BOOKS

20 celebrity books readers loved in 2019

USA TODAY
Books about and by celebrities made a splash in 2019. We ' ve rounded up 20 of the year ' s titles that resonated with our readers. Genres ran the gamut, including children ' s books, memoirs and cookbooks. The list starts with “ Kamaro: My Story of Embracing Purpose, Healing, and Hope, ” by Kamaro Brown. ● The buzz: Kamaro, one of the five hosts of the Netflix series “ Queer Eye, ” spoke with USA TODAY about the LGBTQ+ community, his love for Ariana Grande and his feelings on writing a memoir. According to Brown, “ What I ’ m most excited about with this memoir is the fact that people are gonna elect to learn more about me and see the struggle that I ’ ve been through to get to this place. ” Read more .
Books about and by celebrities made a splash in 2019. We've rounded up 20 of the year's titles that resonated with our readers. Genres ran the gamut, including children's books, memoirs and cookbooks. The list starts with “Kamaro: My Story of Embracing Purpose, Healing, and Hope,” by Kamaro Brown.  ● The buzz: Kamaro, one of the five hosts of the Netflix series “Queer Eye,” spoke with USA TODAY about the LGBTQ+ community, his love for Ariana Grande and his feelings on writing a memoir. According to Brown, “What I’m most excited about with this memoir is the fact that people are gonna elect to learn more about me and see the struggle that I’ve been through to get to this place.” Read more.
Gallery
“ Life Will Be the Death of Me: … and you too! ” by Chelsea Handler. ● The buzz: In her most recent memoir, the comedian writes about her therapy sessions, her brother ’ s unexpected death and her own personal shortcomings. Talking with USA TODAY, Handler shared, " I didn ’ t want to write a book until I had something really to say, because I felt like I had been getting away with murder with my career for so long that it was time to pony up and actually do something of import. ” Read more .
“Life Will Be the Death of Me: …and you too!” by Chelsea Handler.  ● The buzz: In her most recent memoir, the comedian writes about her therapy sessions, her brother’s unexpected death and her own personal shortcomings. Talking with USA TODAY, Handler shared, "I didn’t want to write a book until I had something really to say, because I felt like I had been getting away with murder with my career for so long that it was time to pony up and actually do something of import.” Read more.
Spiegel & Grau
“ Howard Stern Comes Again, ” by Howard Stern. ● The buzz: The former shock jock shares interviews over the years with famous guests as well as some regrets regarding those interviews. A health scare played a large part in Stern ’ s decision to write the book. Stern told USA TODAY, “ I freaked out, and, so, it did cause me to reflect on what it is I was most proud of in my career, what is it I might want. " Read more .
“Howard Stern Comes Again,” by Howard Stern. ● The buzz: The former shock jock shares interviews over the years with famous guests as well as some regrets regarding those interviews. A health scare played a large part in Stern’s decision to write the book. Stern told USA TODAY, “I freaked out, and, so, it did cause me to reflect on what it is I was most proud of in my career, what is it I might want." Read more.
Andrew Eccles
“ Naturally Tan: A Memoir, ” by Tan France. ● The buzz: When asked why it was important that he write his memoir, " Queer Eye " star France told USA TODAY, " For me, it was really important to be able to give people insight into what it ’ s like for a (Pakistani) person of color growing up in a small town in England … I used this as an opportunity to finally tell my story my way, and hopefully be able to represent a community that I feel is so massively underrepresented. " Read more .
“Naturally Tan: A Memoir,” by Tan France.  ● The buzz: When asked why it was important that he write his memoir, "Queer Eye" star France told USA TODAY, "For me, it was really important to be able to give people insight into what it’s like for a (Pakistani) person of color growing up in a small town in England… I used this as an opportunity to finally tell my story my way, and hopefully be able to represent a community that I feel is so massively underrepresented." Read more.
St. Marin's Press
" Antoni in the Kitchen, " by Antoni Porowski. ● The buzz: " Queer Eye " star Porowski told USA TODAY what he wants people to get out of his cookbook and its recipes: " I want people to look back at recipes that have shaped them, and like food that they had on a first date or whatever it was, and just see what those dishes are for you. " Read more .
"Antoni in the Kitchen," by Antoni Porowski.  ● The buzz: "Queer Eye" star Porowski told USA TODAY what he wants people to get out of his cookbook and its recipes: "I want people to look back at recipes that have shaped them, and like food that they had on a first date or whatever it was, and just see what those dishes are for you." Read more.
Houghton Mifflin Harcourt
" The Magic Misfits: The Minor Third, " by Neil Patrick Harris. ● The buzz: This is the actor ’ s third book in his young adult fiction series about a group of friends brought together by a love of practical magic. “ It ' s kind of my ' Empire Strikes Back, ' " Harris, told USA TODAY. " This book is going to be a little more of a complication … I thought that was fun to write and I hope people like reading it. " Read more .
"The Magic Misfits: The Minor Third," by Neil Patrick Harris. ● The buzz: This is the actor’s third book in his young adult fiction series about a group of friends brought together by a love of practical magic. “It's kind of my 'Empire Strikes Back,'" Harris, told USA TODAY. "This book is going to be a little more of a complication… I thought that was fun to write and I hope people like reading it." Read more.
Little, Brown
“ Over the Top: A Raw Journey to Self-Love, ” by Jonathan Van Ness. ● The buzz: " Queer Eye " star Van Ness opens up in his memoir about being HIV-positive. He shared why he wrote about it with USA TODAY: " At the beginning (of ' Queer Eye ' ) I was really kind of nervous to talk about my HIV status and not sure if I wanted to and how I wanted to … and as I ’ ve continued to experience the world as I always have, it just became more clear to me that I wanted to be totally open with my story and be able to talk about it especially in the face of (the Trump) administration. " Read more .
“Over the Top: A Raw Journey to Self-Love,” by Jonathan Van Ness. ● The buzz: "Queer Eye" star Van Ness opens up in his memoir about being HIV-positive. He shared why he wrote about it with USA TODAY: "At the beginning (of 'Queer Eye') I was really kind of nervous to talk about my HIV status and not sure if I wanted to and how I wanted to… and as I’ve continued to experience the world as I always have, it just became more clear to me that I wanted to be totally open with my story and be able to talk about it especially in the face of (the Trump) administration." Read more.
Harper One
“ Inside Out: A Memoir, ” by Demi Moore. ● The buzz: The actress made headlines telling her own story, intimately charting her life from the insecurities of her childhood, through addiction and skyrocketing fame to motherhood. On her struggles with substance abuse, Moore writes, " The problem was, when I did have a drink, I couldn ' t stop; there was no little voice in my head saying, That ' s enough, Demi. There were no brakes. " Read more .
“Inside Out: A Memoir,” by Demi Moore.  ● The buzz: The actress made headlines telling her own story, intimately charting her life from the insecurities of her childhood, through addiction and skyrocketing fame to motherhood. On her struggles with substance abuse, Moore writes, "The problem was, when I did have a drink, I couldn't stop; there was no little voice in my head saying, That's enough, Demi. There were no brakes." Read more.
HarperCollins
“ Face it: A Memoir, ” by Debbie Harry. ● The buzz: In a ★★★ ½ (out of four stars) review for USA TODAY, Matt Damsker writes the book “ is a post-punk bijou that rewards her devotees. In between the prose, there are numerous color images of that fabulous face, much of it fan art collected over the years, along with iconic Harry photos taken by the likes of Robert Mapplethorpe and Mick Rock. ” Read more .
“Face it: A Memoir,” by Debbie Harry. ● The buzz: In a ★★★½ (out of four stars) review for USA TODAY, Matt Damsker writes the book “is a post-punk bijou that rewards her devotees. In between the prose, there are numerous color images of that fabulous face, much of it fan art collected over the years, along with iconic Harry photos taken by the likes of Robert Mapplethorpe and Mick Rock.” Read more.
Dey Street Books
“ This Is Baby, ” by Jimmy Fallon; art by Miguel Ord ó ñ ez. ● The buzz: The host of “ The Tonight Show ” admitted to USA TODAY that he wrote his first book in this children ' s series " as a joke, kind of a goof. " Then parents started sending in videos of their children reading the book back to them. “ This Is Baby ” is the third in the series, following “ Your Baby ' s First Word Will Be DADA ” and “ Everything Is Mama. ” Read more .
“This Is Baby,” by Jimmy Fallon; art by Miguel Ordóñez. ● The buzz: The host of “The Tonight Show” admitted to USA TODAY that he wrote his first book in this children's series "as a joke, kind of a goof." Then parents started sending in videos of their children reading the book back to them. “This Is Baby” is the third in the series, following “Your Baby's First Word Will Be DADA” and “Everything Is Mama.” Read more.
Feiwel & Friends
“ Me, ” by Elton John. ● The buzz: USA TODAY ’ s Patrick Ryan delved into the rock legend ’ s autobiography, which included details about his childhood, past relationships and years-long struggles with alcoholism and drug addiction. He also writes of his experiences with Michael Jackson, Freddie Mercury and Tina Turner, who, according to John, “ didn ' t like my hair, she didn ' t like the color of my piano – which for some reason had to be white – and she didn ' t like my clothes. " Read more .
“Me,” by Elton John. ● The buzz: USA TODAY’s Patrick Ryan delved into the rock legend’s autobiography, which included details about his childhood, past relationships and years-long struggles with alcoholism and drug addiction. He also writes of his experiences with Michael Jackson, Freddie Mercury and Tina Turner, who, according to John, “didn't like my hair, she didn't like the color of my piano – which for some reason had to be white – and she didn't like my clothes." Read more.
Henry Holt And Co.
“ Beautiful on the Outside: A Memoir, ” by Adam Rippon. ● The buzz: The skater went to his Twitter feed for the title of his memoir, choosing a Feb. 14, 2008 tweet as inspiration: " With everything going on in the media about me this Valentine ’ s Day I don ’ t want people to get distracted and forget how beautiful I am (on the outside). " Read more .
“Beautiful on the Outside: A Memoir,” by Adam Rippon. ● The buzz: The skater went to his Twitter feed for the title of his memoir, choosing a Feb. 14, 2008 tweet as inspiration: "With everything going on in the media about me this Valentine’s Day I don’t want people to get distracted and forget how beautiful I am (on the outside)."  Read more.
Grand Central Publishing
“ Home Work: A Memoir of My Hollywood Years, ” by Julie Andrews. ● The buzz: USA TODAY ’ s Hannah Yasharoff culled through Andrew ’ s memoir for interesting anecdotes from the famed actress ' life, including her experiences on “ Mary Poppins ” and her hesitations about starring in “ The Sound of Music. ” Read more .
“Home Work: A Memoir of My Hollywood Years,” by Julie Andrews. ● The buzz: USA TODAY’s Hannah Yasharoff culled through Andrew’s memoir for interesting anecdotes from the famed actress' life, including her experiences on “Mary Poppins” and her hesitations about starring in “The Sound of Music.” Read more.
Hachette
“ Dear Girls: Intimate Tales, Untold Secrets & Advice for Living Your Best Life, ” by Ali Wong. ● The buzz: “ Dear Girls ” is the comic ' s first book. When asked why she framed it as a series of letters to her daughters, she told USA TODAY, “ I talked in the book about a letter I got from my dad before he passed away and how it was so meaningful, but at the same time, I wish he had written more. If I did do it over, I would have interviewed him while he was sick about who he was before he became a father, his upbringing and his childhood. First and foremost, I was inspired by that. ” Read more .
“Dear Girls: Intimate Tales, Untold Secrets & Advice for Living Your Best Life,” by Ali Wong. ● The buzz: “Dear Girls” is the comic's first book. When asked why she framed it as a series of letters to her daughters, she told USA TODAY, “I talked in the book about a letter I got from my dad before he passed away and how it was so meaningful, but at the same time, I wish he had written more. If I did do it over, I would have interviewed him while he was sick about who he was before he became a father, his upbringing and his childhood. First and foremost, I was inspired by that.” Read more.
Random House
" The Beautiful Ones, " by Prince. ● The buzz: According to USA TODAY ’ s Morgan Hines, who gave the memoir ★★★★ (out of four stars), the book “ is not a read, but an experience, an immersion inside the mind of a musical genius. You are steeped in Prince ' s images, his words, his essence. “ Read more .
"The Beautiful Ones," by Prince.  ● The buzz: According to USA TODAY’s Morgan Hines, who gave the memoir ★★★★ (out of four stars), the book “is not a read, but an experience, an immersion inside the mind of a musical genius. You are steeped in Prince's images, his words, his essence. “ Read more.
Random House
“ I Am Perfectly Designed, ” by Karamo Brown with Jason " Rachel " Brown; art by Anoosha Syed. ● The buzz: Yes, this is the second book by Brown this year. In this book for children, Brown turns to the mantra he shared with his sons, Jason and Chris, when they were young, that they were “ perfectly designed. ” Brown shared with USA TODAY the one benefit of writing this book over his memoir: He got to write it with his son. " Not often do parents and children get to work on a project together, especially after your children are out of middle school or sometimes high school. " Read more .
“I Am Perfectly Designed,” by Karamo Brown with Jason "Rachel" Brown; art by Anoosha Syed.  ● The buzz: Yes, this is the second book by Brown this year. In this book for children, Brown turns to the mantra he shared with his sons, Jason and Chris, when they were young, that they were “perfectly designed.” Brown shared with USA TODAY the one benefit of writing this book over his memoir: He got to write it with his son. "Not often do parents and children get to work on a project together, especially after your children are out of middle school or sometimes high school." Read more.
Henry Holt And Co.
“ Little Weirds, ” by Jenny Slate. ● The buzz: The actress ’ unorthodox memoir details both real experiences and daydreams. Slate told USA TODAY, “ Writing this book was a wish for love, and an understanding that if I didn ’ t find a way to find a self-love, that I really just wouldn ’ t be good for anyone, including myself. " Read more .
“Little Weirds,” by Jenny Slate.  ● The buzz: The actress’ unorthodox memoir details both real experiences and daydreams. Slate told USA TODAY, “Writing this book was a wish for love, and an understanding that if I didn’t find a way to find a self-love, that I really just wouldn’t be good for anyone, including myself." Read more.
Little, Brown
" Carrie Fisher: A Life on the Edge, ” by Sheila Weller. ● The buzz: USA TODAY ’ s Charles Trepany shared several anecdotes about the actress gleaned from Weller ’ s book, including the fact that she sent flowers to famed O.J. Simpson prosecutor Marcia Clark and stood up to sexual predators in Hollywood long before the #MeToo movement. Read more .
"Carrie Fisher: A Life on the Edge,” by Sheila Weller.  ● The buzz: USA TODAY’s Charles Trepany shared several anecdotes about the actress gleaned from Weller’s book, including the fact that she sent flowers to famed O.J. Simpson prosecutor Marcia Clark and stood up to sexual predators in Hollywood long before the #MeToo movement. Read more.
Sarah Crichton
“ It ’ s Garry Shandling ’ s Book, ” edited and with an introduction by Judd Apatow. ● The buzz: Director Apatow, who both worked with the late comedian on “ The Larry Sanders Show ” and enjoyed a friendship with the comic, culled through Shandling ' s belonging to create this part scrapbook, part biography containing pictures, journal entries and letters that tell the story of Shandling ’ s life and career. " When you read someone ’ s journals, you always think there ’ s going to be a lot of darkness and bitterness and complaining, " Apatow told USA TODAY. " His journals were mainly filled with reminders to himself to be a good person. " Read more .
“It’s Garry Shandling’s Book,” edited and with an introduction by Judd Apatow. ● The buzz: Director Apatow, who both worked with the late comedian on “The Larry Sanders Show” and enjoyed a friendship with the comic, culled through Shandling's belonging to create this part scrapbook, part biography containing pictures, journal entries and letters that tell the story of Shandling’s life and career. "When you read someone’s journals, you always think there’s going to be a lot of darkness and bitterness and complaining," Apatow told USA TODAY. "His journals were mainly filled with reminders to himself to be a good person." Read more.
Random House
“ Full Circle: From Hollywood to Real Life and Back Again, ” by Andrea Barber. ● The buzz: The actress details a lifetime of depression, anxiety and postpartum depression in this memoir. “ I ' m hoping to create a culture of sharing stories, and it ' s not just sharing a hashtag, " Barber told USA TODAY. " It ' s more important when you ' re ready to share your own personal story. Writing my story was very cathartic, but sharing my story – even a glimpse – people respond. ” Read more .
“Full Circle: From Hollywood to Real Life and Back Again,” by Andrea Barber. ● The buzz: The actress details a lifetime of depression, anxiety and postpartum depression in this memoir. “I'm hoping to create a culture of sharing stories, and it's not just sharing a hashtag," Barber told USA TODAY. "It's more important when you're ready to share your own personal story. Writing my story was very cathartic, but sharing my story – even a glimpse – people respond.” Read more.
Citadel Press