What ho! The time Lord Emsworth and his prize pig took over my soul in 2024

The fact is, I cannot tear myself away from Blandings Castle.

Picture the idyllic setting that is Leamington Waterstones: the draft of air conditioning as you enter through the doors (for it was May – Waterstones served as both satisfying the book-buying habit and handing an opportunity to escape from sweltering heat), the hit of that impossible-to-describe inky smell, inevitably turning towards the fiction section (for who would buy non-fiction during term three of university?) I approached the wide table stacked with piles of books, and that’s when I saw it. A man riding a pig and wearing a rather dapper suit – Summer Lightening by P.G. Wodehouse. And thus the addiction began, and Wodehouse took over my being. Soon, I’d realise I had started with the fourth in the series.

You can never go wrong with a bit of humour, and frankly, Wodehouse is the best I have stumbled upon, as the humour hits every time.

You can never go wrong with a bit of humour, and frankly, Wodehouse is the best I have stumbled upon, as the humour hits every time. With over 70 novels and 200 short stories, P.G. Wodehouse (1881-1975) is an established British author to many much-loved characters. From Jeeves and Wooster (as played by Stephen Fry and Hugh Laurie in 1990-1993), to Psmith, the elegant socialist, and Lord Emsworth with his prize pet pig the Empress of Blandings, every character he wrote was sure to be memorable. Honestly, I’m surprised he bypassed my attention for so long. His literature and famous characters seem to be a quintessential element of Britishness that is referenced and used constantly, whether through a new adaptation, or the fact that he brought multiple new words into the English language (see ‘gruntled’ and ‘plonk’). He even has his own society, The P.G. Wodehouse Society, with Alexander Armstrong as its President and a list of Patrons including Sir Stephen Fry, Ben Elton, and the Duke of Kent. It is safe to say he continues to be a pretty influential figure.

It expands beyond pleasure too – reading new authors and books from a variety of periods can expose you to fresh perspectives and writing styles

Since picking up Summer Lightening, Wodehouse has become a new favourite author of mine, making him a perfect example of why it is so important to try out new authors. Before I came across Wodehouse and his creations I was confident I had found my favourite book already, that nothing would ever live up to what I had already read. We must consider, however, that our tastes develop, and our purposes for reading may change as our real-life situation evolves. I may love War and Peace and The Count of Monte Cristo, but I sure don’t want to be reading them to relax in between the multitude of essays I have due in Term 3. It expands beyond pleasure too – reading new authors and books from a variety of periods can expose you to fresh perspectives and writing styles, as well as challenging any preconceived notions you may have, especially against a specific genre or author. Even if it doesn’t end up being for you, you can reflect on what it is that you didn’t like so much, and apply it to picking your next read.

Picking one section to focus on is always an easy way to start.

But how does one actually go about picking something new? It’s true – walking into a bookshop and being bombarded with a vast amount of novels to choose from can be overwhelming, and it’s not unusual to walk out empty-handed in such a situation. In this instance, it can be helpful to consult what you have enjoyed in the past: fiction? Non-fiction? Maybe you love classic literature but want to try a new author within the genre. Picking one section to focus on is always an easy way to start.

Alternatively, joining a local book club or literary society can be a fun option. Not only will you be exposed to something new regularly, but you can share your thoughts on the book with others while considering alternative views given by other members. Clubs can also be a great opportunity to chat with other book lovers about their favourite reads. After all, where is better to hear about great books than from the experts themselves?

Or, my personal favourite method: walking into Waterstones and grabbing whatever meets the eye. Who knows? Maybe you’ll happen to pick up your next favourite read.

Pip-pip!