NEED TO KNOW
Dua Lipa revealed in an interview with Harper’s Bazaar that she visited a women’s prison in the U.K. where they discussed the book Shuggie BainThe book is notably one of the ones that Lipa previously selected for her book club, Service95, which she started in 2023The singer also recalled a moment from her prison visit that has stayed with her, centered on one woman’s reflections about the impact of books
One of Dua Lipa’s recent book club appearances didn’t happen at a cafe or a bookstore — but inside a prison.
The “Levitating” singer, 29, revealed in an interview with Harper’s Bazaar published on Tuesday, Aug. 19 that she visited a women’s prison in the U.K. as a guest of the Booker Prize Foundation’s Books Unlocked program.
Dua Lipa in Los Angeles in February 2024.
Lester Cohen/Getty for The Recording Academy
“There was also one lady in there that I think about often,” Lipa shared. “And she was about 52 years old or something, and she said, ‘Oh, had I maybe read books sooner in my life, maybe I wouldn’t be here, because reading books has really made me understand people and humans and emotions.’ ”
“Reading opens you up to the world. And it makes the world so much smaller,” the singer added.
She noted that the book club in the prison was discussing the book Shuggie Bain, a Booker Prize-winning novel by Douglas Stuart about a boy growing up with his alcoholic mother in public housing in Scotland. The novel was also selected for the Future Nostalgia songstress’s book club Service95, per Harper’s Bazaar.
‘Shuggie Bain’ by Douglas Stewart.
Grove Press
The PEOPLE Puzzler crossword is here! How quickly can you solve it? Play now!
The singer launched the book club in 2023. Each month, she picks a new book to read; one that highlights the club’s belief that literature can “represent diverse global voices, telling powerful stories spanning fiction, memoir and manifesto,” per the platform’s website.
And when it comes to her love of reading and literacy, the singer and bookworm really walks the walk.
Lipa continues to pass down her love for reading with her monthly choices for her book club. Among the books she has previously recommended included One Hundred Years of Solitude by Gabriel García Márquez, Half of a Yellow Sun by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie, Just Kids by Patti Smith and Pachinko by Min Jin Lee.
Dua Lipa for Harper’s Bazaar.
Anthony Seklaoui
Never miss a story — sign up for PEOPLE’s free daily newsletter to stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer , from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories.
Her club not only recommends books, but also releases abundant bonus material with each selection, including author interviews (also available on her Spotify Book Club podcast), playlists and discussion guides to make the most of the reading experience.