so you want to start reading, now what?

a not-so-serious guide to reading

So, you want to start reading?

Congratulations. I’d give a worrying amount to read my favourite book for the first time again, really, its quite disturbing.

Whether you’ve never touched a book outside of school or you’re just trying to make sense of the Waterstones table, welcome. Reading doesn’t come with a manual, but this is my attempt at one.

I like to think of myself as a bit of a cross-genre reader, so I’ve split this guide into four neat little sections:

• Classics

• Fantasy

• Literary Fiction

In each, I’ll hope to give you a jumping off point, a book I wish I was recommended when I started out.

Classics:

This is where you’ll find all the titles that tend to pop up when someone says, “Oh, you have to read this.” Think Pride and Prejudice, War and Peace, that sort of thing. Starting with what you’ve vaguely heard of isn’t a bad shout, but fair warning: without a bit of buildup, these so-called “entry-level” classics can feel less like a gentle dip and more like being shoved off a cliff. When introducing classics to anyone, I like to go with a title that has a little atmosphere, something with a little more than daily life to drive the plot.

And remember: if you hate the first book you pick up, it doesn’t mean you hate reading, it just means that book wasn’t for you. There’s no right way to become a reader.

The Bloody Chamber:

A young pianist is married off and swiftly whisked away by her new husband to his castle. She’s given free rein over the estate, except for one room. Before leaving on a business trip, he hands her the key. Can she resist the room’s allure? Think Crimson Peak.

Madonna in a Fur Coat:

Raif, a shy and somewhat bumbling young man, leaves Turkey for 1920s Berlin. The winding streets, rising political tensions and inescapable art scene draw him in until he forgets the very reason he came. Then he stumbles upon a painting of a woman who will change the course of his life.

Frankenstein:

Victor Frankenstein, a man driven by glory and ambition, seeks to create life not born of the womb but of science. Horrified by his creation, he abandons it, setting off a chain of dire consequences.

Fantasy:

A little-known fact: fantasy is one of my favourite genres. It’s the one that sits closest to my heart, and it’s also what I write. You’ve probably heard of the big names—Rowling, Tolkien and the like, but I want to step away from those and introduce you to authors who are doing something a little different.

This is How You Lose The Time War:

“When Red wins, she stands alone.” Red and Blue are rival agents in a time war. What begins as small taunts left through letters scattered across time slowly turns into an affair that could change the course of the war.

The Principle of Moments:

A new space odyssey. Asha, an indentured servant, seeks freedom after her mother is taken. Obi is a wayward time traveller. Their worlds become irrevocably connected by a prophecy that sends them across time and space.

LegendBorn:

A modern Arthurian retelling. After losing her mother, Bree finds herself entangled with the Legendborn chapter at her university. The deeper she goes, the more she learns, and the more she wishes she could turn back. But something keeps pulling her in.

Literary Fiction:

This is one of those genres that covers so many sub-genres it can feel a little daunting to approach. I know some literary fiction readers have a bit of a reputation for being pretentious, but I promise we’re only slightly guilty of that. I’ve picked a few of my favourite titles that aren’t overly convoluted for your reading pleasure.

If Beale Street Could Talk:

Tish is pregnant, but she’s certainly not alone. After her fiancé Fonny is falsely accused of rape, she finds her community rallying around her in the fight for justice. A story of love, trust and the power of community.

My Brilliant Friend:

Elena and Lila grow and thrive against all odds. We follow them from childhood to early adolescence as they grow up brushing against the bush and thorns of Naples.

Big Swiss

Greta, a transcriber for a local therapist, becomes infatuated with one of his clients. Big Swiss’s pull draws them together, even as Greta holds all her deepest secrets. One of the funniest books I read in 2024.

Thank you for reading through this little guide. Please let me know if you read any and if so, what did you think. Until next time.