Even though Eminem is known for his impressive word usage in his songs, he’s not much of a reader. In fact, he’s only ever read one book from cover to cover. Was it one of the Twilight or Harry Potter books? Perhaps Upton Sinclair’s The Jungle? Maybe some book he read back in school, like Flowers for Algernon or Where the Red Fern Grows? Perhaps …
But no. The only book Eminem’s ever read is LL Cool J’s book, I Make My Own Rules, and even though he’s not that into books, he’s “always been good at English and I always had a lot of words in my vocabulary.”
I don’t mean to sound like some kind of reading elitist, but that makes me sad. Books have given me so, so much, and to think that this guy’s only read LL Cool J’s autobiography just hurts. Besides, think about how awesome it would be if Eminem could toss in some clever literary allusions in his songs. I know it would make me smile.
I’m thinking of compiling a reading list for Eminem. So far I have Where the Red Fern Grows (I don’t know why I keep thinking of this book for him, but there’s something there) and maybe Flowers in the Attic, just for funzies. What would you guys recommend for Eminem?
Marilyn Manson’s “A Long Hard Road Out of Hell” was really amazing. Although it’s another autobiography, it’s actually really well written and motivational.
The Bonfire of the Vanities — the miseries of New York in the 80s, well good. I’m loving it.
1984 – for some reason I think he’d like it
East of Eden – say what you will about Steinbeck, but it’s by far his best book
Huckleberry Finn – the language would appeal to him, and the message is amazing.
I was going to suggest East of Eden, too! Amazing book, and for some reason I can see Eminem loving it, probably because it’s so angsty.
Eminem is a tool.
Eminem should read something that teaches him not to be such an obnoxious, homophobic, wife beating douchebag. C’mon! Are you really surprised that this guy’s never read a damn book?
dude you need to shut the fuck up ur just a hating litttle prick and need to take the dick out your ass because you dont understand freedom of speach and Eminems musical genius, coming from a music producer he is a musical genius you dont know man you have no clue. By the way if you think that everything that is in an artists lyrics he or she does, man you need to take a dose of reality.
Em should read Darran Shan, any Shan book realy, he’s very dark. I think Em would get ino it.
He should read MY SON MARSHALL MY SON EMINEM BY HIS MOTHER
I don’t think Eminem should read any books that do not have things he wont be able to reference because as a reward for him reading them he should at least be able to write about them in some raps. So maybe not some of the good novels like “Flowers for Algernon.” There are tons of other good novels however that I think he could use, like “The Catcher in the Rye,” first of all because “Holden Caulfield” rhymes with a dumpster truck full of stuff and second I bet he could relate it when he talks about being one of those children with nothing to look forward to in life.