Read by LeBron James, Daniel Ek, Pharrell Williams and 8 others
What books does Pharrell Williams recommend?
From a childhood classic to a book he says can reshape a life, the book recommendations of Pharrell Williams cover a striking range. The Grammy-winning producer, N.E.R.D. frontman, and Men's Creative Director at Louis Vuitton has shared four titles across interviews and a press conference, leaning toward fiction, philosophy, and self-improvement. The standout is Paulo Coelho's The Alchemist, which he describes in near-transformative terms: "That book is... it will change your life... if you have the desire, the universe will rise up to meet you exactly where you are." The list also reaches back to a first love — "My favorite book when I was a boy was The Cat in the Hat" — and forward to Dan Brown's The Da Vinci Code, whose mystery of history and religion he unpacks with genuine fascination.
Last updated February 2026 · Every recommendation cited to its original source.
The Alchemist
A Fable About Following Your Dream
byPaulo Coelho
2014208 Pages(3,580,036)
“Man, that book is... it will change your life. It's the one book... It absolutely shows you that if you have the desire, the universe will rise up to meet you exactly where you are.”
— Pharrell Williams
Source: Oprah Prime Interview, 2014
byDr. Seuss
195761 Pages(612,000)
“My favorite book when I was a boy was The Cat in the Hat.”
— Pharrell Williams
Source: Happy! Book Press Conference, London
byDan Brown
2003464 Pages(2,529,812)
“It's about the re-emergence of the Holy Grail... what that means to many different religions and its political effect since the day of Christ.”
— Pharrell Williams
Source: The Guardian Interview, 'The Hit Man'
byYoon Ahn, Verbal
2025288 PagesSource: Book Contribution
Also recommends books in
Frequently asked questions
What books does Pharrell Williams recommend?
Pharrell Williams's four recommendations are Paulo Coelho's The Alchemist, Dr. Seuss's The Cat in the Hat, Dan Brown's The Da Vinci Code, and AMBUSH, the design book by Yoon Ahn and Verbal he contributed to.
What is Pharrell Williams's favorite book?
The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho. Pharrell has said, "That book is... it will change your life," adding that "if you have the desire, the universe will rise up to meet you exactly where you are" — a message that clearly resonates with him.
Where do Pharrell Williams's book recommendations come from?
They come from an Oprah Prime interview about The Alchemist, a London press conference for his Happy! book where he named The Cat in the Hat, and a Guardian interview discussing The Da Vinci Code.
Has Pharrell Williams written any books?
Yes. He is credited on Happy! (2015), a children's book tied to his hit song, and Pharrell: A Fish Doesn't Know It's Wet (2018).
What genres does Pharrell Williams read most?
His recommendations lean toward fiction, philosophy, and self-improvement, with a design and creativity thread from his fashion work — spanning a boyhood favorite to a novel he credits with a life-changing message.