Drew Barrymore's 6 favorite books
The actress and now director names her best-loved reads
A film star since age 7, Drew Barrymore began producing films a decade ago. Her directorial debut, Whip It, starring Ellen Page as a roller-derby star, will be released on DVD next month.
Recently, she told The Week about six of her favorite reads:
Still Life With Woodpecker by Tom Robbins (Bantam, $14) This 1980 novel poses the question, by Page 2: “How do you make love stay?” And the psychedelic, fun, and adventurous way in which Tom Robbins goes about the exploration of this question is like a fairy tale for wild adults.
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.
Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
Man’s Search for Meaning by Victor E. Frankl (Beacon, $7). This book changed my life. Frankl, a psychologist and concentration-camp survivor, shows how we can find the higher meaning in everything, even in the most dire situations. He explains to the reader how to go about doing this, and he speaks with experience. This book defines inspiration.
Ham on Rye by Charles Bukowski (Ecco, $14). I find it easy to relate to the male perspective of writers like John Fante, Paul Bowles, and Charles Bukowski—their sense that life can be hard, that liquor and sex can help us escape, and that family can be heartbreaking. Yet a humorous joy can be found in their liberated and cantankerous short stories and novels, including this one.
Galapagos by Kurt Vonnegut (Dial, $15). This is again just what reading a book should be. You put it down, and feel as though you have been transported to another world. I have read 10 of Vonnegut’s books, and they all do this. He was a master of weaving us in and out of the most unique worlds I have ever known.
Valley of the Dolls by Jacqueline Susann (Grove, $14) Harvey Fierstein gave me a copy of Jacqueline Susann’s 1966 best-seller, and when I put down my classic and picked it up, I remembered that we sometimes need to get off our literary high horses and read something this absolutely delicious!
Sign up for Today's Best Articles in your inbox
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
A Farewell to Arms by Ernest Hemingway (Scribner, $16). This is the book that, as a die-hard romantic, I remember making me cry the hardest. I loved falling in love with Hemingway’s novel as its hero falls in love with “Catherine.” I had to finish the book alone in the other room so that I could just let my emotions pour out. I cried so hard, and it is wonderful when someone can evoke that in your heart!
Create an account with the same email registered to your subscription to unlock access.
-
Why is Tesla stumbling?
In the Spotlight More competition, confusion about the future and a giant pay package for Elon Musk
By Joel Mathis, The Week US Published
-
How Taylor Swift changed copyright negotiations in music
under the radar The success of Taylor's Version rerecordings has put new pressure on record labels
By Theara Coleman, The Week US Published
-
Job scams are increasingly common. Here's what to look out for.
The Explainer You should never pay for an application or give out your personal info before being hired
By Becca Stanek, The Week US Published
-
Sarah Langan recommends 6 women-centric horror books
Feature The horror novelist recommends works by Stephen King, Gillian Flynn, and more
By The Week US Published
-
Amanda Montell's 6 favorite books that will expand your knowledge
Feature The linguist recommends works by Mary Roach, Alice Carrière, and more
By The Week US Published
-
Rowan Beaird recommends 6 compelling books from the 1950s
Feature The author recommends works by Patricia Highsmith, Shirley Jackson, and more
By The Week US Published
-
Stephen Graham Jones' 6 scary books with deeper meanings
Feature The best-selling author recommends works by Stephen King, Sara Gran, and more
By The Week US Published
-
Keith O'Brien's 6 must-read books about significant moments in sports history
Feature The best-selling author recommends works by Laura Hillenbrand, Jonathan Eig and more
By The Week US Published
-
Lauren Oyler's favorite collection of essays that will leave you deep in thought
Feature The author recommends works by Elif Batuman, Mark Greif, and more
By The Week US Published
-
Rebecca Serle's 6 favorite books about interpersonal relationships
Feature The best-selling author recommends works by J.D. Salinger, Dolly Alderton, and more
By The Week US Published
-
Cristina Henríquez's 6 popular books with historical themes
Feature The novelist recommends works by Min Jin Lee, Kurt Vonnegut, and more
By The Week US Published