In October of this year, Elton John released his first and only official autobiography, Me, to instant critical acclaim. The book covers his extraordinary life with breathtaking honesty and humor – from his initial rise to fame and struggles with addiction, to his present-day life of marriage, sobriety and fatherhood.

The glam rock icon recently shared his favorite reads of the year with the Amazon Books editors, and his picks make it clear that storytime is taken very seriously in the John family. Read on for his selection, and find more insight into Elton’s reading life in his New York Times: By The Book interview.


The Family Book by Todd Parr

“We rotate this book in regularly to the bedtime story regime for our sons. Families come in all shapes, sizes and colours, but at the end of the day what really matters is that all families are about love.” -EJ

If I Built a Car by Chris Van Dusen

“Old fashioned science-fiction styling meets modern day ingenuity in these highly imaginative books – where a young boy spreads the wings of his mind to rebuild the perfect car, house, and school.” -EJ

Stick Man by Julia Donaldson

“All books by Britain’s former Children’s Laureate Julia Donaldson were firm favourites in the Furnish-John household. Stick Man is one of her very best.” -EJ

What is a Refugee? by Elise Gravel

“Zachary and Elijah are becoming increasingly interested in global issues and helping others. This sensitively written book puts a human face on the refugee crisis by breaking down walls of prejudice.” -EJ

Treasure Island by Robert Louis Stevenson (also rec’d by Anthony Bourdain & Hayao Miyazaki)

“One of the favourite books from my own childhood. This timeless classic fueled my imagination and created the magical archetypes for pirates, buried treasure and all that shivers their timbers.” -EJ

(via Amazon Books)

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