The modern world often seeks quick dopamine hits from social media platforms such as TikTok and Instagram. However, books have the power to foster prolonged focus, offer a relaxing escape, and, as a bonus, they even smell better. As Jhumpa Lahiri said it best: “That’s the thing about books. They let you travel without moving your feet.”
UNESCO recently celebrated World Book Day to honour reading, publishing, and copyright protection. The event proves how it feels more important than ever to keep the habit of reading alive. If you’re wondering where to start, we’ve got you covered with six books recommended by your favourite artists, including Dua Lipa and Taylor Swift.
Dua Lipa – Trust by Hernán Diaz
Who could forget the book that united two souls? In an interview with The Sunday Times late last year, Callum Turner, Dua Lipa’s fiancé, revealed that they were both reading the same book the night they first met. “I had just finished the first chapter, and I told her. And she looked at me and said, ‘I just finished the first chapter too.’ I said, ‘So we’re on the same page.’” While the plot follows a secretive financier and his wife, the story of how the book brought the two celebrities together is enough to intrigue fans.
Taylor Swift – The Beautiful and Damned by F. Scott Fitzgerald
Global superstar Taylor Swift has frequently name-dropped books, with some stories woven into her lyrics or discussed in interviews. She shared her love for The Beautiful and Damned by F. Scott Fitzgerald in 2019, which captures the glamour and decay of a privileged couple whose love is undone by excess, ambition, and self-destruction. “It’s something (the author) did so well, to describe a scene so gorgeously interwoven with rich emotional revelations, that you yourself have escaped from your own life for a moment.”
Lily-Rose Depp – Men Without Women by Haruki Murakami
Fashion icon Lily-Rose Depp has previously spoken about her affinity for renowned Japanese author Haruki Murakami and his works like Norwegian Wood and Hard-Boiled Wonderland and the End of the World. Men Without Women, in particular, explores various aspects of human relationships and illustrates how men navigate life with loss. Known for his distinctively surreal storylines, it is no wonder that Depp is enamoured by his mysterious fictional worlds.
Jacob Elordi – The Secret History by Donna Tartt
Jacob Elordi’s recent roles in classic adaptations Frankenstein and Wuthering Heights make it no surprise that The Secret History is the actor’s book of choice. An inverted detective story reflecting on the murder of his friend, the novel mirrors the actor’s film characters through shared themes of morality, obsession, and destructive relationships.
Hozier – 1984 by George Orwell
1984 has been one of the most cited books by celebrities, including Hozier and Timothée Chalamet. Hozier’s deep dive into introspection, dystopia, and raw emotions like heartbreak is reflected in both his writings and the books he reads. This book is a good example as it is a social injustice warning about a totalitarian society where surveillance, propaganda, and fear erase truth and individuality. Its main theme explores how power extends beyond controlling people’s actions, but also their thoughts, memories, and sense of reality. Interestingly, the same theme can be found in Hozier’s songs, ‘Nobody’s Soldier’ and ‘Jackboot Jump’.
Daisy Edgar-Jones – Normal People by Sally Rooney
Normal People tells a tale of mutual fascination, friendship, love, and a connection that lingers over the years. “I think what Normal People really does celebrate is human connection and intimacy, and that is something we’re all hyper-aware of craving,” said Daisy Edgar-Jones. The British actress was not the only celebrity who recommended the book. Taylor Swift has also been known to love the novel by Sally Rooney, with many fans speculating it as the inspiration for her folklore album and its two entangled love interests, James and Betty.
Need more sources of entertainment? Get them here.