The 'Must Read' List

I studied English Literature and Creative Writing at university because I loved to read and write, but my own preferences for books has to take a step back while I was studying. I found it hard to follow a story when my mind was filled with Shakespeare and what I was going to write about his work in my next essay. However, this did not stop me from buying new books whenever I found myself in Waterstones (which is more often than not) and get through one or two of them. Some of these books are pre-course reads, but they're all very much loved.

1. Atonement by Ian McEwan I read this book for the first time a couple years ago and completely fell in love with it. I had seen the film first and loved it, so wanted to see how the book compared. As in most cases, the book was ten times better. It's always my go-to book when people ask what's my favourite. McEwan is an incredible writer, and reading it I felt like he'd taken ideas I had and managed to put them into words unlike I ever could. It follows three main characters after an half-innocent mistake that changes (and for some ruins) their lives forever. Although it is a love story too, it's really a story about trying to make atonement for mistakes you made, even when you know that it is impossible. McEwan writes like a poet, his story just flows so effortlessly.

2. The Secret History by Donna Tartt In my opinion there is nothing better than rich college students studying the classics behaving very badly. Since finishing The Secret History I have been searching for something similar but with no luck. Donna Tartt tells a pretty simple story of a murder, and then another murder to cover up the first one. The book is filled with some really awful people; entitled and elitist at best, and yet, you fall in love with them. From the word go, you know who dies and you know who did it, and yet you're anxious to read on and find out what happens at the end of every chapter.

3. I Love Dick by Kris Kruas I bought the book in Glasgow and started it on the train home, totally engrossed but also pretty self-conscious about the title, which is plastered in neon letters in the front of the book. Dick, by the way, is a character in the book. I believe this book is a work of fiction inspired by real events, but the narrator's name is also Kris so make of it what you will. This was my first foray into feminist writings, but to me, it didn't read as that. It was entertaining, laugh out loud funny and at times thought-provoking. I found the way it was written relaxing, it was like chatting with a very intellectual, yet confused, friend.

4. The Child in Time by Ian McEwan Another McEwan! Since I loved Atonement so much, I thought I better check out some of his other novels (I ended up getting five of them). This was another very quick read. My one warning with this one is you have to be 'in the mood' to read it. The book is almost purple prose, but I actually enjoyed it. I did find if I wasn't 100% with the book, one paragraph in and I'd be a little confused. Otherwise, it's happy and sad; a simple story made interesting with a nice pay off in the end.

5. Sharp Objects by Gillian Flynn Although not her most famous novel, I actually thought Sharp Objects was better than Flynn's better-known book, Gone Girl. I read it in five days flat while on holiday on Iona, Scotland. The house was filled with people and we went walking every day, but I made time to read because I just had to find out what happened next. I'll warn you though, it's dark.