Jeremy Strong is widely recognized for his unforgettable portrayal of Kendall Roy in HBO’s Succession, one of the most acclaimed television dramas of the 21st century. His emotionally intense and deeply immersive performance earned him a Primetime Emmy Award, a Golden Globe Award, and widespread praise from critics and audiences alike.

Strong is known for fully committing himself to every role he plays, often spending months researching his characters and drawing inspiration from literature, philosophy, and history. Away from film sets and award shows, one of his greatest passions is reading.

His bookshelf reflects that passion. Rather than bestselling thrillers or light beach reads, Strong gravitates toward literary classics, philosophical works, biographies, poetry, and novels that explore the complexities of human nature.

If you’re looking to expand your reading horizons or simply want to know what inspires one of today’s most respected actors, here are Jeremy Strong’s favorite books.

Why Jeremy Strong Loves Reading

Strong has often spoken about the importance of literature in his life. Reading has helped shape his understanding of people, emotions, and storytelling—qualities that have become hallmarks of his acting career.

When discussing some of his favorite books, Strong admitted that he could spend hours talking about them.

“These are all books that have been really important to me.”

That passion becomes obvious when looking through his recommendations. Many of these works are considered masterpieces of world literature and continue to influence readers decades, even centuries, after publication.

Let’s take a closer look.

Jeremy Strong’s Favorite Books 

• My Struggle by Karl Ove Knausgaard 
• The Caretaker by Harold Pinter 
• Crime and Punishment by Fyodor Dostoyevsky 
• The Man Who Owns The News by Michael Wolff 
• Four Quartets by T. S. Eliot 
• Swan’s Way: In Search of Lost Time – Volume 1 by Marcel Proust 
• Letters to a Young Poet by Rainer Maria Rilke 
• Alma Mahler-Werfel Diaries, 1898-1902 by Alma Mahler-Werfel 
• Wolf Hall by Hilary Mantel 
• Angle of Repose by Wallace Stegner 

1. My Struggle by Karl Ove Knausgaard

Perhaps the book Strong speaks most passionately about is My Struggle.

Karl Ove Knausgaard’s six-volume autobiographical novel became an international literary phenomenon for its brutally honest examination of everyday life. Rather than relying on dramatic twists or elaborate plots, Knausgaard focuses on ordinary experiences and transforms them into profound reflections on identity, family, memory, and existence.

Strong has called it:

“The most honest expression of life that I’ve ever read anywhere.”

That sentiment perfectly aligns with Strong’s own acting philosophy, which emphasizes emotional truth above all else.

Although the series spans thousands of pages, many readers find themselves captivated by its intimate storytelling and psychological depth.

2. The Caretaker by Harold Pinter

Harold Pinter remains one of Britain’s greatest playwrights, and The Caretaker is among his most celebrated works.

The play centers on three men trapped in an uneasy relationship filled with manipulation, loneliness, insecurity, and shifting power dynamics. Pinter’s famously sparse dialogue leaves much unsaid, forcing audiences to interpret the characters’ true intentions.

For an actor like Jeremy Strong, this kind of layered writing provides endless opportunities for interpretation.

The themes of identity, alienation, and emotional conflict make it a rewarding read for theater lovers and anyone interested in character-driven storytelling.

3. Crime and Punishment by Fyodor Dostoevsky

No list of literary masterpieces would be complete without Dostoevsky’s Crime and Punishment.

Published in 1866, the novel follows Rodion Raskolnikov, a struggling student who believes himself intellectually superior enough to commit murder without moral consequence.

Instead, he finds himself consumed by guilt, paranoia, and psychological torment.

The novel explores:

• Justice
• Morality
• Redemption
• Human suffering
• Conscience

Its exploration of internal conflict feels especially fitting given Strong’s portrayal of Kendall Roy, a character constantly wrestling with guilt, ambition, and self-doubt.

More than 150 years later, Crime and Punishment remains one of the greatest psychological novels ever written.

4. The Man Who Owns the News by Michael Wolff

Unlike many books on this list, The Man Who Owns the News is nonfiction.

Michael Wolff’s biography chronicles the life and empire of media mogul Rupert Murdoch, examining how he transformed the global news landscape.

The book provides fascinating insight into:

• Media power
• Business leadership
• Political influence
• Corporate culture
• Modern journalism

Given Succession’s obvious parallels with powerful media families, it’s easy to understand why this biography appealed to Strong.

Readers interested in business, politics, or media history will find plenty to appreciate.

5. Four Quartets by T. S. Eliot

T. S. Eliot’s Four Quartets is widely considered one of the greatest collections of poetry written in English.

The four interconnected poems meditate on:

• Time
• Memory
• Faith
• Mortality
• Spiritual renewal

Rather than telling a traditional story, Eliot invites readers into philosophical reflection.

The collection rewards careful reading, with new meanings emerging each time you revisit its pages.

Strong’s appreciation for emotionally rich and intellectually demanding works makes this selection unsurprising.

6. Swann’s Way by Marcel Proust

The opening volume of In Search of Lost Time, Swann’s Way is one of literature’s greatest achievements.

Marcel Proust’s exploration of memory, love, jealousy, and nostalgia forever changed modern fiction.

The novel’s famous madeleine scene remains one of the most celebrated passages in literary history, illustrating how small sensory experiences can unlock vivid memories from the past.

Though often considered challenging, readers who embrace Proust’s deliberate pace are rewarded with extraordinary insight into human consciousness.

It’s exactly the type of thoughtful literature that resonates with someone like Jeremy Strong.

7. Letters to a Young Poet by Rainer Maria Rilke

Few books have inspired artists quite like Letters to a Young Poet.

Originally written as personal correspondence, Rainer Maria Rilke’s letters offer timeless advice about:

• Creativity
• Solitude
• Love
• Patience
• Artistic purpose

Rather than focusing on technical skill, Rilke encourages readers to cultivate an authentic inner life.

His reflections continue to resonate with writers, actors, painters, musicians, and anyone pursuing creative work.

For aspiring performers, this may be one of the most meaningful books on Strong’s list.

8. Alma Mahler-Werfel Diaries (1898–1902) by Alma Mahler-Werfel

This lesser-known recommendation offers a fascinating glimpse into Vienna’s vibrant artistic community at the turn of the twentieth century.

The diaries document Alma Mahler-Werfel’s early years before she became one of Europe’s most influential cultural figures.

Readers gain insight into:

• Classical music
• Art
• Society
• Personal ambition
• Relationships

Unlike many historical biographies, these diary entries provide an intimate first-person perspective, making history feel immediate and deeply personal.

9. Wolf Hall by Hilary Mantel

Hilary Mantel’s Booker Prize-winning Wolf Hall reimagines Tudor England through the eyes of Thomas Cromwell.

Instead of portraying history as a series of dates and events, Mantel creates fully realized characters navigating politics, ambition, religion, and power.

The novel combines meticulous historical research with elegant prose, making it one of the finest historical novels ever written.

Readers who enjoy rich characterization and political intrigue will quickly understand why Strong admires this masterpiece.

10. Angle of Repose by Wallace Stegner

Wallace Stegner’s Pulitzer Prize-winning Angle of Repose explores family history, the American West, marriage, and the passage of time.

The novel follows historian Lyman Ward as he reconstructs the lives of his grandparents while reflecting on his own failed marriage.

Like many books on Strong’s reading list, it examines how memory shapes identity and how people carry the past with them throughout their lives.

Stegner’s beautiful prose and emotional honesty have helped make this novel an enduring American classic.

What Jeremy Strong’s Reading List Reveals

Looking across these ten books, clear patterns emerge.

Jeremy Strong gravitates toward works that ask difficult questions rather than provide easy answers.

Many of these books explore:

• Identity and self-discovery
• Memory and time
• Moral responsibility
• Emotional honesty
• Creativity
• History and power
• Human relationships

They’re books that reward patience and close reading, qualities that also define Strong’s approach to acting.

Whether he is preparing for a role or simply reading for pleasure, Strong appears drawn to literature that challenges both intellect and emotion.

Where to Start

If you’re interested in exploring Jeremy Strong’s favorite books but aren’t sure where to begin, here’s a simple guide:

• New to literary fiction? Start with Wolf Hall or Crime and Punishment.
• Interested in creativity? Read Letters to a Young Poet.
• Love memoirs? Begin with My Struggle.
• Enjoy poetry? Pick up Four Quartets.
• Want a historical biography? Try The Man Who Owns the News.
• Ready for a literary challenge? Dive into Swann’s Way.

Each book offers something unique, making this one of the most intellectually rewarding celebrity reading lists you’ll find.

Final Thoughts

Jeremy Strong has built a reputation as one of the most dedicated actors of his generation, and his reading habits reflect that same commitment to depth, nuance, and authenticity. His favorite books span centuries, genres, and cultures, yet they all share a fascination with the complexities of human experience.

Whether you’re a longtime Succession fan, an aspiring actor, or simply someone searching for your next great read, these books offer an excellent place to start. From Dostoevsky’s psychological brilliance to Hilary Mantel’s historical mastery and Karl Ove Knausgaard’s remarkable honesty, Jeremy Strong’s recommendations showcase the enduring power of literature to inspire, challenge, and transform.

How many of Jeremy Strong’s favorite books have you read? Which one are you adding to your reading list next? Let us know in the comments below!

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