It’s no secret that Tom Hanks is one of the most beloved actors in the world. Over the course of his legendary career, he’s delivered some of the most iconic performances in film history and starred in movies that continue to resonate with audiences decades later. Whether it’s Forrest Gump, Saving Private Ryan, Cast Away, or Apollo 13, Hanks has built a résumé that few actors can match.
But what many people don’t realize is that when he’s not acting, he’s usually reading.
And not just casually flipping through books here and there either. Tom Hanks is a genuinely passionate reader with an incredibly diverse taste in literature. If you’ve ever looked through his Goodreads recommendations or interviews about books, it quickly becomes obvious that he reads across multiple genres and appreciates everything from literary classics to modern science fiction.
Naturally, that made us curious.
So we decided to take a closer look at some of Tom Hanks’s favorite books and honestly, the list is every bit as impressive as you’d expect. It’s packed with timeless classics, thought-provoking nonfiction, emotional literary fiction, and page-turning modern novels that deserve all the praise they get.
What makes this list stand out is how balanced it feels. There’s truly something here for every type of reader.
Whether you love sweeping literary fiction, deep philosophical novels, gripping nonfiction, or fast-paced science fiction adventures, this reading list has you covered.
Tom Hanks’s Favorite Books
- Sapiens by Yuval Noah Harari
- The Catcher in the Rye by J.D. Salinger
- Crime and Punishment by Fyodor Dostoevsky
- The Martian by Andy Weir
- The Hobbit by J.R R. Tolkien
- Bossypants by Tina Fey
- A Gentleman in Moscow by Amor Towles
- In the Garden of Beasts by Erik Larson
- In Cold Blood by Truman Capote
- The Shadow of the Wind by Carlos Ruiz Zafón
- The Fire Next Time by James Baldwin
A Reading List That Covers Everything
One of the first things that stands out about Tom Hanks’s reading taste is just how varied it is.
Some celebrity book lists feel predictable or overly curated, but this one feels authentic. Hanks clearly reads widely and isn’t afraid to jump between genres or writing styles. One moment you’re looking at a dense philosophical Russian classic, and the next you’re staring at a hilarious memoir or an intense science fiction survival story.
That range is what makes this list so appealing.
It says a lot about Hanks as both a reader and a storyteller. Great actors often need to understand different perspectives, personalities, and emotions, and reading widely is one of the best ways to develop that understanding.
And honestly, you can see that curiosity reflected throughout this list.
Sapiens by Yuval Noah Harari
Few nonfiction books have exploded in popularity the way Sapiens by Yuval Noah Harari has over the last decade.
The book takes readers through the history of humanity, starting with early human evolution and eventually exploring modern society, capitalism, religion, technology, and politics. What makes the book so compelling is Harari’s ability to explain massive historical concepts in a way that feels accessible and genuinely fascinating.
It’s one of those books that constantly makes you stop and rethink the world around you.
You finish chapters feeling like your perspective has fundamentally shifted. That’s part of why the book became such a phenomenon and why so many readers continue recommending it years later.
Seeing it on Tom Hanks’s list makes complete sense because the book is built around curiosity and understanding humanity on a larger scale.
The Classics Still Hold Up
Tom Hanks clearly has a deep appreciation for classic literature, and honestly, some of the best books ever written are represented here.
The Catcher in the Rye by J.D. Salinger
Few novels capture teenage alienation and confusion as effectively as The Catcher in the Rye.
Holden Caulfield remains one of literature’s most iconic narrators because he feels painfully real. His frustration with the world, his loneliness, and his search for meaning still resonate with readers decades after the novel’s release.
Whether readers love Holden or find him frustrating, the novel always sparks discussion and that’s part of why it has endured for generations.
Crime and Punishment by Fyodor Dostoevsky
Then there’s Crime and Punishment, which might be one of the greatest psychological novels ever written.
Dostoevsky dives deeply into guilt, morality, justice, and human nature through the story of Raskolnikov, a former student who commits murder and slowly unravels under the weight of his own conscience.
It’s dark, philosophical, and emotionally intense, but it’s also incredibly rewarding. Even modern readers continue connecting with its themes because the novel feels timeless in the way it explores human psychology.
The Hobbit by J.R.R. Tolkien
And of course, there’s The Hobbit.
It’s nearly impossible to overstate how influential Tolkien’s work has been on fantasy literature. While The Lord of the Rings often gets more attention, The Hobbit remains one of the most charming and accessible fantasy novels ever written.
Bilbo Baggins’s journey from a quiet life in the Shire to an epic adventure filled with dwarves, dragons, and danger still feels magical no matter how many times you revisit it.
It’s adventurous, imaginative, and surprisingly emotional at times.
There’s a reason readers of all ages continue falling in love with this story generation after generation.
Modern Books That Absolutely Deserve the Hype
One of the best things about Tom Hanks’s reading list is that it doesn’t only rely on classics. There are several modern novels here that absolutely live up to their reputation.
A Gentleman in Moscow by Amor Towles
A Gentleman in Moscow has quietly become one of the most beloved literary fiction novels of the last decade.
The story follows Count Alexander Rostov, a Russian aristocrat sentenced to house arrest inside Moscow’s Hotel Metropol following the Bolshevik Revolution. While the premise sounds simple, the novel becomes a deeply emotional story about resilience, friendship, purpose, and adapting to change.
Amor Towles’s writing is elegant without ever feeling pretentious, and the Count himself is one of the most memorable literary protagonists in recent years.
It’s the type of novel that sneaks up on readers emotionally and stays with them long after they finish it.
The Martian by Andy Weir
Then there’s The Martian by Andy Weir, which feels completely different tonally but is equally fantastic.
The novel follows astronaut Mark Watney after he becomes stranded alone on Mars following a failed mission. What follows is an intense survival story packed with science, humor, and nonstop problem-solving.
What makes the novel so addictive is Mark’s personality. Even in impossible situations, he remains funny, sarcastic, and determined, making readers root for him immediately.
Even readers who don’t normally gravitate toward science fiction often end up loving The Martian because of how accessible and entertaining it is.
It’s one of the best modern page-turners out there.
The Shadow of the Wind by Carlos Ruiz Zafón
by Carlos Ruiz Zafón
The Shadow of the Wind is one of those books that feels like it was written specifically for people who love reading.
Set in postwar Barcelona, the novel follows a young boy who discovers a mysterious novel in the Cemetery of Forgotten Books and becomes obsessed with uncovering the truth about its author.
The story blends mystery, historical fiction, romance, and literary fiction beautifully. It’s atmospheric, immersive, and filled with unforgettable moments.
More than anything, though, it feels like a love letter to literature itself.
The Unexpected Picks
What makes celebrity reading lists truly interesting are the books you don’t expect to see.
Bossypants by Tina Fey
Bossypants by Tina Fey adds a refreshing comedic element to the list.
The memoir is funny, self-aware, and packed with sharp observations about comedy, fame, work, and life in general. Fey’s humor translates perfectly onto the page, making the book incredibly entertaining from start to finish.
It also helps balance out some of the heavier novels on this list.
In Cold Blood by Truman Capote
On the opposite end of the spectrum is In Cold Blood by Truman Capote, one of the most famous true crime books ever written.
Capote reconstructs the brutal murder of the Clutter family in Kansas while exploring the psychology of the killers and the impact of the crime itself.
The book helped pioneer the true crime genre as we know it today and remains incredibly unsettling decades later.
In the Garden of Beasts by Erik Larson
In the Garden of Beasts by Erik Larson focuses on Nazi Germany during the rise of Hitler through the perspective of the American ambassador and his family living in Berlin.
Larson has a talent for making history feel immediate and suspenseful, and this book is no exception.
It’s fascinating, disturbing, and impossible not to get invested in.
The Fire Next Time by James Baldwin
Finally, there’s The Fire Next Time by James Baldwin.
Despite being relatively short, the book remains one of the most powerful and important works of nonfiction ever written. Baldwin explores race, identity, religion, and American society with a level of honesty and insight that still feels incredibly relevant today.
It’s the kind of book that leaves a lasting impact long after you finish reading it.
Final Thoughts
At the end of the day, Tom Hanks’s favorite books make for one of the strongest celebrity reading lists we’ve seen.
There’s an incredible balance here between classic literature and modern masterpieces, lighter reads and emotionally heavy stories, fiction and nonfiction. It genuinely feels like a reading list built by someone who simply loves books.
And honestly, there really isn’t a bad place to start.
Whether you pick up The Hobbit, The Martian, A Gentleman in Moscow, or Crime and Punishment, you’re diving into a book that has resonated deeply with readers for years.
Personally, I loved seeing such a wide variety of genres represented here. It makes the list feel approachable no matter what kind of reader you are.
Now I’m curious, how many of these books have you already read? And which one are you adding to your TBR next? Until next time, happy reading!
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I’ve read newqaarly all of the same books. I was surprised to see he favors The Shadow of the Wind by Carlos Ruiz Zafón. This is book 1 of a 4 book series (book 4 is great). I personally really enjoyed it and recommended it to my Spanish speaking friends to enjoy in the original format.
I am an avid reader, read daily and I am also B & N book club member. I have read nos 3, 5, 7, 8 and 10. It’s impossible to go wrong with Dostoyevsky books. One of my favorite books are Carlos Ruiz Zafon. Kids in Europe used to read the shadow of wind in schools.