From Emma to Lupita: What 19 of Our Fave Celebs Are Reading RN

If you need a book that’ll reignite your love for reading, try getting some inspo from an unlikely source this summer. We’re not talking about soliciting a suggestion from your local library, that hot cashier at the Barnes & Noble or Oprah Winfrey (hail the OG queen of the book club). We’re talkin’ about getting tips on what pages to get lost in from celebs. The rich and famous are diving into saucy reads, enjoying the classics and even boning up on the Declaration of Independence (seriously). Here are the books 19 of our fave celebs are pouring over RN.

1. Emma Watson: We love Emma Watson‘s choice of Hunger Made Me a Modern Girl($14),a memoir by Carrie Brownstein of Sleater-Kinney and Portlandia fame. This is part of her rad feminist book club, Our Shared Shelf, which we should all be members of.

2. Carrie Brownstein: Seeing Emma Watson reading Carrie Brownstein’s memoir made us wonder what Carrie’s been reading lately. She recently delved into I’m Very into You: Correspondence 1995–1996($13), emails between writers Kathy Acker and McKenzie Wark. A bit voyeuristic and super intellectual, their flirty email exchange will have you hooked from page one.

3. Lea Michele: “Cozy at home with some of my favorite things.” And what cozy things they are. Beneath the pearls is a copy of The Regulars($14) by Georgia Clark, about three girls livin’ in New York City whose lives magically become far more complicated.

4. Reese Witherspoon: Did you know Reese Witherspoon has a book club too? If not, you should! Currently, members are engrossed in Truly Madly Guilty ($12) by Liane Moriarty, the same author who wrote Big Little Lies (which totes makes sense, since Reese is starring as Madeline Martha Mackenzie in the TV adaptation of that novel).

5. Lena Dunham: Lena, a big reader who’s constantly covering the hottest reads on her website Lenny Letter, has a pile of books to get through, including The Kingdom of Ordinary Time: Poems ($15) by Marie Howe, Moody Bitches ($14) by Julie Holland, The Old Man and Me ($10) by Elaine Dundy and All The Poems: Stevie Smith ($19).

6. Sarah Jessica Parker: SJP is all about The Glorious Heresies($7) by Lisa McInerney. “A book and tale to be reckoned with. Ms. McInerney should pull up a seat next to McPherson, McCann, McCourt and all the Irish greats. I gobbled this up and mourned the last page. Completely fulfilling, devastating and perfectly captures life in the city of Cork. ‘Fecking’ Brilliant,” SJP writes.

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The stuff

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7. Kat Dennings: She shared a pic of The Phantom Tollbooth ($6) by Norton Juste. “The stuff,” Kat writes. Nuff said. This is a must-read for anyone — no matter how old you are.

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Air travel without a toddler is goddamn spa day.

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8. Olivia Wilde: The actress and mom was able to grab some “me time,” so she dived into perhaps the most talked about book of the last year, Fates and Furies($9) by Lauren Groff. President Obama dubbed this his number one book of 2015, so we bet Olivia’s fitting in a few pages whenever she can.

9. Uzo Abuda: The Orange Is the New Black actress is re-reading (it must be good!) a modern classic, The Alchemist. ($10). “One of my all-time favorite books. I’m reading it for the third time and I’m still in love. This book, by Paulo Coelho, is one that I pick up when going through a life transition — always a new gem to be found. I believe this is a book that finds you. It found me, and I’ve been grateful ever since,” she captions her pic.

10. Taylor Schilling: Of Lust & Wonder: A Memoir ($16) by Augusten Burroughs, the other OITNB star writes: “With astounding wit, this book lays out intimate moments that make it feel generally easier to be a broken-hearted and messy human. Was the best company. I am so happy this man is in the world.”

11. Willow Shields:The Hunger Games actress is going for a classic with The Illustrated Man ($5) by Ray Bradbury. Famous for it’s powerful storytelling and blending of sci-fi, fantasy and horror, this one will have you thinking about the issues it brings up way after the last page.

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vigilante that can read good

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12. Willa Holland: Actress Willa Holland delved into an old-school copy of The Abortion: An Historical Romance 1966 ($28), written by Richard Brautigan in 1971.

13. Lupita Nyong’o: While on vacay in Bali, Lupita relaxed by reading the bestseller and award-winning novel Euphoria ($10) by Lily King. Perhaps she chose it because it’s set on another Pacific island, Papua New Guinea.

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Yes please!

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14. Zooey Deschanel: What’s the New Girl star excited to read? The Legend of Zelda: Hyrule Historia ($23). Yass. We can feel even more geeky guys going crazy for Zooey.

15. Jenny Slate: “Huh. Found this lil thing in the bookstore. Thinkin’ I’ll give it a whirl? STRAIGHT UP LOL TO ME BUYING THE DECLARATION OF INDEPENDENCE BUT ITS PERFECT FOR MY VIBE RIGHT NOW,” Jenny writes. Yup, she picked up The Declaration of Independence and Other Great Documents of American History 1775-1865 ($3) for some light reading. Hey, no better time than an election year, right?

16. Cara Delevingne: “My incredibly inspiring friend @allyhilfiger just wrote this book on #lymedisease #bitemethebook,” Cara captions her goofy pic. We love that she’s supporting Tommy Hilfiger’s daughter Ally and her book Bite Me: How Lyme Disease Stole My Childhood, Made Me Crazy and Almost Killed Me($12).

17. Miley Cyrus: Her coffee table is all “#psychedelicreadingmaterial.” Yes, yes it is.

18. Mindy Kaling: Mindy is totally feeling (and eating) Chrissy Teigen’s best-selling cookbook, Cravings ($18). “Hands down my favorite cookbook is #cravingscookbook by the wonderful @chrissyteigen. On the right are two of my favorite recipes: King’s Hawaiian BLPTS and pot pie soup. I die. Get this book and do a full Julie and Julia with it like I’m doing,” Mindy says. YUM!

19. Emma Roberts:The Scream Queens actress chose The Cities I’ve Never Lived In($11)by Sara Majka as her beach read, saying it’sbreathtaking, lyrical and thought provoking. Don’t want it to end!”

Which celeb would you want to be in a book club with? Tweet us @BritandCo and let us know.

Brit + Co may at times use affiliate links to promote products sold by others, but always offers genuine editorial recommendations.

(Featured photo via Getty)

Aging is inevitable, and with it comes all the signs of aging within our skin. A loss of elasticity can result in more fine lines and wrinkles, a longer time spent outside can result in dark-looking sun spots, and a natural decrease in oil production can result in pesky, pesky dryness. Luckily, there’s a serum for that!

These are the best serums for women in their 30s and 40s to combat signs of aging and foster glowy, youthful skin.

Amazon

Caudalie Vinoperfect Brightening Dark Spot Serum

If dark spots and uneven skin tone have crept into your skin over the years, this serum tackles it all. It's formulated with a vitamin C alternative called viniferine that's 62 times more effective than vitamin C. Plus, it delivers a lot of moisture using olive squalene.

Promising review: "I have used this product before and I love it. It's a little costly, but it works great in eliminating dark spots, if you use it every day. I'm not a person that's big on smells, but this product has a nice light scent. It works great under makeup. I'm on my third bottle and highly recommend it."

Sephora

Dieux Deliverance Antioxidant & Niacinamide Serum

Dieux's Deliverance serum packs a punch against discoloration using antioxidants, peptides, and 4% niacinamide. It goes on super lightweight and soaks in even faster, which is ideal for layering under other skincare goodies like moisturizer and SPF.

Promising review: "Loving this serum so much! It has a very lightweight and milky texture, that melts into the skin effortlessly. I’ve been using the serum for a few weeks and I can notice my fine lines look smoother and my skin overall looks firmer and more even toned! It also doesn’t clog the pores which I love! It has been my go to nighttime serum, the results are just so good!"

Amazon

Murad Retinol Youth Renewal Serum

This youth-boosting serum is loaded with a fast-acting retinoid, a time-release retinol, and a retinol booster to really target fine lines. Not only will your skin look (and appear!) firmer, its tone will even out and be more hydrated with consistent use.

Promising review: "I have been using Murad products for several years. Some of their products are a little pricey but they work for me! Retinol I use every other night and it does not break me out or dry my face. I am in my mid 60's! Can tell a difference much smoother and lines not nearly as noticeable!"

Fig.1

Fig.1 Retinol Night Cream Level 1

Fig.1's commitment to clinically proven skincare is evident in this retinol-boosted serum. It's perfect for treating and improving fine lines and wrinkles and dark spots, plus it's helpful for clearing up acne-prone skin. The 0.15% encapsulated retinol is designed to release slowly, so you can apply it regularly without feeling irritated.

Promising review: "I have sensitive, dry and cystic-acne prone skin. It sounds like exaggerating to say that this product was the most impactful in calming my cystic acne, but this is the only product that resulted in a 80-85% reduction in cystic acne. I started using it once per week for about a month, then every other day for a month, then 5-6 days a week with one or two rest days with only minimal dryness (i increased moisturizing barriers underneath every other day and this quickly resolved). I have also seen overall improved skin texture and fading of acne scarring. Definitely recommend!"

Amazon

L'Oreal Paris Revitalift 0.3% Pure Retinol Night Serum

This nighttime serum includes 0.3% pure retinol, the "optimal concentration" for results. It calms the skin, too, using hyaluronic acid and glycerin to hydrate. SPF is a must with any retinol product, so make sure to slather it on! This product in particular also comes with a small sample size so you can patch-test it for any irritation before applying it.

Promising review: "I have been trialing for a year now the best quality skin items for wrinkles, fine line and skin care. This is an absolute must! It helps decrease fine lines and dry skin. I have spent hundreds of dollars reviewing and buying skin care products over the year to find the right items for a daily skin care routine!"

Amazon

Vichy LiftActiv Vitamin C Serum

Vitamin C is a powerhouse in combatting dullness and dark spots, and this serum is simply loaded with it. The formula is light and thin, so you only need to use a little bit at a time to cover your entire face. It also boasts hyaluronic acid and vitamin E to simultaneously smooth and hydrate the skin!

Promising review: "I love this product! I have used other Vit C serums and this one spreads more easily and does not irritate my face. I like the applicator because not too much comes out at one time so you don't waste any of it. I put about 4 drops in my hands and spread it out on my face. The only thing to be careful about is not to get it close to your eyes because it will burn. Otherwise, it has lightened and evened out my 67 year old skin. Will buy again."

Amazon

The Ordinary Hyaluronic Acid 2% + B5 Serum

Hyaluronic acid should be your go-to if dryness is your main skincare concern. This formula is created with several different molecular weights of hyaluronic acid to deeply penetrate the skin as well as leave a nice, dewy layer on top of it. Use it in conjunction with a good moisturizer, and you'll notice that your skin will be loads more hydrated!

Promising review: "Just purchased another 2 pack of the serum. I have been on a mission to find the best affordable skincare for many years, and so far this is the first hyaluronic serum I've been overjoyed with and purchased again. It does not take a whole lot to get a good coverage and my face ends up feeling soft and smooth all day after applying. Other ones I've tried would not moisturize that well for that long and I felt like I had to use a lot of product to get anywhere near the results I wanted."

Drunk Elephant

Drunk Elephant T.L.C. Framboos Glycolic Night Serum

This gentle exfoliating serum includes both AHAs and BHAs, which help improve the look of pores, blemishes, and fine lines. With aging skin, it's important to opt for chemical exfoliants like this rather than skin-damaging methods of physical exfoliation which can further perpetuate uneven tone and texture and fine lines.

Promising review: "This serum is a staple in my routine. It brightens my skin tone and smooths out any texture issues I might have. It's never irritating. It goes on a bit sticky if applied alone, but give it a minute to sink in and dry and the sticky texture goes away. Great staple acid serum."

Ulta

Pacifica Vegan Collagen Complex Face Serum with Hyaluronic Acid

Since we produce less natural collagen as we age, it can be uber-important to supplement the skin with it in order to boost its overall hydration and retention capabilities. This 100% vegan formula also packs in hyaluronic acid, floral extracts, and Japanese camellia oil to further hydrate and soothe your complexion.

Promising review: "I've been using this serum for a while now and iI can really tell a difference when I sit using it for a bit. I try to stay on top of ordering it so I don't run out! It's so lightweight and absorbs well. I love how firm and even toned my skin looks because of it. I get compliments on my complexion and I know it's because of this serum."

Mutha

Mutha Hyaluronic Serum

This "skin barrier-loving" serum may be notably lightweight and oil-free, but it delivers intense results in terms of hydration. It includes 4 different molecular weights of hyaluronic acid to ensure your skin is hydrated, inside and out. It also features anti-inflammatory aloe vera and botanical extracts and ferments that protect the skin's natural barrier.

Promising review: "I am in my mid-40s and want to do what I can to prevent the signs of aging, so I've been looking for a good Hyaluronic serum. This one by Mutha is exactly what I needed! It is gentle and soothing, absorbs easily with no greasiness, is unscented and not at all irritating to my skin. It works well under makeup and with the rest of my skincare routine. A little goes a long way so one bottle will last a long time. I just wish I had this sooner!"

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Brit + Co may at times use affiliate links to promote products sold by others, but always offers genuine editorial recommendations.

It's official: Blue Ivy looks totally grown up now — especially in her gorgeous gold gown at the Mufasa: The Lion Kingpremiere. It honestly feels like just yesterday that Beyoncé announced she was born, and now she's a star in her own right! She celebrated her Disney film debut with her family by her side on the red carpet (and everyone looking as gorgeous as ever).

While Jay-Z was one of the latest celebrities caught in the crosshairs of P. Diddy allegations, it didn't stop mom and dad from showing their unwavering support. The family put on a united front, smiling for the cameras and praising Blue's work on her latest Disney film, further proving that they're in this together. Here's everything we know!

Details about the Mufasa: The Lion King premiere

Beyoncé & Jay-Z Amazing Support Of Blue Ivy's Role In 'Mufasa'

Jesse Grant/Getty Images for Disney

Blue Ivy stars in Mufasa: The Lion King as Kiara with Beyoncé voicing Nala again. The highly anticipated film will show Mufasa's origins from a young cub to the majestic king we've come to know, love, and mourn.

In this cute BTS clip, Beyoncé and Blue are initially shown in separate recording booths while the latter says, "Don't stare at me." It's a typical response all kids eventually give their parents, but it doesn't bother Beyoncé. She simply smiles and says, "I can't help it. You're just too beautiful girl." Still, she offers a bit of reassurance to Blue. "I'mma be right here closing my eyes."

Blue briefly talked about what it feels like to work on a movie by saying, "If I like told my younger self that I was in a movie, I'd like never believe myself."

The star couldn't help but tear up as she continued to watch Blue and said, "Give me a second. I'm still...just can't believe that's my baby." While sitting side by Blue, Beyoncé eventually turns to look at her to let her know she's "so proud of her." Even Rumi, Beyoncé and Jay-Z's youngest daughter, makes a quick appearance!

The Mufasa: The Lion King premiere occurred December 9 with Beyoncé, Jay-Z, and grandma Tina Knowles standing by Blue Ivy's side. They looked stunning on the red carpet as they wore coordinating outfits. Although the ladies seemed to be present and excited, Jay-Z temporarily looked distracted while all of them were standing together (via PEOPLE).

If we had to guess, it may have something to do with the recent allegations connecting he and P. Diddy weighing on his mind. After the accusation went public, Jay-Z penned his own public statement and shared it to Roc Nations' social channels. The most heartbreaking aspect of it is realizing his children will be able to see everything.

"My wife and I will have to sit our children down, one of whom is at the age where her friends will surely see the press and ask questions about the nature of these claims, and explain the cruelty and greed of people," he wrote (via X). Only time will tell how everything pans out, but we hope this doesn't overshadow Blue Ivy's success, nor do we want to see people vilify her or her siblings for alleged misdeeds of Jay-Z.

At the end of the day, we're so proud of Blue for letting her light shine bright despite everything else!

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Ahhh…Paris Geller. Where does one even begin with the best Gilmore Girl whose name isn't actually Gilmore? The woman we all came to know and love. The purveyor of backhanded compliments, deadpan humor, the quickest wit one can imagine and an absolutely ungodly work ethic. The sole character of the series who I would 100% watch a spin-off of, and love every minute. Sure — she once said that everyone around her needed to be sterilized immediately. And that Rory’s boyfriend offers “nothing to women or the world in general.” And that she can “scare the stupid out of you. But the lazy runs deep.”

She may, in fact, be the only character whose absurdity warrants such unhinged comments, and I am so here for it. You may be reading this because you too believe that Paris Geller deserves way more praise than she receives. Or you hate her. Or perhaps you don’t even know who she is. Regardless, allow me to delight you with the many — shall I say — unique musings of my favorite Gilmore Girls character, and explain exactly why Paris was not only what the cult-classic show needed, but the feminist icon TV needed, too.

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So let’s start from the beginning. Paris Geller (played by Liza Weil) joined the GG crew in Season 1, right as Rory Gilmore (the show’s sort-of protagonist) walked into Chilton Academy, a private school where Paris was attending, for her first day. A far cry from Rory’s relatively timid and soft-spoken personality, Paris tore up the screen with her high-strung personality and immediate rivalry with Rory (Rory did not feel the same), who Paris viewed as the only candidate who could possibly challenge her spot at the top of the class standing. As the year progresses, the two become friends, which of course Paris still highly questioned.

The rest of their high school experience is plagued with repeated ups and downs, from Paris’s parents’ highly publicized divorce to their joint student government campaign and, most notably, Paris’s C-SPAN meltdown, courtesy of a Harvard rejection fueled by what she can only assume to be wide-spread knowledge that she lost her virginity. Despite losing the Valedictorian slot to Rory (which Paris comes to terms with after finding out Salutatorians tend to be more successful), Paris walks across the graduation stage and accepts her diploma from the school’s headmaster, to which she iconically quips, “no hard feelings.”

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Fast forward to Paris’s first year at Yale, a school she knew Rory was attending but had no intention of ever seeing again. Not to the surprise of Paris’s life coach, the two frenemies were placed together as suitemates, a pairing that ultimately served as a catalyst for lifelong friendship. Throughout college, Paris pursues pre-med and pre-law degrees, joins the Yale Daily News alongside Rory, dates an elderly professor (he passes away, leaving Paris to grieve), moves on with the editor of the Yale Daily News, Doyle McMaster, and potentially saves Rory from abandoning Yale forever by admitting to Lorelai that Rory is the only person who ever listened to her, challenged her and motivated her.

Paris then proceeds to become the editor of the Yale Daily News, a position in which her power-hungry tendencies took full-force, resulting in a forcible resignation, kick Rory out of their shared apartment, let Rory move back into their shared apartment (now with Doyle), be accepted to a slew of prestigious medical and law schools. She ultimately chose to attend med school and break up with Doyle, to which he refused, and tells Rory that they’re on their own but she can still do great things (Of course this doesn’t last, the two are meant to be best friends.)

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Somehow this doesn't even scratch the surface of the character of Paris. As you can tell, Paris is a fiercely loyal, protective woman who fights for herself to no end. She (literally) doesn’t care what other people think (so long as they’re not within her immediate circle) and never stops pursuing her dreams, no matter how many times she probably should have. She is the epitome of feminism in modern television — perhaps taken to an extreme — and serves as a necessary counterweight to Rory’s floundering sense of self.

So long as she keeps her need for perfectionism in check, Paris has one of those few personality types whose wild ambition and outspokenness is directly beneficial to her success, a success that she, and only she, can define. Sure, she has an exaggerated sense of self-importance, but when balanced by Rory’s soft-but-straightforward approach, Paris can quickly reset, reevaluate and move forward.

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That's the thing with Paris — she’s always moving forward. She doesn't get into Harvard? Tough. She takes a few days to wallow before considering her other options: Yale, Columbia and Princeton. She doesn’t know whether to choose med school or law school, so she takes stock of her bearings, reflects on her past dreams, and makes a clear, concise decision that she moves forward with.

Her brutally honest nature (both internally and externally) is exactly why Paris works. She’s generous when needed, comfortable with giving tough (and oftentimes tougher) love, is able to express vulnerability with the people she loves, doesn’t allow outside influences to affect her path and never let’s someone (especially a man) tell her she’s less than (*cough, cough*—Rory). For an early 2000s show, she showed women that there is power in education. There’s power in stepping away from a caretaker role. There’s power in expressing your opinion, no matter your age.

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There’s no doubt in my mind that she’s inspired countless women over the years — after all, she’s inspired me! Even though she’s had her controversial moments, she’s always been a cheering voice for women, even if it’s behind her resting grimace. For these reasons, and so many more, I am hereby deeming Paris Geller the best of Gilmore Girls — the heroine, perhaps, and a feminist icon to all.

What's your take on Paris Geller? Let us know in the comments, and sign up for our email newsletter for more pop culture musings!

Header image via Netflix, Warner Bros

This post has been updated.