Happy World Book Day!

Sharon, Family Programming

“I adore historical fiction, and The Pretender by Jo Harkin is a belter! Set in 15th century England, it spills over with lively language, engaging characters and razor-sharp dialogue as farm boy John is ripped from his simple life after being told he has been protected since infancy and is in fact heir to Henry VII’s throne. He simply needs to learn to be royal. So starts his new life as Edward, in the courts of England, Ireland and Burgundy, surrounded by the self-interested and the politically astute, among them Joan, a gift of a character, with her wit and wiles. He is putty in the hands of those moulding him to what they need. Until they don’t, and it’s all change again, now for Simnel, the many-named boy.”

Kirsty, Arts Programming

“I’m currently eking out the end of the first in Solvej Balle’s On The Calculation of Volume series. I fell in love with this book in the summer and I can’t bear it to end – happily there are six further novels. One day a woman wakes up and finds herself living the 18th of November again. And again and again. I can’t believe the richness of it, given the constraint of the premise.”

Ed, Music Programming

“This Booker-shortlisted novel Perfection by Vincenzo Latronico, translated from Italian, details the fruitlessly aspirational lives of gentrifying urban mundanity, illustrated through painfully rigorous descriptions of the objects, values, and habits of a young couple aging through dissatisfaction after dissatisfaction. And then slowly revealing what lies beneath; an absence of desire and a chasm of nothing.”

Kate, Marketing

“I’m currently reading Happy Place by Emily Henry – truly the queen of the rom-com novel. It has this effortless charm that makes me feel like I’m spending a crisp summer day on the beach, sun on my skin and nowhere to be. The writing is sharp and heartfelt, and the characters are so wonderfully lovable that you can’t help but root for them.”

Oliwia, Production

“The Six Bullerby Children or The Children of Noisy Village by Astrid Lindgren is the first book I read start to finish by myself when I was 7 years old, and since then it has held a very special place in my heart. This book tells the story of six friends living in the small Swedish village of Bullerby. All the stories being narrated through the eyes of 7-year-old Lisa make you feel like you are a part of all the adventures, whether it is sending messages through string post with Anna and Britta, selling cherries on the side of the road with Olle, or racing on sledges with Lasse and Bosse. Despite being a children’s book written in 1947, I think we all can take a lesson from the stories of the Bullerby children about the importance of friendship, helping others, and caring about the world around us.”

Joe, Arts Programming

“My favourite read of the last year or so would have to be Pachinko by Min Jin Lee. It’s a true epic told through several generations of one family. I was hooked throughout. There are some incredible characters, particularly Sunja, and some heartbreaking moments, as well as some beautiful ones. Whilst reading I learnt a lot about the modern history of Korea, but it also made me think about my own family history, and how my parents’, grandparents’ and great-grandparents’ lives have shaped my own today.”

Jagjit, Graphic Design

“The Song of Achilles by Madeline Miller – A lovely retelling of the famous story from The Iliad, but from the viewpoint of Patroclus, Achilles’ companion. A seemingly minor character who changes the course of the Trojan war. I love that in this version, it explores the often pushed aside romantic relationship between Achilles and Patroclus.”

Chloe, Family Programming

“I love the book The Third Door by Alex Banayan. Alex essentially says in life success is like a nightclub with 3 doors. You’ll have the route of the main entrance where everyone has queues to get in, the second door where all the VIPs go and then the third door, where you go above and beyond / do whatever it takes to get inside… because there is always a way in. In life and throughout my career as a woman in the music industry, I’ve always felt like I had to go through the third door. Reading about Alex’s journey gave me great comfort as it’s always nice to know you’re not ‘alone’ in your journey.”

Shannon, Press

“I’m currently reading Monsters: What Do We Do with Great Art by Bad People? by Claire Dederer. It’s a very frank and poignant take on fan theory and our relationships with the artists we love, with thought-provoking themes that linger long after the last chapter has been read.”

Loui, Marketing

“I’m currently reading: My Friends by Fredrik Backman. Fredrik Backman is my favourite author. I love how central human connection and community is to each of his novels, this one being no different. He makes small moments and ordinary life feel profound. My Friends is a story about grief, anger, the healing power of human connection and… well… about friendship.”

Katie, Marketing

“I’m late to the Taylor Jenkins Reid party, but I’ve just finished reading her book Daisy Jones and the Six and I absolutely loved it. I committed the cardinal sin of watching the series before reading the book (sorry!) but once I started reading I couldn’t put it down, and devoured it in just a few days. I really like the use of an interview-style as a way to drive the narrative as opposed to the usual storytelling structure, and of course the subject matter of a 70s rock band and all the drama that goes along with it – so entertaining!”