5 must read books
It is no secret that I LOVE reading, it is something that has helped me through some of the toughest times. It is an amazing form of escapism, you can create the characters in your head to be whatever you want them to be - unlike a film where the vision of a character is someone else’s. There are so many books that I love, so narrowing it down to 5 was pretty tricky. Keep scrolling if you want some reading inspo and do let me know if you have read any of my recommendations or have gone and read them because of my recommendations, I would love to know!
the girl with a pearl earring
TRACY CHEVALIER
Tracy Chavalier’s novel is one inspired by the great painting - the Girl with a Pearl Earring, by one of the worlds great artist - Vameer. The picture poses many questions amongst art critics, it is unknown who the girl in the painting is, posing one of arts greatest mysteries. The ambiguous look on the girls face, the look of longing and loss got Tracy Chavalier thinking about the story behind the painting.
The novel follows 16 year old Griet after she is forced to leave home in 1664 after her father is blinded. She finds herself in the employment as a maid under the great artist Vameer where she battles friendships, tough relationships, and heartache. With trials and tribulations the novel takes us on a wonderful journey with Griet.
Chavalier portrays 17th century Delft so magically and wonderfully - the novel is haunting yet beautiful, mysterious and steeped in atmosphere as we discover who the Girl with a Pearl Earring is. A truly wonderful novel.
pride and prejudice
JANE AUSTIN
What book review would be complete without a Jane Austin novel? One of my all time favourites, this book is so beautiful and portrays the trials and tribulations of 18th century match making so wonderfully that you will fall in love with Elizabeth Bennet and Mr Darcy.
Upon meeting Darcy, Elizabeth Bennet holds a great disdain for his arrogance, rudeness and pompous actions. Through the ups and downs of family courtships, the devilish Mr Wicombe and the silliness of Elizabeth Bennets younger sister, the true intentions of the wealthy Mr Darcy are revealed and Elizabeth Bennet is forced to reconsider her initial thoughts about Mr Darcy.
A feel good novel, if you can get past the 18th century jargon, it really is the most beautiful novel ever written. It takes you on a journey of love, pride and prejudice. Elizabeth Bennet is undoubtably one of the most influential heroines of all time.
inferno
DAN BROWN
Never has there been a novel more apt to the current climate than Inferno. Controversially, some may say, this for me is better than both Angel and Deamon’s and the Da Vinci Code.
The fourth book in the Robert Langdon series, Dan Brown once again takes us on an action packed journey full of mystery, intrigue and, of course, the brilliance of Robert Langdon.
Langdon finds himself in a race against time to save all of human kind, but what is it that he is saving human kind from? Another brilliant novel by Dan Brown and if you love an action packed page turner then you will love this book.
the book thief
MARKUS ZUSAK
The novel follows orphan Liesel in 1938 Germany, as she settles into her new home with her foster parents. When her foster father - Hans - finds out the Liesel cannot read he introduces her to the power of the written language. This ignites a love of books for young Liesel where she begins her own collection gathering them from any place she can, even taking one from a Nazi bonfire. The family barely scrape by but their situation becomes even more precarious when they hide a Jew in their basement.
A beautifully written novel, portraying Nazi Germany as the horrific ordeal that it was. This novel will make you smile and cry in equal measure, taking you and an emotional roller coaster. The novel is haunting yet beautiful, deeply tragic yet optimistic, so terribly sad yet so incredibly heart warming. This novel will truly give you an insight into war time Germany to its fullest. One of my all time favourite books.
the colour purple
ALICE WALKER
Here is a true literary masterpiece. This prize winning novel is set in the harsh, segregated world of the Deep South between wars. Cecile has been raped by the man she calls father, her 2 children have been taken away from her and she has been forced into an ugly and cruel marriage. She has no one to talk to but God.
Along comes Shug Avery, a magically charismatic singer and upon meeting her Cecile discovers that not all female rivalry is painful and torturous but in fact she discovers the love and support of women.
Cecile portrays her story with her letters to God. This book will tear you heart to pieces, it will leave you wide eyed and mouth open. So frank and honest, it is a harrowing inside to what life was like for the African American population in segregated Georgia.