I want to thank my mama for developing my love of reading. From a tender age I have been exposed to books. When mom wasn’t reading to us, I was devouring books for hours every day. Sweet Valley High, The Babysitters Club, anything by Jacqueline Wilson, Roald Dahl, Point Horror and countless others were my favourites. I flew through books as a child and spent all my pocket money on them. This is of course before the age of social media. When children still played knock door run and fed stray cats out of the family dutch pot.
Decades later and I still love reading, but I find it more challenging as social media is an epic distraction. My ”To Be Read” pile is getting larger and larger. It’s hard to resist buying new books as I love collecting them. I studied English Literature at university and learnt so much. Now it’s impossible for me to read at leisure without analysing every little thing in a book.
This list isn’t exhaustive but I thought it was about time I wrote about 5 books that I love and why you should read them.
The book I recommend most often
‘A Piece of Cake’ – Cupcake Brown
This book is one of the best memoirs I’ve read. Back in the early noughties, books discussing child abuse were the flavour of the month (I now believe the crime genre has taken over), titles like ‘A Child Called It’ (Dave Pelzer) and ‘Ugly’ (Constance Briscoe), dominated the shelves. I distinctly remember WHSmith having a section devoted to these books.
However, ‘A Piece of Cake’ is different. Brown writes without a shred of self-pity. Her story is a phenomenal one. Her life was punctuated by bereavement, child abuse, drug abuse, prostitution and gang warfare. Despite this, Brown turns her life around and succeeds in a truly spectacular way. I’ve read this book twice and recommend it to everyone who asks.
More info on A Piece of Cake here 🙂
Gothic romance
‘Wuthering Heights’ – Emily Bronte
There was no way I could not include a classic romance novel. Anyone who knows me knows I do not like mush but this is no ordinary romance. ‘Wuthering Heights’ serves as a warning when you choose money over love. The writing is exquisite and the Gothic elements unsettling but still enjoyable.
When I first read this I hated Heathcliff as a character but then grew disheartened with Catherine’s choices. On the other hand, the love between Heathcliff and Catherine is enviable but the pain they endure being apart is excruciating. You can feel it with every word. ‘Wuthering Heights’ is a tremendous tragic love story everyone should read at least once.
The book with delicious prose
‘Dorian Gray’ – Oscar Wilde
I don’t think there’s a book as dark and decadent as ‘Dorian Gray’. I absolutely adore the writing. The very first line will resonate with creatives everywhere. ‘Dorian Gray’ is about a handsome young man who slowly becomes corrupted by the world. The fruits of his corruption become evident in a portrait he keeps hidden.
Youth and beauty are the ultimate currency in Dorian Gray’s world. Moral decay is celebrated not condemned. ‘Dorian Gray’ is a glorious philosophical novel that will make you question your own understanding of morality. If there was a book that illustrated why you must choose your associates wisely – this is it.
For the intellectual
‘Between the World and Me’ – Ta-Nehesi Coates
If you like books on race and politics then you’ll like ‘Between the World and Me’. I love educating myself on social issues. Coates discusses the politics of the black body and its relationship with America’s problematic history. I really enjoyed the writing and his book raises a lot of questions. For instance, how and why the black body is disproportionately policed and brutalised more than any other race.
Written like a letter to his son, Coates describes his experiences as a black American man navigating a society that hates you but still wants a piece of you. We are forced to examine how Blackness has been abused and the effects centuries later. I’ve included some excerpts below so you can get a flavour of what to expect.
The book that made me laugh out loud
‘Rachel’s Holiday’ – Marian Keyes
‘Rachel’s Holiday’ is about Rachel Walsh. A young Irish woman who loves recreational drugs, partying and her life in NYC. One night she goes too far, heads back to Ireland where her family have had enough and send her off to rehab. She thinks it’s going to be a laugh and she’ll be able to rub shoulders with celebrities and enjoy the pool. It’s anything but fun. Keyes tackles substance misuse and family life with some great humour. This book made me laugh out loud in the bath.
I’m currently reading ‘Don’t Touch My Hair’ by Emma Dabiri. The book is fire and I’m half way through. I’ll be reviewing that next so look out for it 🙂 Let me know what your favourite books are and if you plan on picking any of these up 🙂
Love blackpistachio x
Such an interesting collection of books.
Thanks Naomi 🙂
Rachel’s Holiday sounds like a must read for this summer! I always adored Wuthering Heights too <3
I agree 🙂 Let me know if you pick it up x
Some great classics here! I also like the sound of Rachel’s Holiday as well, I love a book that can make you laugh out loud <3
Chloe xx
http://www.chloechats.com
Thanks Chloe 🙂
It really did! Let me know if you read any of them 🙂 xx
Will have to read these, great collection x
Thanks Debbie! Please tell me which one you go for 😊 x
Rachel’s Holiday sounds like such a fab book and a must-read! Great review lovely,
With love, Alisha Valerie x | http://www.alishavalerie.com
Thanks Alisha 🙂 x
Some fantastic recommendations on here! Xxx
Thanks Cass! 🙂 xxx
English Literature has made me analyse every tiny thing too! I loved reading your post, thanks for the recommendations!
Thank you, Elle! Glad to meet a fellow analyser 😉 xx
Amazingly I’ve never red any of these books. Wuthering Heights has always been high up on my list of books to read because it’s such a classic. Definitely going to get a copy of it soon to read. Great post, I’m always looking for book recommendations!
*mock gasp*
Aw, I’m glad. It really is a great read. I remember finding the beginning a bit difficult because of the change in narrators but once I got past that it was awesome. There are some stunning quotes in it. Aftee you read it I highly recommend watching the TV film with Tom Hardy 🙂 x
Rachel’s Holiday really stood out to me, think I’ll need to give it a read.
Suhweet! Hope you enjoy it 🙂
Such great variety here! I grew up reading Jacqueline Wilson non-stop too. I have a copy of Dorian Gray at home but haven’t managed to get around to reading it yet x
Sophie
Thanks dude! I’ll be doing more of these 🙂 Her books were perfect for kids. The themes were so relatable. Duuuude, get on that! You’ll love it 🙂 x
Wuthering Heights is def a favorite of mine even though a lot of people find it very hard to understand and get through it. Oscar Wilde is one of my favorite writers…saw his house when we visited Dublin last summer. Great job making this list!!
That’s so cool! I really want to visit the Wuthering Heights museum.
I added “A Piece of Cake” to my to read list. Thanks for the recommendation!
Awesome! Please come back and tell me what you thought of it x
Great recommendations
I’m ashamed to admit I have not read any of them. I do enjoy reading but, as you say, social media tends to get in the way. Thanks for the recommendations. I’m going to make a point of reading them. Great post. Thanks for sharing x
Nooo, don’t be silly! Let me know which book you try first 🙂 x
Rachel’s Holiday seems like a good read but I definitely want to read don’t touch my hair
I’m half way through. It is incredible writing and well-researched x
I’m definitely going to check it out
Nice choice or books, I only know two of them, guess I got my next readings!!
Thanks bub!
Thank you so much for sharing these suggestions. I will definitely try Wuthering Heights and as soon as the pile of books I still want to read shrinks a little bit, I might be able to squeeze in a few of the other ones too.
You’re welcome! Wuthering Heights is awesome 😊 x
This is a good mix of genres. Rachel’s Holiday is popping up at me along with A Piece of Cake. I should probably read Wuthering Heights too since it’s a classic, but I’m on a more contemporary kick at the moment. Awesome list!
Thanks, Laura!!
I haven’t read any of these books, but I already bought ‘Wuthering heights’ can’t wait to read it.
Bettie
http://www.thewildflowerhippie.com
Ooo, jump on that 🙂
Yay for book reviewers! I’ve begun to become obsessed with nonfiction – I’ll have to check out A Piece of Cake!
🙂 Definitely!
A Piece of Cake was properly one of the saddest books I’ve read! Great review- going to check out the rest you’ve recommended 🌷
I loved it. The detail she includes does make you angry and sad but the ending and the way she changes her life is genuinely inspiring. Ooo please do 🙂 x
If you have amazon there are so many amazong books on sale at the koment, you may be able to expand your collection! X 💕
Mxndychxrlotte.co.uk 💻
I just bought Jim Crow by Michelle Alexander for 99p for Kindle 🙂
Great list! I’m always looking for new books to read 😁
Thanks Jen! Let me know if you pick one of them 🙂
This is a great list of books! Will definitely be reading them soon!
Let me know which one you try first, Lzzie!
I think I am much more of an Austen girl than a Bronte fan, but I think I need to revisit Wuthering Heights. Thanks for the post!
I’ll admit, I haven’t read much Austen *ducks and covers* but need to explore her work. I hope you enjoy the re-read 🙂 x
Love Dorian gray and have always found wuthering heights overrated but you may have made a case for a reread!
Wuthering Heights is exquisite, I promise, give it another go 🙂
I’m a fellow bookie and I’m always looking for more recommendations! After years of fashion & lifestyle blogging, I decided to create a bookstagram for fun, and I love seeing posts like this!! I can’t wait to try a few of these for myself soon!
Hey Stephanie, thanks man! 🙂
There will be more book reviews to come x
I literally love your taste in books ❤
I love seeing what other books people enjoy reading, mainly so I can add new ones to my list! I usually like detective/crime/thriller type books, but I love the sound of Rachel’s Holiday. I bet that would be great to read lounging by the pool or on the beach (if we ever get to travel again!
Thanks for sharing!
Aimsy xoxo
Aimsy’s Antics
Rachel’s holiday looks good. Will keep y eye out for that one.
It’s very funny 🙂
I’ve read Wuthering Heights (a long time ago though so I could revisit it) and Between The World And Me (which I would also recommend to anyone and everyone) — I will check out the others you’ve mentioned here as I need some new ideas!