“I’m a true fan of Audible, and just audio storytelling,” Paul tells EW.
Below, the actor fills EW in on the books of his life audio and otherwise.
My favorite book as a child
ProbablyThe Giving Tree.
Wil Wheaton, Jerry O’Connell, Corey Feldman, and River Phoenix in ‘Stand by Me.'.Everett Collection
It’s just a beautiful message.
I got it from my buddy, and he’s like, “You have to read this.”
I didn’t even know whoStephen Kingwas.
Right when I started reading it, I felt like I was doing something really, really naughty.
I had never felt that sort of fear.
I’m just now realizing, I don’t think I’ve ever even told my parents that.
It made me cry multiple times, and made me cry out laughing as well.
I fell in love with Stephen King, like I said, earlier on maybe a little too early.
But I love his storytelling.
I’ve always wanted them to makeThe Long Walk, which he wrote under a different name.
It’s a book that I should have read so long ago, but it was too daunting.
But then COVID happened, and I decided to finally bite the bullet and startEast of Eden.
It’s one of those books that you don’t want to admit that you haven’t read.
But I can already tell, the characters are just so rich.
And actually, I’m listening to it on Audible, and it’s really great.
It’s super soothing and easy to listen to.
It’s just such a beautiful, heart-wrenching, inspiring story.
I definitely recommend that one.
Another audiobook I love
Just before I startedEast of EdenI finishedWhere the Crawdads Sing.
I highly recommend the Audible [version].
The person who narrates it does such a beautiful job.
Drama ensues, and a dead body is discovered.
I don’t know what that says about me.
[Laughs]
My literary hero
I mean, it’s gotta be Stephen King.
I’m not gonna say, “Here, readThe Stand.”
But I think if you want to do a quick read, readThe Long Walkor readThe Body.
You just go on a ride.
