50 Books By Celebrities That Are Actually Worth Your Time

Laying the foundation for his show Master of None, Ansari decided to skip the typical comedian's book of humorous essays and instead created this eye-opening examination of love in the modern world. It's basically a sociological study with laughs, and it'll have you thinking twice before your next swipe left.

The classic film star, known for movies such as The Big Sleep and How to Marry a Millionaire, opened up in 1979 about her life, including her relationship with actor Humphrey Bogart. The bestseller won a National Book Award the following year, and it's often cited as one of the great celebrity memoirs of all time.

Barrymore's shocking tell-all centers around her notorious drug addiction as a young girl. Written when Barrymore was still a teenager, Little Girl Lost lacks the filter that stilts so many similar memoirs by celebrities of an older age. The coming-of-age tale is a great read for teenagers, as well as adults fascinated by the actress's successful turn-around.

The rapper's 2010 book eschews conventional structure, and it's all the better for it. Decoded is part autobiography, with Jay opening up about his early years, including the time spent dealing drugs as a teenager. But it's also a guide to the meanings behind his lyrics — a treat, to be sure, coming from one of the greatest MC's of all time.

Too many stars attempt tell-alls when they don't actually want to tell anything. The better route for these folks is to choose a topic close to their heart and focus on that. Just ask Alba, who produced the rare wellness book respectably. Her bonafide passion for non-toxic living comes off as genuine, rather than cashing in on a hot trend.

You might recognize this comedian from his small parts in Orange is the New Black or movies such as Hot Pursuit and Trainwreck, but his best role is in Sleepwalk With Me, based on his sharp book of the same name. It includes a must-read story about his surprisingly scary struggle with sleepwalking.

When Janet Hubert was replaced by Daphne Maxwell Reid as Aunt Viv after the third season of The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air, a decades-long feud with Will Smith began. Get Hubert's side of the story in this tantalizing tell-all, which also looks back at Hubert's rise from "the hardscrabble streets of Chicago's south side."

If you only know Delaney from his (great) Amazon series, Catastrophe, you'll definitely want to check out his laugh-out-loud funny memoir. The title comes from that trope of Twitter users filling their bios with schlock like "Father, Son, Brother, Storyteller," and it's a telling hint at the amusing observations within.

The Empire and Hidden Figures star spills the tea on her Hollywood experiences, including a telling anecdote about pay disparity, in this honest memoir. Henson's charisma carries you from chapter to chapter as you discover how the past made her who she is today.

With the subtitle "Confessions of a Reality Show Villain," the season-16 Bachelor winner's book pulled back the curtain on the long-running franchise. It's required reading for fans of the show, as well as for anyone who kind of, sort of, totally wanted Ursula to defeat Ariel.

Unafraid to provoke, Dunham's signature feminism shines through every sentence as she details the hilarious parts of her life, as well as the horrific, in a thought-provoking essay collection.

Many of the books on this list owe something to the Saturday Night Live alum's blockbuster book of essays, which has sold more than 3.75 million copies. Those numbers proved readers wanted this kind of bold, feminist humor — especially when it's written in such spectacular fashion.

The Back to the Future star's heart-wrenching memoir details how he lived secretly for years with Parkinson's disease before publicly sharing the diagnosis in 1998. Fox's positivity permeates the pages, and the reader's left with a distinct feeling of hope.

The Oscar-nominated actress proved she's a lot more than just Precious in this engrossing memoir that reflects on the struggles of her childhood and her recent life. Come for the story of the time she worked as a sex phone "talker," and stay for her inspiring wisdom.

Mia Farrow delves into her relationship with Woody Allen in this difficult memoir, in which she recounts her partner beginning a relationship with her adopted daughter. She writes, "I found myself experiencing the same creeping fear I'd had as a child, after the polio: that I had unknowingly brought danger into my family and that I might have contaminated those I loved the most." It's essential reading to fully understand the renewed allegations against Allen from a few years back and the continuing fall-out.

The late, great Star Wars actress's juiciest memoir is The Princess Diarist, in which she revealed an affair with Harrison Ford. But Wishful Drinking, based on her one-woman show, is arguably the more intriguing book. Her first memoir after four novels, it's full of her signature wit.

The Mindy Project was still a year away from its birth when Kaling's first essay collection came out, and the world wasn't yet aware that her comedic genius went much further than the role of Kelly Kapoor on The Office. The book's hysterical commentary on friendship and dating turned her into a sensation, and a follow-up, Why Not Me?, was equally irresistible.

The Oscar-nominated star of Fearless and former co-host of The View reveals the truth of her distressing upbringing in her memoir, subtitled "How I Survived Sister Renata and My Crazy Mother, and Still Came Out Smiling (with Great Hair)." That aptly summarizes Perez's ability to mix cheeky humor and serious reflection upon her challenging upbringing.

The actress detailed in 2005 her journey to that point, including her childhood, her career, and her controversial activism. That last one makes this book more illuminating than your average tell-all, as does her strong, feminist point-of-view.

This reality show memoir is far better than it has any right to be. The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills star dished on her dramatic divorce from Eddie Cibrian (tabloid catnip thanks to his affair with LeAnn Rimes), and with nothing to lose, Glanville's look back is a self-deprecating romp.

There's nothing ground-breaking about this book from the stars of HGTV's Fixer Upper, but it deserves props for giving fans exactly what they want. It has all the heart and humor of the show in the form of stories such as the first renovation project the couple worked on together.

As the first African-American principal ballerina at the American Ballet Theatre, Copeland is a history-maker. It's no wonder then that her memoir is so inspiring, tracing her journey as she overcame impossible odds to change the game.

After first putting pen to paper for a novel, Someday, Someday, Maybe, in 2013, Graham followed up with an essay collection reflecting on her life and career. Gilmore Girls fans will salivate over all the heartwarming anecdotes and juicy reveals about the show, including that Graham almost had to drop out of it altogether.

Greer's perfectly titled book of essays will endear you to an actress who you probably haven't thought to Google before. She's appeared in everything from 13 Going on 30 to Arrested Development, 27 Dresses to Jurassic World, but this charming book finally gives her the proper spotlight.

Titled to trick unknowing Oprah fans, Griffin's shamelessly funny memoir is exactly as dishy and snarky as you'd hope.

Hart charts his Cinderella story from a tough childhood to a wildly successful comedic career in this memoir that doubles as an inspirational guide to finding your path in life. Suffice it to say: he's a natural storyteller from all that time on stage.

Handler's a prolific author, having written five different books in less than ten years. The later offerings can be a bit cringe-y, but this earlier work (her second book of essays) is a winning showcase for her humor. Don't miss the hilarious chapter about babysitting.

The screen legend, who holds the record for the most acting Oscars with four statues — yes, that's more than Meryl Streep's three — was known for keeping things private. She still holds some things close to the vest in this memoir, but the peak she gives behind the curtain is refreshing, especially the discussion of her 25-year affair with Spencer Tracy.

A Hollywood heartthrob in the '50s and '60s, Hunter was believed to be romancing leading lady Natalie Wood. But in this late-in-life memoir, Hunter finally came out as gay. The book's a revealing look at how Tinsel Town manufactured fame, and the burden that could place on its stars.

Huston has had a storied Hollywood career. She began spinning her tale in A Story Lately Told, but the follow-up, Watch Me, picks up with unflinching honesty about topics such as allegedly being beaten by then-boyfriend Ryan O'Neal and falling in love with Jack Nicholson.

The Daily Show host's memoir homes in on his childhood growing up in South Africa. He was born to a white father and a black mother, which as the title explains, was illegal at the time. Needless to say, this is riveting material that holds up a mirror to society in a way most celebrity memoirs do not.

Reading Kendrick's relatable Twitter feed can make it feel like she's one of your closest friends, so it's no surprise that the Pitch Perfect star's memoir is a riot. After following her quirky journey to stardom, you'll be rooting for her even harder.

Addiction is the central topic of the Red Hot Chili Peppers frontman's memoir, which details his drug struggles starting at age eleven. Ultimately, Kiedis comes out on the other side clean, making this an inspirational tool for those fighting the same battle.

Known as the Laverne half of Laverne & Shirley, Marshall's also the accomplished director of movies such as Big and A League of Their Own. Her memoir's a delight that includes appearances from big names like Robert De Niro, Whitney Houston, Tom Hanks, and Mark Wahlberg.

It takes a lot of grit to become, oh, just the greatest gymnast of all time. Beginning with a childhood in foster care, Biles breaks down how she faced adversity and came out on top thanks to her faith and her family. Keep the Kleenex handy.

Fans of Blanche Devereaux's risqué one-liners on The Golden Girls will surely appreciate McClanahan's memoir. That self-aware title alone makes this one worth picking up, as does the fact that she really does explore the ups and downs of her past marriages.

Co-written with his daughter Hana, this spiritual memoir tackles topics including love, friendship, and respect, weaving Ali's personal anecdotes with his religious reflections. You don't have to practice any faith in particular to appreciate the wisdom of this beloved Heavyweight Champion.

In this gutsy memoir, Remini takes on the Church of Scientology, denouncing the controversial organization after having spent most of her life as a member. See also: her revealing A&E docuseries, Leah Remini: Scientology and the Aftermath.

After the 1995 cancelation of her ABC show, All-American Girl, Cho became addicted to drugs and alcohol. In this honest and raw memoir — an extension of Cho's hugely successful one-woman show of the same name — the comedian and trailblazer lays it all out there.

The iconic country singer doesn't lay her soul bare in this memoir, but as with any Dolly Parton record, you can't help but fall for the warmth and generosity of spirit. You'll get the squeaky-clean version of her life, and in this case, that's enough.

Many of your favorite comedians working today cite Richard Pryor as an idol, and for good reason. But the pioneering stand-up got serious in this memoir about his cocaine use, his six marriages, and his multiple sclerosis.

Far before Radziwill was fighting it out with Countess Luann on The Real Housewives of New York, she penned this devastating memoir about the loss of her husband, Anthony Radziwill, as well as his cousin John F. Kennedy Jr. and Carolyn Bessette-Kennedy. A former journalist, Radziwill knows how to craft a narrative and evoke emotion in a manner that never feels exploitative. Even Oprah Winfrey is a fan.

If you love Issa Rae's Insecure, or even if you've never seen it, you'll want to check out her collection of essays. They're full of terribly uncomfortable situations that'll have you shouting into the page, "BEEN THERE!" That is, if you can stop laughing long enough to do so.

The Rolling Stones guitarist talks about a lot of things in his memoir — it's called Life, after all — but the most notable reason to pick it up is for the frank discussion of his up-and-down relationship with bandmate Mick Jagger. Don't worry, there's also plenty of sex, drugs, and rock-and-roll.

One of the most powerful people in television serves up inspiration by the truck-load in this memoir about the year she decided to stop saying "no" to things. The Scandal and Grey's Anatomy creator is exactly the role model and therapist you've been searching for.

One of the biggest comedic stars working today, Schumer could have gotten away with a memoir that stays in shallow water. But this book dives right into the deep end, with irreverent stories of sex, dating, and all the weird stuff in between. Plus, she's not afraid to talk frankly about the difficult parts of her life, including abuse, sexual assault, and her dad's illness.

A star on the rise, Robinson's known for her 2 Dope Queens podcast and has appeared on TV shows such as Broad City and I Love Dick. Her book of essays examines her experience as a black woman in America with passion and humor. She's one to watch.

The legendary musician got raw in her memoir, chronicling her relationship with photographer Robert Mapplethorpe in New York of the '60s and '70s. Janis Joplin, William Burroughs, and Jimi Hendrix all show up in the pages, and the book ultimately won Smith the coveted National Book Award for Nonfiction.

The Boss named his memoir after one of his most beloved albums, which is fitting given how well the book was received. It's deeply thorough — Springsteen spent nine years writing it — and packed with revelations both personal and professional that even die-hard fans will be surprised to read.

The queen of rock-and-roll opened up about her abusive relationship with ex-husband Ike Turner in this memoir, which was adapted into the movie What's Love Got to Do with It, starring Angela Bassett as Tina. The book, co-written by MTV News's Kurt Loder, comes with incredible depth.