Novels Authored by Actors

Part Hunter S. Thompson, part Chuck Palahniuk, Sean Penn’s fiction debut follows Bob Honey, a supposed international assassin, and his travels around the world. A satirical take on our current political climate that feels like it’s being written as it’s being read.

Loosely based on W. B. Yeats’s play “The Only Jealousy of Emer,” David Duchovny explores Irish mythology in his latest novel, which follows Emer in her journey around New York’s subways as well as her love for boyfriend Con. A postmodern fairy tale that reads like a love letter to New York City, “Miss Subways” is a funny, quirky foray into mythology as only the star of “The X-Files” could tell it.

Narrated by a star-studded cast, including Katy Perry & Rainn Wilson, this collection of stories by BJ Novak is a hodgepodge of pop culture references, twists on fables, satire, and comedy that has some truly moving moments.

There’s not much in common among the 17 short stories from beloved actor Tom Hanks in this motley crew of a collection: One is set in the 1950s, another in a futuristic world, yet another about friendly neighbors. But a running theme that ties these stories together is Hanks’ obvious love for the typewriter. There is one in each story, of various models and types, and it lends a sort of sweetness that we’ve come to associate with the actor himself.

The debut novel from the “Jessica Jones” actress dives into the world of mystery: a sketchy cover-up in a small American town. Call it Erin Brockovich meets Gillian Flynn. It’s juicy, it’s immersive, and although it doesn’t reinvent the wheel, it’s a haunting story with a female protagonist you want to root for.