Reading Shelf

I’ve loved reading since I was a child. For me it's always been synonymous with escapism, imagination and knowledge. Most of what I know I learned from a book.

As a kid I absorbed historical fiction set in different cultures, but as an adult I’ve been trying to explore a broader range of genres including non-fiction and thrillers.

I’ve done a lot of travelling in the past six months which has made me want to read books that give me an insight into different countries and cultures again. I want to immerse myself in someone else’s life, put myself in their shoes and understand their challenges and triumphs.

With this in mind, here’s what is currently top of my reading list:

An American Marriage by Tayari Jones

Winner of the Women’s Prize for Fiction 2019, this novel seems to be the top of everyone’s list with it’s portrayal of African American life in 21st Century America. In case you needed another reason to read; it has Barack Obama’s seal of approval.

Women Who Blow on Knots by Ece Temelkuran

I was intrigued by this book’s comparison to Thelma & Louise, telling the story of four Muslim on a roadtrip that takes them from Tunisia to Lebanon.

A House For Mr Biswas by V.S Naipaul

Set in Trinidad, this is the story of a man striving for independence, with an overwhelming desire to carve out his own path. Originally published in 1961, the updated cover caught my eye.

The Braid by Laetitia Colombani

‘Smita, Giulia, Sarah: three lives, three continents, three women with nothing in common, but nevertheless bound by a rare expression of courage – like three strands in a braid.’

I really enjoy split narratives so this interwoven tale of 3 women from India, Sicily and Canada is calling out to me.

Tangerine by Christine Mangan

‘Tangerine is a sharp dagger of a book—a debut so tightly wound, so replete with exotic imagery and charm, so full of precise details and extraordinary craftsmanship, it will leave you absolutely breathless.’

I sometimes feel weird reading a dark thriller from a sun lounger, so this novel seems like the perfect compromise, with it’s warm exotic setting only adding to the tension of the plot.

Which book are you most excited to read? Share your recommendations in the comments.

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Images via Goodreads