Pop superstar Dua Lipa is trading microphones for bookmarks as she takes the helm of the Southbank Centre’s London Literature Festival, part of the venue’s 75th anniversary celebrations. The Grammy and Brit Award winner, known for selling out stadiums worldwide, is proving that fame and literature can harmonise beautifully – and she’s on a mission to inspire others to pick up a book.
From Stage to Page: A Cultural Pivot
Since launching her Service95 Book Club in 2023, Lipa has emerged as an unexpected but influential voice in the literary world. Her platform regularly features monthly book recommendations and in-depth conversations with heavyweight authors like Margaret Atwood and Percival Everett. This October, she extends that passion to curating one of the UK’s most prestigious literary events, scheduled to run from October 20 to November 1.
Joining a growing list of celebrities embracing the books scene – including Reese Witherspoon and Kaia Gerber – Lipa’s involvement arrives at a critical moment. The UK’s National Year of Reading aims to reverse declining literacy trends, particularly among young people. Recent data from the National Literacy Trust revealed that reading enjoyment among UK children plummeted to a 20-year low of 32.7% in 2025.
Beating the Scroll: Tips for Reading More
Like many in today’s hyper-connected world, Lipa admits she struggles with digital distractions. “There are phones, and so many distractions, and so much going on all the time in our lives – sometimes it’s hard to just find a moment to sit down and read,” she tells The Independent.
To combat the constant pull of notifications, she’s turned to technology itself – using apps that block social media access. “I just recently got an app… it blocks your social media, so that’s been really handy. I’m like, ‘All right, I have my one hour a day that I can just quickly do what I have to do online, and not doom scroll.’ And that’s given me extra hours to read.”
Her advice for fellow readers is refreshingly blunt: limit screen time and create physical boundaries with devices. “Throw your phone away. Do something!” she urges. “Something like an app that just takes you off your phone and makes a real point of putting it to the side.”
Desert Island Picks: A Literary Lifeline
When asked to imagine her essential reads for a desert island, Lipa’s selections reveal both depth and introspection. Leading the pack is George Orwell’s Nineteen Eighty-Four, a dystopian classic she frequently gifts to others. “I gift that book a lot, and it just surprises me every time,” she says.
Also making the cut is Elena Ferrante’s My Brilliant Friend, a coming-of-age tale set in post-war Naples. “I love that book,” Lipa explains. “I love the story and where it takes me, into Naples. And on a desert island, you need a book that takes you out of where you are.”
Rounding out her trio is George Saunders’ Lincoln in the Bardo, praised for its 166 ghost characters. “Because with 150 characters in a book, I just simply can’t get bored.” She also highlights Kazuo Ishiguro’s Klara and the Sun and Never Let Me Go as favourites she often shares with friends.
Current Reads and Future Inspirations
Currently perusing Careless People by Facebook whistleblower Sarah Wynn-Williams, Lipa describes the memoir as something that “rocks you a little bit, for sure.” Upcoming titles on her radar include Switzy by Emma Cline and Ply by Hernan Diaz.
While she remains tight-lipped about any creative projects brewing from her recent reads, Lipa hints at future musical inspiration: “I’m a bit too scared to talk about it right now, because I’d be giving too much away… but when I’m closer to releasing music, hit me up, and I’ll tell you all about it.”
Why it Matters
Dua Lipa’s literary advocacy represents more than celebrity endorsement – it’s a cultural signal that reading remains relevant in an age of fleeting attention spans. With childhood reading enjoyment at historic lows and digital distraction omnipresent, high-profile figures like Lipa can influence millions to rediscover the transformative power of books. Her curated festival and ongoing book club efforts demonstrate that literature isn’t just surviving; it’s evolving, finding new audiences through unexpected ambassadors who bridge entertainment and intellect.
