The books that I’ll never stop recommending

I’ve always loved to read, as long as I can remember, I’ve been reading (even when my parents had to confiscate my books because I wouldn’t sleep at night!) To celebrate World Book Day I thought I’d share some of my favourite books that I’ve read, you know the ones that you finish and immediately wish you could forget just so you can re-read them? Let’s dive in.

Blue Sisters by Coco Mellors

“Three estranged siblings return to their family home in New York after their beloved sister’s death in this deeply nuanced and compelling novel about grief, addiction and the complexities of sisterhood.”

Probably the most recent read for me on this list, I read this one earlier this year and I loved it. I saw it advertised a couple of times and then a friend recommended it so I picked it up and basically didn’t put it down. It was so real and raw and I loved the way it showed that everyone is facing their own challenges and nothing is ever truly what it seems from the outside. I think this book tackled some really tough issues in an amazing way and I’d recommend this to anyone.

The Railway Children by E. Nesbit

“When Father is taken away and Mother falls ill, Bobbie, Peter and Phyllis move to a small cottage in the countryside. There, they befriend the railway and its passengers, and discover adventure, kindness and courage in unexpected places.”

I loved reading this so much. Although I can’t remember the full story as I read it years ago (and I read so many books that the story lines often blur into one) I do remember how this book made me feel. I just remember finishing it and wishing I could read it again.

A Discovery of Witches by Deborah Harkness

“In this tale of passion and obsession, Diana Bishop, a young scholar and descendant of witches, discovers a long lost enchanted alchemical manuscript in Oxford’s Bodleian Library, awakening a world of magic she has long tried to avoid.”

I was recommended this one by a friend and was immediately obsessed with this and the whole series. I loved the story, I loved the characters, I loved the books and the heavy library influence and, of course, I loved the magic!

Binding 13 by Chloe Walsh

“An epic and unforgettable love story begins in Binding 13. He wants to save her. She wants to hide. She’s damaged. He’s determined.”

I started this book on a TikTok recommendation (always risky business) and I went on two read the whole 7 book series (and they are CHUNKY books) in under two weeks because I was totally hooked. This series dealt with huge amounts of trauma and followed teenagers experience which I always find quite challenging having had a horrible time as a teenage myself but, this book did it so well. There’s actually a prime series coming out based on this book but I don’t think I want to watch it as with most series based on books, they’re just never as good.

The Girl on the Train by Paula Hawkins

“Rachel takes the same commuter train every morning and night. Every day she watches the same couple from the train window. Their life seems perfect, until she sees something shocking.”

I loved this when I read it, there’s something about a book where they really dive into that narrative that everyone is fighting a battle that others know nothing about and how easy it is for us to look at someone and invent a story without knowing the full extent of what’s going on. It’s actually been a while since I read this so maybe it will go on the re-read list…

Girl, Missing by Sophie McKenzie

“When fourteen year old Lauren discovers she was adopted, she becomes determined to find her birth mother, and uncovers secrets that put her in real danger.”

At the time when I read this I must have been a young teen so there’s a strong chance that it’s way better in my head than it actually was BUT this is one of those books that I actually still think about years on and I remember actual scenes from the book as vividly as if I’d lived them which is wild to me since I can’t remember stories very well after I’ve finished them and moved on usually. I might actually have to give this one another read to see if a) I’ve remembered it as well as I think I have and b) whether it was actually good or I was just so young!

I always love a book recommendation so I’d love to hear from you if you’ve got some must reads that haven’t made my list!