8 Emotional Historical Fiction Books Reese Witherspoon Loves

Since its launch in 2017, Reese Witherspoon’s book club has become a literary powerhouse, selling more than 23 million print copies in 2023. Reese was first inspired to start it due to a deep love of reading, but she also specifically wanted to share women-centered stories. She began unveiling monthly releases—and the result was astounding! Nearly a decade later, many of Reese’s Book Club picks, like Big Little Lies and Where The Crawdads Sing, spend months—or even years—on bestseller lists and are adapted for the big and small screen via her production company Hello Sunshine.

In an interview with The New York Times, Reese said she caught “the reading bug” early from her grandmother, Dorothea Draper Witherspoon, who shaped her into a book enthusiast. Dorothea was a first grade teacher with a penchant for Danielle Steel romances. But when it comes to favorite genres, Reese favors historical fiction. “I’ve said it once and I’ll say it again—I love historical fiction,” Reese shared on Instagram. “It might be my favorite genre but shhh don’t tell the others.” Here at Woman’s World, we agree! There’s just something special about following unforgettable heroines to bygone eras as they navigate hardships and find hope against all odds.

Keep scrolling for 8 of Reese’s favorite historical fiction books—all named Reese’s Book Club picks, of course! Whether you’re in the mood for dual-timeline mysteries set in the deep South during the 1950s or suspense-filled tales set in 1920s England, every single one of these stories enchants from page one!

‘The Nightingale’ by Kristin Hannah

Themes of race, class and identity meld in Sadeqa Johnson’s House of Eve. Set in 1950s America, the richly layered story follows two young Black women whose lives are shaped by ambition, societal expectations and the difficult choices surrounding love and motherhood. In Philadelphia, 15-year-old Ruby has dreams of higher education and a future beyond her circumstances. Meanwhile, Eleanor, a student at Howard University, strives to secure a place within Washington D.C.’s Black elite. As their journeys unfold, each woman must make sacrifices in pursuit of opportunity.

What Reese says: “This is about two fascinating characters, Ruby and Eleanor, and their lives intersect in the most wonderful and unlikely way. I was completely surprised by the ending—and it was just so beautifully told and written!”

‘Broken Country’ by Clare Leslie Hall

This is a book about books for the ages! Set in Depression-era Kentucky, Jojo Moyes’ The Giver of Stars is inspired by the true story of the Packhorse Librarians. Seeking escape from a restrictive life in England, Alice Wright finds purpose delivering books through the rugged Appalachian mountains alongside an independent group of women led by the fearless Margery. A story of friendship, love, resilience and the transformative power of literacy in a divided America.

What Reese says: “From the minute I picked up this book, I could not put it down. It’s one of those books that you just tear through. I can’t think of a better book to read this month than “The Giver of Stars” by Jojo Moyes. I’ve been a huge Jojo Moyes fan for years – her characters are so compelling and y’all know how much I love historical fiction!”

‘The Christie Affair’ by Nina Gramot

In this global bestseller, which was also turned into a blockbuster film starring Daisy Edgar Jones, readers are transported to the marshlands of North Carolina in the 1950s. This tale follows Kya Clark, a young girl abandoned in the . While surviving alone, she becomes a self-taught naturalist while also facing town scrutiny and prejudice. As Kya experiences young love and betrayal, she somehow becomes the prime suspect in a 1969 murder case.

What Reese says: “Have you ever read a book where you didn’t want it to end…That’s how I feel about this book. I can’t even express how much I love this book! It’s about a young woman named Kya, who’s left to raise herself in the marshes of North Carolina when her family abandons her at a young age. There is so much to her story—romance, mystery, and a murder—and it takes place in the breathtaking backdrop of the South. I didn’t want this story to end!

‘The Downstairs Girl’ by Stacey Lee

This sharp, stirring young adult historical novel set in post–Civil War Atlanta centers on 17-year-old Jo Kuan, a Chinese American maid living in the divided South. By night, Jo secretly becomes the outspoken voice behind an advice column that challenges the era’s rigid views on race, class and gender. As her words ignite controversy and a search for her identity ramps up, Jo is drawn into a dangerous journey to uncover the truth about her own past.

What Reese says: “The Downstairs Girl by Stacey Lee is clever, poignant and funny. It’s a bold portrait of a young Chinese-American woman named Jo who is faced with adversity and the realities of intersectionality in her community.”

‘Daisy Jones & The Six’ by Taylor Jenkins Reid

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This story was originally published May 15, 2026 at 3:10 PM.