Dive into the literary world of Tom Hanks, Actor & Filmmaker.

Tom Hanks is one of Hollywood's most beloved and versatile actors, whose career spans decades with roles that have captured the hearts and imaginations of audiences worldwide. Born in 1956 in Concord, California, Hanks rose to fame in the 1980s with starring roles in films like "Big" and "Splash." Over the years, he has portrayed a wide array of characters, from the lovable Forrest Gump to the heroic Captain Miller in "Saving Private Ryan." His performances have earned him numerous accolades, including two Academy Awards for Best Actor. Hanks is also known for his voice role as Woody in the "Toy Story" series, further cementing his place in cinematic history.

Reading non-fiction is the only way I can escape my brain.❞ — Tom Hanks

Aside from his acting career, Tom Hanks is an enthusiastic reader and has a particular fondness for historical non-fiction and narratives that delve deep into the American experience. His love for reading has also influenced his venture into writing; Hanks has published a collection of short stories, "Uncommon Type," where he explores various themes through the common thread of typewriters—another of his passions. His reading habits enrich his understanding of characters and settings, influencing his craft and storytelling abilities.

Tom Hanks' Favorite Books

Last Updated: May 2024

Wedding Toasts I'll Never Give

Ada Calhoun presents a candid, heartfelt collection of essays on the complexities, challenges, and unexpected joys of married life, drawing from personal experience and the realities that traditional vows tend to overlook.

The Future Is History: How Totalitarianism Reclaimed Russia

Masha Gessen traces the rise of authoritarianism in modern Russia through the intertwined lives of several individuals born at the crossroads of Russia's collapse and resurgence.

Crime and Punishment

Fyodor Dostoevsky's intense psychological novel follows the mental anguish and moral dilemmas of Rodion Raskolnikov, an impoverished ex-student in St. Petersburg who formulates and executes a plan to kill an unscrupulous pawnbroker.
Also recommended by:
Jordan Peterson  Woody Harrelson 

Redshirts

John Scalzi's science fiction novel humorously explores the lives of the low-ranking crew members aboard a starship who discover they are actually characters in a dangerously scripted television show.

Midnight In Europe

In this historical spy novel by Alan Furst, a Spanish lawyer recruited by the anti-Fascist coalition embarks on a dangerous mission across Europe to secure arms for the Spanish Civil War as World War II looms on the horizon.

A Gentleman in Moscow

Amor Towles tells the story of Count Alexander Rostov, who is sentenced to house arrest in a luxury hotel across from the Kremlin, where he lives through decades of tumultuous Russian history.
Also recommended by:
Bill Gates 

Spies of the Balkans

A thrilling historical novel by Alan Furst that follows a Greek police officer who becomes involved in a network of espionage during World War II as he tries to save lives from the encroaching Axis powers.
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