World Book Day

Yesterday was World Book Day over here in the UK so to celebrate here is a list of my favourite books and why I enjoy them so much …

1. Pride and Prejudice – Jane Austen

It is a truth universally acknowledged, that a single man in possession of a good fortune, must be in want of a wife …

I have loved P & P from the first read. I think I actually watched the BBC series in 1995 first and the picked up the book and ended up reading all of her novels and becoming addicted to all things Austen (even visiting her home in Hampshire). I love this book because it’s funny, romantic and transports me to a time where men were gentlemen, courtship was chaste and chaperoned and balls were held with beautiful gowns. I love Lizzie – she’s sparky and witty and Darcy is the man we all want to fall in love with. Plus there is a happy ending

2. Jane Eyre – Charlotte Bronte

I am no bird; and no net ensnares me; I am a free human being with an independent will.

After I got into Austen I started to read The Classics as they are so called and picked this one up. I adore the character of Jane starting from when she is a bullied and neglected child to the serious young woman she becomes – steady, sweet, intelligent and loyal she faces hardships but keeps her strength of character and her love story with Rochester is no fairy tale and yet her love is passionate and unwavering. When they are finally united at the end, it is bittersweet and beautiful.

3. Little Women – Louisa May Alcott

If we are all alive ten years hence, let’s meet, and see how many of us have got our wishes, or how much nearer we are then than now…

A family member gave me this when I was younger and it is a beautiful story about sisters, their love for each other and the journey they take together. I like the fact the sisters are different but realistic characters - they have flaws, sometimes are actually quite annoying but you feel so much affection for them anyway, you want them to be happy. My favourite is Jo, the wannabe writer who falls in love in spite of her nature and who completely charms you with her fierce loyalty.

4. Harry Potter series – J K Rowling

It does not do to dwell on dreams and forget to live, remember that

I didn’t start reading these until the first 4 had come out. I was intrigued about the hype that was building and even though it was technically a children’s book I gave it a go. I quickly got through that set of books and had a long wait for book 5. Books 5 – 7 I brought on the first day of release, book 5 I even got at midnight. This series is a great example of good storytelling that stretches beyond age or genre boundaries – it’s exciting, scary, fun and a classic pitch – good vs evil but with wands and spells! I can’t wait to read it to the children I will hopefully have one day. Plus I heart Dobby

5. Twilight Saga – Stephenie Meyer

Edward: “And so the lion fell in love with the lamb.”
Bella: “What a stupid lamb.”
Edward: “What a sick, masochistic lion.”

Okay so I might get some flack for this one but despite its flaws, as soon as I started reading Twilight I was hooked. I read all 4 books immediately and then re-read them straight away. Something sucked me in and I can’t break out of the world. The romance is intense and deep and the vampire twist adds excitement and I’m sorry but yes I fell in love with Edward. It also put me on the road to wanting to write my own supernatural book and has kept me in the dark romance bookshops section for a while!

6. I Capture the Castle – Dodie Smith

I write this sitting in the kitchen sink.

This book is written in first person and Cassandra our narrator is pitch perfect in how she describes her world and the people in it. There are also several references to Jane Austen, a plus point! I’ve always felt a bit disappointed by the ending as it’s left open whereas I like a solid happy one but the journey Cassandra makes leaves me smiling.