Sonika Panesar recommends
I often go for the books that are more suited to doorstops than on shelves. If that criteria cannot be met, then they are usually part of a series (their collective thickness could hold open a fire door). I enjoy tracking how characters and worlds develop, therefore it is no surprise that most of my choices here are the first (but by no means the best) of a series.
Pillars of the Earth
Ken Follet
This book is the first of four. It is set against the backdrop of a new cathedral being built in the medieval town of Kingsbridge, England. The characters move in and around the building, forming relationships and developing skills across the centuries the book spans. It is a fantastic read and is incredibly enlightening in terms of showing the reader how much time, effort and attention to detail went into creating the magnificent cathedrals we see today.
Wide Sargasso Sea
Jean Rhys
Whilst this is not an official prequel to Jane Eyre, this book will offer a new perspective to the classic. It has wonderfully detailed descriptions of Jamaica and Dominica and is an interesting view of the story of the ‘madwoman in the attic.’– I would however offer a warning to any Mr. Rochester fans!
The Priory of the Orange Tree
Samantha Shannon
Kings, Queens, Dragons and Witches- this book has it all. It is a great example of effective world-building, which the Sunday Times had no problem comparing with the Lord of the Rings. I cannot recommend highly enough.
Shadow of the Wind
Carlos Ruiz Zafron
The novel opens at the Cemetery of Forgotten Books - every time I read it, this always captures my attention. It makes me think of the many great books that have been written and lost throughout time (some of which I am sure would be worthy of a spot on MTG Recommends!). Carlos Ruiz Zafron capitalizes on this idea, and a single book from the Cemetery inspires a life-long ambition and obsession in a young boy named Daniel. It is definitely worth a read, along with the two other books in the series.
Chinese Cinderella and the Secret Dragon Society
Adeline Yen Mah
This was my favourite book as a child - I read it so much that the copy I have has had to undergo some major sellotape spinal repair. It is centered around a young girl called Ye Xian, who meets a group of boys and Grandma Wu at the height of World War II in China. Escaping from a hard family life, she learns Kung Fu and joins the ‘Society of Wandering Knights’ on a series of adventures.
Ye Xian is loosely based on the author herself, whose award-winning biography ‘Chinese Cinderella,’ spoke of the difficult life experience she had as an unloved child who could only find relief through books. When I read this children’s novel now, I cannot help but think of the young Adeline thinking up this story of heroism and friendship.
London Clay
Tom Chivers
This non-fiction books speaks to another passion of mine: London. I have always loved walking around the city and unlocking the centuries of history in its buildings and streets. This book offers yet another way of enjoying it all, looking particularly at the geological mysteries which make their way through the concrete.