World Book Day!

Today is World Book Day so, in the style of modern-day bookshops, the staff of King’s training are offering their recommendations for a good read.  Feel free to add your own in the comments box!

IRENE

The God of Small Things (Arundhati Roy): Beautifully written, it tells the story of three generations of a family in Kerala, India and its incredibly evocative power had a big impact on me.

MARUXA

The Martian (Andy Weir): I fell hopeless in love with the hero, Mark Watney.  He displays a blend of intelligence, tenacity and sense of humour which is is great to spend time with!

PETER

Howard’s End (E.M. Forster): Wonderful characterisation and although it may seem a depiction of a world gone-by (Edwardian England), there’s still relevance there in the way certain ‘national’ character traits are described.

ED

Money (Martin Amis): a savage, verbally explosive satire on 1980s individualism and pursuit of material gain.  As fresh as the day it was written and more relevant than ever, 30 years later. The title says it all!

DAVID

As a crime and mystery novel fanatic, I’d like to present a classic of the genre, Patricia Highsmith’s Strangers on a Train.

CARMEN

In Cold Blood (Truman Capote): The depiction of investigative journalism which Capote gives us of the macabre events in the book is incredible and his illustration of character is extraordinary.  With this novel Capote basically rewrote the rules of the crime novel.

CRIS

I like all of Agatha Christie’s writing because they keep you in suspense right to the end of the book.  If i had to choose any favourites I would probably start with The Mousetrap and The Murder of Roger Ackroyd.

MARÍA

The Shadow of the Wind (Carlos Ruiz Zafón).  I have read this book several times and I still like it as much as the first time I read it, with its blend of fantasy, love and mystery.  Additionally, it’s a book which hooks you from the first page and which you can’t put down!