There’s something endlessly fascinating about what other people read – and perhaps even more so when those people happen to be in the public eye. From actors and musicians to cultural icons and public figures, the books that shape their thinking often reveal a quieter, more intimate side to lives lived in the spotlight.
In this post, we take a peek at the bedside tables of some well-known names. What emerges is a rich tapestry of literary taste: from weighty Russian classics and contemporary literary fiction to memoirs, essays, and beloved childhood favourites.
Whether you’re looking for your next read or you’re simply curious about the minds behind the fame, here’s what some of the world’s most recognisable figures have been reading.
Actors: From Russian Epics to Modern Masterpieces
Perhaps unsurprisingly, actors tend to gravitate toward deeply character-driven stories, and books that explore the complexities of human nature.
Pedro Pascal’s reading list leans towards the profound, including Crime and Punishment by Fyodor Dostoevsky, and The Magic Mountain by Thomas Mann. These are novels that demand patience, suggesting a reader drawn to moral questions.
Paul Mescal meanwhile has championed John Williams’ Stoner, a quiet but powerful novel about an unremarkable life rendered extraordinary through its emotional honesty. It’s a fitting choice for an actor known for his deeply felt performances.
Sarah Jessica Parker balances contemporary and political reading, with Alexei Navalny’s Patriot alongside Donna Tartt’s The Goldfinch, a sweeping novel about loss. Margot Robbie’s choices, including A.J Jacobs’ The Puzzler and James Acaster’s Perfect Sound Whatever reveal a lighter, more playful curiosity.
Some actors turn towards work of emotional and philosophical reflection. Jodie Turner-Smith has highlighted Bell Hook’s All About Love, a thoughtful medictation on relationships. Andrew Garfield’s choice of Letters to a Young Poet by Rainer Maria Rilke feels like a book he returns to in moments of creative searching.
There is also a strong appreciation for classic. Emma Watson has long spoke about her love for Little Women by Louisa May Alcott, as well as Patti Smith’s memoir Just Kids. Anne Hathaway returns to her childhood with The Secret Garden by Frances Hodgson Burnett, while Jennifer Lawrence enjoys reading Leo Tolstoy’s Anna Karenina, another sweeping epic of love.
Other actors favour contemporary literature. Natalie Portman’s reading includes Trust by Hernan Diaz and Cloud Atlas by David Mitchell, while Donald Glover has read The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time by Mark Haddon. Ali Wong’s selections, including Pachinko by Min Jin Lee and Homegoing by Yaa Gyasi, reflect a deep engagement with stories of belonging, identity, and history.
From William Faulkner’s As I Lay Dying (James Franco) to Mark Twain’s Adventures of Huckleberry Finn (Bill Murray), the range is striking. It’s a reminder that behind the performances are readers drawn to stories that illuminate the human condition.
Models: Contemporary Voices and Cult Favourites
Among models, there is a noticeable inclination toward contemporary literary fiction and culturally resonant works, rather than the classics our actors seem to prefer.
Gigi Hadid has read Albert Camus’ The Stranger, a cornerstone of existential literature, while her sister Bella Hadid’s choice of Stephen King’s The Outsider leans towards a darker end of the spectrum.
Kaia Gerber stands out as an especially avid reader, with a list that includes Dolly Alderton’s Good Material, Sally Rooney’s Normal People, and Joan Didion’s Play It as It Layes. These are books that explore identity, relationships, and modern disconnection.
Kendall Jenner’s reading similarly reflects a taste for introspective, often melancholic works, from Eve Babitz’s Black Swans to Joan Didion’s The Year of Magical Thinking, a deeply moving account of grief.
Musicians: Lyricism and Literary Influence
It’s perhaps no surprise that musicians are often drawn to lyrical, emotionally rich writing, books that echo the rythmn of their own work.
Taylor Swift has reportedly read Liz Moore’s The God of the Woods, while Dua Lipa has championed A Little Life by Hanya Yanagihara and Ocean Vuong’s On Earth We’re Briefly Gorgeous – both novels are known for their poetic prose and emotional depth.
David Bowie, famously eclectic in every way, gravitated toward bold and imaginative works. His reading included Anthony Burgess’ A Clockwork Orange, George Orwell’s Nineteen Eighty Four, and Angela Carter’s Nights at the Circus. These are books that challenge conventions and reshape reality, my like Bowie’s own artistic legacy.
Beyond the Spotlight: Thoughtful Reads
Outside the world of acting, singing, modelling, and entertainment, public figures and cultural icons offer equally compelling reading choices.
Oprah Winfrey, known for her own influential book club, has read Colm Tóibín’s Long Island, and Nigella Lawson often to the enduring charm of Jane Austen’s Persuasion.
Former President Barack Obama’s reading list includes To Paradise by Hanya Yanagihara and Sea of Tranquillity by Emily St. John Mandel – novels that grapple with history, time, and human connection. Former First Lady Michelle Obama has chosen Toni Morrison’s Song of Solomon, a landmark work of American literature.
What Celebrity Reading Lists Tell Us
Looking across these reading habits, one thing becomes clear – there is no single ‘type’ of book that defines a celebrity reader. Instead, their choices are as varied as their careers.
Sure, there are patterns; many are drawn to classics that have stood the test of time, while others champion contemporary voices that capture the complexities of modern life. But overall, there is a strong thread of introspection, a preference for books that ask questions rather than offer easy answers.
Perhaps most reassuringly, these lists remind us that reading is one of the few truly universal habits. Whether you’re an Oscar-winning actor, a global pop star, or simply someone choosing their next book before bed, the same stories continue to connect us.
Books By Your Bedside 