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Curious about the literature that captivates your favorite stars, whether it’s a cherished classic or a trending bestseller? Welcome to Page-Turners, where celebrities share the books that inspire them, spark their creativity, and keep them reading into the wee hours. Be prepared to expand your reading list significantly.
Interestingly, Billy Porter, despite not being fond of history classes during his school years, finds a strong connection with historical literature as some of his top book choices.
The acclaimed “Pose” actor, who recently launched his children’s book “Songbird in the Light” this past Tuesday, lists authors like James Baldwin, Nikole Hannah-Jones, and Ta-Nehisi Coates among his literary favorites.
Porter’s first venture into children’s literature, co-authored with Chris Clarkson and brought to life by illustrator Charly Palmer, centers on themes of self-expression, embracing uniqueness, and conquering fears.
“This book was crafted to remind children of their inherent joy and love… a type of love that remains untouched by the world’s influence,” Porter shares in his author’s note, reflecting on the message he hopes to convey.
See below for Porter’s six must-read book recommendations.
“James Baldwin crawled so that I/we (as black queer men) today can soar. There is no ancestor that I feel a closer kinship with, as I aspire to live in the fullness of my multifaceted identities,” Porter tells Page Six, adding that “Tell Me How Long the Train’s Been Gone” by Baldwin is also a favorite.
“I look forward to portraying Mr. Baldwin in the biopic of his life very soon,” he says of his upcoming role, which was first announced in 2023.
“My mantra in life is: ‘I do not now, nor will I ever adjudicate my life or humanity in soundbites on social media.’ Mel Robbins’, ‘Let them. Then let me theory,’ serves as an instruction manual as to how to remember to give zero F’s to the people in the cheap seats of our universe.”
“[Former] Vice President Harris’ tome is confirmation to the stark reality that corruption in this democratic experiment we call American is a 360 situation. Power corrupts. Period. No matter what ‘side’ one may be on. President Biden promised the ‘American People’ that he was only going to be a one-term President so as to set up the first black woman in history to lead our country. He failed us all.”
“My least favorite subject in school was history. I always felt like I wasn’t being taught the truth, the whole truth, and nuthin’ but the truth. Ms. Hannah-Jones’ remarkable and thorough account of the true horrors our plight as African-Americans in this country is devastating, terrifying and tragic all at once. And yet and still…WE ALWAYS RISE!”
“In this astonishing compilation of a series of essays about the magical Obama years and all things political from 2008 – 2016, Mr. Coates lays bare the stark reality that progress in America has historically come with severe white supremacist backlash. He warned us to not get too comfortable in our ‘progressive accomplishments,’ and prepare to gird ourselves for the inevitable. Unfortunately, we did not listen. We never do.”