Welcome to a new blog feature in 2023! I review this month’s celebrity book club selections, give my opinion, and ask yours! What are the Celebrity Book Club Picks for January 2023? Let’s find out and discuss.
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What’s the Real Deal on Celebrity Book Clubs?
Since this is my first post, I thought I’d discuss Celebrity Book Clubs a bit first.
Yes, we all want to celebrate reading, but let’s be honest: Celebrity Book Clubs are a BIG part of the book marketing ecosystem. (As a reviewer who gets advance reader copies, I am a small part of that too, so no shade intended.)
When Oprah started her book club back in 1996, it seemed to be all about sharing the joy of reading. I’ve never read anything that peeked behind the curtain and revealed how Celebrity Book Club Books get picked, but after observing the Celebrity Book Club situation over the years, I have to wonder.
The scandal surrounding a hugely hyped and very controversial Oprah pick, American Dirt, in 2020 highlighted the fact that perhaps more factors than just the celebrity’s enjoyment of the book go into the book selection.
This NPR article points out that many of Reese Witherspoon’s picks are also titles that she is optioned and/or developing for her production company, Hello, Sunshine. So it’s definitely in her interest to hype the book and raise awareness about the movie. Nothing wrong with being a shrewd business person, but just saying!
Celebrity Book Club Picks for January 2023!
What is the January 2023 Reese’s Book Club Pick?
The House in the Pines by Ana Reyes
Goodreads rating (1/30/23): 3.35
You can read my review of House in the Pines and join my Spoiler Discussion for House in the Pines.
Reese hyped this book as a thriller, but I disagree. Read it and see what you think!
What is the January 2023 GMA Book Club Pick?
The Age of Vice by Deepti Kapoor
Goodreads rating (as of 1/30/23): 3.87
I have the audiobook version of this one from LibroFM. I don’t usually have the attention span for books described as “epic” or “sweeping” so we will see how I do with this one. Are you reading it? Tell me your thoughts!
What is the January 2023 Read With Jenna Book Club Pick?
Sam by Allegra Goodman
Goodreads Rating (1/30/23): 3.91
I have been a fan of Allegra Goodman since I read Kaaterskill Falls back in the 90s. I’ve also read and enjoyed Intuition and The Cookbook Collector. Her YA book, The Other Side of the Island, was not a big favorite of mine. But I will definitely be reading this one!
What are the Book of The Month Club Picks for January 2023?
The Age of Vice by Deepti Kapoor
What Lies in the Woods by Kate Alice Marshall – I didn’t request this because it sounded like too familiar, but I have now read and reviewed What Lies in the Woods!
Independence by Chitra Banerjee Divakanini
Lunar Love by Lauren Kung Jessen – perfect Lunar New Year read!
Queen of Thieves by Beezy Marsh – historical fiction set in post-WWII London
Hell Bent by Leigh Bardugo – sequel to Ninth House, which I DNF’d. Just too much horror and creepiness for me!
The Reunion by Kayla Olson – cast of a 2000s TV drama reunites! This sounds a little like The Daydreams, which I will be reading later this spring!
Talk to me in comments! What are your thoughts about Celebrity Book Clubs and are you reading any of the books above?
Interesting to see “Age of Vice” picked as a celebrity book club book. For a recent blog post I did a survey of most anticipated books for 2023 and “Age of Vice” was nominated by 4 of the websites I surveyed, so it’s obviously worth reading!
Thanks – if you read it please let me know what you think. It sounds interesting! I started the audiobook but I’m not sure it’s going to work well for me as an audiobook. I have terrible listening comprehension and it’s an intricate book!
I haven’t read any books like this.
I enjoy this new blog feature but if YOU, Jen, say the book isn’t too good, then I’m moving on.
Ha! Well, you have to decide for yourself, my friend. Just my opinion….
I haven’t read any books in this genre or like these.