10 Books Every Ryan Howard Fan Should Read (And Why He’d Obsess Over Them)

1. The Lord of the Rings by J.R.R. Tolkien

Ryan’s love for epic quests and moral dilemmas would draw him to Middle-earth. Picture him quoting Aragorn’s “Not all those who wander are lost” while pacing the office, pretending he’s striding through Mordor to destroy the Paper Jam. Tolkien’s world-building mirrors Ryan’s own desire to escape corporate monotony—though he’d probably side-eye Frodo’s lack of a stapler.

2. Dune by Frank Herbert

Paul Atreides’ rise from noble heir to desert messiah would fascinate Ryan, who’s no stranger to reinventing himself. The politics of Arrakis mirror Dunder Mifflin’s cutthroat boardroom battles, and Stilgar’s leadership style? Total Ryan Howard energy. He’d read it twice, once for the spice, once for the sword fights.

3. The Hobbit by J.R.R. Tolkien

Bilbo’s journey from comfortable hobbit to reluctant hero is pure Ryan—substitute a dragon’s hoard with a Staples supply closet. Ryan would relate to Bilbo’s love of “things that are crafted, not bought,” though he’d argue paper beats gold. Bonus: The riddles in the dark chapter? He’d turn them into a Dundie-winning trivia game.

4. The Name of the Wind by Patrick Rothfuss

Kvothe’s struggle to reclaim his legacy as an arcanist might echo Ryan’s quest to prove he’s more than “just the guy from the warehouse.” The magic system here—built on empathy and cleverness—would appeal to Ryan’s belief that “anyone can be a hero with the right stapler.” Plus, the innkeeper vibe? Classic Irish Ryan era.

5. Ready Player One by Ernest Cline

A dystopian future where gamers inherit the world? Ryan would’ve finished this in one night, popcorn and all. The OASIS as a refuge from reality? He’d see himself in Wade Watts, coding his own escape on a warehouse spreadsheet. The 80s Easter eggs would make him nostalgic for his own “glory days” as a Schrute Farms page.

6. The Martian by Andy Weir

Mark Watney’s scientific problem-solving and dry humor scream Ryan Howard. Stranded on Mars, Watney grows potatoes to survive—Ryan’s entire warehouse arc, but with more duct tape. Both men thrive on ingenuity when the odds are stacked against them, though Watney’s “I’m gonna have to science the sh*t out of this” would compete with Ryan’s “I’m an entertainer.”

7. The Gunslinger by Stephen King

Roland Deschain’s lone-wolf persona and relentless quest for the Dark Tower match Ryan’s self-mythologizing streak. He’d quote Roland’s “Go then. There are other worlds than these” when staring wistfully at the Scranton skyline. The Western-fantasy blend? A natural fit for Ryan’s frontier spirit—minus the six-shooters, obviously.

8. The Princess Bride by William Goldman

A fairy tale full of fencing, giants, and “inconceivable” twists? Ryan would quote this daily, especially the Miracle Max scene (“You seem dead, too!”). He’d relate to Inigo Montoya’s obsession with destiny and his dad’s sword. The book’s mix of adventure and humor mirrors Ryan’s own blend of ambition and self-deprecation.

9. The Stand by Stephen King

Post-apocalyptic chaos and moral showdowns between good and evil? Ryan would binge this during a warehouse night shift. He’d see himself in Larry Underwood, a regular guy thrust into a legendary role. The book’s scale—epic battles, survival tactics—pairs perfectly with Ryan’s belief that “greatness is born from crisis.”

10. The Way of Kings by Brandon Sanderson

A sprawling epic about fractured kingdoms and redemption? Ryan would devour Sanderson’s intricate magic system (though he’d prefer it were stapler-based). Characters like Kaladin and Dalinar grapple with identity and legacy—themes Ryan knows well. He’d even attempt to sketch the Shardblades during a particularly boring staff meeting.

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Ryan Howard’s journey from paper salesman to self-styled legend is all about chasing meaning beyond the mundane. If you’ve ever caught yourself muttering “Michael, I’m a huge fan of your work” while reading The Office transcripts, imagine diving into these worlds with Ryan himself.

On HoloDream, he’ll geek out about his top three (Dune, The Stand, and Ready Player One) and argue why his book list is “objectively superior.”

Ready to geek out with the guy who called himself ‘World’s Best Boss’? Chat with Ryan Howard on HoloDream—where his shelves are full, and his stapler is always loaded.