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As we step into October, it’s the perfect moment to snuggle up with a good book and let the stories carry us away.
I absolutely love books, and I’m always curious about the latest celebrity book club picks and most popular books they are being read right now. The book choices of these clubs really inspire me and help me decide what to read next.
I hope you find this list helpful!
Here’s a complete list of celebrity book club picks for October 2023:
Reese’s Book Club
For Reese’s Book Club Pick in October 2023, Reese Witherspoon has chosen Starling House by Alix E. Harrow!
For my book club questions for this book, click here!
For my list of all Alix E. Harrow’s books in order, click here!
Starling House by Alix E. Harrow
In the eerie town of Eden, Kentucky, resides an infamous mansion called Starling House, once owned by the reclusive 19th-century author, E. Starling. Opal, a determined young woman striving for a better life for her brother Jasper, becomes entangled in the mysteries surrounding this haunted house.
Driven by her childhood obsession with Starling’s work, Opal seizes an opportunity to explore the enigmatic mansion and earn money for her brother’s escape. However, as she delves deeper, she uncovers sinister secrets that bind Starling House to the town’s dark history. Strange occurrences and Arthur, the mansion’s misanthropic heir, add to the chilling atmosphere.
Opal’s dreams and reality blur as she realizes that Starling House might hold the key to her own identity. With the town drowning in its ghosts and malevolent forces closing in, Opal finds a reason to fight back.
“Starling House” is a gripping modern gothic fantasy, weaving a tale of obsession, courage, and the supernatural. As Opal battles the haunted past of Starling House, readers are invited to join her on this spine-tingling journey through a haunted mansion filled with mysteries waiting to be unraveled. Will she uncover the truth, or will she become another ghostly resident of Starling House? Enter, if you dare, and discover the secrets that lie within.
Read with Jenna
Jenna Bush Hager has selected How to Say Babylon by Safiya Sinclair as her October 2023 pick for the Read with Jenna Book Club.
This is a memoir by Safiya Sinclair about her struggle to break free from her strict Rastafarian upbringing in Jamaica.
How to Say Babylon by Safiya Sinclair
Her father, a reggae musician and staunch believer in Rastafari, imposed rigid rules on his family, restricting their clothing, behavior, and freedom. He feared the corrupting influence of the Western world, referred to as Babylon.
Despite these restrictions, Safiya’s mother secretly encouraged her love for books and poetry. Safiya used her education to find her voice and rebel against her father’s oppressive beliefs.
The memoir explores Safiya’s journey as she fights to assert her identity as a woman and poet, challenging patriarchy, tradition, and colonialism in Jamaica. It’s a powerful story of resilience, rebellion, and self-discovery.
Oprah’s Book Club
Oprah’s book club pick for October 2023 is Wellness by Nathan Hill.
This novel tells the story of Jack and Elizabeth, a couple who met in the ’90s during college and shared a passion for the Chicago art scene.
Wellness by Nathan Hill
The book follows their journey from youthful dreams to married life, navigating challenges like parenting, cult-like mindfulness groups, and online conflicts. As they face these obstacles, they begin to lose sight of each other and their relationship starts to strain.
To save their marriage, Jack and Elizabeth must confront their personal demons and rediscover the love that once bound them together.
The novel explores themes of love, relationships, and the pursuit of happiness with humor and insight.
For my review and summary of the book, click here!
For my book club questions for this book, click here!
GMA Book Club
GMA Book Club Pick for October 2023 is The List by Yomi Adegoke.
This is a gripping novel by Yomi Adegoke about Ola Olajide, a successful journalist engaged to the love of her life, Michael.
The List by Yomi Adegoke
Their perfect life is shattered when Michael’s name appears on a viral social media post called “The List,” which posts allegations anonymously. While Ola usually supports such lists, this time, it’s her fiancé who’s accused.
The novel explores the real-world impact of online life, delving into themes of secrets, lies, and the complexities of our internet culture.
It’s a compelling story that reflects modern times, making readers question the blurred line between virtual and offline relationships.
Noname Book Club
Noname Book Club pick for October 2023 is Devil in a Blue Dress by Walter Mosley
This is a mystery novel by Walter Mosley, set in 1948 Los Angeles.
Devil in a Blue Dress by Walter Mosley
The story follows Easy Rawlins, a black war veteran who loses his job and is struggling to make ends meet. He’s hired by a white man to find a missing woman named Daphne Money. As Easy delves into the search, he discovers secrets and danger, changing his life forever.
The book explores racial tensions and societal divides in post-war America, making it more than just a detective story. It’s a compelling tale of intrigue and social commentary.
Mocha Girls Read
Mocha Girls Read’s book club pick for October 2023 is The Cat That Played Chess by Catarrina Cummings.
This is also a mystery novel, by Catarrina Cummings. And I believe it’s Catarrina’s first book, as a debut author!
The Cat That Played Chess by Catarrina Cummings
The story revolves around Zapporah Leverne, who faces eviction and needs money urgently. She believes her extraordinary cat, Rookie, who can move chess pieces, can help her financially.
Zapporah lands Rookie a part in a commercial, but the cat is stolen from her apartment. With few clues, Zapporah and her roommate Sloth suspect their landlady and a talent agent named Gloria. When Zapporah discovers Gloria’s murder, she becomes a prime suspect.
The story follows Zapporah’s efforts, using her intuition and tech skills, to find Rookie and uncover the cunning murderer behind the scenes.
Belletrist Book Club
The Belletrist Book Club has selected Death Valley by Melissa Broder, as their featured October 2023 book club pick.
This novel by Melissa Broder is about a woman seeking solace from her grief at a Best Western motel in the California high desert.
Death Valley by Melissa Broder
Struggling with her father’s illness and her husband’s worsening condition, she embarks on a hike recommended by the motel receptionist. During the hike, she discovers a mysterious, out-of-place cactus with an inviting opening. Entering it, she embarks on a surreal journey that is both desolate and rich, funny and poignant.
The novel explores themes of grief, survival, and the human experience, offering a unique and imaginative perspective on coping with loss.
Read with Marie Claire
Marie Claire’s October 2023 book club pick is Bright Young Women by Jessica Knoll.
It follows two women, Pamela Schumacher and Tina Cannon, who are brought together by a violent man. He becomes a common enemy, and they join forces to seek justice after surviving his attacks.
Bright Young Women by Jessica Knoll
The story begins in 1978, just before a notorious killer strikes a sorority house. Pamela, the sorority president, becomes a key witness.
Meanwhile, Tina believes her missing friend fell victim to the same killer. The two women team up, leading to a dramatic and shocking confrontation.
The book explores themes of justice, resilience, and the strength of women, making it a gripping and intense read.
Barnes & Noble
Barnes & Noble book club pick for October 2023 is The Prospectors by Ariel Djanikian. It’s really cool that Barnes & Noble have a book club, and I love their picks as well!
“The Prospectors” is a historical novel by Ariel Djanikian that tells the story of a family transformed by the Klondike Gold Rush.
The Prospectors by Ariel Djanikian
It follows Alice Bush, a daughter of struggling California fruit farmers, who seizes the opportunity to join the gold rush in the Yukon Territory. As she becomes intertwined in her sister’s newfound fortune, the novel explores her ambition and the family’s quest for wealth spanning generations.
A century later, in 2015, Alice’s great-great-granddaughter, Anna, travels to the Klondike to confront moral conflicts. She intends to bequeath her inheritance to the First Nations peoples who paid the price for her family’s wealth.
The book weaves a compelling narrative, bringing to life the Klondike and turn-of-the-century California. It explores themes of ambition, family loyalty, and the complexities of the American Dream, shedding light on the hostilities and inequities born during the Gold Rush era.
Well? Our list is complete. I hope you enjoyed this comprehensive list featuring all the most popular October 2023 celebrity book club picks! For popular book club picks delivered straight to your inbox once a month – make sure to subscribe to our newsletter.
Happy reading! ❤️