I recently visited a brilliant bookshop in Alnwick—shelves stacked high with preloved books and the odd eye-wateringly expensive first edition. As I wandered through, suggesting books to friends, I realised I’ve read a lot over the years, just how wonderful it is to escape into a good book and that there are so many benefits of reading.
Reading and Me
I didn’t always fine reading enjoyable. Like most teenagers, I powered through (mostly boring) school texts—Death of a Salesman sticks in my mind for all the wrong reasons (I know it’s a play). But one summer in my early 20s, travelling across Scotland for work and with long hours on buses and no phones to scroll, books became my entertainment. I even re-read one of the school choices – Sunset Song which is my absolute favourite book.
Give me a beach and a free afternoon or a few hours in the bath and an engaging read, and I am very happy. I’ve learned to speed-read (inherited from my mum), I can read a book in a day, even less.
Why I Read What I Read
Over the years, I’ve read all sorts — everything except fantasy — and I’ve even slogged through a few truly awful books. During lockdown, I found myself craving happy feel-good stories: light reads, meet-cutes, and modern-day fairy tales. And during cancer treatment, audiobooks became a lifeline. I got completely caught up in Robert Gold’s detective mysteries, drawn in by the promise of a series. I was genuinely sad to learn his own diagnosis means the latest will be the last.
These days, I only finish books I actually enjoy — midlife and cancer have taught me that life’s too short to power through something just for the sake of it.
Reading Is So Good for You: The Benefits of Reading
I’ve found reading genuinely beneficial — not just enjoyable. It helps me unwind at the end of the day and often sends me off to sleep more easily (yes, it really does reduce stress). A good book helps me switch off, refocus, and sometimes even sparks new ideas. Apparently, reading can boost brain function and memory too — which I’m definitely all up for!
10 Books I’ve Loved Recently
Here are 10 books I’ve loved recently — some made me laugh and other made me cry, some kept me hooked late into the night, and some simply reminded me how much I enjoy getting lost in a story.
Demon Copperhead by Barbara Kingsolver
I really didn’t want this book to end, it was gritty and powerful. Its amongst my favourite all time reads. It follows the life of Demon (real name Damon) who is almost set up to fail by the circumstances he’s born into—poverty, addiction, a broken system. But Demon is resilient, observant, and determined to survive….
Rachel, Again by Marian Keyes
I just love Marian Keyes and the way she blends humour and real life, I feel like part of the family when I’m readingh her books – and I took the opportunity to re-read Rachel’s Holiday.
The Midnight Library by Matt Haig
Reading the outline, I wasn’t initially sure I would enjoy it but I did! It thought-provoking without feeling too surreal—a gentle reminder that the life you’re living is probably the one you were meant to be living. What’s for you won’t go by you…
The Rachel Incident By Caroline O’Donoghue
I had this book in my wish list for a long time, I do not know why it took me so long to read. I liked because, although it wasn’t fast-paced, it was quietly compelling—full of depth, sharp observations, and characters that felt completely real. Not to mention, slightly nostalgic.
Sorrow and Bliss by Meg Mason
This book was just so good, hard at times and enjoyable at the same time. The story explores the line between sorrow and joy, love and loneliness, showing how healing doesn’t always look the way we expect.
Good Material by Dolly Alderton
I was an avid listener to the Hi Low – a podcast with Dolly Alderton and Pandora Sykes, it was where I used to get all my good recommendations from. Good Material is told from a male perspective and follows Andy, a struggling stand-up comedian trying to make sense of life after a painful breakup. Dry, honest and funny
Pineapple Street by Jenny Jackson
It was another book that although not thrilling it was compelling – I wanted to keep reading. It was sharp, observant, and quietly funny—offering a smart take on wealth, privilege, and family dynamics
Romantic Comedy by Curtis Sittenfeld
It follows a comedy writer who has sworn off romance…especially the kind involving celebrities. You can probably guess where it leads, but this isn’t a cheesy read; it’s smart, self-aware, and refreshingly grown-up about love.
Tomorrow, and Tomorrow, and Tomorrow By Gabrielle Zevin
I was gifted this book by a friend and wasn’t sure if I would enjoy it, but I did! It follows two childhood friends who create a hit video game, but at its heart, it’s about friendship, love, and the complexities of partnerships – its unexpectedly moving.
Lessons in Chemistry by Bonnie Garmus
It follows a brilliant female scientist in the 1960s who ends up hosting a TV cooking show. It challenges the era’s gender norms with wit, defiance, and charm. Its a bit sad in places, but mostly empowering.