Natalie Portman, the acclaimed actress, is inviting readers worldwide to join her in exploring captivating stories through her Natalie Portman Book Club. Since launching the club, she has selected a variety of compelling books each month, ranging from impactful memoirs like Malala Yousafzai’s Finding My Way and Amanda Nguyen’s Saving Five to engaging novels such as Jessica Stanley’s Consider Yourself Kissed.
Portman emphasizes the power of reading to nurture compassion and understanding.
“I believe that reading books is one of the first ways we start practicing empathy,”
she says on the club’s website.
“We feel for characters in stories as we might for ourselves or our own friends. Whenever we imagine someone else’s life — their hopes and fears, their feelings and thoughts — we are practicing empathy.”
A Glimpse Into the First Selection for January 2026
The club’s January pick is Strange Pictures by Japanese YouTuber Uketsu, published by HarperVia. This book offers a unique and eerie reading experience, as it presents nine chilling drawings that interconnect through mysterious stories. Readers are invited to unravel the connections between these haunting images, making the reading immersive and thought-provoking.
Natalie Portman’s continued curation of award-winning and thought-provoking books nurtures a community centered on empathy and shared understanding. Through each carefully chosen title, the Natalie Portman Book Club encourages followers to engage deeply with diverse narratives and perspectives, cultivating a more compassionate outlook.
