6 book recommendations from Richard Marx
The Grammy-winning singer recommends works by Stephen King, Rod Stewart, and more
![Richard Marx.](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/H7gsYU9JhygggLEtRPcayZ-415-80.jpg)
Richard Marx is a Grammy-winning singer and songwriter and the only male recording artist in history to have his first seven singles reach Billboard's Top 5, beginning with 1987's "Don't Mean Nothing." His new memoir is Stories to Tell.
Misery by Stephen King (1987).
On my first tour at 23, I bought Misery for one of countless flights. I found myself onstage thinking, occasionally, "This is a blast, but I can't wait to get back to the hotel to read the next chapter." The film doesn't do justice to the raw suspense of King's novel. It made me a reader for life. Buy it here.
Frank: The Voice and Sinatra: The Chairman by James Kaplan (2010 and 2015).
This two-volume bio is one of my all-time favorites. Even the most devoted fans will find unknown tidbits about one of America's most beloved entertainers. The depth of research and the personal and professional revelations put this in the "can't put it down" category. Buy it here.
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.
![https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/flexiimages/jacafc5zvs1692883516.jpg](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/flexiimages/jacafc5zvs1692883516-320-80.jpg)
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.
The Day After Tomorrow by Allan Folsom (2008).
All of Folsom's novels are worth your time, but his first, which is totally unrelated to the movie of the same name, is the most entertaining work of fiction I know. You're riveted from chapter one, taken on a ride of action, intrigue, and passion right to the last jaw-dropping sentence. Buy it here.
America's Reluctant Prince by Steven Gillon (2019).
This bio, written by a longtime friend of John F. Kennedy Jr., was a great companion during my tour in 2019. As someone with intimate knowledge of and deep affection for his subject, Gillon skillfully walks the line between revelation and respect. Buy it here.
Rod: The Autobiography by Rod Stewart (2012).
I'm a lifelong fan of Stewart's. We shared a stage in Atlanta a few years ago. I love his songwriting, and marvel at his energy, not to mention the hair. But it's Rod's zero-f---s-given sense of humor I've appreciated most. His memoir feels as if he's spinning tales over cocktails, complete with laugh-out-loud punch lines. Buy it here.
As a Man Thinketh by James Allen (1903).
I've gifted this to countless friends. A century before Rhonda Byrne's The Secret came this brilliant exposition of how thoughts dictate quality of life. It's a life-altering 64 pages. I always keep it in my bag when I travel and on my nightstand at home. I consider it my Bible. Buy it here.
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
This article was first published in the latest issue of The Week magazine. If you want to read more like it, you can try six risk-free issues of the magazine here.
Create an account with the same email registered to your subscription to unlock access.
-
Why is China stockpiling resources?
The Explainer The superpower has been amassing huge reserves of commodities at great cost despite its economic downturn
By Richard Windsor, The Week UK Published
-
Paraguay's dangerous dalliance with cryptocurrency
Under The Radar Overheating Paraguayans are pushing back over power outages caused by illegal miners
By Chas Newkey-Burden, The Week UK Published
-
The Week contest: Tattoo prediction
Puzzles and Quizzes
By The Week US Published
-
5 riveting books to read this July
The Week Recommends The author behind the 'Magicians' trilogy turns his eye to King Arthur and Persephone gets a West African twist
By Theara Coleman, The Week US Published
-
8 new cookbooks ready to make your summer hum
The Week Recommends The most special of Vietnamese food, Italian American baking for all and a primer on turning beloved cocktails into freezer versions of themselves
By Scott Hocker, The Week US Published
-
5 satisfying books to read this June
The Week Recommends Tomi Adeyemi concludes her series, Questlove does hip-hop history and an experimental novel bends the rules
By Theara Coleman, The Week US Published
-
Cristina Rivera Garza continues crossing borders into award-winning territories
In the Spotlight The prolific Mexican author just won the 2024 Pulitzer for Memoir or Autobiography
By Scott Hocker, The Week US Published
-
5 captivating books to read in May
the week recommends Brittney Griner tells her own story, a coming-of-middle-age novel, and a new book for 'Crazy Rich Asians' fans
By Theara Coleman, The Week US Published
-
5 stellar TV series based on award-winning novels
The Week Recommends Max's 'The Sympathizer' is not the only successful adaptation of prestige fiction
By David Faris Published
-
6 queer poets to read whenever but especially now
The Week Recommends April is National Poetry Month
By Scott Hocker, The Week US Published
-
5 illuminating books to read in April
the week recommends A poetry collection curated by the U.S. Poet Laureate, another adult novel from Julia Alvarez and more
By Theara Coleman, The Week US Published