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My “You Have to Read This” Books
15
items These are the books I’ve read and genuinely wanted to recommend to someone else afterwards. Different authors, genres and kinds of stories, but each one left an impression on me.
Sections
4
My Curtis Sittenfeld Obsession
Women Writers I Love
Men Writers I Love
Smart, Witty & Fascinating Non-Fiction
My Curtis Sittenfeld Obsession
A little obsessed with Curtis Sittenfeld. Smart, witty, relatable — I love her books and always look forward to the next one.
This was the first Curtis Sittenfeld book I read, and it made me fall in love with her writing. I loved the witty, sharp style and the way she reimagines Hillary Rodham’s life in such a compelling way. It instantly made me want to read everything els...
Rodham by Curtis Sittenfeld
I absolutely loved this one. So witty and clever, with a romance that feels grown-up, and funny.
Romantic Comedy by Curtis Sittenfeld
I found it fascinating how Curtis Sittenfeld takes inspiration from the life of a First Lady and imagines the woman behind the public image. Witty, thoughtful and so well observed — another one that completely drew me in.
Curtis Sittenfeld: 'American Wife' Review
I really enjoyed this. Sittenfeld has a brilliant eye for the small, awkward details of everyday life, and her characters feel wonderfully real.
Show Don't Tell by Curtis Sittenfeld
Women Writers I Love
Women writers whose books I love - the ones that have made me laugh, cry, think, and stay up far too late. A mix of old favourites and new discoveries.
Margaret Atwood Margaret Atwood is one of my favourite writers of all time, and The Blind Assassin is a perfect example of why. It’s beautifully written, clever and completely absorbing, weaving together love, betrayal, family secrets and stories wit...
The Blind Assassin by Margaret Atwood
Beautifully written and completely absorbing. A sweeping family story full of love, secrets, politics and magical realism. One of those books that stays with you. It was also made into a 1993 film with a stellar cast — though I’d read the book first!
The House of the Spirits by Isabel Allende
I really loved Piranesi. It’s such a strange, beautiful book, and I completely got lost in its world.
Piranesi by Susanna Clarke
Men Writers I Love
I love seeing things from a different perspective through male writers — discovering new ways of looking at life
It’s such a thoughtful book about love, loss and getting older, with lots of little observations that felt very true to life.
Baumgartner by Paul Auster
Published in 2019, Machines Like Me feels more relevant now than ever. With AI becoming increasingly present in our everyday lives, I found McEwan’s questions about technology, morality and what makes us human particularly thought-provoking. Clever, ...
Ian McEwan - Machines Like Me
It’s witty, sharp and full of fascinating characters, with London itself almost becoming a character. A long read, but one I really enjoyed.
Caledonian Road by Andrew O'Hagan
In my opinion, an absolute classic. Gabriel García Márquez weaves a mesmerising tale of family, love, loneliness and the passage of time, blending reality with magic in the most extraordinary way.
One Hundred Years Of Solitude by Gabriel García Márquez
Smart, Witty & Fascinating Non-Fiction
I like my non-fiction clever, curious and slightly funny. I want to learn something new, but I’d rather not feel as though I’ve enrolled in a course. Expect fascinating subjects, surprising facts, big ideas and writers who can make even the obscure a...
A fascinating and surprisingly funny look at what it means to be a psychopath. I love the way human nature is explored with curiosity and wit. I genuinely laughed out loud in places — thought-provoking, entertaining and wonderfully odd.
The Psychopath Test by Jon Ronson
Fascinating, funny and full of things I never knew about the human body. I love how Bill Bryson turns science and anatomy into something genuinely entertaining and easy to get lost in. I learned so much — and laughed along the way.
The Body: A Guide for Occupants by Bill Bryson
A fascinating and funny look at the history hidden inside our homes. I love how Bill Bryson can make even plumbing and bedrooms interesting—and his dry, witty observations genuinely make me laugh. Full of quirky facts and “I never knew that!” moments...
At Home: A short history of private life
A fascinating read that challenges how we judge others and interpret their intentions. Full of intriguing stories and surprising insights into human behaviour.
Talking to Strangers by Malcolm Gladwell