'I used to work in a bookstore — these are the five best books I've ever read'
I worked in a bookshop for three years and was able to spend hours recommending titles to customers - here are my five favorites
There's nothing quite like diving into a good book. I've spent countless hours lost in pages, and I wouldn't trade those moments for anything.
Yet, spending the same amount of time binge-watching Netflix can sometimes feel like a day wasted. As a youngster, my first job was at an independent bookstore.
It was a delightful gig that had me interacting with customers, arranging books on shelves and display tables, and unpacking fresh stock. Contrary to popular belief, working in a bookstore doesn't mean you're constantly buried in a novel; in fact, it was often the opposite - most days were incredibly busy.
However, it did allow me to expand my knowledge of books, with colleagues and customers offering numerous recommendations over the years.
My go-to genre is crime fiction/thriller, but I also have a soft spot for cult classics, fantasy, women's fiction, autobiographies, and humor. After several years at the bookstore, I pursued English literature at university, where I was introduced to modernism, post-modernism, Shakespeare, and Gothic literature.
Bearing this in mind, here are my top five all-time favorite books, as originally reported in the Express. For more book recommendations, reviews and news, click here to subscribe to our free weekly newsletter, The Bookish Drop, on Substack.
1. Slaughterhouse-Five by Kurt Vonnegut, 1969
Often hailed as an 'American classic', Slaughterhouse-Five or The Children's Crusade: A Duty-Dance with Death, centers on the horrific firebombing of Dresden, Germany in February 1945, which is believed to have claimed around 25,000 lives.
The book, which straddles several genres including autobiography, is based on Vonnegut's experiences as an American prisoner of war. He was captured by the Germans during the Battle of the Bulge and transported to Dresden.
There, he was held in a deep cellar with other POWs known as Schlachthof Fünf (Slaughterhouse Five).
But this isn't just Vonnegut's tale. It's also the story of Billy Pilgrim, a fictional character who works as a barber's assistant and gets drafted during the war. He's also an optometrist, an alien abductee, and a widower who becomes 'unstuck in time'.
Billy's life story unfolds chronologically, beginning with his birth in 1922 and ending with his death in 1976. Throughout the novel, we're whisked away to various moments in Billy's life - the most memorable being when he's abducted by aliens and taken to their planet, Tralfamadore, where he becomes a display. Here, he learns about their concept of time.
I finished Slaughterhouse-Five in a single day the first time I read it. Despite its complex themes, the novel's style is straightforward, featuring short, snappy sentences laced with quirky bits of humor.
There's no better way to describe my feelings after reading this book than to say it blew my mind. While genre-defying novels can sometimes come off as pretentious or directionless, the intention, emotion, and meaning behind this one couldn't be clearer.
And it's one of the few books I could read over and over without ever getting bored.
2. The Glass House by Eve Chase, 2020
This book is a gem, both in its physical beauty and the depth of its content. It delves into themes of grief, loss, and family with vivid descriptions.
From the moment I started reading this, I knew it would be a captivating read, and I was right - I finished it within a week. The narrative alternates between two timelines, one set in 1971 that follows Rita Murphy, a nanny to the Harrington family who relocate to Foxcote Manor for the summer.
The Harringtons consist of two children, Hera, 13, and Teddy, 6, their mother Jeannie, while their father Walter stays back in London.
One day, Hera stumbles upon an abandoned baby in the woods on their property. Instead of alerting the authorities, they choose to keep her hidden. However, when a body is discovered in the woods a few days later, their lives are forever altered.
The contemporary timeline centers around Sylvie as she navigates her daughter Annie, separation from her husband, and caring for her mother. As both narratives progress, the connection between Sylvie and the events of 1971 becomes apparent, leading to an intertwining of the two stories.
3. Adults by Emma Jane Unsworth, 2020
I stumbled upon Emma Jane Unsworth while searching for a light-hearted read during lockdown. This Sunday Times bestseller has been praised as "witty", "hilarious" and "heartbreaking" by readers - and I wholeheartedly concur.
The book revolves around Jenny, a thirty-something columnist based in London who has a complicated relationship with her mother and her smartphone. She's hooked on social media to the point where she can't post a simple photo of a croissant on Instagram without obsessively tweaking the caption.
There were instances while reading this when I found myself laughing uncontrollably, seeing some of my own chaotic traits mirrored in Jenny. There were also deeply touching moments when I wished I could comfort Jenny, assuring her that "Everything is going to be alright."
Adults explores themes of friendship, the bond between mothers and daughters, and learning to love oneself even when times are tough.
4. Animal Farm by George Orwell, 1945
A contentious book during its time, George Orwell's Animal Farm is, in my view, one of his finest works.
This satirical novella left an indelible mark on me. At the time of its release, Animal Farm was perceived as a critique of Stalin's Russia.
However, with each passing decade, whenever people's liberties are at risk, the events of Animal Farm feel as relevant as they did 80 years ago.
The narrative focuses on a group of farm animals who, tired of their poor treatment by their caretaker, Mr. Jones, decide to rebel and take over the farm themselves. They establish a new society, 'Animal Farm', where all animals are free and treated equally.
However, the pigs, Napoleon and Snowball, eventually take control, oppressing the other animals and establishing a totalitarian regime that mirrors the humans they sought to overthrow.
5. The Family Upstairs by Lisa Jewell, 2019
This psychological thriller was captivating, dark, and topped the bestseller list. Exceptionally written and impossible to put down, I honestly couldn't stop reading.
The story revolves around Libby Jones, who, after years of uncertainty about her origins, discovers on her 25th birthday that she has inherited a multi-million-dollar mansion in London's Chelsea.
Twenty-five years prior, police were summoned to the house following reports of a baby crying. Upon arrival, they found a healthy 10-month-old cheerfully cooing in her crib in the bedroom.
Downstairs in the kitchen lay three dead bodies, all dressed in black, next to a hastily written note. The four other children reported to live at Cheyne Walk were nowhere to be found.