“Serial killer, alien high commander, transgender football player, children’s book writer,” reads John Lithgow’s Twitter profile, an accurate depiction of the actor if simply considering his eclectic film, TV and stage roles — and the children’s books that have made him a New York Times bestseller. He may want to add Albus Dumbledore to that bio. The actor has committed to playing the wise and enigmatic headmaster of Hogwarts in the new HBO series of J.K. Rowling’s beloved series of Harry Potter books which inspired generations to read. Lithgow who came to fame playing the patriarch of the alien family in the popular TV show 3rd Rock from the Sun, has since played characters ranging from Winston Churchill in The Crown to Lord Farquaad, the power-hungry, vertically challenged ruler of Duloc in Shrek. Lithgow has said that Dumledore is likely to be his last significant role, given the anticipated length of the series. “I think the best thing is to have a gracious ending,” he told NPR last year. “I calculate my exit from any film or television or stage play, and I always want to have a good ending. Well, I want to have a good ending to my life too. That no one grieves over.”

Below are John Lithgow’s favorite books, available to purchase individually or as as set.