Three major forces in Hollywood are coming forward with their favourite, albeit intense, book moments. Reese Witherspoon, Jameela Jamil, and Yara Shahidi take a moment to reflect on the novels that helped shape them.

Witherspoon has always been vocal on her literary favs, starting her own book club and production company that focuses on female written novels, screenplays, and more.

Three women share their stories

Witherspoon, with the help of her own media production company, Hello Sunshine, created a short series called Book Shook. The goal of the mini-series is to share what moments in novels shaped their worldview, and left them "shook".

The women in the clips discuss which books lead to their revelations, and how they came across the novel. Witherspoon chose The Measure Of Our Success, by Marian Wright Edelman.

"One of the lessons I really learned from her book is that she talks a lot about her mothering," she said.

"And that being a mother doesn't mean just taking care of your own children, it means taking care of the community's children," she continued.

"Thank you, Marian. I don't know who I'd be if I hadn't had your words, and your guidance, and your wisdom," she adds.

Shahidi shares her novel next, The Fire Next Time, by James Baldwin. 

"Why I recommend reading it — especially for people who are looking for a touchpoint if you're trying to understand what's happening right now — not only is it a great history lesson, it also makes it a personal conversation," Shahidi said. "And you can't help but recognize that we're talking about people's lives."

Jameela Jamil recommends Hunger, by Roxane Gay. 

"The first thing I felt when I read this book was, 'F--k, I wish I'd read this when I was so much younger," she said.

"When you read it, it is upsetting and it is a little bit triggering at times, but mostly you just feel like punching in the air. Because she's fighting back," she adds.

Book Shook was created as part of the virtual book festival, "By The Books", and was sponsored by Witherspoon's very own production company, Hello Sunshine. 

She has her own line of hair products!

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