The Secret Life of Bees by Sue Monk Kidd is a book that I've raved about on my blog before, but one that holds the biggest chunk of my heart. I got my copy from a charity shop around 12 years ago and it's a bit worse for wear now, and I think it's one of the things I would save in a fire. It's the most incredible story about family, civil rights, and finding a place where you belong. If you read one book from this list, do yourself a favour and make it this one. BUY
Wild Boy by Jill Dawson is one I read at uni, but have re-read for pleasure too because it's a wonderful story. It's the fictional retelling of the real Wild Boy of Aveyron, and it's heartbreaking and uplifting all at the same time. It's so well written and a book that I think of often, and fondly. BUY
The Chemistry of Death by Simon Beckett is another book I've had for ages and read at quite a young age (around 11 I think) - it's the one that got me interested in death and forensics and ultimately my own mortality, and it is genuinely SO GOOD. BUY
Lola Rose by Jacqueline Wilson is phenomenal - I read all of JW's books growing up, of course, and have even got her latest book on my TBR pile because sometimes you're never too old for the comfort of your favourite authors. Anyway, Lola Rose is a story that has forever stayed with me; it's beautiful, sad, funny, serious and just really really lovely. BUY
Hannah's Choice by Hannah & Kirsty Jones is a book I can still vividly remember reading, in bed while I was home alone aged 15, and sobbing so much that my shoulders were moving up and down and there was snot everywhere. I remember my mum getting home and finding me bawling my eyes out in bed. I remember feeling everything when I read this book, and I think about Hannah often. Definitely read this one. BUY
House Rules by Jodi Picoult is phenomenal, and a story that has stuck in my mind ever since I read it. It's about a boy with aspergers who gets accused of murder and it's a wild, wild ride but one that I loved reading, and one that I'd recommend to anyone. BUY
The Invention of Wings by Sue Monk Kidd as equally as beautiful as the first book on this list; it's about the abolition of slavery, in a nutshell, and if you're a fan of The Help or The Long Song then this book should definitely be on your radar and on your reading list! BUY
The Diary of a Young Girl by Anne Frank is one of the most popular books in the world, and rightly so - it has stuck with me since I first read it in school, and it's one of the reasons I'm so fascinated by world war two. It's real, which I think is why it gets to people so much, and it's a must read if for some reason you haven't already. BUY
After Me Comes the Flood by Sarah Perry (full review here) is a stunning book; it's her debut, and I know everyone raves about The Essex Serpent, I have to say I preferred this one a lot more. It's so delicate and has lingered in my mind for a long, long time. BUY
Girl, Interrupted by Susanna Kaysen is another one I studied as part of my degree, but that I would happily read again on my own terms. It's an incredible story, so full of sadness but so interesting to read. The characters are so well constructed and they, along with the book itself, will remain in your memory for a long time. BUY
The Hobbit by J R R Tolkien is an absolute classic, and one I read a while back because I'd tried to read The Lord of The Rings and struggled so much with the language. But I think The Hobbit is a truly beautiful tale and a lot of fun to read. BUY
Before I Die by Jenny Downham follows the story of a girl who is terminally ill, who wants to live her life to the full before her imminent death. And she does, and it's funny and horrible and happy and sad and everything in between, and it's a story that has stayed with me since I first read it. BUY
Lily and Dunkin by Donna Gephart (full review here) is a book I chose to study for my masters, and one that had me sobbing on a train platform when I reached the end of it. It's a book about growing up, about two kids: one who's transgender and one who has bipolar, and the struggles they face both alone and together. It's a beautiful story and I would highly recommend it if you are a teenager, or if you've got teenagers in your life. BUY
Staying Alive: Real Poems for Unreal Times, edited by Neil Astley, is the best place to start if you don't really read poetry but you kind of want to get into it. It's a stunning collection of Really Good Poems and one I've gone back to time and time again. BUY
I definitely want to know what books have stayed with YOU guys forever, so let me know!
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I can't believe I've not read any of these book! Definitely going to give these a further look.
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Jess
The Crown Wings | UK Travel & Lifestyle Blog