C. Thomas Howell

C. Thomas Howell has been one of my favorite actors since I was ten years old. He, of course, won me over as Ponyboy in The Outsiders. I loved the movie and the book by S.E. Hinton. Ponyboy holds the honor of my favorite literary and movie character of all time.

Tommy is also known for his early roles in Red Dawn and The Hitcher. He's guest starred in over 100 movies and television shows since then. You may have watched his stirring portrayals on ER or on Criminal Minds as the Reaper. Howell currently guest stars on TNT's show Southland on Tuesday nights as hilariously inappropriate Officer Dewey. I started watching this season, and I'm hooked! He can also be seen in the upcoming The Amazing Spiderman movie.

I recently asked Tommy about his favorite books.

Tommy answered, "One of my fav books is The Killer Angels by Michael Shaara. It's based on the battle of Gettysburg, and it's a wonderful read!"

Howell starred in Gettysburg and Gods and Generals, both Civil War era movies.

"The other I'd recommend for kids is The Giving Tree by Shel Silverstein! A beautiful story that I've loved for years!"

One of my faves, too! Thanks, Tommy!

You can follow C. Thomas Howell on Twitter here. He's quickwitted and friendly to his fans. He also banters with S.E. Hinton on Twitter too. Fun stuff.
Photo from @cthomashowell.

Tim Daly

Tim Daly has been on some darn good shows. We loved him on Wings, cringed at him on The Sopranos, and currently sigh at him on Private Practice. You may have even heard his voice as Superman on Superman: The Animated Series. If you haven't yet, check out Tim's hilarious The Daly Show on Youtube (next episode is January 29). Private Practice airs on Thursday nights on ABC.

I recently asked Daly what his favorite read was.

Tim tweeted, "Cloud Atlas. Freekin brilliant." He also said it was his current and fave read.

Overview of David Mitchell's Cloud Atlas from barnesandnoble.com.

"A reluctant voyager crossing the Pacific in 1850; a disinherited composer blagging a precarious livelihood in between-the-wars Belgium; a high-minded journalist in Governor Reagan’s California; a vanity publisher fleeing his gangland creditors; a genetically modified “dinery server” on death-row; and Zachry, a young Pacific Islander witnessing the nightfall of science and civilisation -- the narrators of Cloud Atlas hear each other’s echoes down the corridor of history, and their destinies are changed in ways great and small."
You can follow Tim on Twitter here . Help out the man, and follow him to get him to 30K followers!

Photo by David Shankbone.

Gavin Rossdale

Yes, I already posted Gavin's current read in October here, but he's reading something else now. As you probably are, too. I think it makes him even more appealing that he's a reader!

Gavin Rossdale is the lead singer of rock band Bush. He's a swoon-worthy frontman, and last week I asked him about reading again.

Gavin recently finished Just Kids by Patti Smith. He tweeted that it is a"gorgeous memoir of love and art."

I also asked Gavin if he reads traditional paper books or with an ereader.

He tweeted, "Happy with both. It's the words that count...nice to sit with a good book though."

I have to agree!

You can follow Rossdale on Twitter.
You can find out more about Bush at www.bushofficial.com. They are touring worldwide in February with Evanescence, and the U.S. tour with Nickelback starts in April.
Photo by me.

Patrick Sharp

I thought I'd mix it up a bit, and put a sports figure up at the ole book rec site today.
So hockey fans, I give you the amazing Patrick Sharp today!

Patrick Sharp plays right wing for the Chicago Blackhawks who, of course, won the Stanley Cup in 2010. He's one of the leading scorers for the Blackhawks, and unfortunately a recent hand injury will sideline him for 3-4 weeks.

Sharp is handsome, athletic, and yes, he reads.

What's one of Patrick Sharp's favorite books?

According to this week's Chicago Tribune magazine, Patrick lists Lone Survivor by Marcus Luttrell as a favorite read.

From barnesandnoble.com
Lone Survivor is the story of the only survivor of Operation Redwing, fire team leader Marcus Luttrell, and the extraordinary firefight that led to the largest loss of life in American Navy SEAL history.

You can find out more about the Chicago Blackhawks at www.blackhawks.nhl.com.
Go Blackhawks!

Perry Farrell

Perry Farrell created and produces the popular twenty year old music festival Lollapalooza. Farrell is also the lead singer of alternative rock band Jane's Addiction. Jane's Addiction gained popularity in the 90's with such hits as "Jane Says" and "Been Caught Stealing." The rock band was ranked 35th on VH1's 100 Greatest Artists of Hard Rock list. They have released four studio albums, and the most recent, The Great Escape Artist was released a few months ago in October of 2011. Check out the "Irresistible Force" video from this album here. Perry has also fronted bands Porno for Pyros and Satellite Party (with his wife, Etty).

I recently asked Perry what he is currently reading.

He tweeted, "Brought Jobs on this trip."

Of course he means the best selling biography of Apple founder, Steve Jobs by Walter Isaacson.

You can follow Perry on Twitter here.

You can find out more about his band at janesaddiction.com

Find out more about Lollapalooza here.

Photo from Brian Birzer .