What books lay on the tables of the rich and famous? Which novels line the cases of celebrity bookshelves? What do the famed like to read before they go to sleep?
It’s true: reading is a way for people to open the door to new worlds ranging from old, romantic periods of knights and fair maidens in distress, to glimpses of the future, where starships rule the world, to helpful instructions in home repair and construction. The type of book one reads can tell a lot about an individual.
For example, party guests may never find “The Chamber” as one of Illinois Gov. George Ryan’s coffee-table books, especially after ordering a moratorium for the 167 convicts who were on death row. But every Texas governor, former and present, has had at least one copy for guests to gaze through. President Bush is no exception.
Along with John Grisham’s popular novel about a man sentenced to death, Bush has a few other famous works for tourists at the White House to peruse. One such book is “1001 Arabian Nights,” which is actually a countdown for how many days it will take for Bush to go war with Iraq. There’s also Agatha Christie’s famous mystery, “And Then There Were None,” which refers to the number of countries that will be left standing once Bush embarks on his war journey.
It’s not surprising that Trent Lott and his mentor, Strom Thurman, do not have a grand opinion of “The Narratives of Frederick Douglass.” Instead, the two congressmen have the “Memoirs of Jefferson Davis,” which puts the old Confederate leader on display.
Bill Clinton may not have his talk show up and running yet, but he has had plenty of time to digest some pleasure reading — just ask his wife Hillary. According to her, she’s seen her husband engrossed in the pages of “Tuesdays with Monica” and “A Tale of Two Women.”
Evan Marriott, otherwise known as Joe Millionaire, has managed to find spare reading time while deceiving slews of women. (Despite all that money, he’s still a bachelor. Must be the small lie he told.) Rumors have it his bookmark rests in Michael Crichton’s “Indecent Proposal.”
Many say Marriott is an avid reader. He has just finished reading, “How to Succeed at Marriage Without Even Earning.” Too bad such a talented intellect can only make $19,000 a year.
Michael Jackson has found comfort in a new book titled “White,” by Deborah Larsen.
Singer and pop sensation Justin Timberlake has had a rough year after his heavily publicized breakup with Britney Spears. To ease his sorrows and crushed heart, he has been indulging himself in “Cry, My Beloved Country” — in lieu of his new single, “Cry Me a River.”
Timberlake’s reading material is atypical of other members of recently disappearing boy bands — such as 98 Degrees and Backstreet Boys — who have started scanning “Gone With the Wind.” Their spokesmen have said they will return once they finish Margaret Mitchell’s classic work, which means we shouldn’t be expecting anything for another 10 years.
O.J. Simpson has been taking a rather lengthy time trying to finish “Runaway Jury.” He tells his friends he’s learned a lot from the book, and he can identify with it through real-life experience.
It may come as an astonishment to many, but Winona Ryder loves to read. She may have been fond of Edith Wharton’s “Age of Innoccence” as a teenager, but now she has grown to like Shana Alexander’s “When She was Bad.”
So, to those out there who think reading is a waste of time: follow the examples of the many role models in politics, sports and entertainment. Pick up a book outside of classroom readings, and broaden your horizons.
Who knows? Maybe one day “Entertainment Tonight” will be interested in what your bathroom book collection looks like.
R.H. Aly is The Lantern copy editor and can be reached for comment at [email protected].
