John Cooper

Photo by me

John Cooper is the lead singer and bassist for the popular Christian rock group, Skillet. Skillet is a Grammy-nominated band originally from Tennessee. Skillet's nine studio albums span from their debut in 1996 to Unleashed in 2016. Skillet's hits include  "Hero," "Awake and Alive," and my favorite, "Feel Invincible."
Cooper is also the lead singer of a new metal band called "Fight the Fury." I was fortunate enough to attend the album release party for Fight the Fury last weekend and also witness their first live performance! John was interviewed prior to the performance by 95.1 WIIL radio station. In the interview, John mentioned his favorite book.

What is John Cooper's favorite book?

At the release party, a WIILRock DJ mentioned that she heard that John owned a lifesize Frankenstein. John confirmed that and that Mary Shelley's "Frankenstein" is his favorite book that he had ever read.
See the whole interview and Fight the Fury's performance at the end of this post!

Me with Fight the Fury

Check out the interview, and Fight the Fury killing it!


Check out John Cooper and Fight the Fury on Instagram and Twitter!

Tony Palermo

Image from @tonyproach IG

Tony Palermo is the drummer of one of my favorite rock bands, Papa Roach. Papa Roach's 2000 album Infest became multiplatinum with its popular hit "Last Resort." The band was nominated for a Grammy in 2001 for Best New Artist. Other Papa Roach hits through the years include "Getting Away With Murder," "Forever," "To Be Loved," "Lifeline," "Kick in the Teeth,"  and "Gravity." Their last album produced hits like "Help" and "Born for Greatness." They recently released the singles "Who Do you Trust?" and "Renegade Music." Papa Roach hits the road in February with Shinedown and Asking Alexandria. I've seen them live 16 times, and they always kill it onstage with their energy and awesome songs. See tour dates here.

The members of Papa Roach recently took over Texas Live! arena's Instagram and answered some questions. I, of course, asked what they were reading!

What is Tony Palermo reading?

You can follow Tony on Twitter and Instagram! Here's Tony on the left with his band and me!

Check out their new video, Who Do You Trust?!

Nikki Sixx

Photo from @nikkisixxpixx IG

Nikki Sixx is a musician, photographer, author, and former radio show host. He's the bassist and songwriter of two successful bands that I love - Motley Crue and Sixx: A.M.  Motley Crue toured for the final time in 2015.  Sixx is also author of three books - The Dirt, The Heroin Diaries, and This Is Gonna Hurt.  Motley Crue is currently recording songs for their upcoming Netflix series "The Dirt." Loved the book. The series is going to be crazy!

What is Nikki Sixx reading?

Nikki recently posted on Instagram, "Highly recommended book on TM.I am enjoying the audiobook.#InsideJob #PositiveBreedsPositive."

Here's Nikki and me before a Crue concert!

Corey Taylor

Image from @coreytaylor Instagram account

 



Corey Taylor is an amazing talent. Taylor is the lead singer and lyricist of Slipknot and Stone Sour - two multi-platinum rock bands. Both Stone Sour and Slipknot have been nominated for several Grammy awards. Slipknot won a "Best Metal Performance" Grammy in 2006 for "Before I Forget."   Corey also lends his killer vocals to other bands. He guested on Dave Grohl's Sound City album and documentary (love the song "From Can to Can't"), on Korn's single,"A Different World, " and most recently with Code Orange. The new Stone Sour two-disk 'HYDROGRAD Deluxe Edition' will be available August 31. It features unreleased covers, b-sides, live recordings and alternate versions of songs from the album.

Corey is the author of three best selling books: Seven Deadly Sins: Settling the Argument Between Born Bad and Damaged Good ,  A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to Heaven, and You’re Making Me Hate You: A Cantankerous Look at the Common Misconception That Humans Have Any Common Sense Left. Taylor also occasionally acts. You may have caught him in a Doctor Who episode and a Sharknado movie! He is currently on tour with Stone Sour and is working on a new Slipknot album.

What are Corey Taylor's favorite books?

A fan recently asked Corey that on last week's Kerrang! Magazine live Q&A with Corey.  Corey's favorite fiction book of all time  is The Stand (unabridged version) by Stephen King. His favorite non-fiction book is Please Kill Me by Legs McNeil and Gillian McCain which is an oral history of punk rock. Corey also won Kerrang!'s LEGEND award last week.

You can like Corey on Facebook, follow him on Twitter and Instagram!

Take a listen to Song #3. It's so good.

Jenna Fischer

Photo from @msjennafischer's Instagram account

 



Jenna Fischer is, of course, everyone's favorite receptionist from The Office.  I enjoyed seeing her again on my TV on Splitting Up Together with Oliver Hudson. Cute show that I am really glad was renewed for another season! Did you know that she is also an author?  The Actor's Life: A Survival Guide was released in November!  Her book  "spells out the nuts and bolts of getting established in the profession, based on her own memorable and hilarious experiences." (blurb from amazon.com)

And of course Jenna is a philanthropist, too. Sales from Jenna's "The Finer Things Club" benefit  Miry's List and Donate Life. Check out the fun merch here!

What is Jenna Fischer reading?

 

Jenna captioned "Summertime reading" on one of her latest Instagram posts.  Someone asked what she was reading. Her answer, "I finished This is How It Always Is! SO GOOD! Now onto In Order to Live...amazing so far."



You can like Jenna on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram!

Mark Tremonti

 



Mark Tremonti is one of the greatest guitarists ever. Mark was lead guitar in the popular rock band,  Creed and currently lead guitar in hard rock band, Alter Bridge. He is also lead vocals and guitar in his heavier solo band, Tremonti.  Tremonti's next album, A Dying Machine, drops tomorrow! Mark is also writing a sci-fi novel of the same name to go along with his concept album. Multitalented man. Check out Tremonti tour dates here.

Tremonti is an avid reader so I recently asked him on Twitter what his current read was.

What is Mark Tremonti reading?

 

Tremonti responded, "Getting back to finishing 'The Dark Tower.'"

 

The Dark Tower, is of course the novel by Stephen King.

 

You can follow Mark on Twitter, like him on Facebook and Instagram!

 

 

Listen to Tremonti's latest video, "Take You With Me"  below, or click here to watch him cover Metallica on a Hello Kitty guitar! ;)

 

Jacoby Shaddix

Photo from @lvrsrlntcs

 



Jacoby Shaddix is the lead singer of one of my very favorite rock bands, Papa Roach. Papa Roach's 2000 album Infest became multiplatinum with its popular hit "Last Resort." The band was nominated for a Grammy in 2001 for Best New Artist. Other Papa Roach hits through the years include "Getting Away With Murder," "Forever," "To Be Loved," "Lifeline," and "Kick in the Teeth." Papa Roach's last album, F.E.A.R., included the hits "Face Everything and Rise" and "Gravity." Their next album comes out on May 19th. I can't wait! Check out their newest singles from this album- "Crooked Teeth" and "Help."

Jacoby also has a cool clothing line with Jeff Henry called Lovers Are Lunatics. Check out the site, and get some rockin' threads. (Yes, I own a few t-shirts myself.)

You definitely need to purchase Papa Roach tickets on their next tour. They are currently touring in Canada, and I'm hoping for a USA tour next! I've seen them live 13 times, and they always kill it onstage with their energy and awesome songs.

What is Jacoby Shaddix reading?

Jacoby did a quick Q&A last night because he's awesome like that and told me what he is reading.

His tweet, "Just started THE SHACK."

THE SHACK by Wm Paul Young is the best selling novel that "wrestles with the timeless question, "Where is God in a world so filled with unspeakable pain?"  (short summary from Amazon.com)

You can follow Jacoby on Twitter, like them on Facebook, and click on their website.

Here's me and PRoach!

Listen up, turn it up, and rock it out. "Gravity."

Joel McHale









Joel McHale is one of my all-time favorite funny people. He first had me laughing on the TV clip show, The Soup, on E! until they abruptly canceled it last year and broke my heart. The Soup ran from  July 1, 2004 until December 18, 2015, and I saw almost every episode. Joel also starred as Jeff Winger on NBC/Yahoo's Community for six seasons. You may also have seen him on TV in the X-Files reboot and Sons of Anarchy. McHale has also been featured in many movies including Ted, Spy Kids: All the Time in the World, and Deliver Us From Evil. Joel is currently starring as Jack Gordon in CBS's new sitcom, The Great Indoors.

Joel McHale can now add author to his resume as his memoir/how-to book, Thanks for the Money, recently dropped! (Yes, I have a signed copy.) Say hey to him on his book tour!

What are some of Joel's favorite books?

 

 

Joel was featured in the November 14, 2016 issue of Us Weekly in the "What I'm Reading" section.
Joel listed five books including Andre Agassi's Open and The Blade Itself  by Joe Abercrombie. Check out his other picks at usweekly.com!

 

What are Joel's children reading?

 

Joel was asked this at the Naperville Anderson's Bookshop presentation last weekend. Joel answered that his boys enjoy the Percy Jackson series, the Captain Underpants books, and watching Clarence and The Adventures of Gumball when their dad doesn't want to read. ;)

 

Oh, just me and Joel.

 

You can follow Joel on Twitter and check out his website http://joelmchale.com/

And watch his silly book trailer here!

Corey Taylor

Photo from @CoreyTaylorRock

 



Corey Taylor is an amazing talent. Taylor is the lead singer and lyricist of Slipknot and Stone Sour - two multi-platinum rock bands. Both Stone Sour and Slipknot have been nominated for several Grammy awards. Slipknot won a "Best Metal Performance" Grammy in 2006 for "Before I Forget." Other hit tunes by Slipknot include "Psychosocial" and "Snuff." Some of Stone Sour's popular songs are "Bother," "Say You'll Haunt Me," "Absolute Zero and "Tired."  Corey also lends his killer vocals to other bands. He guested on Dave Grohl's Sound City album and documentary (love the song "From Can to Can't"). And most recently is featured on Korn's newest single,"A Different World."

Corey is the author of three best selling books: Seven Deadly Sins: Settling the Argument Between Born Bad and Damaged Good ,  A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to Heaven, and You’re Making Me Hate You: A Cantankerous Look at the Common Misconception That Humans Have Any Common Sense Left. Taylor also occasionally acts. You may have caught him in a Doctor Who episode and the last Sharknado!

What is Corey Taylor reading?

I asked Corey just that on Twitter. His response, "I'm re-reading 'The Adventures Of Sherlock Holmes'!"

Gotta love that he's a rocker, writer, and a reader!

You can find out more about Corey at http://www.thecoreytaylor.com/ and follow him on Twitter where he frequently interacts with his fans.

Check out "Tired" from Stone Sour.

Jake Weary

Photo from @jakeweary Twitter



My go-to summer show was Animal Kingdom on TNT. It's a crazy cool show starring an amazing cast that includes Jake Weary as Cody brother, Deran. I first saw Jake as Kevin on Nickelodeon's silly Fred: The Movie (plus the two Fred sequels) and the Fred TV series. Weary also played Luke on As the World Turns and Vince on NBC's Chicago Fire among other television roles. You can still check out this crazy surfing crime family on Animal Kingdom on demand. Don't miss it as it will be back next year!

What is Jake Weary reading?

Jake recently tweeted, "Love this book. An addicting story with a cast of remarkably interesting characters. #theheavenlytable."

The Heavenly Table: A Novel is written by  Donald Ray Pollock.
William J. Cobb of Dallas Morning News describes it as: "Like a hybrid masterwork of Quentin Tarantino and Flannery O'Connor, Donald Ray Pollock's second novel, The Heavenly Table, is a comic Southern Gothic romp, hell-bent on making the reader squirm and laugh, often at the same time...The literary feast the novel offers becomes its own heavenly table..."



You can follow Jake on Twitter and on Instagram!

Check out his new single, "Heartless," on ITunes and Spotify!



Jerry Horton

Photo by me! Blurry because he's always moving! ;)

Jerry Horton is lead guitarist of my very favorite rock band, Papa Roach. Papa Roach's 2000 album Infest became multiplatinum with its popular hit "Last Resort." The band was nominated for a Grammy in 2001 for Best New Artist. Other Papa Roach hits through the years include "Getting Away With Murder," "Forever," "To Be Loved," "Lifeline," and "Kick in the Teeth." Papa Roach's latest album, F.E.A.R., has included such hits as "Face Everything and Rise" and "Gravity."
Papa Roach is THE best band to see in concert! I've seen them live 13 times, and they always kill it onstage with their energy and awesome songs.

Not only does Jerry shred on the guitar, but he loves cars as well. Check out his auto website at http://drivekulture.com/.

What is Jerry Horton reading?

I asked Jerry just that on Twitter. His response: "going back to the classics. Great Expectation."


Of course Great Expectations is the classic novel by Charles Dickens. Gotta love a rocker who reads!


You can follow Jerry on Twitter and visit www.paparoach.com for more information on this amazing band.

Me and my fave rockers.

Listen up, turn it up and rock it out. Here's "Gravity."

KeKe Palmer

Singer/actress KeKe Palmer currently stars in one of my favorite TV shows, Fox's Scream Queens. This multitalented actress broke through in the movie, Akeelah and the Bee, and then in Madea's Family Reunion. KeKe also starred in Nickelodeon's True Jackson, VP. Tonight find out who the Red Devil is in the season finale of Scream Queens! I can't wait! I'm also excited to see her on Grease Live in January!

What book does KeKe Palmer have in her bag?


According to Us Weekly's What's In My Bag?, among her makeup, Chicago Cubs hat, and Kindle, KeKe has a A Return to Love by Marianne Williamson in her 3.1 Phillip Lim satchel.

From Library Journal:
A Return to Love: Reflections on the Principles of "A Course in Miracles  is based on the author's experiences as a teacher and lecturer on the self-study guide A Course in Miracles (Foundation for Inner Peace, 1975), the students of which attribute its authorship to Jesus Christ. Using humorous personal narrative, Williamson explains how applying love to all difficulties, as advised by "The Course," can aid in healing.

You can follow KeKe on Twitter and like her on Facebook!


Check out her newest video!

Jenna Dewan Tatum

Photo from @jennaldewan Twitter

Yes, she's gorgeous and talented and married to the equally gorgeous and talented Channing Tatum. Jenna Dewan Tatum is a dancer and actress best known for her movie Step Up and her TV roles in American Horror Story: Asylum and Lifetime's Witches of East End. She has also been featured in many music videos from Janet Jackson to Christina Aguilera. You can see her next in the upcoming TV series, Supergirl.

She and her husband, Channing, have a 2 year old little girl named Everly.

What is Jenna Dewan Tatum's daughter's favorite book right now?

According to the October 19, 2015 issue of Us Weekly, Everly's favorite book is Tina Tumbles by Danielle Soucy Mills. Jenna says, "She does cartwheels, and we go to baby gymnastics class. I got her to wear a leotard because Tina wears one!"

Too cute!

You can follow Jenna on Twitter and like her on Facebook.

Watch her dance on a September episode of So You Think You Can Dance!

James Michael

James Michael is the melodic voice of the band Sixx: A.M. Sixx: A.M.'s hit song "Life is Beautiful" topped the rock charts in 2007 on their debut album. Two albums later, Sixx: A.M. is still creating rockin' hits like "Lies of the Beautiful People"  and "Stars." They just finished their first headlining tour which I was able to catch this past spring. James is an amazing frontman and had performed with a giant smile the majority of the concert. You can tell that band has so much fun together!

Besides fronting this killer rock band, Michael is also a producer and songwriter. He's worked with Papa Roach, Kelly Clarkson, Halestorm, Motley Crue, Meat Loaf, and many more artists.

What is James Michael reading?

James posted this photo of his latest read on Instagram:

 

James is reading BRAIN ON FIRE: My Month of Madness by Susannah Cahalan. This memoir  chronicles Cahalan's struggle to recapture her identity after finding herself strapped into a bed in a hospital one fateful day.

You can follow James on Twitter, like him on Facebook and visit http://sixxammusic.com.

Enjoy "Stars" by Sixx: A.M.!

Josh Todd

Josh Todd is a rocker, a reader, an actor, and an entrepreneur. Josh is the lead singer of Buckcherry, sometime actor (see reel clip below), and he now has his own product line called Spraygun War. You know Buckcherry's songs like "Sorry," "Gluttony," and that "Crazy B" one. I just saw Buckcherry for the 10th time a few days ago. Always amazing live. Check out tour dates HERE.


What is Josh Todd reading?

The other day Josh tweeted, "Finished The book Mr. Mercedes by Stephen King (couldn't put it down) would be a great movie. "


Can't lose with Stephen King! You can follow Josh on Twitter, peruse his website, and visit Buckcherry's site, too!

Check out one of my fave Buckcherry songs here.



Check out some of Josh's acting, too!

Josh Duhamel

Photo from @joshduhamel

Josh Duhamel is the handsome actor from North Dakota who made his acting debut in All My Children. Since then he starred in TV series, Las Vegas, married Fergie, starred in Win a Date with Tad Hamilton, some Transformer movies, Safe Haven, and a whole lot more! You can watch him on Sunday nights in his new CBS series, Battle Creek.

Duhamel is an animal advocate and teamed up with Petsmart charities to executive produce of an eight-episode web series, Rescue Waggin': Tales From the Road. Josh was also the 2014
celebrity ambassador for Jumpstart's Read for the Record campaign.

What is Josh's favorite book?

On a recent Reddit AMA he answered, "HAVE GLOVE, WILL TRAVEL. I'm about to start the movie based on that book on Sunday."

Have Glove, Will Travel: Adventures of a Baseball Vagabond by Bill Lee and Richard Lally is "a love story about a middle-aged maverick who refused to stop pursuing his passion for a boy's game long after the grown-ups told him he couldn't play on their team anymore."

You can follow Josh on Twitter and like him on Facebook!

Check out this recent fun interview on Jimmy Fallon.

John Cooper

Photo from @johnlcooper

John Cooper is the lead singer and bassist for the popular Christian rock group, Skillet. Skillet is a Grammy-nominated band originally from Tennessee. Skillet's eight studio albums span from their debut in 1996 to Rise in 2013. Skillet's hits include "Whispers in the Dark," "Hero," "Awake and Alive," and "Sick of It." You can check them out on  their Winter Jam 2015 Tour Spectacular. Check out dates here.








What are John Cooper's fave and current reads?


I asked John just that on Twitter.


 His response, "...my no. 1 favorite book is "Frankenstein" by Mary shelley. My current read is "allegiant" from divergent series."




Love those diverse picks! Thanks so much, John!




You can find out more about Skillet at skillet.com and follow John on Twitter.




Now listen to this!

Nikki Sixx

(photo by me)

Nikki Sixx is a musician, photographer, author, and radio show host. He's the bassist and songwriter of two successful bands that I love - Motley Crue and Sixx: A.M.  Motley Crue toured the US for the final time in 2014 and will tour Europe this year. I was able to see them two nights in a row in November. I can't believe I will never see them live again!! Nikki's radio show Sixx Sense can be heard nationwide.  He's also authored three books - The Dirt, The Heroin Diaries, and This Is Gonna Hurt.  He's even been featured here  before (and will be again!).



What is Nikki Sixx reading?


He recently posted on Instagram, "A new year, a new book" with a photo of the cover of An Invisible Thread: The true story of an 11-year-old panhandler, a busy sales executive, and an unlikely meeting with destiny.


This uplifting book is a best seller by Laura Schroff and Alex Tresniowski.


Here's the Sixx: A.M. video for "Stars!"

Colin Jost

Yes, you've watched him on Saturday nights. Colin Jost is the head writer for Saturday Night Live and coanchor for SNL's Weekend Update. You can also occasionally catch him on tour as a stand-up comic.
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What is Colin Jost reading?


I asked Colin just that on Twitter and he replied, "hi! Currently reading Amy Poehler's new book Just finished the new Murakami which I loved. Also "Lunches with Orson" -- great."
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Thanks, Colin! Find out more about Colin at www.colinjost.com and follow him on Twitter.
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If this comedy bit doesn't make you laugh, then you jost don't have a sense of humor.

One Direction

Photo courtesy of Columbia

Yes, One Direction. Of course you know One Direction as Harry, Liam, Louis, Niall, and Zayn. Their hit songs include "Best Song Ever," "What Makes You Beautiful," and "Story of My Life."

But more importantly,

What are One Direction's favorite books?

Scholastic asked the band that question for their Read Every Day campaign. Some of their answers include The Freedom Writers Diary: How a Teacher and 150 Teens Used Writing to Change Themselves and the World Around Them, Jonathan Livingston Seagull by Richard Bach, and David Beckham's Soccer Skills by David Beckham himself.

You can check out what other books they chose at sugarscape.com .

Here's one of their tunes. Girls. Stop the screaming!