Even the world’s biggest stars take time to enjoy a good book. From singers like Taylor Swift to business leaders like Bill Gates, many famous faces are passionate readers. Some even run their own book clubs. Here’s a look at 20 celebrities who prove that loving books is for everyone.
Taylor Swift: From Reader to World Creator
Pop superstar Taylor Swift is known for her storytelling in songs. But before writing her own lyrics, she loved getting lost in books. At a past event, Swift explained how reading helped her escape tough moments.
“I could read about other characters’ feelings and lives, and it took me away from my reality. That’s what music does for me now,” she shared.
Reese Witherspoon’s Popular Book Club
Actress Reese Witherspoon built a book-loving community with Reese’s Book Club. Her goal is to connect with readers by sharing meaningful stories. One of her picks, Little Fires Everywhere, was even turned into a Hulu series starring Witherspoon and Kerry Washington.
Natalie Portman’s Instagram Book Club
Oscar-winning actress Natalie Portman shows her love for books through her Instagram book club. She invites millions of followers to read titles like The Safekeep and Get The Picture. It’s one way she inspires others to pick up a book.
Chris Hemsworth’s Favorite Book
Chris Hemsworth, known as Thor in Marvel movies, surprised fans in 2020 by sharing his love for The Boy, The Mole, The Fox and The Horse. Though it’s a children’s book, Hemsworth calls it a story for all ages about friendship and kindness.
Oprah’s Long-Running Book Club
Oprah Winfrey started Oprah’s Book Club in 1996 on her TV show. Over the years, she recommended 70 books, helping many authors reach new audiences. In 2019, Apple TV+ revived her book club with a 14-episode series.
Daniel Radcliffe and Harry Potter Fandom
Daniel Radcliffe, the star of Harry Potter, grew up reading J.K. Rowling’s books. During the COVID-19 pandemic, he joined celebrities to read chapters from the first book online. He later admitted to reading fanfiction about Harry and Draco’s friendship.
Emma Watson’s Book Activism
Another Harry Potter star, Emma Watson, is a self-described “book ninja.” She believes books give people, especially women, power and a voice. In interviews, Watson has shared how reading helped her understand herself and the world better.
Kerry Washington’s Escape Through Books
Actress Kerry Washington turned to books to ease loneliness. She said reading gave her the courage to later act in major roles like Scandal’s Olivia Pope.
“I went to the imaginary, looking for some truth. And I found it there,” she said.
Zayn Malik’s Lifelong Reading Habit
Former One Direction star Zayn Malik discovered books thanks to his grandfather.
He used to get me to read his letters when I was 3 or 4,” Malik shared in an interview.
Today, he reads everything from novels to conspiracy theories and books about space.
Bill Gates: A Book a Week
Tech giant Bill Gates reads about one book every week. He credits reading for feeding his curiosity.
“Books are the best way to explore new topics,” Gates says.
His reading speed? A stunning 150 pages per hour.
Jeff Bezos: From Book Lover to Bookstore Boss
Amazon founder Jeff Bezos launched his company in 1995 as an online bookstore. His love for reading helped build one of the world’s largest book-selling platforms.
Emma Roberts’ Online Book Club
Actress Emma Roberts called reading “transformative” in a 2024 interview. She started an online book club and often recommends books for readers to take on their travels.
“My goal is for people to find inspiration in these books,” she said.
Halle Berry’s Deep Reads
Oscar winner Halle Berry shared on Facebook that she loves to read and wants to spread that joy to others. Her favorite novel, LOVE, challenges her to feel deeply and think about life in new ways.
Ariana Grande’s Harry Potter Fandom
Singer Ariana Grande is also a Harry Potter fan. In 2016, she let her fans know she was rereading the series before the release of The Cursed Child. Books, she says, are one of her favorite ways to relax.
Sarah Jessica Parker’s Book-Filled Suitcase
Sarah Jessica Parker, or SJP, regularly shares book recommendations on Instagram. In one post, she showed a suitcase packed with books before a trip.
“Please don’t lose my suitcase — I can get toothpaste anywhere,” she joked.
Kristen Bell’s Favorite Book
Kristen Bell, voice of Anna in Frozen, praised Glennon Doyle’s Untamed on Instagram. She called it her favorite book and an “anthem” for women worldwide.
Julien Alfred’s Mindset Transformation
Olympic gold medalist Julien Alfred credits The Inner Game of Tennis for changing her mindset after a tough loss.
“If you practice and just execute what you’ve learned, it means the most,” she explained.
Olly Alexander’s Musical Inspiration
Singer and actor Olly Alexander finds that books help unlock new ideas for his music. In a Google Nest session, he shared how reading inspires his creativity and personal growth.
Avery Skinner’s Go-To Book
American volleyball player Avery Skinner keeps Atomic Habits by James Clear close by.
“It helped me become a better version of myself,” she said.
She often recommends it to friends.
Books Connect Us All
From pop stars to business moguls, these celebrities prove that books play an important role in their lives. Whether starting book clubs, sharing reading lists, or finding personal strength through stories, their love of reading is clear.
