Reading for Pleasure: Book Recommendations

Recommended by Olivia

The Shining is an excellent novel by Stephen King. Based on a family moving to the Overlook Hotel in a remote mountain, the story follows Jack Torrance who struggles with anger and alcoholism. In the novel, things swifty turn dark, and the Torrance's family bond is tested. The is one of my favourite books as you see the characters crumble under the hotel antics. Stephen King definitely makes you question if the horror is the hotel, or if it's the sanity of the characters.....

This book can be reserved on the library catalogue or at your campus library.

Recommended by Ashe

This book couldn’t really capture my attention. I struggled to enjoy the characters, but I did enjoy the story between January and Gus. I liked the idea of them trying new genres and committing to their work.

Recommended by Zhenia

Fantastic story! I was really captured by it and could not stop reading. As someone who is interested in acting, it was refreshing to see the other side of the industry from someone who despises it. Also, as a fan of psychology it was interesting to follow Jennette's life and see the patterns that led her to addiction and self-destruction. The whole time I was in the story, imagining every scene and living through the emotions.

Recommended by Lucy, Library Support Officer at City Campus.

Lucy's review:
Hanif Kureshi’s ‘Buddha of Suburbia’ is a funny, coming-of-age story that explores gender identity, sexuality, and class division in 1970’s London. It examines love and relationships, highlighting the different forms of love that a person experiences, and the lasting impact that they also have on us. Kureshi comments on austerity and Thatcherism using a critical yet satirical tone. This book is a must-read- it’s a 20th Century literary classic!

Recommended by Donna, Library Support Officer at Wythenshawe Campus

Content Warning! This book contains themes of bereavement.
"In this bestselling memoir, palliative care nurse Hadley Vlahos recounts the unforgettable tales of the hospice patients whose journeys of self-discovery inspired her sense of purpose and hope. From the elderly man seeing visions of his late daughter to the young patient lamenting the time wasted fearing judgment, to the woman whose unwavering belief in her faith was shaken up by the prospect of dying." Summary from Amazon.

Recommended by Jennie, Library Support Officer at Shena Simon campus.

Jennie's Review:
Piranesi is a fantasy book that tells the story of Piranesi and his life’s mission to explore and map the endless labyrinth of a house he lives in alone. He is visited twice a week by a mysterious man called “The Other” and is pulled into a mystery that threatens to destroy all Piranesi thought he knew.
A weird and unique little book, but one that will stick with you for a long, long time (I almost haven’t stopped thinking about it since I first read it 3 years ago!).

Recommended by Charlie, a Library Support Officer at Openshaw Campus.

Charlie's Review:
The Starless Sea follows Zachary, a graduate student who one days finds a book that chronicles his own life. Following the clues left for him, Zachary falls into a world of new relationships and an ancient library that defy the laws of time.
Erin Morgenstern is a master at creating worlds and characters that you can’t help but fall in love with. Reading The Starless Sea feels like a love letter to stories as it drags you into such a rich world that stays with you long past the last page.