By Megan Cradock, Konstantopoulou, Zalak Shah, Caroline Dowse and Ana Matute
World Book Day (7 March 2024 in the UK and Ireland) is the perfect day to fall in love with reading again. Whether you choose to spend the day reading a childhood favourite, browsing a bookstore or discussing novels with friends at your neighbourhood’s nearest cafe, celebrate your love of reading and learning new things with this specially curated list of books that many readers have fallen in love with over the years.
For the adventure seekers…
Percy Jackson and the Lightning Thief by Rick Riordan
Adapted into two films, a musical and a TV show, there's no shortage of love for the Percy Jackson series.
Percy Jackson has always seen himself as a magnet for chaos, getting into trouble at school no matter how hard he tries not to. However, when his teacher turns into a Fury (winged, fanged, leathery creatures) and he's chased by the Minotaur, Percy learns the truth; he's a demigod. The problem is everyone also believes he's a thief. Zeus' master lightning bolt has been stolen, leaving the gods on the brink of war. Accompanied by new friends Annabeth and Grover, Percy is sent on a quest to retrieve the bolt in this story of friendship, betrayal and self-discovery.
Perfect for old fans, new readers and those searching for a little adventure and magic, Percy Jackson and the Lightning Thief is an easy book to fall in love with again and again.
For the newborn bookworms…
Days at the Morisaki Bookshop by Satoshi Yagisawa
Published in September 2010, this bestselling novel was quickly adapted into a mystery and drama film, attracting even more people into the depths of its storyline.
When Takako’s personal life collapses from under her own two feet, she finds herself following the path of her uncle, taking up work in his bookshop in Jimbocho, Tokyo. With a broken heart and a hazy mind, she starts off as the grumpy niece who does little but sleep all day – until the magical power held in the pages of the books entices her like a mouse to a trap.
Written with humour and with elements of drama that depict the complexities that human life can often bring, Days at the Morisaki Bookshop is a must-read for all book lovers – existing or future ones.
For the love of fantasy…
Piranesi by Susanna Clarke
Strange, unique and surprising – that’s how Piranesi’s house is. It has infinite rooms, animals, an ocean, endless corridors, innumerable statues and just one other person living there; The “Other.” Piranesi spends his days exploring this massive house of his, collecting data for the Other to help him research “A Great and Secret Knowledge.”
Piranesi’s world is difficult to understand. Frustrating even. But it pulls you in. You’ll want to explore it and uncover its secrets. And when you do, you’ll realize not everything is as it seems. Whether you love fantasy, mystery or are just trying to get out of that reading slump, Piranesi has something for everyone.
For booklovers of any generation…
Matilda by Roald Dahl
Roald Dahl is one of the most successful authors in literature, and his books are loved by generations of children.
One of his most popular novels is Matilda. It is about Matilda Wormwood, a five-year-old child genius who lives with her neglectful family. Matilda’s parents see her as a burden, so she seeks solace in reading. Eventually, she tires of their treatment and punishes them by playing tricks on them.
When she starts school, she bonds with her teacher, Miss Honey, but she faces new problems. The school is ruled by the terrifying headteacher, Miss Trunchbull, and when Miss Trunchbull accuses Matilda of something she didn’t do, Matilda discovers the power of her intelligence and decides to even the score.
This tale of an underdog triumphing against the odds is the perfect book to help any child fall in love with reading, just like Matilda.
For those who want to explore different visual books
The Invention of Hugo Cabret by Brian Selznick
Books can be magical because of how they bring stories together. This novel is like that; it combines drawings and words to tell the story of Hugo Cabret, an orphan who lives in a train station in Paris during the 1930s. He hides to avoid being sent to an orphanage and takes care of the station's clocks, just as his father did. However, he harbours an even more special secret: he is attempting to repair a mechanical man to uncover its purpose, a task his father could not complete.
This story delves into the world of cinema during that era and explores Hugo Cabret's passion for curiosity as well as balancing his goal to fulfil his tasks while keeping his life anonymous. It's a precious and special book – one that is bound to make anyone fall in love with reading again.
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