As the frontman and primary songwriter of the Smashing Pumpkins, Billy Corgan helped bring alternative rock into the mainstream and became one of the genre’s most formidable figures. Formed in Chicago in 1988, the band found international fame with albums including Siamese Dream and Mellon Collie and the Infinite Sadness, with Corgan’s creative force driving the band’s distinctive sound, introspective songwriting, and inventive guitar work.
Beyond music, Corgan has written poetry – publishing his first collection, Blinking with Fists, in 2004 – and maintained an extensive online journal. BillyCorgan.Livejournal.com preserves seven years of his journal entries, including The Confessions of Billy Corgan, writing about his solo work, and accounts of the Pumpkins’ revival. Since 2017, Corgan has also served as owner and promoter of the National Wrestling Alliance.
His reading tastes are similarly eclectic, spanning classic literature, modern fiction, and books concerned with alienation, morality, obsession, rebellion, and the darker sides of human experience. Sharing some of his all-time favorites with BiblioCommons, Corgan noted:
“Books have always been a portal for me—whether it’s exploring the depths of the human psyche, the absurdity of existence, or the chaos of the world around us. These are the books that have stuck with me over the years. Some hit me in my youth, others later in life when I was searching for something deeper. They all challenge the way I see the world and what it means to be alive. From Dostoevsky’s spiritual struggles to Wilde’s critique of vanity, each one offers a lens through which to view the madness of life. They aren’t easy reads, but nothing worthwhile ever is. Dive in, get lost, and maybe—just maybe—you’ll find something that speaks to you like they did to me.”
Dive into Billy Corgan’s book recommendations below, and complement with the reading lists of fellow alt-rock icons Kurt Cobain, Kim Gordon, Michael Stipe, Pearl Jam, Robert Smith, and Shirley Manson.
Billy Corgan’s Reading List
The Brothers Karamazov by Fyodor Dostoyevsky (also rec’d by Bruce Springsteen, Ernest Hemingway, Lisa Simpson & Norman Mailer)
“Dostoevsky taps into the darkness of the human soul. It’s heavy, but it forces you to face the big questions about life and morality.” -BC
The Catcher in the Rye by J.D. Salinger (also rec’d by Axl Rose, Hozier, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Kurt Cobain, Lenny Kravitz, Liz Phair, Philip Roth, Richey Edwards, Scarlett Johansson, Shepard Fairey, Shirley Manson, Ted Koppel & Uzo Aduba)
“Salinger’s voice is pure angst. It’s like every disillusioned teenager’s guide to feeling lost in a world that doesn’t understand.” -BC
Moby-Dick by Herman Melville (also rec’d by Bob Dylan, Bruce Springsteen, John Irving, Norman Mailer, Patti Smith, Penn Jillette, Ray Bradbury, Steve Jobs, Susan Orlean & Tilda Swinton)
“Melville’s obsession with the abyss speaks to me. It’s a deep dive into madness, and you can’t help but get pulled into the hunt.” -BC
The Master and Margarita by Mikhail Bulgakov (also rec’d by Daniel Radcliffe, David Bowie, Eileen Myles, Johnny Depp, Marlon James, Patti Smith, Pearl Jam, Phoebe Waller-Bridge & Salman Rushdie)
“Bulgakov blends surrealism and political commentary. It’s chaotic and beautiful, a perfect mirror of life’s absurdity.” -BC
The Picture of Dorian Gray by Oscar Wilde (also rec’d by Richey Edwards)
“Oscar Wilde’s dive into vanity and decay is dark and biting. It’s a warning, but also an invitation to reflect on our own egos.” -BC
On the Road by Jack Kerouac (also rec’d by Bob Dylan, David Bowie, John Lennon, Johnny Depp, Lisa Simpson & Michael Stipe)
“Kerouac captures the raw, untamed spirit of freedom and rebellion. It’s the perfect soundtrack to anyone searching for meaning on the road.” -BC
The Trial by Franz Kafka (also rec’d by Ai Weiwei, Jon Fosse, Philip Roth, Richey Edwards & Robert Smith)
“Kafka’s nightmare of bureaucracy and helplessness resonates today more than ever. It’s a chilling reminder of how the system can devour you.” -BC
The Road by Cormac McCarthy (also rec’d by Bruce Springsteen, Isabel Allende, Jennette McCurdy, Michael J. Fox & Nick Cave)
“McCarthy’s spare prose paints a desolate, haunting world. It’s bleak, but there’s a thread of hope in the bond between father and son.” -BC
Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas by Hunter S. Thompson (also rec’d by Anthony Bourdain, Daniel Radcliffe, Johnny Depp\ & Michael J. Fox)
“Thompson’s manic energy and sharp critique of American culture is a wild ride. It’s a trip through the madness of the American dream.” -BC
(via BiblioCommons; photo by Ali Smith)
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