Yeah, Dua Lipa Launched Another Celeb Book Club. Here Are 8 Reasons We Already Love It.

You and I have chatted about all the best reads for awhile, from mysteries to rom-coms, but did you know about all the titles in Dua Lipa's book club Service95? I admittedly had zero idea about it until recently, and couldn't believe how many thought-provoking recommendations she has.

There are two things that differentiate Dua Lipa's book club from others I've covered. The first is that Service95 has a range of global storylines that highlight historical moments, identity, love, sex, and betrayal. The second is the fact Dua Lipa shares her thoughts about her monthly reads onsite.

If I'm being 100 percent honest, it feels like Emma Watson's former book club and Dua Lipa's are cousins because they open the door for important conversations that aren't always steeped in escapism. I love immersing myself in spicy romance and thriller books, but I'm also moved by those that make me think about society and the world at-large.

Here's the top 8 reads I'm personally going to start with.

Service95's July 2024 Pick:

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Noughts + Crosses by Malorie Blackman

Noughts + Crosses reverses the roles of the racism and classism we're familiar with. Readers are introduced to the Crosses and the noughts in a world where privilege looks vastly different. Sephy is a gorgeous, dark-skinned girl who's lonely despite the wealth that surrounds her. She's also not a fan of how unfair life is for those who are less fortunate than her, including Callum, whose only duty is to serve the upper crust of society.

Despite their differences, Sephy and Callum have been friends for as long as they can remember, but their friendship has grown into a burning passion they eventually give into. But because their love is extremely forbidden, they'll have to fight for it, especially against those who will stop at nothing to tear them apart.

Here's what Dua Lipa said about the moving novel:

"Noughts + Crosses is set in a parallel world that resembles Britain, in which Black people (Crosses) are the ruling class, and white people (noughts) exist as second-class citizens," said Dua Lipa (via Service95). "Although written over 20 years ago, Sephy’s father would not be out of place in today’s populist political landscape. As Sephy and Callum’s relationship evolves, questions are asked about love, betrayal and belonging. It’s pacey, romantic, tortured and enlightening. What more could a young reader ask for."

Service95's November 2023 Pick:

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The Vanishing Halfby Brit Bennett

Though the Vignes sisters are identical twins, they lead different lives as adults. One sister remains in the Black community they grew up in while the other passes as a white woman. What's interesting is that not only does this sister's husband know nothing about who she really is, but both twins have daughters.

No matter how much they've tried to escape their past in their own way, the sisters' lives continue to intersect. This has a trickle down effect on their daughters, who are the unintentional faces and voices of the next generation in their family.

Here's what Dua Lipa said about the moving novel:

“This book brilliantly surfaces a multitude of questions about race, class, and gender, told through a family drama that spans three generations in 20th-century America," said Dua Lipa (via Service95). "I was struck by how the novel so cleverly raises questions of heritage and identity while remaining non-judgmental, empathetic, and full of heart. I raced through this book and I’m sure you will too."

More Of Dua Lipa's Recommendations:

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Seven Days in June by Tia Williams

Single mother Eva Mercy is raising her daughter while juggling a successful career as an erotica author. She's made a point to shield her daughter from her traumatizing past, but her world is shaken up when popular novelist Shane Hall tentatively waltzes into her life again.

Years ago, they fell for each other before Shane ghosted Eva without an explanation. She tried to bury the hurt in her heart, but it becomes obvious the two have been using their books to write to each other for years — and there's no question they're still attracted to each other.

Eva and Shane will have to ask themselves if they can truly sustain a healthy relationship, or if it'll play out the same way it did all those years ago. Check out the latest news on Seven Days In June Is Getting The TV Show Treatment!

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Becoming Cliterateby Laurie Mintz, Ph.D.

I'm not squeamish when it comes to talking about sex, but there are still some topics I'm not 100 percent well-versed on, and I'm not alone.

Dr. Laurie Mintz, Ph.D. wrote Becoming Cliterate as a way to breakdown all the fluff we've been fed about sex and gender via pop culture. She even broaches the topic of women's orgasms and a glaring pleasure gap that exists by sharing hard-hitting statistics. She shares evidence from sex therapy, sociology, and more to back up her findings while even giving readers a thorough anatomy lesson.

It's a great read for anyone who wants to change the way they approach thinking about their own pleasure.

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Queenieby Candice Carty-Williams

Queenie Jenkins spends her time living in London while navigating her mid-20s. She often finds herself torn between between a Jamaican British woman and wonders where she fits in exactly.

She also struggles with being her job's unintentional DEI person, and the hard separation from her long-term boyfriend. The pressure mounts until Queenie starts self-medicating with behaviors & vices that aren't doing anything good for her.

In the midst of it all, Queenie has to decide who she truly is and what matters most to her.

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Beautiful Star by Yukio Mishima

Beautiful Star's Osugi family are all from different planets. The dad is from Mars, the mom is from Jupiter, the son is from Mercury, and the daughter hails from Venus.

Instead of letting this knowledge tear them apart, the family forms a deep bond that convinces them to seek out others who may be like them. Also, it's also up to them to end a very dangerous nuclear war that could destroy all of humanity.

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The Vagina Monologues by Eve Ensler

Even before I truly knew what this Dua Lipa book club pickwas about, I understood that it had a huge cultural and societal impact.

Eve Ensler's The Vagina Monologues birthed a global movement aiming to stop the rampant violence against the female gender. It's a take on everything women fear, rage, and fantasize about in a refreshingly honest way. I like to think of it as a call-to-arms for women to believe we are worthy of feeling safe and free in the bodies we inhabit.

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Fates and Furiesby Lauren Groff

Fates and Furies peels back the layers on a marriage spanning over two decades. Lotto and Mathilde start off being the picture-perfect couple that everyone admires, but there's an undercurrent of difficulty that those on the outside haven't been able to see.

Contrary to popular belief, marriages aren't ever one-sided because it consists of two people who are likely from different backgrounds, and have differing perspectives. Lauren Groff does an amazing job at explaining that even the longest marriages have their secrets.

This book makes for a perfect read because it shows how often we say things like, "That couple is #relationshipgoals," without truly knowing what happens behind closed doors.

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