Charlize Theron Book Recommendations: From ‘The Road’ to Hilarious Parenting Reads
The Oscar winner's book recommendations range from post-apocalyptic tales to parenting humor
Key Takeaways
- Charlize Theron stole the show in Christopher Nolan's 'The Odyssey.'
- Over the years, the actress has shared some of her favorite books and recommendations.
- From parenting books to post-apocalyptic tales, see what Charlize has read.
Charlize Theron’s time spent on the screen has been nothing short of captivating. In 2004, the 51-year-old actress earned an Academy Award after her gripping performance in Monster, and that was simply one of many celebrated projects she led. Most recently, she acted opposite Matt Damon in Christopher Nolan’s The Odyssey, and she shined as Calypso, a sea nymph who rescues Odysseus and holds him captive on her island for several years while subduing him with lotus flower. Theron has starred in several films adapted from books and written bodies of work, and over the years, the actress has opened up about some of her favorite reads and book recommendations. Here, check out what she’s said about a few of her favorites.
‘The Road’ by Cormac McCarthy
When asked by The Guardian for her favorite book, Cormac McCarthy’s The Road was what came to mind, the actress saying, “It changed my life.” The story follows a father and son’s difficult journey of survival through a post-apocalyptic version of the United States as they make their way to the coast. Charlize Theron actually went on to appear in the 2009 film adaptation of this book, and in the past, spoke fondly of the story on the page.
“I think it’s a cautionary tale. What people know mostly about the story is probably pretty accurate, but I think the thing that really stood out for me and the thing that really made me feel the way I did about the book and the story is that there’s so much hope in humanity,” the actress told uInterview.
“There really is. And I think this book really kind of made me aware of that. I was going through a little bit of a period where I got a little angry and there was just a lot of stuff going on in the world that just kind of made me lose hope in a way, and I think this book kind of made me realize that there’s a lot of hope in humanity. It’s in us, it’s just whether we choose to be good or not or to reach out or to help, so I think it’s a cautionary tale of what could happen if we don’t kind of step up and look after what we have.”
What readers are saying: “This book is shocking, loving, groundbreakingly impressive, beautifully written. I read through it without breathing, I mean I just had to know what was coming on the next page, and cried several times. Without a doubt one of the best books, if not the best, I read, ever.”
‘The Little Prince’ by Antoine de Saint-Exupéry
In a 2014 interview with Marie Claire, when asked which book had a profound effect on her, Charlize revealed that The Little Prince by Antoine De Saint-Exupery left its mark on her. A universal classic beloved by all age groups, the story follows a man whose plane crashes in the Sahara Desert, where he meets a young boy who shares the story of his life, simultaneously teaching an important lesson about human nature and companionship.
What readers are saying: “A book everyone should try to read at least once in their lifetime, but never force it. I think it’s essential for this book to come just at the right invisible time, and very important to keep an open mind about it. Don’t over analyze it too much, and it should be easy to enjoy. I think any kid can love it, or any adult with a healthy child at heart.”
‘Go the F-ck to Sleep’ by Adam Mansbach
Charlize Theron has two adopted children, and back in 2012, the actress revealed that one of her favorite books as a new mom was Go the F*ck to Sleep, a hilarious tale that every exhausted mom could relate to. “A lot of people have sent me these children’s books, and there’s this amazing book, a best-seller called Go the F-ck to Sleep,” she told MTV News as reported by UsWeekly. “This book was good for me because it made me realize that I don’t need to judge myself right now.” She continued, “The whole book is just basically, ‘Please, go the f— to sleep, because [Jackson] doesn’t understand anything right now, and so he just wants my face to look a certain way.”
What readers are saying: “In addition to being Hangover funny, it is also surprisingly comforting to all of us who have been through this. Every single word of every page screamed ‘We’ve been there too’ and ‘You’re not alone.’ It lets us know that every time we find ourselves alone at night with our too awake, sugar addicted, energizer bunny of a child, that we are part of a great parental circle of life that understands what were going through.”
From parenting prose to influential stories, Charlize Theron book recommendations offer a spectacular range!
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