My 5 Favourite Books

To ease myself into writing again, I’ll start with something easy to think about: My favourite books! I can’t decide which is my favourite, so they are in no particular order.

1. Haroun and the sea of stories – Salman Rushdie

As one of my childhood favourites, this was an obvious choice. I love the way Salman Rushdie writes, almost as if he is speaking, which makes for very easy and natural reading. This book acts as a comfort to me, so if I’m sad or not feeling 100% reading the familiar words lulls me into a sense of security which often helps a lot. Reading it as an (almost) adult, I have found that the story grows with you. References and ideas that may not have been obvious to me as a child make the story seem brand new every time.

2. The Book Thief- Markus Zusak  

I found this book to be a very interesting read. I love the way that death is used as the narrative- it is a very interesting way to carry the story. The way you become slowly attached to the characters is beautiful, but also a killer!

3. The Alchemist- Paulo Coelho

Books that are recommended to you often appear on favourite book lists. The idea that someone special has read the exact same words before you is an incredibly powerful concept, especially if that person is no longer there. The person that recommended ‘The Alchemist’ to me is fortunately still around, but regardless of this it still remains in my top 5. It is one of those books that does not seem particularly inspirational as you are reading it, but stays in your mind long after it is finished.

4. 1984-George Orwell

I love the unsympathetic writing style in this book. Each word seems necessary and well chosen. The ideas conveyed in it made me question some aspects of today’s society. It’s a good read if you enjoy books that really make you think and is definitely not one to rush through.

5. Selected Short Stories- H.G.Wells

One of my favourite books not only for the futuristic stories inside, but the vast array of marginalia on some of the pages of my copy. I really love seeing other people’s ideas, most of whom I don’t know. Without a doubt my favourite story has to be ‘the time machine’ which I found both beautiful and disturbing. Every single story included has really captured my imagination.

 

So there are my top 5 favourite books. I'd love to hear yours- leave them in the comments!