Books I Love
Hand-picked books I adore. If you buy via these links, I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you.
Fight Club - by Chuck Palahniuk
This is one of my all time favourite books and movies. I remember reading it in my teens and being blown away by the fast-paced writing, strong characters and out-there storyline.
I dream of my books being 1% as good as this! Read the book, then watch movie, then start your own fight club!
Savages - by Don Winslow
Don Winslow has such a cool writing style, combining violent, gripping storylines with characters you love and one liners that stay with you forever.
Savages is the reason I include lines like:
"He looked like he was trying to be Colin Farrell. If Colin Farrell was a fat, fifty-year-old who
smokes sixty cigars a day and wears massive sovereigns.
Colin Fuckall."
The movie is great as well, but not a patch on this amazing novel.
The End of the F***ing World - by Charles Forsman
We watched the Channel 4 series before I read this book. The TV programme is hilarious with awesome one liners and great performances from the cast, particularly Jessica Barden, who plays the main character, Alyssa. I styled a lot of Grace's one liners and sarcastic humour in The Butchers of Bulridge on Alyssa's character.
The book is a graphic novel, with simplistic drawings and short, sharp dialogue meaning it can be read in one sitting. Be warned though, you'll want to read it over and over.
A Painted House - by John Grisham
I love all of John Grisham's writing, his legal thrillers, such as The Firm, A Pelican Brief and A Time to Kill are massive hits that have been made into Hollywood blockbusters.
A Painted House takes a different tack, but is just as enthralling and mesmerising as John's other works. Set in the 1950s on a farm in Arkansas. A Painted House is told through the eyes of a young boy, Luke, as his family try and bring in the cotton essential to their farm's survival. John's incredible craftsmanship makes this story unputdownable and unforgettable.
Fup - by Jim Dodge
I impulse bought this book from Waterstones, simply because I loved the cover. I wasn't disappointed when I got home and read it!
Fup tells the story of a hard drinking 99-year-old man, his giant grandson, and a stubborn mallard they adopt, called Fup.
This short novella is only about 120 pages long, it's an easy read that's hilarious throughout and makes sure you read it in one go.
The Shining - by Stephen King
Having read almost all of Stephen King's books, he's probably the author that has influenced my writing the most. Stephen has written some incredible books and obviously enjoyed amazing success, The Shining is without doubt one of his best works.
Set in The Overlook Hotel in the Colorado Rockies, The Shining tells the story of the Torrance family, as the dad, Jack Torrance is winter caretaker. As the snow traps the family in the hotel, supernatural forces prey on Jack's weaknesses, driving him into madness that puts the whole family in peril.
The Shining cemented Stephen King's place as a master horror writer, if you haven't already read it, check it out now.
Station Eleven - by Emily St John Mandel
Station Eleven is post-apocalyptic novel that brilliantly blends elements of survival, dystopian fiction and human connection. The story weaves between before and after a pandemic, the Georgia Flu, that wipes out most of the world's population.
Civilisation collapses as the flu spreads, and we follow multiple characters, linking their past and present. I loved how rather than focusing on violence, Station Eleven focuses on the enduring quality of human creativity. This has now been made into a HBO Max TV series, check out the novel now, you'll wish you discovered it sooner.
Friday Night Lights - by H.G. Bissinger
I watched the TV show, Friday Night Lights, before reading this, I loved the TV show to be honest, thought this would be a fictional tale that mirrored it. As it turns out, the book Friday Night Lights is a non-fiction report by H.G. Bissinger as he follows the high school football team, Permian High School Panthers, in Odessa, Texas.
Bissinger writes in a smooth narrative style that flows beautifully throughout the book. While it focuses primarily on the Panthers and the football they play, it also offers insight into the issues in late 80s America. Struggling economies, racial tensions on and off the field, and the immense pressure put on the young players. A fantastic sports book from start to finish.
Feet in the Clouds - by Richard Askwith
I bought this book in the mid-2000s when I was an avid ultra-runner. it's a simply wonderful book, told by budding fell runner, Richard Askwith, as he explores the magic of fell running by lacing up and getting out there.
Askwith enters many of fell running's great races across the UK. He also trains for one of fell running's ultimate challenges, the Bob Graham Round, a non-stop circuit of 42 of the Lake District's highest peaks, to be completed within 24 hours! Askwith also profiles legendary fell runners, such as Joss Naylor and Billy Bland. If you love inspirational sporting stories, this is the running book for you.
Convenience Store Woman – by Sayaka Murata
If you love quirky, hilarious books that you can read in no time, Convenience Store Woman is for you. To be honest, I don’t know much about Sayaka Murata, but I really should, because her writing style is right up my street.
Convenience Store Woman tells the story of Keiko, a 36-year-old outcast who’s been working at the same convenience store in Tokyo for the last 18 years. Keiko’s never had a boyfriend, has no ambition to find a new job and doesn’t fit in with anyone, but people keep asking when she’s going to change. Flawlessly written with not a single word wasted, I love this book, it could only be Japanese!
What Books Do You Love?
Let me know your favourite books or if you've read any of these recommendations. I'd love to hear from you.
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