Jay Ellis, the Turning Point star, reveals his six favorite books in Page Six’s Page-Turners series, a feature that asks celebrities to reveal the titles that keep them hooked, inspired and up all night. He has a deeply held view of books: they are sacred, he says, and they serve as knowledge, entertainment, a vehicle for self reflection and a playground for the imagination. Ellis notes that his relationship with reading took years to develop; his own book, Did Everyone Have an Imaginary Friend (or Just Me)?, was released in paperback on Sept. 16. Today, he splits his time between nonfiction that he reads during the day and fiction he savors in the evening.
These days, he prefers to read a nonfiction book throughout the day before settling into a good fiction book in the evenings. See below for the “Insecure” star’s six must-read book recommendations.
Ellis’s six picks span memoir, craft, social satire, culinary storytelling, sports psychology and race, offering a window into how literature informs his craft and worldview. The list begins with a powerful memoir and moves through essays on creativity, speculative satire and beyond.
Heavy by Kiese Laymon anchors the set. “This book hits like a confession, a sermon and a roast all at the same time — Laymon is brutally honest and still wildly hilarious. He makes you feel seen in places you didn’t even know needed light. It left me both shook and grateful.”
The Creative Act: A Way of Being by Rick Rubin sits next. “Rubin basically tells us to stop overthinking and let the magic happen, which is both freeing and slightly annoying because… easier said than done, Rick. But also, thank you! Still, the man knows how to put words to the vibes of creativity like nobody else. I walked away feeling like art isn’t just something to make, it’s a way of breathing.”
Friday Black by Nana Kwame Adjei-Brenyah follows. “These stories are wild, funny, and sharp enough to cut you — like Black Mirror with more melanin and more heart. Adjei-Brenyah takes everyday absurdity and turns it into social commentary that hits in the chest. It’s satire that made me laugh, then immediately feel guilty about laughing.”
Eat a Peach by David Chang appears next. “Chang writes like he cooks—playful, bold, and unapologetically honest. He’s not afraid to show the ugly parts of chasing perfection, and that’s what makes it stick. By the end, I was rooting for him like he’s my boy, even in the moments I couldn’t stand him.”
The Mamba Mentality by Kobe Bryant follows. “Kobe gives you the playbook not just for basketball, but for attacking life like it owes you rent. It’s part photo album, part masterclass in obsession. If you’ve ever wondered what it looks like to chase greatness without blinking, this is it.”
Between the World and Me by Ta-Nehisi Coates rounds out the list. “Coates writes with the intimacy of a father, but the weight of history is on every page. It’s raw, lyrical, and heavy in the best way—like being let in on a secret that’s been sitting in plain sight. This is the kind of book I underlined so much it felt like I was vandalizing it.”
Ellis’s selections reflect a broad curiosity about how literature shapes tone, craft and conscience. The books span styles and eras, yet they converge on a common thread: reading as a practice that informs how he approaches performance, storytelling and everyday life. The actor has described Book culture as a conduit for self-discovery and imaginative risk-taking, a stance that aligns with his on-screen work and public persona.
His own project, a forthcoming paperback edition of Did Everyone Have an Imaginary Friend (or Just Me)?, sits alongside his reading life as a source of personal reflection and public curiosity. Page Six’s Page-Turners series, which runs in culture-focused coverage, invites stars to share the titles that keep them grounded while they navigate demanding schedules and creative pressures. Ellis’s list—built around nonfiction heavyweights, creative manifestos and provocative fiction—illustrates a deliberate, workaday relationship with reading rather than a casual pastime.
The six picks underscore a belief that books can sharpen perception, widen empathy and fuel a career in a demanding industry. Ellis frames reading as both a field guide and a mirror, a combination he says has shaped his approach to acting, writing and life. The Page-Turners feature, rooted in a long-running celebrity-reading motif, offers readers a chance to glimpse a more intimate routine of artists who routinely mesmerize audiences on screen.
As Page Six reports, Ellis’s reading habits involve a day-time nonfiction rhythm and an evening immersion in fiction, a cadence that mirrors a broader trend among performers who balance journalistic clarity with creative exploration. The six-volume list serves as a compact map of influences—from Laymon’s unflinching honesty to Rubin’s creative philosophy, Adjei-Brenyah’s biting satire, Chang’s candid kitchen stories, Bryant’s relentless pursuit of excellence, and Coates’s meditations on race and history.
The feature also highlights the role of reading in contemporary culture and in the entertainment industry, where celebrities like Ellis use literature to sharpen sensibility and expand the ranges of character and voice. Ellis says books are not only entertainment but a vital instrument for self-reflection, and his six picks offer a spectrum of voices and perspectives that can inform both craft and daily life. The Page-Turners column continues to invite readers to consider which titles might travel with them through long shoots, quiet nights and the pursuit of new creative horizons.