Christie Tate's memoir is about being a younger professional who suffers from loneliness. She struggles with her insecurities but finds a supportive and helpful group by joining group therapy. The story shows how human connection can be healing.
This fun read is a perfect gift for your sister as it's all about friendly sibling rivalries and then sticking together to save one's family. It's also a delight for those who love food and just can't have enough.
References:
https://www.prevention.com/life/g31403742/reese-witherspoon-book-club/
