Books

As an avid reader, particularly in the summertime or while on holiday, I consider myself to have an eye for a good beach read. The type of book that you can get lost in for hours, that will transport you to a different world, era or destination.There is something sentimental in looking at the books on your shelf and remembering where you were when you read it and the memories that resurface alongside it. This year has been no different, and there are three books in particular that stuck out for me. Here are my top three beach books that I'd urge you to read.Happy Place by Emily HenryThe book's synopsis reads: "Harriet and Wyn have been the perfect couple since they met in college—they go together like salt and pepper, honey and tea, lobster and rolls. Except, now—for reasons they’re sti...

This book racks up a huge 735 pages but tells the story of just one single day - and readers have called it a “masterpiece”. Often hailed as one of the best novels of the 20th century, you won’t want to miss out on this fascinating piece of literature.Ulysses is a famous novel by James Joyce that takes place over just one day on June 16, 1904, in Dublin. It follows Leopold Bloom, an ordinary man going about his daily life. But what makes this book really stand out is how Joyce tells the story.Instead of a straightforward plot, the book dives deep into characters’ thoughts, feelings, and little everyday moments, using a style called stream-of-consciousness. This means readers are essentially inside Leopold’s head and following his every thought.The book is loosely inspired by an ancient ...

This nail-biting book is one best read in Autumn and with Halloween just around the corner, you’ll want to start this spooky read now. Written by Stephen King, this novel has gained a huge reputation after being adapted into a hit film.If you’re looking for a page-turner, you won’t want to miss out on this horror that’s been named as one of the “greatest horror books of all time” by Forbes. The Shining is a psychological horror novel that follows Jack Torrance, an aspiring writer and recovering alcoholic, who takes a winter caretaker job at the remote Overlook Hotel.Jack moves to the hotel with his wife Wendy and his young son Danny, who has a mysterious psychic ability called “the shining.”As winter sets in and the hotel is snowed in, isolation, supernatural forces, and Jack’s fragile ...

This article contains affiliate links, we will receive a commission on any sales we generate from it. Learn more I read every day — here are the 8 best books I've read in 2025 (Image: Getty)I love to read but, with so many different things constantly competing for our time and attention, it’s not always easy to find the time. Usually, I’ll end up squeezing in a half hour or so at the very end of the day while lying in bed. Reading is a great way to calm the mind to prepare for sleep and I find it more and more important as a way of switching off the stresses of the day.Research suggests you are actively improving your health by reading, whether it’s by activating more parts of your brain, or strengthening it and allowing you to process information better in future. Research has also s...

Dame Jacqueline Wilson, the beloved author, has just released her latest adult novel, Picture Imperfect, a sequel to the 1999 hit Illustrated Mum. The new book revisits Dolphin, the character from the original story, who is now 33 years old.Readers are taken on a journey through Dolphin's life, discovering how it has changed and yet remained remarkably similar in some ways. To mark the occasion, Dani Harmer (better known as Tracy Beaker!) and Dame Jacqueline held a conversation at HOME Theatre in Manchester.During the event, Harmer asked numerous questions about the new release, leaving many authors in the audience stunned by one of Jacqueline's responses.The acclaimed author confessed that she had dreamt of becoming a writer since her primary school days. However, coming from a "counci...

A book-lover asked whether people could share the books that they didn’t understand the hype around. Taking to the ‘suggest me a book’ Reddit thread, they wrote: “Overrated books people pretend to love…but actually left you feeling empty?”They wrote: “Be honest! We’ve all finished a 'must read masterpiece' and thought…. 'THAT'S IT!?' I want to know the books that everyone hypes but secretly felt hollow, boring, or try-hard to you.“For me, it was ‘The Great Gatsby’. I get the symbolism and beautifully written, but honestly, to me it just felt like rich people being miserable for 200 pages. What about you guys?“And if you’ve got an underrated book that deserves the hype instead, even better, please lemme know. Would love some recs”.Many people jumped in the comments section to share the b...