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Debby Ryan

Debby Ryan talks about her five most influential books:

1. Hamlet--"Reading this was the first time I realized how many layers somebody could have, emotionally and psychologically. The more I looked inside Hamlet's mind, the more I fell in love with the challenge of finding and portraying a person you've never met. After I read Hamlet, I knew I needed to be an actor."

2. Nancy Drew--"The Nancy Drew series helped me discover my love for mysteries, spy stories, and suspense. Nancy taught me how awesome it is to be an intelligent, aware, powerful young woman. I like that she was okay with people underestimating her; she always proved them wrong."

3. But No Elephants --"I spent countless hours of my childhood listening to this, quoting it, and learning to read it. Last year, I was hanging out with my best friend Emma. We somehow discovered that we both grew up on that book, and she was the only other person I knew that loved it like I did. Needless to say, our friendship is stronger than ever."

4. Dateable --"I had never read a book that blatantly stated the things that I thought I was alone in thinking. Watching my girlfriends date and get dumped, I realized that the more you give, the less special and rare you become. I watched relationships that happened quickly, end quickly, and gradual relationships fizzle out. These are some of the truths that Dateable helped me make distinct in my mind."

5. I'd Tell You I Love You But Then I'd Have To Kill You [series]--"I love the idea of a girl being so cultured, educated, trained, knowing so many languages, being able to disarm a villain in seconds with nothing but a bobby pin, and rappel from buildings without breaking a sweat, but having no idea how to talk to a guy. Cammie's so powerful in some ways, and so insecure in others, just like every teenager. We all have our strengths, but we're also all still learning and figuring ourselves out, and the Gallagher girls are such a great example of that. Plus, I can relate to being the invisible one of the group. I used to feel left out when people didn't notice me, but this series portrayed blending into the background as Cammie's strength, and I made it mine, too. When I go to events, or out with my friends, or even on set, I always take time observing from the background, and I'm always learning."

How you know Debby:

Debby Ryan stars as Bailey Pickett, a smart, lovable Kansas girl who leaves her small town home for the first time to explore the world while attending Seven Seas High on the SS Tipton in Disney Channel's hit comedy series, "The Suite Life on Deck."

Ryan also stars as Abby Jensen, a bubbly yet self-involved teenager who can't wait to grow up, in the upcoming Disney Channel television movie "16 Wishes."