Ever wonder what your favorite celebrities are reading — whether it’s a timeless classic or the buzzy bestseller they can’t put down? Welcome to Page-Turners, where stars reveal the books that keep them hooked, inspired and up all night. Warning: your TBR pile is about to get a lot longer.
Books are “sacred” to Jay Ellis.
“They are knowledge, they are entertainment, they are a vehicle for self reflection and a playground for the imagination,” the “Turning Point” star tells Page Six.
But the actor’s relationship with reading took years to evolve into what it is today.
“My love for books started as pure hatred,” Ellis — whose own book “Did Everyone Have an Imaginary Friend (or Just Me)?” came out in paperback on Sept. 16 — admits.
“As a child, my mother would make me read books every summer and do book reports. I would stare out the window while other kids played, and I had to read before I could go out to join them,” Ellis shares, adding that over time his interest in the stories grew and inspired him.
These days, he prefers to read a nonfiction book throughout the day before settling into a good fiction book in the evenings.
See below for the “Insecure” star’s six must-read book recommendations.
“This book hits like a confession, a sermon and a roast all at the same time — Laymon is brutally honest and still wildly hilarious. He makes you feel seen in places you didn’t even know needed light. It left me both shook and grateful.”
“Rubin basically tells us to stop overthinking and let the magic happen, which is both freeing and slightly annoying because… easier said than done, Rick. But also, thank you! Still, the man knows how to put words to the vibes of creativity like nobody else. I walked away feeling like art isn’t just something to make, it’s a way of breathing.”
“These stories are wild, funny, and sharp enough to cut you — like Black Mirror with more melanin and more heart. Adjei-Brenyah takes everyday absurdity and turns it into social commentary that hits in the chest. It’s satire that made me laugh, then immediately feel guilty about laughing.”
“Chang writes like he cooks—playful, bold, and unapologetically honest. He’s not afraid to show the ugly parts of chasing perfection, and that’s what makes it stick. By the end, I was rooting for him like he’s my boy, even in the moments I couldn’t stand him.”
“Kobe gives you the playbook not just for basketball, but for attacking life like it owes you rent. It’s part photo album, part masterclass in obsession. If you’ve ever wondered what it looks like to chase greatness without blinking, this is it.”
“Coates writes with the intimacy of a father, but the weight of history is on every page. It’s raw, lyrical, and heavy in the best way—like being let in on a secret that’s been sitting in plain sight. This is the kind of book I underlined so much it felt like I was vandalizing it.”