Comedian Katt Williams discusses the significant role reading has played in his life, describing it not merely as a pastime but as his “first hustle” in his new memoir, *Nine Lives, No Wives, and 69 Concubines*. Williams credits books with offering him access to knowledge and understanding during his childhood, a time when many resources were out of reach. His curiosity and ability to teach himself through literature, he says, became a vital tool for gaining advantages others might not have had.
Williams organizes his personal library by subject matter, viewing books as practical resources rather than decorations. Among his collection, gardening books stand out, reflecting a lesser-known passion for cultivation. He notes that gardening has taught him patience and the importance of providing the right conditions for growth—lessons he finds applicable beyond horticulture.
Reflecting on formative childhood reading, Williams cites *The Swiss Family Robinson* and *The Diary of Anne Frank* as influential. He was drawn to the themes of survival and inventiveness in the former and the real-life poignancy in the latter. He also acknowledges Stephen King’s storytelling prowess while admitting that reading King’s works sometimes compromises his ability to sleep.
Despite achieving vast popularity through digital platforms, including a widely viewed interview on “Club Shay Shay,” Williams sees unique value in authoring a book. He emphasizes that the internet’s immediacy fades, whereas books endure across generations, carrying the author’s story far beyond the lifespan of current technology.
Williams also recounts an early career incident involving Dr. Seuss’s intellectual property. He had used the moniker “Katt in the Hat,” inspired by the famous character, to promote his comedy. This led to a cease-and-desist order, underscoring the legal complexities of trademark use, though Williams recalls the episode more as a youthful misstep than a serious conflict.
When asked if reading ever caused him trouble, Williams says he was never restricted and was even drawn to banned books out of curiosity about the ideas others sought to suppress. Recently, he has been studying the Torah and finds it a rich source of wisdom.
Looking forward to a hypothetical literary dinner party, Williams would invite J.R.R. Tolkien, Mark Twain, and Jack London—authors he respects for their creativity, social insight, and fearless approach to storytelling. He imagines the conversation among them would be lively, valuing the experience above the dialogue itself.
This interview provides insight into how reading has shaped Williams’s worldview and creative process. Beyond laughter, his relationship with books illustrates a profound respect for knowledge, storytelling, and the enduring power of the written word.