I think you’re either a reader or not. As a child my head was rarely out of a book. I took one everywhere we went and could often be found walking along and reading at the same time! My family nicknamed me ‘Bookworm Burgess’ (my maiden name) and from about the age of 10 I was reading James Herbert, Stephen King, Catherine Cookson and Virginia Andrews.
My choice of reading is quite diverse but there are some genres I usually avoid. I’m not a fan of science fiction or fantasy, such as mythical characters, wizards and dragons! However, I often read books which have a fantastical element in that things happen which are unlikely to take place in the real world.
Fall in love with as many books as possible.
I go by a lot of recommendations but sometimes I find I’m not as enraptured by a book as the person who has suggested it was. As I always say, life would be very boring if we all liked the same things and books are a perfect example of that. This happens very rarely for me though. ‘The Miniaturist’ (2014) by Jessie Burton was one such book for me. I thought it was ok but wasn’t sold on the hype. The history of the sugar trade in 17th century Netherlands was interesting but I just thought the whole story was a bit odd! Another one was ‘We Are All Completely Beside Ourselves’ (2013) by Karen Joy Fowler, also recommended to me as one of a friend’s absolute favourites. I don’t want to say too much about it because it’s hard to without revealing ‘spoilers’ but I just found it hard going. To me that doesn’t imply a book isn’t as amazing as other people might think, just a difference in readers’ intellect and capacity for thinking and knowledge.
We often describe a book as being ‘hard to get into’ and patience can really pay off and make you glad that you persevered. I started ‘Atonement’ (2001) by Ian McEwan three times and abandoned it, finally reading and enjoying the whole book on my fourth attempt! I later read ‘On Chesil Beach’ by the same author, which left me feeling a bit flat! It was shortlisted for the Booker Prize in 2007 so I’m guessing I may be in the minority with my views on that one!
Although my reading choices are quite eclectic I am definitely drawn to some particular themes. For example, books where the characters have some form of neurodiversity or special need. The most notable of these was ‘The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Nighttime’ (2003) by Mark Haddon which I read almost 20 years ago. The author claimed “This is not a book about Asperger’s…if anything it’s a novel about difference, about being an outsider, about seeing the world in a surprising and revealing way. The book is not specifically about any specific disorder” Over the years I have read a number of books which fit this description – ‘The Rosie Project’ (2013) by Graeme Simsion (Australian novelist), the first of a trilogy and I’ve read the first two (‘The Rosie Effect’). The books centre around a genetics professor who struggles with relationships and sets out to find a wife. At times it is ‘laugh out loud’ funny and is very cleverly written. I never got round to reading the third book but I hope to one day.
Stop trying to fit in if you were born to stand out.
I would combine these types of books with a ‘feel good’ factor, such as ‘A Man Called Ove’ (2012) by Swedish author Fredrick Backman, ‘Happy Days of the Grump’ (2017) by Tuomas Kyrö (Finnish author) ‘The Hundred-Year-Old Man Who Climbed Out the Window and Disappeared’ (2009) by Jonas Jonasson’ (Swedish) and ‘The Unlikely Pilgrimage of Harold Fry (2012) by Rachel Joyce. Finally ‘What Milo Saw’ (2014) by Virginia Macgregor, written mainly from the point of view of 9 year old Milo Moon who has a degenerative eye condition and sees the world very differently, a protagonist with considerable strengths showing how he perceives and deals with various family problems.
“Reading is the sole means by which we slip, involuntarily, often helplessly, into another’s skin, another’s voice, another’s soul.” – Joyce Carol Oates (American author).
I do have a few favourite authors who rarely disappoint. For many years I’ve enjoyed thrillers by crime writer James Paterson. They are easy, quick reads with short chapters, and get you hooked in very early on. He has a 14 year streak as the most borrowed author in UK libraries which was only very recently broken by children’s author, Julia Donaldson. However, he remains the most borrowed adult author in UK libraries. Some of his bestsellers were made into films , such as ‘Along Came a Spider’ and ‘Kiss the Girls’.
More recently I’ve discovered a lot of good female psychological thriller/crime writers too. Lisa Jewell and Lisa Gardner are easy reads. A few years ago I read a few by B.A. Paris – ‘Behind Closed Doors’ (2016), ‘The Breakdown’ (2017)and ‘Bring Me Back’ (2018) were particularly good. More recently I read Gillian McAllister’s ‘Wrong Place, Wrong Time’ (2021) and I couldn’t put it down! It was a very clever plot full of twists and turns.
I started reading a book about the history of glue. Now I can’t put it down…..!
I love a book with an unexpected but brilliant ending, one that keeps you hooked from start to finish but you actually have no idea what the reality of the storyline is. ‘I Know My Name’ (2017) by C.J. Cooke is one of those books. The brief synopsis of this book is “A woman is washed up on a remote Greek island with no recollection of who she is or how she got there.” I’m not going to say any more about this book as it is difficult to do that without containing spoilers but if you like a thriller/mystery that you can’t put down, I highly recommend this one.
‘Little Fires Everywhere’ (2017) by Celeste Ng is a gripping and insightful read with an intricate plot. Containing themes of class, moral issues, life expectations and interracial relationships, parenting and motherhood, you get the past stories of almost every character in the book, along with complex dynamics and small town politics. The book opens with a shocking conclusion and then goes back in time, unravelling the secrets, lies and unexpected twists that led to it.
‘Paper Palace’ (2022) by Miranda Cowley Heller is a contemporary novel that I got totally lost in. Thanks to the lucid and detailed descriptions creating a tangible atmosphere it was easy to visualise the location, the coastal setting of Cape Cod with its ponds, wildlife and nature. With a hard-hitting back story, complex family dynamics and many engrossing and intriguing layers, I retained a burning curiosity throughout to where this story was ultimately heading. Secrets, love, lies and a summer beach house……
“Does letting go mean losing everything you have, or does it mean gaining everything you never had”
Australian novelist, Liane Moriarty, also writes of friendship, family, secrets and lies. In particular ‘Big Little Lies’ (2014) is funny and poignant and features playground politics and dysfunctional families but at the same time incorporating a darker, more serious side. I also enjoyed ‘The Husband’s Secret’ (2013) and ‘Apples Never Fall’ (2021). The ones I’ve read so far were full of unexpected twists and turns and I definitely plan to read more from this author.
One of my absolute favourites is Irish author, Cecilia Aherne, probably most well-known for ‘PS I Love You’ (2004) and I think I’ve read all but one of her books which was aimed at a teenage audience and is a sequel to one I did read. I’ve loved them all – they are quirky, mystical, spiritual, funny (sometimes hilarious), endearing, wholesome and feel good reads. My favourite though will always be ‘Thanks for the Memories’ (2012) which had a lot of ‘laugh out loud’ moments!
Marian Keyes, also Irish, is another author guaranteed to make you laugh. She covers some very serious subjects but with light humour. ‘Watermelon’ (1995) is definitely my favourite of those I have read.
“A good laugh is sunshine in the house.”- William Makepeace Thackeray (author of ‘Vanity Fair’).
Continuing in the genre of comedy, how can I not mention the series of ‘Bridget Jones’ books? Absolute genius! I remember someone once telling me that they had been sat on a train when ‘Bridget Jones’s Diary’ (1996) was first released and it was full of women reading and chuckling at this book! Described by Gill Hornby (The Times) as “Brilliant . . . any woman who has ever had a job, a relationship or indeed a mother will read it and roar” it is hilarious, addictive and, at the same time, touching. Renee Zellweger portrayed the central character perfectly resulting in the film franchise being a huge success. Over the years, it has been hailed as part of the English pop culture with Bridget Jones being cited as a British cultural icon. She is a character that most of us can relate to in some way – real, ditsy, over dramatic – and someone you’d love to have in your friendship group! Maybe we already all have a ‘Bridget’ in our circle of friends….?!
I’m one of those annoying people who will tell you they’ve read the book and it was better than the film! Sometimes though I have applauded how well a film has portrayed a book. I don’t like it if they change obvious details – ‘PS I Love You’ by Cecilia Aherne (book set in Dublin), and ‘Girl on the Train’ (2015) by Paula Hawkins (book set in London) – both films set in America. I remember when I was reading ‘Girl on the Train’ how it used to remind me of my own commute to London when I would imagine the lives of the people who lived in the suburbs around the railway line. The films were both good though, just different from my expectations.
Sometimes the film is an equal match in enjoyment to a book. I read ‘Life of Pi’ (2001) by Yann Martel and I thought the film was the best 3D movie I’ve ever seen! It was stunning! The book was good but I found some parts of it hard going, such as the religious, spiritual and philosophical aspects. The main theme of the book being the relativity of truth engages you in a highly thought-provoking scenario where you have to decide for yourself what you think the truth really is. Whichever it is, it is neither confirmed nor denied. The book raises questions about the nature of reality and how it is perceived and told.
I also really enjoyed the book and film of ‘Slumdog Millionaire’ by Vikas Swirup, particularly as I’m a fan of Dev Patel who played the central character. Originally titled ‘Q&A’ in 2005, following the release of the film adaptation in 2008 it was renamed. It is a rags-to-riches story about an orphan teenage boy living in the slums of Mumbai. The main part of the novel is divided into 12 chapters. Each chapter tells a story from the boy’s life that explains how he knew the answer to all 12 questions that were asked on the trivia show ‘Who Will Win a Billion?’. Regarded as a ‘sleeper hit’ (slow burner) the film was ultimately awarded 8 Academy Awards, 7 BAFTAs, 5 Critics’ Choice Awards and 4 Golden Globes! Ultimately this book is about destiny versus luck, and personal dedication.
Very late to the party I recently discovered what a wonderful writer Jodi Picoult is! I’ve got a lot of catching up to do but I particularly enjoyed ‘Small Great Things’ (2016). It is the story of one black woman’s fight against racial prejudice. It is hard hitting, thought-provoking and an honest and fearless account of race and colour, made more shocking by the fact it is set in contemporary America. Although it is sensitively written it’s hard not to squirm at the uncompromising and self-righteous viewpoints and the feelings of disbelief that situations such as these could still be happening in current times. A fantastic book.
‘The Secret Life of Bees’ (2002) by Sue Monk Kidd, set in 1964, is a charming, funny, moving and uplifting story during the civil rights era of South Carolina (the Deep South). It centres on 14 year old Lily who lives with her abusive father. After a series of events, Lily leaves town with the African/American maid, Rosaleen, who lives with them. They head to the Boatwright residence where they meet August, May and June, the Boatwright sisters who are the makers of honey. Despite the topics of brutality, racial tensions and mental health, this is a heartfelt and bittersweet coming-of-age story. Each chapter begins with a quotation about bees and beekeeping and links the symbolism of the bees to the story – being organised, living in a civilised community, guidance and the symbol of power in a female community in relation to bees. Don’t be put off by this though, it is an easy read that is beautifully written and warms your heart.
Some books would be described as a ‘feel good’ read but they are not always full of joy and happiness. They are often the opposite of this but tell stories of how people have overcome extreme adversity. Margaret Farrell’s ‘I Am I Am I Am’ (2018) is an astonishing memoir of the near-death experiences that have punctuated and defined her life. It is essentially a story of survival, living and a reminder to us all of life’s blessings.
If you like a ‘feel good’ book you will definitely like ‘How to be Happy’ (2018) by Eva Woods, a wonderful, emotional, heartbreaking, uplifting and life affirming book. Matt Haig’s ‘The Midnight Library’ (2020), a fantasy novel, is a philosophical tale of how it’s never too late to make a change in your life and how we shouldn’t underestimate the difference we make in the lives of others. It also reminds us that our past does not have to dictate our future and how reconsidering our thoughts and decisions can make a huge difference to our path to ultimate happiness. To quote the author on what life is “…acres of disappointment and monotony and hurts and rivalries but with flashes of wonder and beauty.” The thought-provoking themes may not resonate with all readers but, whether or not you want to delve deeply into the intriguing premise of this book, it is a great read.
“A book is the only place in which you can examine a fragile thought without breaking it.” – Edward P. Morgan (American journalist and writer)
‘Mindfulness’ has been the buzzword of our times for a few years now. It is great that, as a society, we are finally giving mental health the attention and recognition it so desperately needs. But more than that, it’s not just about the people who have been diagnosed as a sufferer but acknowledging that we ALL need to take care of our own wellbeing.
“Paying more attention to the present moment – to your own thoughts and feelings, and to the world around you – can improve your mental wellbeing.
Mindfulness involves paying attention to what is going on inside and outside ourselves, moment by moment.
It’s easy to stop noticing the world around us. It’s also easy to lose touch with the way our bodies are feeling and to end up living “in our heads” – caught up in our thoughts without stopping to notice how those thoughts are driving our emotions and behaviour.” (Ref: http://www.nhs.uk)
I’ve got a nice little collection of what I would call philosophical books that are intended to make you feel uplifted and inspired, particularly in times of uncertainty, fear, sadness or grief. Some are basically illustrations and quotes (you have probably already guessed that I love a quote!) and others contain short anecdotes, either about a triviality that most people can relate to or a life lesson/moral code. My collection started with the bestseller ‘The Boy, the Mole, the Fox and the Horse’ (2019) by Charlie Mackesy. The book is a series of illustrations with quotes about kindness and vulnerability. On the surface this book may appear to be unexceptional in its simplicity but it is full of nurturing statements and gentle encouragement on how to be resilient in adversity, weathering a storm and never giving up.
I went through a very challenging time in 2022 and I was overwhelmed by the kindness and generosity of caring friends and family. Amongst the gifts to wish me well were a selection of similar inspirational books. ‘Big Panda and Tiny Dragon’ (2021) by James Norbury is a tale of friendship and hope. Each cute little illustration tells a message, such as “Which is more important?’ asked Big Panda “the journey or the destination?” “The company” said Tiny Dragon. It’s not just a book, it’s a big hug that you can reach for anytime you need it!
“Books are the plane, and the train, and the road. They are the destination, and the journey. They are home.” – Anna Quindlen (American author, journalist and opinion columnist).
Another gift was ‘The Comfort Book’ (2021) by Matt Haig. The best description I have heard of this book and which I think sums it up perfectly is “This book is fresh air. It is a sunset on a summer’s evening, and it is a cold shower on a very hot day. It is a book written to help you understand yourself and it is also a book written to help you heal and appreciate life.” It is a hug, a friend and a reminder that there is always hope.
For the first of what would ultimately be three surgeries and hospital stays for me in 2022, I spontaneously bought myself a copy of ‘The Joy of Small Things’ (2021) by Hannah Jane Parkinson. I anticipated that my nerves and all the distractions on the ward would make it difficult to concentrate on anything too ‘involved’ and thought this book would be a positive diversion for my overwhelmed state of mind. It is the perfect tonic for the stresses of life and depressing news. In short chapters the author talks about small pleasures in life – fresh bedding, re-reading books, a thorough teeth-cleaning, board games, hot baths, hilarious memes, all-day breakfasts – to name a few! You can dip in and out at any point and I can honestly say it was all wholly relatable to me! I am a great believer that some of the simplest things bring the greatest comfort and happiness.
“It is a strange paradox, that many of the clearest, most comforting life lessons are learned while we are at our lowest.”
Hoping for a Happy Ever After 