16 Times Emma Roberts Recommended the Perfect Book on Instagram
1/14One of our favorite things about Emma Roberts isn’t how good she looks in those *Scream Queens * pastel costumes or how evil she can be in *American Horror Story, * (though to be fair, she’s killer at both) but rather how much she loves to read. She’s been recommending her favorite books to her Instagram followers for a long time, and since we’d pretty much do anything Chanel #1 tells us to do, here’s what we’re picking up thanks to Emma’s expertise.
2/14Wildflower by Drew BarrymoreDear Mr. You by Mary Louise ParkerGold Fame Citrus by Clare Vaye Watkins
For Christmas, Emma received a handful of new books, and we *know * she knows just how thrilling those crisp, untouched pages are. Fellow child star Drew Barrymore’s Wildflower is a memoir of her life in Hollywood and beyond, while Weeds actress Mary Louise Parker’s Dear Mr. You is a collection of letters to the men in her life, from exes to random guys on the street. It’s funny, sad and clever, depending who she’s talking to. If you’re into dystopian novels, pick up Claire Vaye Watkin’s Gold Fame Citrus and try not to freak out about the future.
3/14M Train by Patti Smith
Wait, you haven’t read poet and musical legend Patti Smith’s memoir Just Kids? What are you waiting for? It’s a magical and beautiful story of her time in ‘70s NYC with artist Robert Mapplethorpe. M Train, her much-anticipated second book, focuses on Patti’s travels throughout her life and what they’ve meant to her — and it's just as gorgeous as the first book.
4/14Big Magic: Creative Living Beyond Fear by Elizabeth Gilbert
Elizabeth Gilbert, author of Eat, Pray, Love, dissects the creative process in Big Magic. Whether your creative passions lie in the written word, acting, photography, or even clothing design, you’ll definitely find something to inspire and challenge you in its pages. If you’re stuck or blocked in your pursuit of creative greatness, get thee to Barnes & Noble immediately and let Elizabeth Gilbert show you the way. Do you think her words inspired Emma’s portrayal of Chanel?
5/14The Last Love Song: A Biography of Joan Didion by Tracy Daughtery
Emma was "counting down the days" until the release of this super-hyped biography of the notoriously press-shy writer Joan Didion. Sure, she’s a Céline poster girl, but she’s also an iconic figure in the literary world, and you should definitely get to know her work. This biography, which wasn’t authorized by Joan in the slightest, is just juicy enough.
6/14Clothes, Clothes, Clothes. Music, Music, Music. Boys, Boys, Boys by Viv Albertine
Oh, look! Three of our favorite things are listed right in the title. This memoir was part of Emma’s “end of summer reading list,” which also included a guide to Los Angeles and The Philosopher’s Guide to Happiness. (Both of those are probably worth a look too, TBH.) Viv Albertine was a punk rock pioneer who inspired artists like Kurt Cobain, and though most of the book centers on her life in music, she talks about stuff that affects every woman. When a dude told Viv she couldn’t or shouldn’t do something, she was like, “Are you serious? I’m gonna do it just to prove you wrong.” And that’s a punk-rock attitude we should all emulate.
7/14The Rocks by Peter Nichols
Umm, hello perfect summer beach read! The Rocks is set in the sunny, Instagrammable Mediterranean, and like any beach book worth its weight in your bag, it blends intrigue, danger, and romance together. (Oh, wait, isn’t that Moulin Rouge? Well, same thing.) Even if you’re not taking off for spring break, you can pretend you are by diving into this book and letting it whisk you away. After all, not all of us have the jet-setting life Emma does.
8/14Hold Still by Sally MannHoney Girl by Lisa Freeman
Seriously, how lucky is Emma? Jamie Lee Curtis surprised her Scream Queens costar by leaving these two books in her trailer during filming. Sally Mann’s Hold Still is part-memoir, part-photography, while Honey Girl is the coming-of-age story of a teenage surfer girl who recently lost her father. We’d definitely take a recommendation from the Dean herself, wouldn’t you? What a charmed life.
9/14Girl in a Band by Kim Gordon
Sonic Youth bassist Kim Gordon is the ultimate cool girl, which is why we can’t wait to dive into her memoir of growing up in ‘60s California and moving to New York, where she’d eventually become part of the super-influential ‘90s band and an integral part of rock ‘n roll history. Kim talks about her marriage to bandmate Thurston Moore, their daughter and their relationship post-divorce, but we’re not sure if her cameo on the Rufus and Lily wedding episode of Gossip Girl made the cut. We thought it was iconic, anyway.
10/14Rebecca by Daphne DuMaurier
Rebecca, the most famous “gothic romance” novel ever written, is totally perfect to read on a dark and stormy night. No, we’re serious. It’ll creep you out. The unnamed narrator is newly married to the super-rich Max DeWinter, but when she moves into his mansion, all anyone can talk about is his stunning dead wife Rebecca. It’s not exactly the warmest welcome, and it doesn’t get easier. You’ll have to pick it up to find out what happens and just how Rebecca died, because we’re not into spoilers.
11/14Watch Me by Anjelica Huston
Do you want the inside scoop on the filming of *The Addams Family * movies straight from Morticia herself? Pick up Anjelica Huston’s second memoir about her life in the spotlight. We bet Emma learned a lesson or two from this Hollywood story.
12/14The Woman I Wanted to Be by Diane Von Furstenberg
Emma spent a sick-in-bed day tearing through fashion designer DVF’s book about her life, but of course, Emma’s copy was signed by the woman herself. Perks of being a celebrity: unlimited books that just happened to be signed by major fashion icons. No one will notice if we just copy Diane’s signature on our book, right?
13/14My Life on the Road by Gloria Steinem
The memoir by famed feminist and activist Gloria Steinem is twice-over Emma-approved. (Emma Watson made it her first pick for her new feminist book club!) And really, if both kickass actresses are reading it, that's all the reason we need — well, that, and the fact that the iconic pioneer's words will give you chills, and remind you exactly how far we still need to go.
