Bryce Dallas Howard's Favorite Books Make The Case For Diverse Nonfiction Reads

Regarding celebrity reading recommendations, you can look to Jennifer Lawrence for some cool girl classics, while Nicole Kidman defers to an emotional reading list. Meanwhile, nonfiction enthusiasts should check out Bryce Dallas Howard's list of favorites — the actor and director is partial to memoirs and inspirational self-help books. Though she shared with People that dark classics like "The Handmaid's Tale" by Margaret Atwood and "1984" by George Orwell were childhood favorites, the Hollywood figure has gravitated toward nonfiction throughout adulthood.

"As I've gotten older, I've noticed that I don't really read fiction," Howard told Bustle. "I don't want to say I prefer documentaries, but that's what I go to. I think, in some ways, nothing beats real life." Because of this, it's no surprise that "The Boys," a memoir penned by her father, Ron Howard, and uncle Clint Howard, lands a spot on her list of recommendations. The 2021 release recounts the brothers' experience as children of aspiring actors from the Midwest, and growing up in the Hollywood industry as actors themselves. "It has been this relationship that I've watched my entire life," the "Jurassic World" star said. "These brothers who are very different, who love each other so devoutly, and their love is such a reflection of what my grandparents created for them." While this memoir hits especially close to home for Bryce Dallas Howard, it's just one of many great nonfiction reads on her shelf.

In addition to her father's revealing memoir, Bryce Dallas Howard's love for nonfiction extends to "Just Kids" by Patti Smith. The 2010 publication belongs on our list of well-written celebrity memoirs, with the title spotlighting the legendary artist's life in New York City in the '60s and '70s and her complex relationship with photographer Robert Mapplethorpe. "I was completely swept away by this book," Howard told Bustle, drawing comparisons to her years at NYU, where she met her husband. "There's no hubris. There's no envy. There's no pretense. It's just very genuine, and it makes the storytelling incredibly vivid." Another standout artistic portrait comes from "Hilma af Klint," a biography about the titular Swedish painter written by Julia Voss. "I learned so much about [af Klint] from reading this: she was very spiritual, and belonged to a like-minded community of women called The Five," she told the Financial Times in 2024.

Many of Howard's other nonfiction faves relate to her own creative work, with the actor recommending "Big Magic" by Elizabeth Gilbert and "Everything is Figureoutable" by Marie Forleo as standout reads. Each had a unique impact on the star's approach to work and goals, with Gilbert encouraging her to embrace embarrassment while Forleo influenced her to put her intentions to pen and paper. Overall, if you're looking for your next read, Howard has a variety of recommendations to add to your TBR.