There's nothing quite as relaxing as settling into a comfortable chair with a good book. We don't care if it's a romance, a mystery, a high-concept science fiction novel, or maybe even a life-changing memoir, we just love a good book. It's always fun to get a recommendation for our next amazing read, especially if that recommendation comes from some of our favorite celebrities!
One of the best parts of social media is getting to learn which celebrities are just as into reading as we are and who can't help but share the books they are currently loving. While some celebs, including Oprah and Reese Witherspoon, who are such known book lovers that they've started their own book clubs, there are also some who simply take to Instagram to share the books that are making a big impact on their lives.
We've rounded up 15 great book suggestions from celebrities who are as reading-obsessed as we are, so consider this the ultimate list of titles to add to your library list.
Kristen Bell Gets 'Untamed'
Plenty of celebrities have gushed about their love for Glennon Doyle's major best seller Untamed, including Gabrielle Union and Kristen Bell. Kristen called it "an anthem for women today" and even joked that she's annoying her family with just how much she talks about it. "Everyone is sick of me referencing it, but I'll never stop because it's PERFECT," she said. That is a pretty dang strong endorsement!
Oprah Is Bewildered
With a committed bibliophile like Oprah, it can be hard to pin down what her favorite book might be since she's been such a big fan of so many good reads. One that she recently loved was Richard Powers' Bewilderment, which has an ending that her book club swears "you will need to talk about."
Natalie Portman Is Blown Away
Natalie Portman's Instagram feed is basically all about books, and there are no lightweight reads on her bookshelf. One title that she raved about was The Cost of Living by two-time Booker Prize finalist Deborah Levy. "I was blown away by the way she weaves gender, politics, travel, and grief into one poignant story," Natalie raved.
Sarah Jessica Parker's Latest Fave
Sarah Jessica Parker is another star whose Instagram feed could double as a library request list. Her most recent post showcases the newly released novel Very Cold People by Sarah Manguso, a story about growing up under the constraints of small-town America. SJP said she's even been carrying two copies of the book because it's "special."
Amy Schumer Is Trying To Thrive
Sometimes books are on someone's "must-read" list because they are timeless classics that speak to greater truths about the human condition. Sometimes they are on the list because a little one lives in the house and a parent needs all the help they can get. Amy Schumer didn't say which category she's in, though she did note that How Toddlers Thrive is "really helping," so we have our guesses.
Reese Witherspoon's First Pick of 2022
While Oprah may have been the first celebrity to have the book club idea, Reese Witherspoon's version has also highlighted some really great reads. Her first pick of 2022 is a book by Thrity Umrigar called Honor, which Reese says is "complex and unfiltered — these are the type of characters that stick with you long after you turn the pages."
Emma Watson's Activist Bookshelf
Emma Watson is crazy smart (she was cast as Hermione for a reason, y'all!), and her reading suggestions are a host of books about nothing more than actually saving the world. Some of her recent recommendations include Why We Swim, Pleasure Activism, and Hope Not Fear, all of which tackle the biggest problems facing the world, including climate change and more.
Halle Berry Wants To Have Fun
Halle Berry is tired of the heaviness of the last two years and so are we, so we're intrigued by her recommendation of The Power of Fun. She suggests reading it if "you wanna have some FUN and you want a FUN read, written by a FUNNY woman and you need something to stop your brain from cracking off." Sounds perfect for 2022!
Nigella Lawson Finds a Masterpiece
When we browse Nigella Lawson's Instagram feed, we think she looks like the person creating masterpieces (hers are the culinary variety, of course), but over on Twitter she's calling out Great Circle by Maggie Shipstead as a writing masterpiece. Takes a master to recognize a master!
Chris Hemsworth With an Ageless Fave
The only way a cute guy can get cuter is by holding a book. Thank you to Chris Hemsworth for proving our point and passing along the suggestion for the Charlie Mackesy classic The Boy, The Mole, The Fox, and The Horse. "Amazing read, one of my favorites. It's for everyone, whether you're 8 or 80. Give it a read," he urged his followers.
Emma Roberts & the First Edition
Voracious reader Emma Roberts regularly makes book recommendations on her Instagram page as part of an online book club called Belletrist that she founded with her best friend. But something tells us that one of her favorites is Joan Didion's Slouching Towards Bethlehem, given her happiness to get a first edition as a 30th birthday gift.
Neil Patrick Harris Loves a Memoir
Neil Patrick Harris is an author himself (he's written five books so far) so it seems to carry a little more weight when he shouts out another author. He's called Barry Sonnenfeld's memoir Barry Sonnenfeld, Call Your Mother a "brilliant and hilarious" book about "his adventures in the entertainment industry," which sounds like a perfect juicy read.
Kerry Washington Loves a Reread
There's no better book recommendation than sharing a title that is good enough to read twice. Kerry Washington posted on National Book Day (a holiday that really should involve a day off to spend just reading) that she was rereading Rockaway: Surfing Into a New Life to celebrate.
Brie Larson on Love
Brie Larson sitting in a hot tub, wearing some massive sunglasses, and looking super chic while reading is a reminder that this is, in fact, a list of celebrity book recommendations. She looks like a total movie star while reading Conversations on Love, a book focused on all kinds of love, which we can all relate to — superhero or not!
America Ferrera Is Relatable
America Ferrera is all of us who have a massive stack of "to read" books and can't stop adding even more. Her pile includes Americanah by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie, which we think she is going to love (it is a gorgeous and powerful read), so we're going to highlight that option.
