Janelle Monae has shared a list of the 15 most influential books of her life.
The 32-year-old singer is a self-confessed sci-fi fanatic, but her influences extend beyond one specific genre, with her list also featuring the biography of Malcolm X, the American human rights activist.
Other well-known books that appear on Monae’s list — which she’s shared with Consequence of Sound — include Brave New World by Aldous Huxley and Wild Seed by Octavia Butler.
Monae has previously spoken of her love of sci-fi, explaining that it allows the reader to “draw parallels between the present and the future.”
She shared: “Science fiction is just an exciting and new way of telling universal stories and it allows the reader to come to the conclusion and draw parallels between the present and the future.”
Monae has also credited Malcolm X with “bringing forth the revolutionary in me.”
Monae recently released her new album ‘Dirty Computers’ and during her promotional tour for the LP she revealed herself to be pansexual, meaning she’s attracted to people regardless of their sex or gender identity.
Asked whether she wants to pose the same questions regarding sexuality as her mentor Prince, Monae previously explained: “I think that its important for people to be proud of their identity. I am very proud to be a queer, young Black woman in America. I’m proud of who I am.”
Monae also claimed it is important for her to be open about her sexuality so she can help any of her fans going through the same thing. She said: “I love myself, and I want for all the ‘Dirty Computers’ around the world to feel seen, to be heard, and to feel celebrated and to know that I’m right there with you.”
