Book Talk, Etc. — Exploring Under the Radar Celebrity Book Clubs!

Hosts: Tina (@tbretc) & Hannah (@hanpickedbooks)
Date: March 10, 2026

Episode Overview

In this lively episode, Tina and Hannah dive deep into the world of under the radar celebrity book clubs— those beyond the big names like Oprah’s, Reese's, GMA, and Jenna's. The discussion spans their selection process, favorite under-hyped book club picks, and reflects on how smaller celebrity-curated clubs can influence readers’ choices and TBR piles. Alongside the main topic, they share their “loving lately” picks and latest reads—covering everything from clarifying shampoo to dystopian TV binges, and offer a rich, conversational exploration of both trending and overlooked reads.

1. Opening Chatter and Warm Up (00:00–04:00)

• Casual banter about recording with Hannah’s daughter nearby.
• Midwest spring weather: “Foggy days that look like you’re living in a thriller book.” (Tina, 01:55)
• Introduction to today’s topic: Uncovering lesser-known celebrity book clubs, how the show’s format has freed up their “reading lives,” and the challenges of reading outside the usual picks.

Notable Moment

“We dove in and found new celebrity book clubs outside of Oprah, GMA, Reese, and Jenna. So I’m excited to sort of dive into that.”
—Tina, 01:53–02:34

2. Loving Lately (04:00–12:14)

Tina’s Loving Lately:

The Abby Young Method & L’Oreal Ever Pure Bond Repair Shampoo

• Over-the-top 11-step hair treatment—Abby Young’s viral multi-step hair care “method” from the beauty community.
• Tina’s practical adaptation: L’Oreal Ever Pure Bond Repair (pink bottle), their sulfate-free clarifying shampoo (blue bottle) & bond repair treatment.
• Results: “Holy cow, does this make my hair soft?...My hair is very soft and we're working on day, I don’t know, three hair over here and it looks good.” (Tina, 07:00)
• Discussion on finding affordable clarifying shampoos that work.

Notable Quote:

“Who needs this many steps? Apparently I do because it’s worked really well and I’ve been enjoying it.”
—Tina, 07:16

Hannah’s Loving Lately:

TV Pick: Silo (Apple TV+)

• Dystopian sci-fi series based on Hugh Howey’s Wool—set in a 144-year-old underground silo society.
• “From episode one, you are left on a cliffhanger...I’ve got to know what the F is going on!” (Hannah, 10:02)
• Draws comparisons to The Hunger Games “districts” for its layered community dynamic.

3. Latest Reads (13:12–23:09)

Tina’s Latest Read

Keeper of Lost Children by Sadeqa Johnson

• Historical fiction: Three POVs spanning post-WWII Germany, the 1960s US, mixed-race orphans (“Mischlingskinder”), and civil rights.
• “It toggles between the lives of these three individuals...I was hooked from go.” (Tina, 16:33)
• Inspired by Mabel Grammar, who helped 450+ mixed-race children find homes.
• Emotional, well-paced, deeply human but hopeful—not "devastating" like some historical fiction.
• Book club pick and personal 5-star recommendation.

Notable Quote

“It’s emotional but it’s also not devastating like it could be...I really enjoyed this one and I thought it was a fantastic choice.”
—Tina, 17:56

Hannah’s Latest Read

The Hitchhikers by Chevy Stevens

• Thriller: 1976, a couple in their RV pick up two hitchhikers on a remote Canadian highway—tension and secrets follow.
• Quick, tense summer thriller, but characters felt “flat but also annoying and immature.”
• “This book genuinely stressed me out...How are they going to get out of this?...But none of the reveals were surprising or did much for me.” (Hannah, 19:41)

Notable Quote

“I think this would be fine to throw in a beach bag over the summer.”
—Hannah, 20:40

4. Deep Dive: Under the Radar Celebrity Book Clubs (23:09–35:21)

Discussion Points

• What counts as a “celebrity book club"?
  —Excluding content creators; focusing on those famous for things other than books/social media.
• Celebrate the underdogs—fun in following these clubs, predicting picks, and how they illuminate current publishing trends.
• Decision fatigue—smaller book clubs (if aligned with your taste) are great for TBR curation.
• Wide variety: Emma Roberts’ Belletrist (and its Tertullia subscription partnership), Roxane Gay’s Audacity Book Club (via Substack), Good Housekeeping Book Club (since 2021!), Jimmy Fallon’s club, Florence Welch’s Between Two Books, Dua Lipa’s Service95, Dakota Johnson’s Tea Time Book Club, etc.
• Many clubs (e.g., Good Housekeeping) have surprisingly little buzz, possibly due to “housekeeping” associations rather than bookish ones.

Notable Quotes:

“I think celebrity book club picks are fun to track...It can be a good way to get book recommendations.”
—Tina, 24:31
“It gives good insight into publishing trends, and trends in general in the literary space. Now, the smaller book clubs...was really kind of a new experience for me.”
—Hannah, 25:18

Memorable Moment:

[On Bellatrist picks]
“My second beef is that I can’t find a list of all their picks on their website or a link to their Instagram. So I’m like, come on, man.”
—Tina, 27:48

5. In-Depth Book Club Picks & Reviews

Tina’s Picks

Hot Springs Drive by Lindsay Hunter

• Club: Roxane Gay’s Audacity Book Club
• Literary domestic suspense: Affair, falling out, murder—told from multiple viewpoints including the house itself!
• “It’s more of a why done it versus whodunit...It’s very sexually explicit and visceral. Lots of talk about bodies, gaining and losing weight, starvation—just know that’s there.”
• “A book you’ll either love or hate.”
• “A modest recommendation—I’m not mad I read it and would try this author again.” (38:38)

So Old, So Young by Grant Ginder

• Club: Good Housekeeping Book Club
• Elder Millennial friendship, change, and regrets—follows six friends over two decades and five parties.
• Structure “so well done”—opens with funeral, then moves backward time-wise.
• Music cues (“Get Low” by Flo Rida) evoke nostalgia and era.
• “This book is for us...Elder Millennials, listen up.” (44:56)
• “Not five stars, but 4.5 for sure.” (49:52)
• Audio well-narrated but might be easier in print for character tracking.

Hannah’s Picks

Night Watching by Tracy Sierra

• Club: The Fallon Book Club (Jimmy Fallon)
• Literary suspense/thriller: Mom with kids, blizzard, home invasion, secret room, “absolutely pulse pounding.”
• “Not an easy read as a mom...what would I do? It made every moment so much harder.”
• Tackles big themes: believing women, abusive family systems, law enforcement gaps.
• “I don’t think I’ve ever cried reading a thriller before, but this one got me...so gratifying from start to finish. Highly recommend.” (43:09)

Lost Lambs by Madeline Cash

• Club: Belletrist (Emma Roberts) & Good Housekeeping
• Dysfunctional family, small coastal town, daughters with wild storylines, corruption, criminal conspiracy.
• Kevin Wilson-esque energy: “Warm and funny and charming, but underneath there’s this quiet darkness.”
• “Listen to the children. They’re right—that really felt like the heart of this book.” (55:49)
• Timely and unsettling; adult dysfunction blinds them to what children see clearly.
• “It left me in a dystopian headspace, but also kind of warm and fuzzy at the same time...Highly recommend.” (57:09)

6. Shelf Additions (58:41–63:00)

Tina

The Extra by Annie Neugebauer

• Sci-fi/horror novella, mysterious 11th person joins a group of 10 on a backpacking trip.
• “Induces paranoia, existential dread—who is this mysterious extra? Are we in another dimension?” (60:26)

Hannah

How to Write a Love Story by Katherine Walsh

• Romance: Writer’s block, Irish coastal estate, hotshot editor, forced collaboration.
• “I love romances where both are in the literary space—author/editor competitions. I’m excited for this. Cute, bright cover.” (61:20)

7. Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• “Who needs this many steps? Apparently I do because it’s worked really well and I’ve been enjoying it.” —Tina, 07:16
• “From episode one, you are left on a cliffhanger...I’ve got to know what the F is going on!” —Hannah, 10:02
• “If you could get him to watch a show, I would be forever indebted.” —Tina, 12:30
• “Do I have any 5 stars? No, but I have a lot to say!” —Tina (03:30)
• On Hot Springs Drive: “You’ll either love this or hate this.” —Ariel via Tina, 38:55
• “Listen to the children. They’re right.” —Hannah, 55:49
• On So Old, So Young: “If you graduated in 2005-2007 and you are entering your 40s, this book just will make sense.” —Tina, 44:56
• On “modest recommendations”: “Not five stars, but 4.5 for sure.” —Tina, 49:52

8. Timestamps for Key Segments

• 00:27: Episode and topic introduction
• 04:00: Loving Lately: Abby Young hair method, Silo TV show
• 13:12: Latest Reads
• 23:09: Deep Dive: Celebrity Book Clubs segment
• 35:21: Club-specific reading choices & reviews
• 58:41: Shelf Additions (new books added to their lists)

9. Overall Tone & Final Thoughts

The episode is a fun, engaging blend of recommendation, exploration, and honest reflection—a candid snapshot of two friends navigating their TBRs, modern reading trends, and the often surprising influence of cult and up-and-coming celebrity-picked book clubs. The hosts are enthusiastic but practical, never shying away from mixed feelings or polarizing books, and they maintain their signature Midwest warmth and humor throughout.

For More

• All books mentioned are linked in the episode show notes.
• Check their social handles for more discussions and predictions about future celebrity book club picks.