Books are a great way to relax, pass the time or learn something new – and choosing your favourites is a very subjective matter. They can leave an impression on a young mind, or offer guidance in a time of need – as well as providing a bit of escapism from reality.
I have compiled a list of some of my favourites and why I think everyone should read these at least once. Here are my top 10 books to add to your summer reading list – and perhaps controversially, one author’s name crops up not one, not two, but three times on my list.
The Midnight Library by Matt Haig
The Midnight Library follows a woman who is struggling with unhappinesses and discontenment. When she finds herself in a magical library between life and death, she is forced to explore all of the “what could have beens” in her lifetime. Here, she learns a huge lesson about what it is she truly wants from life and it’s a very relatable read. The book details on some home truths about life that we all know but sometimes need to be reminded of, realising that you have to choose the path you want to go down and it’s not all up to fate. I would recommend this book to anyone as, as much as it is about a dark time in life, it’s told in a light-hearted and relatable way.
A Thousand Splendid Suns by Khaled Hosseini
This book follows the lives of two Afghan women whose worlds have become connected in tumultuous modern Afghanistan. Mariam is an illegitimate child who has been married off at a young age and later finds an unexpected friendship with Laila, who is also taken in by Mariam’s husband. But as Afghanistan descends into war, their lives and their bond are tested by hardship and tragedy. This book really opened my eyes and allowed me to have more of an insight and appreciation of different cultures.
Northanger Abbey by Val McDermid
I had for a couple years been tempted and intrigued by Austen’s books but was somewhat intimated to pick them up. Once I started reading McDermid’s modern retelling that was based on Cat (Catherine), a home-schooled girl who spends her summer in Edinburgh during the Fringe Festival, I felt I could then read Austen’s original. The book is largely inspired by Gothic mystery and it was a real treat to read, I’d urge anyone to read an Austen adaptation to get over any trepidation before reading her novels.
Bridget Jones’ Diary by Helen Fielding
The Bridget Jones series of books has got to be a national treasure of British culture. Helen Fielding’s novels are nothing short of iconic in their relatability and humour but the first one will always stand out for me. It follows the life of Bridget, a 30-something single women navigating work, love and self-improvement while living in London. The story is told in the form of a diary, revealing Bridget’s thoughts and struggles. It’s a book I return to time and time again, despite some of its references being a tad dated, it feels like a rite of passage to read Bridget Jones’ Diary.
The Hunger Games series by Suzanne Collins
Counting as three of the 10 entries, The Hunger Games series is set in a dystopian future and follows Katniss Everdeen, a young women who volunteers, in her younger sisters place, to take part in the Hunger Games, which is annual televised event that involves tributes from each district fighting to the death until there is only one person remaining. The series explores themes of survival, sacrifice, rebellion and the corrupt power of a totalitarian government and I think it is enjoyable for anyone to read at any point of their life. In order, the books are The Hunger Games, Catching Fire and Mockingjay.
Shuggie Bain by Douglas Stuart
Shuggie Bain is the debut novel by Scottish writer Douglas Stuart. It tells the story of Shuggie, who is the youngest of three children, as he grows up in 1980s post-industrial working-class Glasgow with his alcoholic mother Agnes. The book is based on Stuart’s own experiences and is a poignant story that that explores themes of neglect, addiction and poverty, alongside unconditional love. Its personal, gritty and uncomprimising and does well to portray the effects of alcoholism on different generations, making it a book that should be added to your list.
One Day by David Nicholls
One Day, written by David Nicholls holds a special place in my heart. It follows Emma and Dexter ans their lives through a 20-year period. Each chapter of the book returns to same day each year, St Swithen’s Day to be exact, and we see how the couple’s lives and relationship has progressed. It’s a beautfiul concept used to fulfill a classic will they, won’t they. Though it is a heartbreaking story, I think it is a perfect example of how life can sometimes have other plans for you, despite the paths you choose to go down. The book has been made into a film and was made into a TV series for Netflix last year.
The Diary of a Young Girl by Anne Frank
The Diary of Anne Frank is a deeply moving and vulnerable firsthand account of the Holocaust. Perhaps it’s one of the most visceral accounts of how it was to live during this time and it comes from the perspective of Anne, a brave Jewish teenager grappling with desire, ambition and an uncertain future. The book is a rarity as its author writes in her most vulnerable state and it allows for an important insight into how life was for both young women and Jewish people during WWII. Of all the books on the list, this would be my number one must read.