Shania Twain Reveals What’s On Her Bookshelf—See Her 5 Must-Read Books: From Memoirs to Self-Help and Romance!

Shania Twain is known and loved for her undeniable country hits like ‘You’re Still the One,’ ‘Man! I Feel Like a Woman!’ and ‘That Don’t Impress Me Much.’ But there’s a quieter side to the superstar that even Shania superfans might not know—she’s an avid reader! In fact, she’s so devoted to beloved author Debbie Macomber that she stepped in to help bring her Texas-based series to TV!

So if you’re in the market for a new book recommendation or are curious about what books are on Shania’s bookshelf or both, you’re in for a treat! Here, we rounded up 5 books from the bookish haul she shared on Instagram so you can add a little Shania-approved inspiration to your own TBR list! Her book picks span a wide variety of genres from music memoirs to Hollywood biographies, small-town romance and more, so there’s something for every kind of book lover.

Shania’s a fan of Debbie Macomber books

Shania adores The Heart of Texas series by Debbie Macomber so much that she’s trying to bring it to the small screen. “There are some parallels in the story to my own story — a young family carrying on after the parents die, and the female main character having all this responsibility,” Shania told The Hollywood Reporter. 

“I was thinking this sounds so much like my own life. And I’m drawn to horses and the whole lifestyle of living outside the city, where family is everything. It really spoke to me.” 

In 2020, Shania was working on developing the series with Reel World Management (Netflix’s Virgin River) and planning to produce and write original songs for the series. There have been no recent updates on where the series stands now.

‘Heart of Texas’ by Debbie Macomber

Known for her heartfelt charm and stories of hope set in small towns, Debbie Macomber has penned more than 200 books. Heart of Texas—which contains the stories Lonesome Cowboy and Texas Two-Step—was released as a combined volume in 2007. (Though the individual stories were published starting in 1998!) The book transports readers to Promise, Texas, where Savannah Weston works on her family ranch with her brother Grady. As she harbors her own dreams for the future, she meets a cowboy named Laredo Smith. What follows is a story of small-town loyalties, dreams and following your heart.

What Shania has said about it: “Heart of Texas is a compelling, heartwarming drama. It’s exciting and filled with realistic characters like Savannah, Grady and Richard Weston who are trying to keep their family legacy alive,” she said on Instagram. 

What readers are saying: “I love this book. One of the things that I love most about Debbie Macomber’s stories is that she continues them in a series of books. I never really feel like I am saying, ‘goodbye,’ to her characters. They become friends that I can continue to visit with each new book in the series.”

‘Return to Promise’ by Debbie Macomber

If you’re looking for a little romance from Shania’s bookshelf, this other Debbie Macomber favorite, set in the same Texas town, also fits the bill. Return to Promise follows Cal Patterson—also known as Dr. Texas—and his wife Jane. Their quiet lives are upended when an attractive newcomer causes trouble in their marriage. As they face time apart and questions about their future, they’ll have to decide whether their love is worth finding their way back to each other.

What readers are saying: “I have really loved this series. This particular installment was unique in that there was not a new romance introduced, but featured the marital struggles of one of the couples who married in an earlier book in the series. I highly recommend this series and suggest that it be read in chronological order with this book at the end. This is really a recap of what is happening with all of the couples introduced in the earlier books.”

‘Robin’ by Dave Itzkoff

In Shania’s book haul video, she cozies up with her reads and the first one she grabs is Robin by Dave Itzkoff. “This is one I’ve been wanting to read for a while,” she says, holding the book close to her heart. 

The bestselling biography paints a compelling portrait of Robin Williams. Known for his rapid-fire stand-up comedy riffs, his emotional award-winning performance in Good Will Hunting and his iconic improv ability shown in Mrs. Doubtfire, Williams is an unforgettable talent in countless ways. Drawing on hundreds of interviews with family and friends as well as archival research, Itzkoff chronicles the comedian’s highs and lows in a way that proves why he touched so many lives. 

What readers are saying: “Itzkoff focuses on the many interviews he conducts. From these accounts, he artfully pieces together a vision of Williams’ life. The writing is always strong, always respectful without being worshipful. I came away from “Robin” with a renewed respect for Robin Williams, a sense of nostalgia for his early work, and a desire to go back and re-watch the many great movies he made.”

‘Acid for the Children’ by Flea

This was one of the books spotted on a teetering pile in Shania’s reading stack—and it’s quite the story. In Acid for the Children, Red Hot Chili Peppers bassist Flea looks back on his unconventional childhood and teenage years, from Australia to the Los Angeles music scene. In California, he found friendship, creativity and, eventually, his way into music. A funny, candid and totally wild memoir about the power of music and how it can change your life.

What readers are saying: “What a phenomenal insight into Flea and the making of Red Hot Chili Peppers. As a lifelong fan, I truly appreciated the style of writing because it felt like Flea was just talking to me and me where he was and what he was doing. It was a fun journey to say the least!”

‘F*ck Your Feelings’ by Michael Bennett, MD, and Sarah Bennett

Rounding out Shania’s diverse reading haul is F*ck Feelings, which takes a refreshingly blunt—and very funny—approach to life’s problems. Written by a Harvard-trained psychiatrist and his comedy-writer daughter, the book is all about letting go of what you can’t control, setting realistic expectations and focusing your energy on what you actually can change. It’s a practical self-help book that doesn’t take itself too seriously!

What readers are saying: “Dr. Bennett and his daughter have delivered the most powerful self-help book I have ever read. They identify almost every relationship you would be in and insightfully explain how to successfully navigate each one. The relationships include marital, dating, bosses, co-workers, friends, employees, supervisees, in-laws and myriad others in which you may find yourself mired. They don’t say others are to blame and you’re innocent; rather, all relationships are fraught with complexity so what’s the best way to succeed or at least cope.”