recommendations

At Curio, we believe that inspiration for learning can come from the most unexpected places. As an English tutor with over a decade of experience, I’ve found that connecting students with literature that excites them is often the key to unlocking their potential. What better way to spark that excitement than through the reading recommendations of some of today’s most influential celebrities?

In this article, I’ll share some fantastic book recommendations from Emma Watson, Dua Lipa, Bella Hadid, and other well-known personalities who are passionate about reading. More importantly, I’ll explain how these recommendations can benefit English students and why incorporating them into your studies might just transform your relationship with literature and language.

Emma Watson: The Bookish Activist

Emma Watson isn’t just known for her role as Hermione Granger in the Harry Potter films; she’s also established herself as a genuine bibliophile and feminist activist. In 2016, she launched the “Our Shared Shelf” book club, which focused on feminist literature and encouraged discussions about gender equality.

Emma’s Top Recommendations:

1. “The Handmaid’s Tale” by Margaret Atwood
   This dystopian novel explores themes of power, gender, and resistance through extraordinarily crafted prose. Atwood’s masterful command of language makes this a perfect study for advanced English students exploring literary techniques and narrative voice.
2. “Women Who Run With the Wolves” by Clarissa Pinkola Estés
   Watson described this book as “transformative” and “empowering.” While not a traditional novel, this book’s rich analysis of folklore and mythology offers students an opportunity to explore the literary significance of traditional tales across cultures.
3. “The Color Purple” by Alice Walker
   This Pulitzer Prize-winning novel demonstrates powerful character development, emotional storytelling, and the effective use of epistolary format. It’s an excellent example of how voice and perspective can shape a narrative.
4. “Why I’m No Longer Talking to White People About Race” by Reni Eddo-Lodge
   This contemporary non-fiction work helps students understand persuasive writing techniques, rhetoric, and how to construct compelling arguments supported by evidence.

Learning Benefits:

Emma’s recommendations often focus on works with strong narration, complex characterisation, and socially relevant themes. For English students, these books provide:

• Exposure to sophisticated vocabulary and sentence structures
• Examples of varied narrative techniques
• Opportunities to analyse thematic development across different genres
• Insight into how literature can reflect and influence society

Dua Lipa: The Pop Star with Literary Depth

While known primarily for her chart-topping music, Dua Lipa has repeatedly shared her love of reading. Her book recommendations often blend contemporary fiction with thought-provoking non-fiction.

Dua’s Top Recommendations:

1. “Normal People” by Sally Rooney
   This contemporary novel showcases masterful dialogue writing and character development. Students can study how Rooney creates authentic relationships through conversation and explores complex emotions through minimalist prose.
2. “A Little Life” by Hanya Yanagihara
   This emotionally intense novel demonstrates exceptional character development and the power of descriptive language to evoke emotion. Advanced students can analyse how the author builds an immersive emotional landscape.
3. “Girl, Woman, Other” by Bernardine Evaristo
   Winner of the Booker Prize, this novel’s innovative structure and powerful storytelling make it perfect for studying contemporary narrative techniques and the handling of multiple perspectives.

Learning Benefits:

Dua’s recommendations often feature contemporary voices and innovative storytelling approaches that can help students:

• Understand modern English usage and contemporary cultural references
• Study varied narrative structures and experimental formatting
• Explore the relationship between form and content
• Connect with relatable characters while expanding cultural understanding

Bella Hadid: The Model Reader

Supermodel Bella Hadid has frequently shared photos of her current reads on social media, revealing an eclectic taste that spans classics, philosophy, and contemporary fiction.

Bella’s Top Recommendations:

1. “The Stranger” by Albert Camus
   This existentialist classic, though originally written in French, provides students with an opportunity to study how philosophical concepts can be integrated into narrative fiction. The novel’s sparse prose style is also worth analysing.
2. “Just Kids” by Patti Smith
   Smith’s memoir showcases exceptional descriptive writing and scene-setting. Students can learn how to craft vivid imagery and establish a strong sense of place through careful observation.
3. “Norwegian Wood” by Haruki Murakami
   This translated work demonstrates how universal emotions can be conveyed across cultural and linguistic barriers. It’s especially useful for students interested in the art of translation.
4. “The Great Gatsby” by F. Scott Fitzgerald
   A perennial favourite, this novel remains one of the best examples of symbolic writing and thematic development in literature.

Learning Benefits:

Bella’s diverse reading list offers English students:

• Exposure to different writing styles and literary movements
• Opportunities to compare translated works with English-language originals
• Examples of how imagery and symbolism function in literature
• Insight into how personal narrative can be crafted into compelling storytelling

Other Celebrity Recommendations Worth Exploring

Reese Witherspoon’s Book Club Picks

Through her book club, Reese has recommended numerous titles that showcase strong narrative voices, particularly from female authors:

• “Where the Crawdads Sing” by Delia Owens – An excellent study in descriptive nature writing and character development
• “Eleanor Oliphant is Completely Fine” by Gail Honeyman – Perfect for analysing first-person narration and unreliable narrators

Barack Obama’s Annual Reading Lists

The former US President releases reading lists that often include thought-provoking non-fiction alongside literary fiction:

• “Educated” by Tara Westover – A powerful memoir that demonstrates personal narrative construction
• “Exit West” by Mohsin Hamid – Explores magical realism and metaphor as literary devices

Oprah Winfrey’s Book Club Classics

As one of the original celebrity book influencers, Oprah’s recommendations have launched countless bestsellers:

• “The Road” by Cormac McCarthy – A masterclass in minimalist prose and apocalyptic imagery
• “American Dirt” by Jeanine Cummins – Controversial but useful for discussing cultural representation in literature

How To Incorporate Celebrity Recommendations Into English Studies

1. Compare Different Interpretations

Have students read a celebrity-recommended book and then watch or listen to the celebrity discussing it. This creates an opportunity to compare personal interpretations with those of others, developing critical thinking skills.

For example, watching Emma Watson discuss “The Handmaid’s Tale” and then writing a response that either supports or challenges her interpretation can help students articulate literary arguments.

2. Analyse Cultural Impact

Many celebrity-recommended books achieve wider cultural recognition because of their endorsement. Studying this phenomenon helps students understand how literature operates within broader cultural contexts.

When Oprah recommended “American Dirt,” it sparked important conversations about authenticity and representation in storytelling—conversations that English students should be prepared to engage with.

3. Create Reading Partnerships

At Curio, we’ve found that pairing students with books recommended by celebrities they admire creates immediate engagement. This approach works particularly well with reluctant readers who might not otherwise pick up challenging literature.

4. Study Literary Influence

Ask students to identify how their own writing might be influenced by the books they’ve read. This metacognitive approach helps them understand how reading shapes their written expression.

The Academic Benefits: More Than Just Popularity

While celebrity recommendations might initially seem like a gimmick, there are solid pedagogical reasons for incorporating them into English studies:

Vocabulary Expansion

Many celebrity-recommended books feature sophisticated vocabulary and complex sentence structures. Regular exposure to such language naturally enhances students’ lexical resources.

Critical Literacy Development

Discussing why certain books appeal to particular celebrities encourages students to think about how personal experiences shape our interpretation of texts—a key component of critical literacy.

Cultural Context Awareness

Celebrity recommendations often cross cultural boundaries, introducing students to perspectives they might not otherwise encounter. This expanded awareness helps them understand how culture shapes language and narrative.

Motivation and Relevance

Perhaps most importantly, connecting literature to contemporary cultural figures makes reading feel relevant and current rather than dusty and academic.

Implementing Celebrity Recommendations in Your Study Routine

If you’re a student looking to enhance your English studies through celebrity book recommendations, here are some practical steps:

1. Follow bookish celebrities on social media – Many maintain active accounts where they discuss their current reads.
2. Join celebrity book clubs online – From Reese Witherspoon to Emma Watson, many celebrities have created virtual communities around reading.
3. Create a diverse reading list – Don’t just stick to one celebrity’s recommendations; mix and match to expose yourself to different genres and perspectives.
4. Read critically, not passively – Ask yourself why this particular book might appeal to its celebrity champion and what that reveals about both the book and the reader.
5. Write response pieces – After finishing a book, write your own review or analysis, comparing your takeaways with what the recommending celebrity mentioned.

Conclusion: Beyond the Celebrity Connection

At Curio, we’ve found that celebrity book recommendations serve as an excellent entry point for deeper literary exploration. While the initial draw might be the connection to a favourite personality, the lasting value comes from the quality of the literature itself and the critical thinking skills developed through engaged reading.

The books recommended by figures like Emma Watson, Dua Lipa, and Bella Hadid aren’t just random selections; they often represent thoughtfully chosen works that have profoundly impacted these individuals. By engaging with these recommendations, English students gain not only exposure to quality literature but also insight into how reading shapes thinking across all walks of life.

Whether you’re looking to improve your analytical skills, expand your vocabulary, or simply find your next great read, celebrity recommendations offer a contemporary gateway to the timeless benefits of literary study. At Curio, we’re passionate about finding innovative approaches to English education, and we believe that connecting popular culture to academic study creates more engaged, enthusiastic, and successful students.

Want to learn more about how Curio can transform your relationship with English Literature and English Language? Get in touch today for a free consultation about our personalised virtual tuition programmes.