I never let the opportunity to discuss my favourite novels elude me, and this blog shall be no exception. Class of 2014 English Literature graduate, GoodReads app aficionado, and general bookshop gremlin, I like to think I am fairly well-read. People often ask me what my favourite book is, ask is there a book I have read multiple times, ask what should I read next? The answers to all of these questions can vary wildly, from day to day and from person to person. For literature is ambrosia consumed by a single person in a moment of their life, which can differ wildly based on what novel we need to feel nourished at that time.
I have pondered the conundrum of book recommendations, and have decided upon this short list. It is hard to universally prescribe a list of texts as a cure-all for literary ailments, and which will fulfill all readers. This list of recommendations is, therefore, a light investigation into texts I believe and hope most readers will find something of benefit in and ultimately enjoy. Of course, I am always seeking recommendations and endeavoring to widen my reading horizons. This is a responsibility we all have, to train ourselves to be comfortable outside reading the familiar. It is important for our understanding of literature, empathy, and the variety of life that we all read as widely and as much as possible.
So, on that note, I wish to clarify that this list is in no means representative of the entire literary landscape. I present this merely as a list of the five books I would recommend most to friends, family, and colleagues. So without further ado, here are my top five book recommendations (as of August 2020. Absolutely subject to change!)
5. Sherlock Holmes : The Hound Of The Baskervilles, by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle.
A perfect blending of the detective and gothic genre, The Hound of the Baskervilles is a staple piece of literature for any fan of the classics. The Gothic was hugely popular at the end of the Victorian era, and we've all heard of the great detective Sherlock Holmes. The Hound of the Baskervilles is a quintessentially Holmesian piece of fiction, rich in those historic charms and scathing insights while feeling decidedly accessible as a classic text. Yes, that means none of those confusing and 'boring' sentences, unfamiliar language, and melodramatic plotlines! It is a traditional, pure mystery, with just enough spookiness to keep things spicy. There is a familiarity to the text, as Holmes has been ever-present in the public consciousness for much of the last decade with the BBC adaption celebrating it's 10-year anniversary last month. This novel contextualises much of those references we have grown to love over time, with a freshness that readers still adore today. It's a wonderful starting point for anyone who may want to try out a classic but feels daunted by them. This novel is doubtlessly best read with a warming whisky and curled up by a roaring fire as the rain hammers on the windows.
4. Autumn, by Ali Smith
The first in the 'seasonal quartet', Autumn is one of those novels which, once you've read you never stop thinking about. Ali Smith is a phenomenal writer, and this novel is set to be a modern classic. A collage of a story, following Elizabeth and her elderly neighbor Daniel as they navigate the autumn of 2016, but transcending time throughout. Brexit, love, history, and aging - the ideas that appear throughout the text can be complex, but Smith's prose is so beautiful and fluid that it never feels like a 'difficult' novel. In fact, there are sections so moving that I continually return to them. The writing often feels genre-bending, as Smith draws upon art, poetry, films, and other novels. Autumn is a deeply inspiring and, well, beautiful must-read novel, part of a series that puts a very human face to our current political moment. I promise you will not regret reading this vital piece of literature.
3. The Song Of Achilles, by Madeline Miller
The Song of Achilles is a stunning retelling of Homer's The Illiad, which paints vivid colour and passion over the traditional Greek epic poem. It took Miller ten years to write this text, and there was another seven-year wait for her second novel Circe to come out only a few years ago. Both were instant successes, and for good reason. This novel has captured the hearts of thousands, with it's gripping and moving tale of the lifelong companions Achilles and Patroclus. The depth of character and emotion of these two boys thrown into the Trojan war builds upon the source material and makes it truly accessible for a modern audience. Miller has such a vibrant manner of storytelling, making this novel a deeply sensory experience: every scene is visual and highly saturated with colours, sounds, textures, and tastes. Be warned, however, for this novel will completely capture your heart and soul, and there will be tears.
2. The Argonauts, by Maggie Nelson.
A dear friend once said of The Argonauts, "If you ever find yourself in a bookshop, wondering what the best book of all time is? It's The Argonauts." This text is unique in that it crosses so many boundaries of genre, and falls somewhere between memoir and essay. It follows the journey of Maggie Nelson and her fluidly-gendered husband Harry as they have their first child together (Harry already has a child from a previous relationship). The Argonauts is an excellent dissection of motherhood, gender, and language, and forces the reader to question what we think is 'normal', what we think is 'queer'. It is a fluid exploration of the idea of 'self', which returns repeatedly to the idea of the Argonaut (yes, as in Jason and the Argonauts) - "the Argo's parts may be replaced over time but the boat is still called the Argo" (p.5). Nelson is so clear and creative in her writing, and every time I read this book I see something new, not only in the text but in myself. It is an ever-changing text of identity, which demands you to be empathetic and questioning and loving always.
1. A Little Life, by Hanya Yanagihara
What can I say about A Little Life which will do it justice? This novel is my favourite piece of contemporary fiction, and standing at over 800 pages is certainly the longest I have read. A Little Life is a comprehensive look at friendship, resilience, unconditional love and male emotions. This novel follows friends Jude, Willem, JB and Malcolm from their twenty-something selves struggling to afford Chinese food at their favourite restaurant, to adults who host dinner parties in houses they finally own. This novel requires a series of trigger warnings (which I am happy to discuss with readers privately if you have concerns), for it's not an easy ride. It is a deeply harrowing tale, but one that is rich with love, friendship and raw emotion. In a world where men tragically account for 3/4 of deaths by suicide in the UK (mentalhealth.org.uk, 2018), such a detailed and nuanced look at mental health and male emotion is essential. By no means is A Little Life a handbook for good mental health, but it provides a gritty and unapologetic look at trauma and how you respond to something which will change your path forever. It is a novel which will reside permanently in your heart, and change your outlook. Yanagihara has such a grasp on the currency of words, and her narration is so rich and powerful that before you know it, you have absorbed 'a little life'. You know these boys intimately, as if you were there the whole time. As if you could walk into a bar, and recognise them by the backs of their heads alone. It feels that when you touch the page, you are touching their arm. When you clutch this novel to your chest, the physical weight and feel of it solid and real, it is a hug for our Jude. Once you read this novel, you will never be the same again.