Books to Try New Things
It’s easy to fall into the habit of reading the same books, or the same genre, over and over again. And there’s nothing wrong with that! Sometimes we all need the comfort and peace that a well-loved book can provide. But with exam season over and the summer ahead of us, now might be the perfect time to branch out. This week, I’ve rounded up a few books to help you try something new, whether that means a different genre, a new format, or even just a fresh recipe. Whether you’re in the mood to shake up your reading routine or need something a little different, these books will help you broaden your horizons.
For those curious about historical fiction, Shogun is a great entry point. Inspired by true events, this epic novel follows English sailor John Blackthorne as he sailed to the coast of Japan in the 17th century. Unfamiliar with both the existing Japanese culture and the addition of the Portuguese sailors who have settled there, Blackthorne becomes entangled in political intrigue, religious conflict, and the complexities of samurai honour. The storytelling is immersive and cinematic, ideal for anyone looking to escape into a different time and place; it’s the perfect historical fiction read.
The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy by Douglas Adams
If the thought of science fiction conjures images of paragraphs of geeky exposition or hard-to-follow space battles, Douglas Adams will change your mind. The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy is a hilarious and absurd adventure that begins when Earth is scheduled for demolition by aliens to build a hyperspace bypass. Reluctant hero Arthur Dent is saved from the destruction of Earth by Ford Prefect, an alien who has been pretending to be a human failed actor for the last fifteen years. What ensues is a journey across space with a host of ridiculous side characters. It’s clever, quick, and wonderfully weird, making it the perfect introduction to science fiction.
Heartburn by Nora Ephron (narrated by Meryl Streep)
This next recommendation combines rom-com royalty Nora Ephron with acting legend Meryl Streep in the audiobook of Heartburn. Ephron is best known for making iconic romantic comedies such as Sleepless in Seattle, You’ve Got Mail, and When Harry Met Sally. This book, and the film of the same name in which Meryl Streep plays the protagonist Rachel, follows a seven-month pregnant woman as she learns that her husband is in love with a seemingly perfect other woman. Despite the depressing premise, this book is side-splittingly funny, highlighted even further by Streep’s incredible narration. This is also an excellent first audiobook as it’s relatively short, by audiobook standards, at five and a half hours, yet still engaging and brilliantly performed.
Trying something new doesn’t have to mean tackling War and Peace—it could be as simple as cooking a new dinner. Melissa Hemsley’s Eat Green is a colourful and practical guide to eating more sustainably without compromising on taste. Focused on a flexitarian approach (mostly plants, less meat), the book is packed with flavourful, satisfying recipes that are easy to adapt. What I love is that each dish comes with clever swaps for ingredients you might not have, helping to reduce waste and make the most of what’s in your kitchen. It also covers a wide range of food, from easy mid-week dinners (try the Chicken and Green Bean Adobo) to sweet treats like the Chocolate Chip Cookies.
The Anthropocene Reviewed by John Green (audiobook narrated by the author)
While being best known for smash-hit YA books such as Looking for Alaska and The Fault in Our Stars, this non-fiction book is a culmination of his podcast of the same name, reviewing the weird and wonderful aspects of life. From the Indianapolis 500 to the Penguins of Madagascar, Auld Lang Syne to news cycles, this book explains, analyses and rates various mundane things that are a part of life. If you’re new to reading non-fiction, this book is perfect: it offers essays on the mundane and how they link to the human experience. They’re intelligent and explained well, expertly combining sentiment with science and anthropology.
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