These 3 Books Are Among Tom Selleck’s Favorites—Plus the Poem He Recited on the Last Day of ‘Blue Bloods’
Find out which books Tom Selleck loves and how he incorporated his favorite poem into the last day of filming 'Blue Bloods'
Key Takeaways
- Tom Selleck enjoys books history, classic literature and Hollywood figures.
- The actor's favorite books include anything by author Rudyard Kipling.
- Tom Selleck recited his favorite poem on the final day of filming 'Blue Bloods'
In the over six decades that Tom Selleck has been acting, you’ve seen the actor star in a variety of genres, from police procedurals to comedies and westerns. Over the years, he’s been an unexpected parent in Three Men and a Baby (1987), a cowboy in Quigley Down Under (1990) and a Police Commissioner in Blue Bloods (2010-2024). But no matter what role the actor has found himself in, it always seems to be just as good a fit as the last.
Given the kinds of characters he has played throughout his career, Selleck’s reading habits shouldn’t come as much of a surprise. The actor has long gravitated toward books about the American West, U.S. history, classic literature and legendary Hollywood figures—Selleck even penned his own memoir titled, You Never Know: A Memoir. But his interests aren’t limited to nonfiction. Selleck has also spoken about his appreciation for poetry, including several poems he says he “dearly love[s].”
Tom Selleck’s favorite books
Rudyard Kipling
When asked to name his three favorite books in an interview, Tom Selleck’s first answer wasn’t a specific title but rather “any Rudyard Kipling book.” The British author, poet and short-story writer is best known for works such as The Man Who Would Be King (1888), The Jungle Book (1894) and Kim (1901). Given Selleck’s longtime interest in history, adventure and the outdoors, it’s easy to see the appeal of Kipling’s storytelling.
He has also singled out one of Kipling’s poems, “The Betrothed,” as a personal favorite. First published in 1886, the humorous poem follows a man forced to choose between his fiancée and his beloved cigars—a dilemma that, fortunately, most readers will never have to face.
‘Atlas Shrugged’ by Ayn Rand
Another of the actor’s favorites is Atlas Shrugged by Ayn Rand. Published in 1957, the sprawling novel was Rand’s final work of fiction and remains her best-known exploration of Objectivism, blending elements of mystery, romance and political satire. The story centers on railroad executive Dagny Taggart and steel magnate Hank Rearden as they struggle to preserve their industries amid increasing government control and economic decline.
Selleck’s admiration for the book goes beyond simply reading it. Over the years, he has expressed interest in seeing Atlas Shrugged adapted as either a feature film or a miniseries and was particularly drawn to the role of Hank Rearden. Although a film adaptation eventually moved forward without him, Selleck’s enthusiasm for the novel offers another glimpse into the kinds of stories that appeal to him—ambitious, character-driven tales centered on individual responsibility and perseverance.
‘The Shadow Riders’ by Louis L’Amour
Louis L’Amour’s The Shadow Riders is another that tops his list while fitting comfortably within Selleck’s love of Westerns. The story follows brothers Dal and Mac Traven, former Civil War soldiers who return home to discover that their sister and Dal’s fiancée have been abducted by a renegade band of outlaws.
For Selleck, however, the book holds a more personal connection than most. After starring with Sam Elliott in the adaptation of L’Amour’s The Sacketts (1979), the two actors approached the author about collaborating on another project. L’Amour responded by creating The Shadow Riders specifically for them. The novel and its television adaptation were released in 1982, with Selleck and Elliott starring as the Traven brothers.
“Love Is Not All” by Edna St. Vincent Millay
One of Selleck’s favorite poems is Love Is Not All by Edna St. Vincent Millay. Written during the Great Depression, the poem reflects on the idea that while love may not be as essential to survival as food, water or shelter, life would be far poorer without it.
The poem became especially meaningful to Selleck during the final day of filming Blue Bloods. As the cast gathered for the last time, he found himself searching for the right words to mark the occasion. “Nobody knew what to say, but I felt somebody should say something and I knew this poem that I dearly love,” he recalled. “So, I said, ‘Well, I’ll try that.'”
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