Penn Badgley Shares Six Books That Shaped His Life and Writing

NEW YORK, NY — Penn Badgley, known for his role as Joe Goldberg in the Netflix series “You,” recently reflected on his love for literature during a Zoom interview. The 38-year-old actor discussed his upcoming book, “Crushmore: Essays on Love, Loss, and Coming-of-Age,” which he co-wrote with Sophie Ansari and Nava Kavelin, cohosts of his podcast.

“Reading has always been the way that I learned the most,” Badgley said as he cradled his infant. He shared how his childhood experiences, particularly being homeschooled, influenced his understanding of the world and inspired his writing.

In celebration of his book release, Badgley listed six books that have profoundly impacted him. The first was “Thief of Always,” which he read at around nine years old. He remembers it as a mysterious and intense book that opened his eyes to concepts of horror and existential dread.

Next, Badgley mentioned “Calvin and Hobbes,” recalling that his five-year-old son recently requested to read the collection. He described it as his first literary experience with humor, noting its accurate depiction of childhood and the complex loneliness of its main character.

He also discussed “Leopold’s Ghost,” a nonfiction book he read in 2009. This book profoundly affected his political outlook during the Obama years, making him confront the realities of racism and the evils of the slave trade in the Congo, leading him towards moral and spiritual changes.

Another influential text for Badgley was “The Hidden Words” by Bahá’u’lláh. He revealed that reading this tiny yet dense book sparked his interest in becoming a Baha’i, profoundly shaping his worldview during a three-month period where he read it daily.

He also praised James Baldwin’s “The Fire Next Time,” highlighting Baldwin’s unique ability to convey the Black experience and challenge readers, particularly white audiences, to confront social constructs of race.

Lastly, Badgley reflected on “Parable of the Sower” by Octavia Butler. He said this book was notable for its truthful and hopeful portrayal of humanity in a dystopian setting, distinguishing itself from other speculative fiction.

Badgley’s reflections serve as a testament to how powerful literature can be in shaping one’s identity and beliefs, particularly in the landscape of contemporary life.