“They are, by nature, storytellers,” says the host of “Late Night With Seth Meyers,” whose comedy special “Lobby Baby” is on Netflix now. “Writing is magic, so to have people who can do the tricks talk about it makes for good conversation.”

What books are on your nightstand?

Margaret Atwood’s “The Testaments,” Zadie Smith’s “Grand Union” and John le Carré’s “Agent Running in the Field.” And while it is no indicator of how good the books are, all three covers have bright bold colors and they look great stacked on top of each other.

What was the last great book you read?

“Say Nothing,” by Patrick Radden Keefe, is a thrilling piece of nonfiction that unpacks a mystery while providing, at least for me, an education on the Troubles in Northern Ireland. And “Ohio,” by Stephen Markley, is a book that has stayed with me ever since I put it down.

Are there any classic novels that you only recently read for the first time?

“Scoop,” by Evelyn Waugh. Its timeliness is both hilarious and depressing. Also “Blood Meridian,” by Cormac McCarthy. The Judge now holds first position for “Fictional Character Who Has Given Me the Worst Nightmares.”