What to read next?

My longsuffering parents still offer shelf space to most of the books I acquired during my school days. However, when I finish a book – especially a wonderful book, one I’ve lived and breathed for weeks or gobbled in a couple of days, one that has made me chuckle or cry and introduced me to characters I know that I will never forget – I am always at a loss as to what to read next.  What will live up to the novel I have just finished, whose fictional world I have left so reluctantly?

 

I’m sure I’m not alone in feeling rising panic when I realize I am not enjoying a book because I am using up one of my precious life-time allocation of literary experiences on a book that doesn’t engage me, move me, teach me something or take me somewhere. What a waste! (I am an inveterate finisher, too, which means I will resentfully plough through to the last page, although I suppose I only have myself to blame for this.) Occasionally people whose opinion I value press books upon me that I end up hating, or I find myself entirely at odds with the received wisdom on a certain volume. A couple of titles that enchanted readers everywhere, including some of my most discerning bookish friends, left me completely cold. So where can I turn to make an informed decision about the next book I’ll read? The answer is: to The Book Lovers’ Companion.

 

A group of book lovers have pooled their wisdom within its covers to rescue you from lackluster reading experiences. The Book Lovers’ Companion includes a hundred books, each with a synopsis without any spoilers, so that you can choose the novels that appeal to your personal taste.  Furthermore, there are suggested discussion points to stimulate debate, background information you’ll want to know and other titles that will be thought-provoking to read alongside, so it’s an ideal guide for book club members.  

 

The process of selection was rigorous and caused a few lively debates in book clubs, front rooms and pubs. We have included only one book by each author, and limited the choice to full-length books – so there are no short stories, plays or poetry included. There are no full length entries on the standard classic novels, although one of the Top Ten lists scattered throughout concentrates on classics. You don’t need us to tell you that Wuthering Heights or A Tale of Two Cities are rewarding reads: this is a volume to help you discover your own personal classics. Most of all, the criteria for inclusion was that each book was a particular favourite of one of the contributors, and so they wanted to share their excitement about it with other readers.  

 

I hope this book helps you to discover stories that may change your world: make every read count.

 

 

The Book Lovers' Companion: What to Read Next is out now, published by Michael O'Mara.