When I'm not working, my life is very quiet. I'm either knitting or reading. I have a habit of waking up at 1 a.m. I turn on my little book light, prop myself on my pillows, and read. There's a peacefulness at that time of night. Everything is quiet; I can see the stars in the sky through my window. It's just perfect.

Coming up with a list of my favorite books was a great exercise for me. When I looked at the titles on my shelves, I saw a map of my life. There was The Prophet , which my husband read to me on our first date. And Sula by Toni Morrison. I love that one because it's the story of two women, one of whom leaves her hometown and goes into the world—and I did that. All my interests and adventures and struggles—everything is right on the shelf.

Kimberly Elise, who played Denver in Beloved , appears as Rosie in the remake of The Manchurian Candidate.

What's on Kimberly Elise's Bookshelf? Read more!