It’s World Book Day, an annual celebration of the joys of reading for pleasure, enjoyed by children and adults alike. To celebrate the occasion, we asked our team for the books that made them fall in love with reading, the titles that they recommend to every person they meet, and the most-anticipated book sitting on their tottering TBR pile.
However you do it – whether reading aloud to your children, squeezing in a quick chapter on the commute, or getting lost for hours in the magic of an audiobook – read your way, find the stories you love, and take the spirit of World Book Day into the year ahead.
And if this has whet your appetite, you can listen to a number of our brilliant children’s audiobooks for free at the World of Stories hub.
Arabella Watkiss – Senior Press Officer
The book that made me fall in love with reading
This is so hard! I’ve fallen in love again and again with reading over the years. When I was younger it was probably Jane Eyre by Charlotte Bronte but it’s happened in adulthood too – some of the books that sparked this feeling for me were Never Let Me Go by Kazuo Ishiguro, Soldier, Sailor by Claire Kilroy, The Safekeep by Yael van der Wouden, and One Day by David Nicholls.
The book I recommend to everyone
Thread by Hannah Marsh is a revisionist history of Caesarean birth, incorporating myth, folklore, culture and women’s stories from around the world and asks us to reframe how we think about C-sections, which are often viewed as not as innately feminine as natural birth. The way women’s bodies have been treated and medicalised is so tied up with the political, social, and economic and affects us all so I think we should all be reading stuff like this. It’s such an informative and fascinating read.
The book I’m reading right now
I’m reading American Rapture by CJ Leede which Footnote is publishing in the UK in June and I’m racing through it. It’s an intensely original apocalyptic feminist horror set in the middle of a flu pandemic – the symptoms of those infected cause episodes of mania and sexual aggression. Caught in the middle is Sophie, who has been raised by fanatical Catholic parents. Having been kept separate from the world, she must cross the apocalyptic hellscape of the Midwest to try to find her lost brother, hoping the fever hasn’t taken him, all the while learning about the reality of her own sexuality in a suddenly lust-filled world. Propulsive and provocative, I’m interested in what this is saying about the disease of rape culture in our society, but want to warn that this could be a difficult read for some in places.
The book I’m looking forward to most
I never read James by Percival Everett and regularly remember how much I want to so that’s on my to-read-this-year list.
Amber Ivatt – Head of Publicity
The book that made me fall in love with reading
I think the book that tends to stick in my brain the most from an early age would be the superbly illustrated Horrid Henry series by Francesca Simon. As a well-behaved child myself, I was utterly entertained by the mischievous escapades of Horrid Henry—breaking all the rules, pranking his teachers, and especially tormenting his goody-two-shoes brother, Perfect Peter.
The book I recommend to everyone
I have accumulated many favourite books over the years (an occupational hazard) but the one I tend to recommend the most, especially to women, is the stunning All My Mothers by Joanna Glen. This is a beautifully told coming of age story, immersing you into the relationships the main character Eva faces with all the female figures she encounters throughout her life and reflects the different forms of maternal love you find. I love a tearjerker and this book made me cry twice!
The book I’m reading right now
I have just finished I Who Have Never Known Men by Jacqueline Harpman which is a dynamic dystopian portraying a world in which 40 women are imprisoned underground in a bunker and at the mercy of three male guards. The story is written from the perspective of the youngest imprisoned woman who is merely known as ‘the child’ and throughout the book there’s a dark undercurrent mystery on how they came to be there and why. Definitely a book that stays with you and makes you think!
The book I’m looking forward to most
On our Piccadilly Press list, we are publishing The Girl Who Raced the World by debut middle-grade author Nat Harrison, which is a clever historical reimagining of Around the World in 80 Days by Jules Verne, told through the eyes of Maggie Appleton. Maggie is a fiercely determined girl who, after becoming newly orphaned, finds herself swept away on Phileas Fogg’s whirlwind adventure and landmark expedition. This fresh take on a classic is an unforgettable combination!
Thomas Ross – Publishing Manager
The book that made me fall in love with reading
I went to a small rural school and distinctly remember the bright yellow ‘Library Bus’ parking up in the playground once a month so we could all take out a book. I withdrew many books over the years, but I do distinctly remember taking out a beautiful illustrated version of The Hobbit by JRR Tolkien (illustrated by Alan Lee). My parents were promptly pestered for my own copy. 🐲
The book I recommend to everyone
I’ve recently been recommending The Power of Geography: Ten Maps that Reveal the Future of our World by Peter Marshall. Touching on the historical and cultural background too, it is incredibly accessible and provides a fascinating insight into geopolitics and the many ways this will shape our future lives. Invaluable for our current times. 🌍
The book I’m reading right now
I’m currently reading Murray Hall by Milo Allan (Black & White, April 2025). I’ve been immediately transported to 1900s New York in this fascinating tale of one man’s extraordinary life. Investigative journalism, politics, social class, the ‘American Dream’ and a queer past erased by history – based on a true story – I’m already deeply drawn in and can’t wait to uncover the rest of this extraordinary tale. 🗽
The book I’m looking forward to most
A different read for the autumn, but I’m very excited to be working on Peter MacQueen’s upcoming book Tails of Scotland: The Story of Scottish Dogs! It’s set to be fascinating look into the history of Scotland’s most celebrated breeds and the people who can’t help but love them. I’m not going to lie, sorting through the many pictures is a significant perk of the job too. 🐕
Eden Voller – Online and Social Media Content Manager
The book that made me fall in love with reading
The Adventures of the Little Wooden Horse by Ursula Moray Williams. I was VERY into horses as a child, so this story of a little wooden horse adventuring around the world just felt magical to me. I remember flicking through the pages and seeing all of the beautiful illustrations and just feeling like I was being whisked away to another world!
The book I recommend to everyone
The Bear and the Nightingale by Katherine Arden. This is just the most beautifully written book, which is part of a trilogy all based on Russian folklore. I absolutely love fantasy books, and you can just feel the magic woven into every page of this book. It also has the best female lead who refuses to be anything but exactly who she is!
The book I’m reading right now
Imperial Intimacies: A Tale of Two Islands by Hazel Carby. I’m reading this book as part of my master’s degree, for the course ‘Black Feminist Thought’. I’m only about a third of the way through so far, but Hazel Carby weaves a tale of British imperialism through the lens of Black British womanhood. A daughter of a British mother and a Jamaican father, it heartbreakingly recounts Carby’s experience of being both Black and British in a (predominantly white, British) society that refuses to accept that she could possibly be both.
The book I’m looking forward to most
This one is a toss up between: The Dark Mirror by Samantha Shannon and Sunrise on the Reaping by Suzanne Collins.
Aimee White – Editor
The book that made me fall in love with reading
After a bit of a lapse in reading for pleasure, I absolutely devoured House of Hollow by Krystal Sutherland. It was the perfect concoction of horror, achingly lovely prose and characters that steal your heart that had me unable to put it down.
The book I recommend to everyone
King of Nothing by Nathanael Lessore. Honestly, read this book! I don’t think I stopped laughing for longer than a minute, reading this, but it’s also so heart-warming and sharply clever in how it addresses its message about masculinity and peer pressure.
The book I’m reading right now
Deeplight by Frances Hardinge. I remember loving Verdigris Deep when I was a kid, so when someone recommended I read Deeplight I jumped at the chance. So far it’s been a perfect read over the winter, when the days are dark and the wind is howling – but you’re cosy and warm inside!
The book I’m looking forward to most
Hungerstone by Kat Dunn. I really enjoyed Bitterthorn, so I can’t wait to read this new release from Kat Dunn!
Abi Congreve – Key Account Manager
The book that made me fall in love with reading
If we are going as far back as my childhood then all Jacqueline Wilson books, but as of my adult love of reading, this is a toss-up between Verity by Colleen Hoover and The Silent Patient by Alex Michaelides.
The book I recommend to everyone
The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo. The main character Evelyn was kept as a mystery throughout the book which kept me on my toes through each chapter whilst taking us through a decade of her life. It was compelling and unlike any other historical fiction I have read.
The book I’m reading right now
The Zodiac Academy nine-book series by Caroline Peckham (currently on book 6). I prefer a book series as apposed to standalone as you really get to see the development of all of the main characters. Zodiac Academy takes you on such a journey and is heavily plot driven. I have laughed and cried whilst reading this series and can’t wait to see how it will play out.
The book I’m looking forward to most
Onyx Storm by Rebecca Yaros. Fourth Wing was the book that got me into fantasy reading at the start of 2024 and I whizzed through the first 2 books; especially loving the slow burn of the enemies to lover trope. The end of book 2 was left on a major cliff hanger so especially excited to see how this develops in Onyx Storm.
Ella Holden – Senior Production Controller
The book that made me fall in love with reading
I loved books from a young age, right from picture books like The Tiger Who Came to Tea, but the series that made me fall in love with reading for myself – rather than being read to – was Lemony Snicket’s A Series of Unfortunate Events. I think I’d still enjoy these even if I read them again now.
The book I recommend to everyone
Isaac and the Egg by Bobby Palmer is easily my most gifted book and my own copy has been read by at least ten people. It’s so original, a completely unexpected but heartfelt take on trauma and grief – although best read with a whole box of tissues!
The book I’m reading right now
My current read is Return to the Dallergut Dream Department Store by Miye Lee – I recently read the first book and am enjoying revisiting Penny and the rest of the characters to take this interesting concept a step further.
The book I’m looking forward to most
I’m Not Lazy, I’m on Energy Saving Mode was one of my favourite reads from last year, so I can’t wait to see Dancing Snail’s next book, It’s Okay Not to Get Along with Everyone. Her illustrations are really charming and so many capture the feelings we’ve all had and situations we’ve found ourselves in.
Ruth Howells – Corporate Communications Director
The book that made me fall in love with reading
It’s too hard to pick one! Matilda, To Kill a Mockingbird and Pride and Prejudice are all books that helped make me a reader for life.
The book I recommend to everyone
This goes through phases. The one I have found myself recommending a lot recently is All Fours by Miranda July. It’s extraordinary.
The book I’m reading right now
I got in the habit of exclusively reading fiction, so am consciously trying to read more non-fiction. I’m currently halfway through Grit by Angela Duckworth.
The book I’m looking forward to most
Jane Austen’s Bookshelf by Rebecca Romney is next on my TBR pile. I have also bought a copy for my mum so we can chat about it.
Enisha Samra – Marketing Executive
The Book That Made Me Fall in Love with Reading
Growing up, I always enjoyed reading, but the book that truly made me fall in love with it was Little Darlings by Jacqueline Wilson. Looking back, I think little Enisha was completely hooked on the drama, but it was also the themes of sisterhood and friendship that made me adore it!
The Book I Recommend to Everyone
Oh, what an impossibly tough question! But if I had to choose, I always find myself recommending The Infernal Devices series by Cassandra Clare. This was the series that introduced me to urban fantasy and eventually turned me into a full-blown fantasy reader. It’s got incredible characters, swoon-worthy moments, and I can confirm I did cry!
The Book I’m Reading Right Now
At the moment, I’m diving into Acts of Cupidity by E.S. Drake—a quirky and fun urban fantasy set in London. The story follows two immortal cupids whose love matches keep dying (yikes) and, to clear their names, they set off to save the world from impending doom. It’s packed with geese, jazz, and so many clever nods to iconic London spots. It’s the perfect mix of chaotic and charming!
The Book I’m Most Looking Forward To
I am so excited for Any Trope But You by Victoria Lavine, which is set to publish in April 2025. This one sounds like a dream for the romance reader in me! It follows Margot, a romance author who no longer believes in happily ever afters and after her cynicism goes public, she escapes to Alaska to try her hand at writing murder mysteries. But of course, fate has other plans… enter a grumpy lumberjack named Forrest and every romance trope you can imagine. It sounds like the ultimate feel-good rom-com, and I cannot wait to get my hands on it!
You can listen to a number of our brilliant children’s audiobooks for free at the World of Stories hub.
