Nara Smith Shares the Six Books That Keep Her Hooked (Plus Her Cookbook Pick)
Ever wonder what your favorite celebrities are reading — whether it’s a timeless classic or the buzzy bestseller they can’t put down? Welcome to Page-Turners, the series where stars reveal the books that keep them hooked, inspired and up all night. For influencer and cookbook author Nara Smith, the right read isn’t just about entertainment; it’s about transport.
Why “Escaping” Is Part of the Reading Experience for Smith
Nara Smith’s favorite books are the kind that make her feel nostalgic, inspired, or just completely transported for a little while. It is a philosophy that makes sense given the pace of her digital career. The influencer, whose viral online cooking videos have amassed millions of views, told Page Six that she gravitates toward books that pull her into a world entirely different from her own.
Smith’s Reading Criteria: She looks for “really human, complicated relationships” or stories that offer genuine escape. Her ultimate test is whether she keeps thinking about the characters after she’s finished the final page.
Her selections span romance, high fantasy, historical fiction, and modern classics, proving that her TBR pile is as varied as her audience is diverse.
From Viral Cooking Videos to a Debut Cookbook
Before diving into the fiction, there’s the food. Smith’s debut cookbook, Homemade, is out now and serves as the non-fiction companion to her online persona. Describing the project to Page Six, Smith said she “couldn’t be more proud” of the debut, calling it “nostalgic and playful.”
The recipes are filled with the kind of food she genuinely loves to make, featuring little twists that make familiar things feel new again. It’s a collection that mirrors her approach to reading — honoring the classics while adding a personal, contemporary spin.
1. Normal People by Sally Rooney
Starting with contemporary fiction, Smith chose the novel that defined a generation of literary romance. She highlights the quiet power of the narrative, noting how Rooney captures the unspoken complexities of human connection.
“I love how quiet and painfully human this storytelling is. Sally captures all the things people feel, but don’t know how to say — especially when it comes to love and timing.”
2. Throne of Glass by Sarah J. Maas
Swinging to fantasy, Smith picks the series that defined much of the genre’s modern boom. For her, it’s about total immersion in a constructed reality.
“There’s something about getting completely lost in a fantasy world that this series does so well. The characters, the mythology, the world-building is something you yearn for after breezing through all the books in this series.”
3. The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo by Taylor Jenkins Reid
Next comes a story of Hollywood glamour that hides deeper emotional stakes. Smith appreciates the duality of the premise — the shiny surface versus the complicated interior.
“I loved how glamorous this story feels on the surface while being so much more complicated underneath. It’s really about love, ambition, sacrifice, and the difference between who you are and who the world thinks you are.”
4. The Song of Achilles by Madeline Miller
For mythology fans, Smith recommends Miller’s retelling of the Trojan War. It’s a pick for anyone who knows the ending but still needs the emotional release of the journey.
“Greek mythology has always fascinated me, so I was already drawn to this one. But it’s such a beautiful, devastating love story—the kind of book where you know what’s coming and yet is still heartbreaking.”
5. Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen
The classic on Smith’s list is the one that proves old stories feel new when the heroine is sharp enough. She calls out Elizabeth Bennet specifically for her modern sensibility.
“I love how witty and observant this story is, especially about love, pride, and the assumptions we make about people. Elizabeth Bennet also has the kind of sharpness and independence that makes her feel surprisingly modern.”
6. To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee
Closing the list is the novel of conscience. Smith notes that this was one of those books that stayed with her long after the first read, focusing on empathy rather than just plot.
“This was one of those books that stayed with me after I first read it. It explores empathy, morality, and learning to see the world through someone else’s eyes.”
What These Recommendations Say About Her Taste
Looking across the full list, a clear pattern emerges: Smith values emotional resonance over spectacle. From the quiet ache of Normal People to the moral weight of To Kill a Mockingbird, her choices prioritize characters that linger in the mind long after the final chapter. If you are looking to expand your own reading list with something guaranteed to spark a conversation, this is a solid starting point.
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Books, Entertainment, Food, Literature, People, Shopping, Online, Internet, Hobbies, Leisure, Nara Smith, Homemade Cookbook, Page Six, Sally Rooney, Sarah J. Maas, Taylor Jenkins Reid, Madeline Miller, Jane Austen, Harper Lee
