Once a devoted student reader, the singer-actor now inspires a wider audience one book at a time IU (@dlwlrma, Instagram) Few artists move as fluidly across music and television as IU, who also goes by her given name, Lee Ji-eun. An all-rounder by any measure, her career has long defied easy comparison.Since the 2010 breakout hit “Good Day” crowned her the nation’s “little sister,” the 32-year-old has remained a constant presence in South Korea’s cultural conversation.Her albums and shows reliably dominate headlines, and she stands among the rare K-pop singer-songwriters who consistently command music charts.In 2022, she made history as the first Korean female solo artist to hold a concert at the Seoul Olympic Stadium, selling out all 90,000 seats across two nights in just five minutes. And Lee’s recent acting work continues that momentum: from last year’s slice-of-life drama "When Life Gives You Tangerines" to this year’s romantic comedy "Perfect Crown."Alongside her prolific career is another defining thread: a deep, enduring love of books.She has often spoken about books and reading in interviews and television appearances, occasionally revealing what she’s been reading. On the 2017 reality show "Hyori's Homestay," she was seen spending her downtime reading Dostoevsky's "The Brothers Karamazov," underlining passages that stayed with her in moments that drew particular attention from viewers. IU (@dlwlrma, Instagram) IU also frequently shares favorite lines and recommendations with fans, offering glimpses into the literary influences that shape her thinking and, at times, her lyrics.In high school, she was an avid reader and a member of her school’s book club, rarely seen without a book in hand, according to past remarks from friends.Over time, her reading list has grown both extensive and quietly influential among fans. Here are some of her more recent picks. "Pavane for a Dead Princess" by Park Min-gyu (Wisdom House) 'Pavane for a Dead Princess'IU recently shared a passage from this novel on Instagram, coinciding with the February release of a Netflix film adaptation, “Pavane,” starring Ko A-sung, Byun Yo-han and Moon Sang-min.First published in 2009, the novel is set on the outskirts of Seoul in the 1980s.At its center are three young people: a woman considered so unattractive that she is effectively shut out of ordinary social relationships; a handsome young man who is haunted by his parents' abandonment; and Yohan, who brings the two together. Their encounter at a part-time job in a department store basement parking lot sets off a coming-of-age romance.The story offers a critique of a society shaped by rigid standards of beauty and consumer capitalism. At the same time, it traces the wandering of youth, marked by disillusionment and frustration. "They Said Annyeong" by Kim Ae-ran (Munhakdongne Publishing) 'They Said Annyeong'This is the latest from Kim Ae-ran, best known internationally for her novel "My Brilliant Life," which has been translated into English and adapted into a film."They Said Annyeong" was selected as book of the year by Korean writers in a 2025 poll conducted by Kyobo Book Center, marking a second consecutive year she has been recognized by her peers following her 2024 novel "One of the Two Is a Lie."IU recently described it as the best book she has read in recent months.The collection consists of seven short stories, many of which use the home as their central setting. Within these confined spaces, Kim explores the emotional weight of economic inequality and class tension.The title story follows a woman who leaves her job to care for her ill mother and returns to her hometown, gradually drifting away from her boyfriend in the process. It traces her slow isolation as she gives up both love and livelihood. "Orbital" by Samantha Harvey (Atlantic Monthly Press) 'Orbital'Winner of the 2024 Booker Prize, "Orbital" by Samantha Harvey follows six fictional astronauts aboard a space station orbiting Earth over the course of a single day.Traveling at speeds of over 17,000 miles per hour, they watch the silent blue planet below, circling it 16 times in 24 hours as continents drift past and seasons blur. Glaciers and deserts, mountain peaks and vast oceans unfolding in rapid succession.Alongside their daily routines, the novel reflects on the fragility of human life as the astronauts navigate isolation, bereavement and mission fatigue, their thoughts turning repeatedly to Earth and what it means to live.The Booker Prize jury noted, “'Orbital' offers us a love letter to our planet as well as a deeply moving acknowledgement of the individual and collective value of every human life.” "My First Summer, Wanju" by Kim Keum-hee (Muze) 'My First Summer, Wanju'The novel by Kim Keum-hee gained attention last year in part for being published by actor Park Jung-min, who founded his own publishing house and first developed the book as an audio novel for his visually impaired father.A personal acquaintance, Park shared the book with IU, who later wrote a recommendation after finding it "very engaging."The story follows Son Yeol-mae, a voice actor who travels to Wanju in search of a friend who has disappeared after failing to repay a debt. Stranded and living with a condition affecting her voice, she ends up staying at a small shop where she begins working and gradually encounters the town’s eccentric residents.Over the course of a summer, Yeolmae is drawn into their lives in ways that are both unexpected and quietly transformative.IU said the book “introduces its characters in an instant, with a vividly distinctive voice and a drama-like, generous pace.”“There is not a single scene that doesn’t make you laugh softly, yet also leave a quiet sadness somewhere in the corner of your heart.”Celeb Reads explores how K-pop stars, actors and other public figures are reshaping the publishing world through heartfelt book recommendations that revive forgotten titles and create new bestsellers. The series highlights the books that shaped them — and may shape your next read. — Ed. IU (Edam Entertainment)