The standout star of Broadway's "Kinky Boots" and lead singer of the multi-platinum band Scissor Sisters is a book lover. His recently published memoir "Boys Keep Swinging," (yes, the title is a tribute to the David Bowie song of the same name) chronicles Shears' journey from adolescence to lead singer of a glam rock and LGBTQ-focused band. In an exclusive list for Salon, the rocker/writer reveals the books that made a mark on him, including stories that scared him, grossed him out and just plain blew him away.

When Shears was offered the chance to write a memoir about some of the craziest parts of his rock and roll life, it was "too delicious to pass up," he told Salon. Watch the video above for Shears' reading suggestions and why he left his original career path of writing to eventually come back to it. And check out the full episode.