Today is World Book Day! The huge international event occurs every year to celebrate the importance and the joy of reading books. Often the occasion is marked with fancy dress, with people from across the world dressing up as their favourite book character. This year at AI Global Media, we’ve decided to mark the occasion by sharing what we’re currently reading, along with our favourite books.
Jane Henderson- Where the Crawdads Sing by Delia Owens
“I’m currently reading Where the Crawdads Sing by Delia Owens. So many people have recommended this to me, currently waiting to get hooked but determined to persevere!”
Kathryn Hall- The Temptation of Gracie by Santa Montefiore
“It’s so hard not to fall in love with Tuscany after reading this book, regardless of whether you have been or not! Tuscany is now on my bucket list.”
Tony Garner- IT by Stephen King & all of the Harry Potter books by J.K Rowling
“IT’s not my favourite book but it was the book that got me reading again, after years of reading boring and uninteresting books for English Literature at school. I went on to read all of King’s books that were published at the time and have been reading regularly since. My Kindle is my best ever piece of tech (to this day)- I love it and I love the reading I do with it.
My favourite books are the Harry Potter books, I loved them all.”
Kaven Cooper- Ask the Dust by John Fante
“Ask the Dust is about a young struggling writer in LA during the Great Depression. The start of a whole genre that some refer to as Lowlife Literature, massively influenced people like Charles Bukowski. This is definitely not for everyone but has been my absolute go to book for years!”
Akeela Zahair- A Thousand Splendid Suns by Khaled Hosseini
“Told from two different perspectives, this is a story which revolves around what life was like for women in a war-torn Afghanistan. Here’s my favourite quote from the book:
“One could not count the moons that shimmer on her roofs.
Or the thousand splendid suns that hide behind her walls.”
Michael Pusey- Lord of Light by Roger Zelazny
“As humanity colonises a new planet, Eastern mythology plays out, pitting gods with vast and hidden powers against one another. Thrilling and thought-provoking in one, it’s a great science-fiction fantasy novel that has stood the test of time.”
Alexandra Abraham- The Help by Kathryn Stockett
“A funny, moving, and important read that explores racism in 60’s Mississippi. Stockett is a wonderful storyteller that draws you in through captivating characters, beautiful writing, and heart-rending stories. One of my all-time favourites that I can read again and again.”
John Ray Simpson– The Simpsons and their Mathematical Secrets by Simon Singh
“If you’re logical minded and fiction isn’t particularly something you enjoy, nerd it up with this book. It dives into mathematical concepts that have been hidden in episodes of The Simpsons by the early writers of the successful show. Even if maths isn’t your thing, it does well with explanations and it’s interesting to read about what directs incredibly gifted minds towards comedy writing.”
Emma Pridmore- The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society by Mary Ann Schaffer & Annie Barrows
“A book about books! It’s a story in letters that has so much charm and humour- despite its post-war context- that I come back to it time and time again.”
Adam Walton- Funny You Should Ask…Your Questions Answered by the QI Elves
“This is a really interesting book with loads of answers to questions you’ve never thought about asking (or bothered to). For example, how much water would you need to put out the Sun? Who was the first person to have a chip on their shoulder? and the age-old question: if I take a swan to the vet does the Queen have to pay?”
Katherine Benton – The Goosebumps books by R.L.Stine
“I might be 26 but I’m standing by R.L.Stine and his efforts to put the horror genre on the map for children. I’m also grateful for the important lessons he taught us as kids i.e. if a mask retailer specialising in haunted apparel tells you that a Halloween mask you like is haunted, don’t then buy it, put it on and complain to your friends when it becomes permanently stuck to your face. Take from that what you will!”
Philip Efem- The Prince by Niccolo Machiavelli
“I picked this up recently after first reading it in my teens. This read is more of a political treatise, which tends to be a bit twisted. If you’re into politics, and intrigue, it’s definitely a good read.”
El Muers- Neverwhere by Neil Gaiman
“London Below is a dark and twisted version of the city above it, a terrifying place where the twists and turns keep you waiting for the next reveal; the book follows Richard Mayhew and Door as they try to navigate and survive it. Tone wise, I found it a little different to Gaiman’s other work- but that in itself was part of its charm.”
Heather Ryan- Now You See Her by Heidi Perks
“I read Now You See Her by Heidi Perks recently. It’s a great thriller with lots of twists and turns. Couldn’t put it down until I’d finished!”
Daniel Grubb- A Game of Thrones by George R. R. Martin
“I’m currently on book 4 of 7 of George R. R. Martin’s A Game of Thrones: A Feast for Crows. After watching the TV series I’d heard that the show started to deviate from the books and after the ultimately disappointing conclusion to Series 8, I started the books. It’s one of those where I don’t ache to read it, but when I do read it, I can easily knock out 4-5 chapters in a sitting and just lose myself in Westeros.”
Patrick Doherty- Fear and loathing in Las Vegas by Hunter S. Thompson
“Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas is a unique read like no other rooted in autobiographical incidents of the author the story follows its protagonist, Raoul Duke, and his attorney, Dr. Gonzo, as they descend on Las Vegas to chase the American Dream.”
“No sympathy for the devil; keep that in mind. Buy the ticket, take the ride…and if it occasionally gets a little heavier than what you had in mind, well…maybe chalk it up to forced consciousness expansion: Tune in, freak out, get beaten.”
― Hunter S. Thompson, Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas
Kieran Penrice- Feet of Clay by Terry Pratchett
“The watch are my favourite part of the Discworld series and this murder mystery/examination of slavery and servitude is a fantastic read, both as a standalone fantasy novel and even more so as a part of the larger Discworld story.”
Holly Morris- The Lord Of The Rings by J.R.R Tolkien
“The original fantasy adventure novel, I’ve read and reread this since my teenage years and will continue to. Escapism at its best!”
Harwinder Pawar- The Greatest Secret by Rhonda Byrne
“This is the latest edition from Rhonda. If you haven’t already, I suggest you begin reading these from the first edition called The Secret. I have yet to complete this latest offering, however I’d like to share an insight which I’ve taken from it:
“We’ve missed the truth for thousands of years because we’ve not looked at what is right in front of us.”
Gabrielle Ellis- The Symposium by Plato
“A book detailing what is said when a bunch of really smart Greek men get drunk and try to define and understand the concept of love and its origins.”
Joshua Hewitt- By What Standard? – edited by Jared Longshore
“This book, which has multiple contributors, gives an alarming insight into how our unbiblical postmodern culture begins to permeate the biblical Christian Church. A cracking theological read!”
Laura Brookes- Book of the Ancestor by Mark Lawrence
“I’ll go with my recent favourite series. I’ll cheat because otherwise it’s impossible to pick and I’ll be here for hours. This is a wonderful spin on the “Chosen One Prophecy” with a well-realised fantasy world, compelling magic system and captivating characters.
“Nona Grey is a flawed central protagonist, but the reader can’t help but become enthralled with her character, sense of purpose and loyalty. Also, she’s a badass. The first book in the series, Red Sister, might have the best opening line of any book I’ve read.
“First line is: “It is important, when killing a nun, to ensure that you bring an army of sufficient size.”
We hope you have an enjoyable World Book Day! Happy reading!
