Aubrey Plaza’s Favorite Books: 6 Bold, Dark, and Unforgettable Reads She Loves

Aubrey Plaza has built an entire career around being delightfully unpredictable. Whether she is deadpanning her way through Parks and Recreation, starring in psychological thrillers, or stealing scenes in indie films, Plaza has always embraced characters that exist just outside the norm. She gravitates toward stories that are strange, funny, uncomfortable, and deeply human.

It should come as no surprise that her reading taste reflects that same energy.

Unlike celebrities who often recommend safe crowd-pleasers, Plaza’s favorite books lean into the unconventional. Her reading list is filled with dark humor, literary experimentation, iconic memoirs, and stories centered on complicated women navigating difficult circumstances. These books are sharp, messy, funny, heartbreaking, and unforgettable, much like many of the characters Plaza has portrayed throughout her career.

If you have ever enjoyed Aubrey Plaza’s unique blend of wit and darkness, these books deserve a place on your reading list. Here are six of Aubrey Plaza’s favorite and recommended books and why they perfectly match her artistic sensibilities.

Aubrey Plaza’s Favorite Books

• Women by Charles Bukowski
• The Bell Jar by Sylvia Plath
• The White Album by Joan Didion
• Liarmouth by John Waters
• Valley of the Dolls by Jacqueline Susann
• The Crying of Lot 49 by Thomas Pynchon

Women by Charles Bukowski

If there is one book that perfectly captures Aubrey Plaza’s appreciation for gritty, uncomfortable humor, it might be Women by Charles Bukowski.

Plaza has highlighted Women as one of her favorite book titles and has praised the novel’s combination of raw honesty and dark comedy. The book follows Henry Chinaski, Bukowski’s semi-autobiographical alter ego, as he navigates a chaotic series of relationships after achieving literary success.

What makes Women such a fascinating recommendation is how unapologetically messy it is. Bukowski does not attempt to make his protagonist likable or heroic. Instead, he presents a deeply flawed narrator whose observations are often hilarious, shocking, and occasionally disturbing.

That willingness to embrace discomfort feels very Aubrey Plaza. Throughout her career, she has consistently chosen projects that challenge audiences rather than comfort them. Women does exactly that.

While the novel can be divisive, readers who appreciate dark humor and brutally honest storytelling often find themselves captivated by Bukowski’s distinctive voice. It is not a book for everyone, but it is easy to understand why Plaza appreciates its irreverent spirit and refusal to follow conventional literary rules.

The Bell Jar by Sylvia Plath

Among Aubrey Plaza’s favorite books, The Bell Jar may be the most personal.

Plaza has spoken about how Sylvia Plath’s classic novel made her “feel seen,” and it is not difficult to understand why. First published in 1963, the novel follows Esther Greenwood, a young woman struggling with depression, identity, societal expectations, and the pressure to fit into a world that feels increasingly alien.

More than sixty years after its publication, The Bell Jar remains one of the most powerful portrayals of mental health ever written.

Plath’s writing is beautiful, devastating, and deeply introspective. Esther’s journey resonates with readers because it captures feelings of isolation and uncertainty with remarkable precision.

For someone like Plaza, whose performances often blend vulnerability with humor and emotional complexity, the novel’s themes make perfect sense. Many of Plaza’s most memorable characters wrestle with loneliness, self-discovery, and a sense of being misunderstood.

What makes The Bell Jar endure is its honesty. Plath refuses to offer easy answers or tidy resolutions. Instead, she gives readers a nuanced portrait of a young woman searching for meaning and stability in a confusing world.

It is a challenging read at times, but it remains essential for anyone interested in literary fiction that explores the complexities of identity and mental health.

The White Album by Joan Didion

Few writers have influenced modern nonfiction as profoundly as Joan Didion, and Aubrey Plaza is a massive admirer of her work.

Among Didion’s books, The White Album stands out as one of Plaza’s favorites. This landmark essay collection examines American culture during a period of enormous social and political upheaval.

The essays move between personal reflection, journalism, and cultural criticism with remarkable fluidity. Didion writes about everything from the Manson murders to California politics while maintaining her trademark precision and emotional restraint.

What makes The White Album such a compelling recommendation is its intelligence. Didion observes the world with a sharpness that few writers can match. She notices details others overlook and uses them to reveal larger truths about society.

Plaza’s appreciation for Didion makes complete sense when you consider her own style. Both women possess a unique ability to expose absurdity while remaining emotionally grounded. Their work often operates in the space between humor and discomfort.

Readers who enjoy thoughtful nonfiction and elegant prose will find The White Album endlessly rewarding. It is one of those rare books that becomes more relevant each time you revisit it.

Liarmouth by John Waters

If you are looking for the book on this list that feels most like an Aubrey Plaza movie, Liarmouth by John Waters is probably it.

Waters, the legendary filmmaker behind cult classics like Pink Flamingos and Hairspray, brings his trademark outrageousness to this darkly comic novel. The story follows Marsha Sprinkle, a compulsive liar, scam artist, and all-around chaotic force of nature.

The result is a wild satire filled with bizarre situations, eccentric characters, and relentless humor.

Plaza has recommended Liarmouth, and it is easy to see why. Waters specializes in stories about outsiders and misfits—characters who refuse to conform to social expectations. That same rebellious spirit runs throughout much of Plaza’s work.

What makes Liarmouth particularly enjoyable is its commitment to absurdity. Waters pushes every situation to its extreme while maintaining a surprising amount of emotional truth underneath the chaos.

Readers who appreciate dark comedy, unconventional storytelling, and larger-than-life characters will have a great time with this novel. It is funny, weird, and completely unapologetic.

In other words, it is exactly the kind of book you would expect Aubrey Plaza to love.

Valley of the Dolls by Jacqueline Susann

Some celebrity book lists are predictable. Aubrey Plaza’s includes Valley of the Dolls.

Originally published in 1966, Jacqueline Susann’s sensational bestseller follows three women navigating fame, ambition, addiction, and heartbreak in the entertainment industry.

The novel became a cultural phenomenon thanks to its glamorous setting, scandalous content, and unforgettable characters.

At first glance, Valley of the Dolls might seem very different from some of Plaza’s other favorite books. However, a closer look reveals why it fits perfectly into her reading taste.

The novel centers on women whose lives slowly unravel beneath the surface of beauty and success. It explores identity, power, self-destruction, and the pressures society places on women.

Those themes appear repeatedly throughout Plaza’s favorite films and television projects.

There is also a campy quality to Valley of the Dolls that aligns beautifully with Plaza’s sense of humor. The book is dramatic, excessive, stylish, and surprisingly insightful.

Over the decades, it has evolved from a bestselling novel into a beloved cult classic. Readers continue to embrace it because it remains entertaining while offering sharp observations about celebrity culture and personal ambition.

The Crying of Lot 49 by Thomas Pynchon

For readers interested in Aubrey Plaza’s more literary and avant-garde side, The Crying of Lot 49 is perhaps the most revealing book on this list.

Thomas Pynchon’s novel follows Oedipa Maas as she becomes entangled in what may be a vast underground conspiracy involving a secret postal system.

Or maybe not.

One of the novel’s greatest strengths is its ambiguity. Readers are never entirely sure what is real, what is imagined, and what the story ultimately means.

That uncertainty is part of the appeal.

Pynchon combines satire, mystery, paranoia, and social commentary into a novel that remains one of the defining works of postmodern literature. Despite its reputation for complexity, The Crying of Lot 49 is relatively accessible compared to some of Pynchon’s larger works.

The novel rewards readers who enjoy puzzles and unconventional narratives.

Plaza’s admiration for the book reflects her willingness to embrace art that challenges audiences. Rather than offering straightforward answers, The Crying of Lot 49 encourages readers to engage with uncertainty and ambiguity.

It is strange, intelligent, funny, and endlessly discussable, qualities that perfectly align with Plaza’s creative personality.

Why Aubrey Plaza’s Favorite Books Are Worth Reading

Looking at Aubrey Plaza’s favorite books reveals a surprisingly cohesive reading taste. Whether she is recommending Sylvia Plath, Joan Didion, Thomas Pynchon, or John Waters, there is a common thread running through each selection.

These books embrace complexity.

They feature flawed characters, unconventional storytelling, dark humor, and sharp observations about society. They challenge readers while remaining deeply entertaining.

Most importantly, they refuse to fit neatly into traditional categories.

That sense of unpredictability is exactly what has made Aubrey Plaza one of the most compelling performers of her generation. Her favorite books reflect the same qualities that make her performances memorable: intelligence, originality, vulnerability, and a willingness to explore uncomfortable truths.

If you are looking to expand your reading horizons beyond mainstream bestsellers, this list offers an excellent place to start. From the emotional depth of The Bell Jar to the satirical chaos of Liarmouth, these books showcase the bold, unconventional literary world that continues to inspire one of Hollywood’s most fascinating stars. Until next time, happy reading!

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