Joe Goldberg, the character portrayed by Penn Badgley in Netflix’s psychological thriller series You, is quite the bookworm—much like Badgley himself. However, unlike Goldberg, Badgley channelled literature to gain insight into the world instead of justifying sinister acts. His passion for books proved especially vital during his homeschooling phase as he aspired to be a performer—a time he reflectively explores in his new book titled Crushmore: Essays on Love, Loss, and Coming-of-Age, a charming composition co-authored with Sophie Ansari and Nava Kavelin, the hosts of his podcast Podcrushed.
“Reading has been my primary source of learning throughout my life,” Badgley stated during a Zoom chat. As he juggled an infant in a carrier, he reminisced about his unique upbringing, contrasting sharply with the elite persona he adopted as a character on Gossip Girl.
To mark the launch of Crushmore, Badgley shares six transformative books that significantly influenced his development as a writer.
Thief of Always by Clive Barker
I distinctly remember encountering this book when I was around nine or ten years old. It stands out among a lifetime of reading adventures. I can’t quite recall what I had read and loved beforehand, but this book opened my eyes to mystery. It evoked wonder and likely introduced me to a sense of horror—despite not being primarily known as a horror story. It was the vividness and intensity that captivated me. I was utterly amazed.
Interestingly, I also recall feeling a certain dread, which isn’t typically what I appreciate in my reading or viewing experiences. I am not particularly fond of horror suspense. Yet, this story seems to have had a profound impact on me. A testament to its quality might seem counterintuitive; it probably introduced me to existential dread, which is, in a way, the essence of horror, and this book executes it remarkably well.
Calvin and Hobbes by Bill Watterson
This morning, my five-year-old stumbled upon the entire Calvin and Hobbes collection that I’ve cherished for about 15 years, and he insisted I read it to him at 4:30 AM. With the twins’ unpredictable nights, it’s been a chaotic time for us. As I was reading it today, I realized, “This is indeed my first profound literary experience.” It is nothing short of brilliant. Calvin and Hobbes introduces a unique blend of humor and wisdom—it’s incredibly clever and subtle.
