This column will feature three books beloved by your favorite celebrities, who you may not know are bookworms. These are three of my favorite stars and they also share my love of literature.
One of them is the British actress Emma Watson, who you may know her from her work as Belle, in "Beauty and the Beast," Meg March in "Little Women," and of course Hermoine Granger,in the Harry Potter series. Emma has said she sees reading as an escape from reality and as a way to exercise her imagination. The pop star Taylor Swift is also a big reader, who says reading inspires her songwriting, helping her shape the concepts she sings about. She is even related to one of the greatest poets in history, Emily Dickinson. Our last celebrity bookworm is Ariana Grande, who views reading as a way to relax and give herself a break from stress. She has a particular affinity for nostalgic books from her childhood.
"The Fault in Our Stars" by John Green
Emma Watson loves to let a good book sweep her away from reality, which I think we can all relate to in one way or another. She enjoys books that really make her think and appreciate the world we live in. One of her most treasured books is "The Fault in Our Stars" by John Green. The novel is extremely popular with people of all ages, and the beautiful way Green writes attracts readers of all different backgrounds. "The Fault in Our Stars" is a tragic tale of two teenagers with cancer who fall deeply in love with each other. Not only is the novel a love story, it is a love letter to life itself. It’s the perfect book for when you want to feel every emotion. This book has been described by the best-selling author Jodi Picoult as “filled with staccato bursts of humor and tragedy,” and that is undeniable. "The Fault in Our Stars" has been making readers cry, laugh, and think for 13 years. Watson has always carried a love for this book and has said she learned through it that “Life doesn’t have to be perfect for love to be extraordinary.”
"Twilight" by Stephenie Meyer
You may know Taylor Swift as the "Shake It Off" singer, cat lover, and performer, but she is also an avid reader. One of her all-time favorite books is "Twilight" by Stephenie Meyer, a beloved by many young adults. The intrigue and tension between a quiet teenager and a centuries-old vampire has kept readers hooked for years. Published 20 years ago, the "Twilight" series could be said to be the original “Romantasy,” long before the term was coined and this genre took off. One of the things that makes "Twilight" such a captivating fantasy is its ever-shifting love triangle. Most readers are adamant about whether they are Team Jacob or Team Edward and cannot be swayed. (Swift is a Jacob girl through and through.) Whatever your preference, it’s easy to get lost in the Twilight world. The New York Times urges readers to “experience the addictive, suspenseful love story between a teenage girl and a vampire that redefined romance for a generation.” I couldn’t have said it better myself.
"Harry Potter and The Sorcerer's Stone" by J.K. Rowling
Our last book of the column was recommended by the actress, singer, and recent Oscar nominee Ariana Grande. Grande has always had a love for J.K. Rowlings's Harry Potter series, constantly reminding readers about the tremendous tale of the Boy Who Lived. She’s such a Potterhead that four of her pets were named after Harry Potter characters! I’m sure every reader has heard about Harry Potter in one way or another. Maybe his lightning bolt scar, two best friends, or constant battle with Voldemort is what makes the series appealing to you. Whatever it may be, the comfort and familiarity of the books makes many readers, including Grande, feel secure. "Harry Potter and The Sorcerer's Stone" was published in 1997, and it’s been changing readers' lives ever since. Many of the original Harry Potter readers, like Grande, grew up with the characters, being around the same age as Harry when the first book was released. This made many of them feel a connection to the series, like they had ventured through the Chamber of Secrets, fought Voldemort, and rode the Hogwarts Express themselves. That is the beauty of the series. It engulfs readers fully and thoroughly, not letting go until the story is through.
All three of these books are well-known and much loved and all of them have been turned into blockbuster movies, translated into many languages, read and reread by children and adults alike, and have been objects of debate and conversation. These books connect us to each other and even to celebrities.
As always, feel free to email me at [email protected] with any suggestions or questions. Thank you, and happy reading!