White Lotus Book Club

What's everyone reading on the best show on TV?

Mar 28, 2025

I laughed right out loud when Jaclyn whipped this one out. At almost 1,000 pages long, it wouldn’t be my first pick for a vacation read! As much as she’d be loathe to admit it, Jaclyn, who is no longer ‘young’ as Laurie keeps reminding her, is portrayed as an aging actress. Granted, she’s an aging actress with a six pack. But it’s not hard to see why she’d be drawn to the memoir of another famous older actress. I haven’t read it, but I hear it also touches on Barbra’s almost infidelity. Take notes, Jaclyn!

Chelsea: The Essential Rumi

“Rick, you’re so mysterious!” But, honestly, what do we know about Chelsea? She’s by far the most mysterious one on set. And I love her and her overbite and her warm, soul searching, sunny attitude. It feels especially rich that she has Rumi splayed across her stomach in her little bikini while she and Chloe remind Saxon about his sexual escapades during the full moon party. “Hey, I don’t judge, okay?”

Laurie: Modern Lovers by Emma Straub

I yelped out loud and quickly hit rewind, then pause, then rewind when the corner of Emma Straub’s Modern Lovers appeared alongside Laurie (Carrie Coon at her finest!! There’s something about that deep, luxurious voice of hers). Couple that with the fact that I am nothing short of besotted with Emma Straub and everything she does. Do you get Emma Straub's Newsletter? Because it’s completely wonderful.

This book prop was pitch perfect. Laurie, as we know, has a teenager, a very demanding job and she’s currently navigating a bizarre set of dynamics with her female friends. I could watch an entire season with just the three of them! And guess which themes Modern Lovers touches on? That’s right, all of the above.

Belinda: Surrounded by Narcissists: How to Effectively Recognize, Avoid, and Defend Yourself Against Toxic People (and Not Lose Your Mind) by Thomas Erikson

So on the nose! A terrific little Easter egg poking fun at the guests of the White Lotus. Belinda is forever surrounded by narcissists (hello, Tanya! Also, poor Tanya). Protect yourself, Belinda! Focus on Pornchai and that beautiful foot massage.

Victoria: The Beautiful and the Damned by F. Scott Fitzgerald

Let’s be honest, I’d watch Parker Posey do the laundry or brush her teeth which makes Victoria one of my favorite characters. In her mind, Victoria is living in her own lovely, frothy, grand Fitzgerald novel. At least until her kids ruin it with their monastery dreams and brotherly incest! What’s a woman to do except pop another Lorazepam and escape into another world filled with frivolous rich people?

Lochlan: Hunger by Knut Hamsun

Sort of prepubescent, unsure and insecure, it makes sense that Lochlan Ratliff reads Hunger, identifying with the protagonist’s struggle for self-discovery. Exploring themes of alienation and obsession (hello, brotherly love!), the 1890 novel is about a man on the edge of self-destruction. I think we’re all still reeling from Sunday’s episode and the increasingly messed up relationship with his older brother, Saxon. I, for one, cannot wait to see what happens with this dumpster fire of a family.

Just for kicks, some of the best things the characters of White Lotus were spotted wearing (and a few things I wish they’d wear like that blue cabana shirt with a sequined fish!).