In the words of Rory Gilmore, “I live in two worlds. One is a world of books.” My whole life has been shaped by my love for literature, a passion nurtured by my parents, who always made sure my sister and I had something new to read, whether it was the next Harry Potter book or a trip to the library where we’d spend hours getting lost in whatever Roald Dahl or Michael Morpurgo book we were reading that week. That early love for books has stayed with me, continuing to influence who I am today. While many books have made me laugh, cry, or sit unfinished on my shelf, these three are the ones I return to time and time again. Each of them has shaped the way I think and live, leaving a lasting mark on my life.
Little Women by Louisa May Alcott
Growing up with two sisters, our house was never quiet. Like the March sisters, we were loud, constantly running around the house performing our latest dance routines and bickering over who would get the solo. When I first read Little Women, I felt seen – the bond between the girls mirrored so much of what I experienced every day. Despite their differences and individual personality traits, the sisters always came together at the end of the day to support each other. As I’ve grown, and my sisters too, Alcott’s writing has remained a central piece of my life. While, so much like Jo, there are moments when I wish I could pause life’s moments and put on one more play with my sisters, Alcott’s portrayal of sisterhood, resilience, and life is a constant reminder of the importance of family and how that bond outlasts everything else.
A Monster Calls by Patrick Ness
“Stories are important, the monster said. They can be more important than anything. If they carry the truth.”
When I first read this, I had no idea what to expect: a young boy, only a couple of years older than I was at the time, receiving visits from a monster every night at the same time. The concept seemed simple: the monster would tell Conor three stories, and in return, Conor would finally tell his own. A Monster Calls is, without a doubt, the saddest and most beautiful book I’ve ever read. Patrick Ness weaves a complex narrative that transcends grief or fantasy. It’s a messy, raw lesson about the unpredictable twists of life. It’s not just about the monster’s tales, but about the stories we carry inside us and the truths we’re afraid to face. It’s a reminder that it’s okay to feel angry or sad, to lash out or retreat, and to acknowledge that sometimes things don’t go the way we want them to. The book doesn’t offer easy answers or a neat resolution, teaching us that sometimes it’s through embracing our pain and uncertainty that we find the strength to heal and move forward.
Everything I Know About Love by Dolly Alderton
Filled with text messages, hangover recipes, and anecdotes from her wonderfully chaotic life, Dolly Alderton’s memoir quickly became one of my favourite books. Her voice feels like the answer to this generation’s Bridget Jones – witty, honest, and full of heart. While her many romantic misadventures drive the narrative, it’s her friendships with the incredible women in her life that truly shape the story. The love they share, and the love they teach her to have for herself, reveals itself to be the real knowledge she’s learned about life. Starting university last September, I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t nervous about starting fresh without the comfort of my friends by my side. But, like Dolly, I’ve also found my tribe at university – people I can laugh loudly with in the pub and dance around the kitchen with unapologetically. Alderton’s book is a beautiful and comforting reminder to make the most of your twenties, and that even though people change and we make mistakes, love is the force that holds us all together.
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