Keanu Reeves is a Canadian actor renowned for his versatility and humility in Hollywood. His career spans several decades, featuring a wide range of roles that showcase his adaptability and depth as an actor. Born in Beirut, Lebanon in 1964, and raised in Toronto, Canada, Reeves first gained attention for his performance in comedies like "Bill and Ted's Excellent Adventure." However, it was his roles in action films such as "Speed" and the "Matrix" trilogy that solidified his status as a major Hollywood star. More recently, he has captivated audiences with his portrayal of the titular character in the "John Wick" series, which has been acclaimed for its stylish execution and intense action sequences.
❝I try not to think about my life. I have no life. I need therapy.❞ — Keanu Reeves
Reeves is known for his contemplative and introspective nature, traits that are reflected in his interest in reading and exploring various philosophical and literary works. His performances often hint at a deeper understanding of his characters' psyches, enriched by his broad reading habits. While specific details about his favorite books are not extensively documented, Reeves' interviews and public appearances reveal a thoughtful person who appreciates the insights and escapism that reading provides. His philosophical inquiries and nuanced performances suggest a lifelong engagement with a range of texts, from fiction to philosophy.
Keanu Reeves' Favorite Books
Last Updated: July 2024
The Butcher
Author: Alina Reyes
Publisher: Methuen
Date: Jan 12th, 1991
This erotic novella explores the intense, sensual relationship between a young woman and a butcher, delving into themes of desire, power, and the visceral nature of human connection.
Licks of Love: Short Stories and a Sequel
Author: John Updike
Publisher: Knopf
Date: Nov 7th, 2000
This collection includes short stories that explore themes of love and relationships, as well as a novella sequel to the Rabbit series, "Rabbit Remembered," which revisits the Angstrom family after Harry's death.
Remembrance of Things Past
Author: Marcel Proust
Publisher: Random House
Date: May 12th, 1981
Proust's monumental work explores memory, time, and the nature of art through the narrator's reflections on his experiences and relationships in late 19th- and early 20th-century France.
The Return of the King
Author: J.R.R. Tolkien
Publisher: William Morrow
Date: Mar 3rd, 1988
In the final installment of "The Lord of the Rings," Tolkien concludes the epic quests of Frodo and his fellowship as they fight to end the reign of Sauron and restore peace to Middle-earth.
A Sport and a Pastime
Author: James Salter
Publisher: Modern Library
Date: May 10th, 1995
Salter's novel narrates the passionate love affair between a young American man and a French girl in provincial France, capturing the intensity and fleeting nature of youthful romance.
Cosmopolis: A Novel
Author: Don DeLillo
Publisher: Scribner
Date: Mar 25th, 2003
DeLillo's novel follows a billionaire asset manager's odyssey through Manhattan in his stretch limousine, offering a critique of capitalism, technology, and existential ennui in the early 21st century.
The Overstory: A Novel
Author: Richard Powers
Publisher: W. W. Norton & Company
Date: Apr 3rd, 2018
Richard Powers weaves together the interconnected lives of nine characters and their relationships to trees and nature, in a sweeping epic that explores the profound connection between humans and the natural world.
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Rabbit Redux
Author: John UPDIKE
Publisher: Alfred A. Knopf
Date: Jan 12th, 1971
In the second installment of the Rabbit series, Harry "Rabbit" Angstrom faces the turmoil of the 1960s, dealing with issues of race, politics, and personal change as his life is upended by new relationships and societal shifts.
Cloud Atlas: A Novel
Author: David Mitchell
Publisher: Random House
Date: Nov 20th, 2012
An intricate tale where six interlinked narratives spanning different time periods and genres explore how individual actions and consequences ripple through time, ultimately influencing one another in profound ways.
In Search of Lost Time
Author: Marcel Proust
Publisher: Modern Library
Date: Jun 3rd, 2003
Proust's monumental work, a seven-volume masterpiece of 20th-century literature, examines the intricacies of time, memory, and desire, chronicling the narrator's experiences in French high society and his quest to define himself and his past.
Notes from Underground
Author: Fyodor Dostoevsky
Publisher: Vintage
Date: Aug 30th, 1994
In this seminal existentialist novel, Dostoevsky delves into the thoughts and musings of a bitter, isolated man living in St. Petersburg, whose ramblings address his criticisms of society and insights into the human condition.
Say Uncle: Poems
Author: Kay Ryan
Publisher: Grove Press
Date: Sep 30th, 2000
Ryan's poetry collection features her characteristic wit and precision, offering concise, thought-provoking reflections on everyday life and the human experience.
The Brothers Karamazov
Author: Fyodor Dostoevsky
Publisher: Farrar, Straus and Giroux
Date: Jun 14th, 2002
This profound novel delves into the lives of the Karamazov family, focusing on their internal moral struggles, profound philosophical dialogues, and the search for faith and meaning amidst personal tragedy.
The Count of Monte Cristo
Author: Alexandre Dumas
Publisher: Penguin Classics
Date: Aug 27th, 2013
Dumas's classic adventure novel tells the story of Edmond Dantès, who is wrongfully imprisoned and embarks on a quest for revenge and redemption after escaping from prison and uncovering a hidden fortune.
Rabbit At Rest
Author: John Updike
Publisher: Alfred A. Knopf
Date: Sep 26th, 1990
In the final novel of the series, an aging Harry "Rabbit" Angstrom contemplates his life and legacy while dealing with health issues and family tensions in the late 1980s.
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The Fellowship of the Ring
Author: J.R.R. Tolkien
Publisher: William Morrow
Date: Mar 3rd, 1988
The first book in J.R.R. Tolkien's epic fantasy trilogy, "The Lord of the Rings," where a young hobbit, Frodo Baggins, begins his perilous journey to destroy an ancient ring that embodies ultimate power and evil.
The Niagara River: Poems
Author: Kay Ryan
Publisher: Grove Press
Date: Aug 17th, 2005
This poetry collection showcases Ryan's concise, accessible style, with poems that explore themes of nature, perception, and the subtleties of language.
Molecular Gastronomy: Exploring the Science of Flavor
Author: Hervé This
Publisher: Columbia University Press
Date: Jan 4th, 2006
This groundbreaking book investigates the science behind cooking, examining how chemical reactions and physical processes influence flavor and texture in food.
Kinski Uncut: The Autobiography of Klaus Kinski
Author: Klaus Kinski
Publisher: Viking Adult
Date: Aug 1st, 1996
Kinski's raw and controversial autobiography provides a candid, often shocking account of his tumultuous life, career, and intense personality.
Rabbit Is Rich
Author: John Updike
Publisher: Knopf
Date: Sep 12th, 1981
Set in the 1970s, the third novel in the series finds Harry "Rabbit" Angstrom enjoying newfound prosperity as the owner of a Toyota dealership, but grappling with midlife crises and family challenges.
The Elementary Particles
Author: Michel Houellebecq
Publisher: Vintage
Date: Feb 6th, 2001
Houellebecq's novel examines the lives of two half-brothers, exploring themes of existential despair, sexuality, and the impact of modern scientific advances on human identity and society.
Rabbit, Run
Author: John Updike
Publisher: Random House Trade Paperbacks
Date: Aug 27th, 1996
This novel follows Harry "Rabbit" Angstrom, a former high school basketball star, as he impulsively flees his stifling suburban life in search of freedom and meaning.