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Leisure reading at your Library

The Library’s not just for academic texts! Your librarians have curated a selection of recreational reading lists - from classic fiction about grand fantasy quests, to beautiful poetry from across the world, to cookbooks to help you decide what’s for dinner tonight.

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Read about the lives of the great, the good, and the not so good

Strong Female Character, Fern Brady – An honest, funny, genuine account on life with undiagnosed autism from the Scottish comedian, writer, and Taskmaster contestant.

Past giants of the literary world, from Austen to Wilde

Frankenstein, or, The Modern Prometheus, Mary Shelley – Arguably the genesis of the entire genre of science-fiction and one of the most influential tales ever, Shelley’s novel of a young scientist forming a creature from body parts and bringing it to life has spawned countless other works.

Whodunnits and mysteries, murders and secrets

The Decagon House Murders, Yukito Ayatsuji – An homage to Agatha Christie’s classic murder mysteryAnd Then There Were None, this Japanese novel sees the K-University Mystery Club visit a deserted island, site of a series of murders many years beforehand. And then one of their group shows up dead…

A look into the black mirror at dark reflections of our world and beyond

Fahrenheit 451, Ray Bradbury – ‘It was a pleasure to burn’; the classic 50s dystopian novel set in a world where books have been banned, and ‘firemen’ burn any discovered. Maybe this belongs with the horror fiction instead…

The arts, hobbies and travel. Are we missing a key interest of yours? Let us know!

Abroad in Japan, Chris Broad – Fifteen years ago, and with zero teaching experience, Broad applied to be an English teacher in Japan, taking him to a school in the rural north of the country and changing his life for good. Here he shares his experiences of getting to grips with the language, cultural mishaps, and the highs and lows of relocating when you’ve not got any idea of what you’re doing.

Books about or featuring religious festivals. Any suggestions? We’d love to hear them!

Between Two Moons, Aisha Abdel Gawad – Set over the month of Ramadan in Bay Ridge, Brooklyn, twin sisters Amira and Lina are about to graduate high school – but their summer plans collide with their older brother’s return from prison in this tale of Muslim girlhood and coming-of-age.

Meals for every occasion!

The Grilled Cheese Sandwich: 60 unbrielievably delicious recipes, Sian Henley – Were you aware that were 60 different ways to make a grilled cheese sandwich? Nope, us neither. Punny recipe names and creative combinations bring without doubt the most unique cookbook in our collection to life!

Bringing the past to life

Pachinko, Min Jin Lee – A century-spanning tale of one Korean family’s struggle to survive shortly after the annexation by Japan, their journey from Korea to Osaka, and their experiences as immigrants in a foreign land.

Stories to shock, scare and spine-chill

The Bloody Chamber and Other Stories, Angela Carter – Old tales are told in a new, twisted way as Carter presents a dark feminist reimagining of classic fairytales.

Written for, about or by lawyers

How to get away with murder, Rebecca Philipson - A darkly clever thriller where a serial killer’s self-help guide collides with a Scotland Yard investigation, perfect for anyone who loves true crime, twisty mysteries, and questioning every page they read.

Non-fiction books written for, by or about lawyers

The Secret Barrister, Anonymous - An eye-opening backstage pass to the justice system from a real barrister, in which truth is stranger than fiction.

Love, romance, belonging and every colour of the rainbow

The Long Way to a Small, Angry Planet, Becky Chambers – The first in Chambers’ Wayfarers series, and cosy queer slow-burn sci-fi at its best. Rosemary Harper joins the diverse, beautifully-written crew of an aging wormhole-tunnelling ship, and finds chaos, adventure, comradery, and family.

Rhyme and verse, from sources diverse

Great Goddesses: Life Lessons from Myths and Monsters, Nikita Gill – ‘Sometimes I watch Girl become Goddess and the metamorphosis is more magnificent than anything I have ever known.’ Gill brings legends to life in a feminist exploration of the Greek Goddesses.

Political intrigue and social issues

A Thousand Splendid Suns, Khaled Hosseini – When tragedy strikes, Mariam, a 15 year old girl, is forced into marriage with a man 30 years older than her. Years later, against the backdrop of a struggling Afghanistan and the Taliban rising to power, a similar tragedy pushes young Laila into this unhappy household.

Epic adventures on far flung shores

His Majesty’s Dragon, Naomi Novik – The first novel in a globetrotting historical fantasy series that answers the question of ‘what if the Napoleonic Wars were fought in a world where dragons exist?’

Fresh to the UK? Books to help you learn more, navigate British peculiarities, and explore some classic fiction

Notes from a Small Island, Bill Bryson – ‘To this day, I remain impressed by the ability of Britons of all ages and social backgrounds to get genuinely excited by the prospect of a hot beverage.’ The American travel writer meanders across Britain, wrestling with little-known towns, public transport, and the weather.

Mini tales, but no less mighty

Januaries, Olivie Blake – A collection of wild and whimsical short stories and novellas, ranging from tales of love and witches and modern fairytales to speculative sci-fi and betrayal – and everything in-between.

A selection of books first published all over the world

Kitchen, Banana Yoshimoto – A beautiful novella from Japan about young kitchen assistant Mikage, exploring grief, gender identity, loss and love.

Books that aren’t just for teens

Six of Crows, Leigh Bardugo – Taking place in Bardugo’s Grishaverse fantasy world (but very much able to be read stand-alone), six thieving teens undertake a heist on an impenetrable fortress in a bid to save the world (and hopefully get paid in the process).