Giada Scodellaro’s novel, “Ruins, Child,” left a profound impression on me, presenting a unique and captivating narrative. Its innovative language and surreal imagery felt like navigating a space filled with resonances. In contrast, Jordy Rosenberg’s remarkable work, “Night Night Fawn,” offers a more direct political commentary. While it can be classified as a family saga, it equally explores themes of fascism and the complex interactions between familial bonds and authoritarianism. For a piercing examination of social issues in a nonfiction format, Jonas Marvin’s “The Breaking of the English Working Class” is a must-read. This elegantly composed essay reveals the persistent structural, economic, and psychological violence faced by the working class, evoking a sense of “undefeated despair,” a term coined by John Berger.
China Miéville’s “The Rouse,” published by Picador for £35, is available for purchase through the Guardian Bookshop, where delivery fees may apply.
I found myself completely absorbed in “Whale Fall” by Elizabeth O’Connor, a beautifully crafted narrative set in the 1930s, centered on a young woman’s life and her fishing community on a Welsh island. The simplicity of the story is enriched by moral complexities when two anthropologists arrive to study the islanders’ lives and history. This volume is perhaps the most poetic I have encountered in quite some time.
Recently, I have come across numerous books that I now consider timeless favorites. Among them is “Beloved” by Toni Morrison. Though I was initially hesitant to revisit her work after struggling with “Sula,” I found “Beloved” to be a masterpiece. Another favorite is “Pedro Páramo” by Juan Rulfo, a seminal text in Latin American magical realism. Despite its challenges, the reading experience was immensely rewarding, demonstrating that storytelling can take diverse forms. Lastly, I want to mention “The Bridge of San Luis Rey” by Thornton Wilder. Having just completed it, my thoughts are still settling, but I feel a mix of admiration and a sense of life-affirming wonder, particularly from its religious themes. I anticipate this book will join my list of favorites.
Derek Owusu’s “The Recovery House” is published by Merky Books for £16.99, and is also available through the Guardian Bookshop, with potential delivery charges.
Gerald Martin’s biography of Mario Vargas Llosa is an extensive tome, nearing a thousand pages, which I expect will accompany me well into 2026. At night, particularly around my birthday, I indulge in a re-reading of Jean Rhys, finding comfort in her prose as we traverse the moonlit expanse of the sea together. For mental clarity, I turn to “The Practice of Not Thinking” by Ryunosuke Koike, a helpful counter to ineffective cognitive behavioral therapy. For inspiration, I recommend “For Now” by Eileen Myles, which reflects on the loss of part of their archive and the struggle to maintain a long-held rent-controlled apartment. Additionally, Gloria Steinem’s “My Life on the Road” is a significant read.
For those seeking to soothe their minds and rekindle their love for reading, “The Last Chronicle of Barset” by Anthony Trollope is highly recommended. I recently agreed with Marlon James’s sentiment that he rates Trollope above Dickens—though both authors are undeniably talented. I am currently re-reading “Army Life in a Black Regiment” by Thomas Wentworth Higginson, a work praised by Emerson as a masterpiece despite the author’s reputation. The late 1990s reissue by Penguin Classics includes Higginson’s correspondence with Emily Dickinson and a memorable account of their singular meeting, revealing much about her character. Furthermore, I was impressed by a small poetry collection titled “Mango and Starblush” by Kayleigh Jayshree, which Dickinson might have described as genuine poetry.
Lastly, “The Newer World” by Sebastian Barry is published by Faber for £20, and is also available through the Guardian Bookshop, where delivery fees may apply.
