Stuck for something to read?

Stuck for something to read?

Sign-up to Emerald Street for a bookish treat

Have you ever found yourself looking for something new to read but feeling overwhelmed by the choice? Emerald Street, our daily email service, have put together a list of their favourite novels, Twenty Books You Must Read that you can download as a (very nice looking) PDF. For free.

The list covers a mix of classics, timeless favourites and contemporary essentials, with notes and interesting facts about each one. Whether you’re looking for a new bedtime read, a weighty novel to sink into on holiday or juicy reads for your book club, the Emerald Street book list is an inspirational and indispensable guide.

Read a taster here and then simply subscribe to Emerald Street to get the complete guide (and if you're already a subscriber, you'll already have received the PDF in a daily email).

1. The All-Time Classics

Love In A Cold Climate by Nancy Mitford (1949)

The follow-up to The Pursuit Of Love, this novel also features narrator Fanny, based on Mitford herself. The novel is largely about her relationship with her dear cousin Polly and her eccentric family, the Mondores. Set amidst the society classes of England, it sees Polly’s exasperated parents trying to encourage her to make a ‘great’ marriage, largely to her indifference.

Did you know? Carrie is seen reading a copy of the novel in Sex And The City 2.

2. The Modern Must-Reads

Ghostwritten by David Mitchell (1999)

This, David Mitchell’s debut, is a precursor to his later, better-known novels. But for our money, it’s all the more magical for displaying the extraordinary talent of a first-time author. Telling nine independent stories that are in fact loosely interlinked, it is a masterpiece in storytelling.

Did you know? A movie adaptation of Cloud Atlas, by the Wachowski brothers of Matrix fame, recently began production in Germany.

3. The New Favourites

A Visit From The Goon Squad by Jennifer Egan (2011)

At first this seems like a novel all about Bennie Salazar, rock star-turned-record-executive, and his assistant Sasha. But A Visit From the Goon Squad is much, much more. Told as a series of 13 short stories looking at the past, present and near future of a cast of characters, it’s actually a novel about feelings, about music, and about human beings.

Did you know? The same week Egan won this year’s Pulitzer Prize it was confirmed that the novel is currently being made into a series by HBO. WE. CAN. NOT. WAIT.

Tags: books