Best books … chosen by Sophie Kinsella
Sophie Kinsella is the author of the best-selling Shopaholic series. Her new novel is Remember Me?, the story of a London amnesiac who can’t recall how she landed the perfect life.
Emma by Jane Austen (Penguin, $8). I’m constantly torn between this and Pride and Prejudice as my all-time favorite Jane Austen books; her wit and observation is unsurpassed. Emma is such a lovable, flawed heroine, and I think her epiphany over Mr. Knightley is one of the most romantic moments in all fiction.
Love That Dog by Sharon Creech (Harper Trophy, $6). This is a short, vivid children’s book about writing poetry. It weaves in allusions to famous poems, which are then quoted at the end—and it tells its own funny and very poignant story about Jack, a boy who can’t understand poetry and doesn’t want to. I recommend it to everyone.
The Diary of a Provincial Lady by E.M. Delafield (Prion, $18). This is a gem of the 1930s, with one of the most endearing, funny characters in British literature. The heroine is a country lady with a wry sense of humor and I adore her self-deprecating commentary on life. She faces many of the same problems as any modern-day woman (obtuse husbands, bills that won’t add up) and some that are utterly of their time (the terror of having to speak to the staff).
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.
Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
Murder on the Orient Express by Agatha Christie (Berkley, $7). To be truthful, I’d have to recommend all of Agatha Christie books. They are comfort reading of the highest order; I love to escape into that cozy world of English villages, butlers, and country houses. I’m also very fortunate that I often forget “whodunit,” so I can read them again and again!
The Tenderness of Wolves by Stef Penney (Simon & Schuster, $15). I was on the judging panel that awarded this novel Costa Book of the Year last year, and absolutely loved it. It’s a gripping, atmospheric murder story set in the snowy wastes of Canada, with some wonderful descriptions of an extreme landscape. I never knew I could be so riveted by snow.
Through the Looking Glass by Lewis Carroll (Signet, $4). I read both Alice books as a child and always preferred the sequel. It is full of the most fabulous mind games and riddles. The characters are wonderful—Humpty Dumpty is one of the all-time great comic creations—and throughout there’s a marvelous sense of menace.
Sign up for Today's Best Articles in your inbox
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
Create an account with the same email registered to your subscription to unlock access.
-
'A direct, protracted war with Israel is not something Iran is equipped to fight'
Instant Opinion Opinion, comment and editorials of the day
By Harold Maass, The Week US Published
-
Today's political cartoons - April 17, 2024
Cartoons Wednesday's cartoons - political anxiety, jury sorting hat, and more
By The Week US Published
-
Arid Gulf states hit with year's worth of rain
Speed Read The historic flooding in Dubai is tied to climate change
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Amanda Montell's 6 favorite books that will expand your knowledge
Feature The linguist recommends works by Mary Roach, Alice Carrière, and more
By The Week US Published
-
Rowan Beaird recommends 6 compelling books from the 1950s
Feature The author recommends works by Patricia Highsmith, Shirley Jackson, and more
By The Week US Published
-
Stephen Graham Jones' 6 scary books with deeper meanings
Feature The best-selling author recommends works by Stephen King, Sara Gran, and more
By The Week US Published
-
Keith O'Brien's 6 must-read books about significant moments in sports history
Feature The best-selling author recommends works by Laura Hillenbrand, Jonathan Eig and more
By The Week US Published
-
Lauren Oyler's favorite collection of essays that will leave you deep in thought
Feature The author recommends works by Elif Batuman, Mark Greif, and more
By The Week US Published
-
Rebecca Serle's 6 favorite books about interpersonal relationships
Feature The best-selling author recommends works by J.D. Salinger, Dolly Alderton, and more
By The Week US Published
-
Cristina Henríquez's 6 popular books with historical themes
Feature The novelist recommends works by Min Jin Lee, Kurt Vonnegut, and more
By The Week US Published
-
Mark Greaney's 6 favorite suspenseful books about espionage
Feature The author recommends works by Tom Clancy, John le Carré, and more
By The Week US Published