Angella Parker, Principal Officer, e-Library Services
What I read depends on the things like what mood I'm in, or what time of year it is, or what is happening in my life at that particular time - so it's difficult to try and pin me down to a favourite author or genre. Having said that, I do steer clear of violent crime stories: I read to 'escape' and there's enough to be scared about in real life without reading about it in my leisure time.
1. Jane Eyre by Charlotte Bronte
2. Time Traveller's Wife by Audrey Niffenegger
3. Brave New World by Aldous Huxley
4. Just For You by Mercer Meyer
5. ? by ?
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Tim Davies, Principal Officer, e-Library Services
These aren’t in any order – I don’t have one favourite book. Some of these represent my lifelong interest in old stories, and they way they are retold and reinterpreted over the centuries. Others are masterclasses in how words can change the world, or at least change the reader; subtle distillations of the confusions of life into moments of searing emotion. Some are great fun. All can be read and re-read, which is - for me - an important characterisitc of any good book.
1. Les Liaisons Dangereuses by Pierre Choderlos de Laclos
2. The Remains Of The Day by Kazuo Ishiguro
3. The Dream Of Scipio by Iain Pears
4. Le Morte d'Arthur by Sir Thomas Malory
5. Last Tango in Aberystwyth by Malcolm Pryce
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Steve Blackbourn, Principal Officer Museums, Galleries and Heritage
As a professional historian, I read a lot of factual books as part of my job. I always read fiction when I’m at home, but I never quite get away from the day job and the books I read either have to be based on real places and events or be total escapist fantasy – I always get frustrated when the author of a novel doesn’t get the historical details right! My favourite author is most definitely the Italian author, Italo Calvino. He has a unique, sometimes strange, imagination and his books are always interesting – sometimes they are heavy going, but its always worth it and I like a challenge!
1. If on a Winter's Night a Traveller by Italo Calvino
2. Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix by J. K. Rowling
3. The State Counsellor by Boris Akunin
4. Eden by Tim Snit
5. Home: The Story of Everyone Who Ever Lived in Our House by Julie Myerson
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Amy Sharp, Green Spaces Development Manager
I will read most books although I’m not really taken by autobiographies. I don’t have a favourite author, in general most seem to manage a couple of good books and plenty of duds so in my opinion its better to take each book as it comes rather than select on the basis of the author. 1. Acid Row by Minette Walters
2. The Life of Pi by Yann Martel
3. The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night Time by Mark Haddon
4. The Owl Who Was Afraid of the Dark by Jill Tomlinson
5. All the Harry Potter Series! by J. K. Rowling
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Julie Hird, Reader Development Officer
I'll give anything a go but most often steer away from horror and Sci-Fi. I have my old favourites that include Dickens and Austen, and Enid Blyton's Secret Seven will always have a special place in my heart, but my Top 5 listed represent an old favourite, a recommendation from a friend, a controversial read, a thought provoker and a wild card!
1. Precious Bane by Mary Webb
2. The Life of Pi by Yann Martel
3. The Da Vinci Code by Dan Brown
4. Song of Solomon by Toni Morrison
5. 'Making it Up' from Northern Soul by John Siddique
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David Hague, Reader Development Librarian
I tend to go through obsessional stages with my reading - and this applies to both fiction and non-fiction (which I increasingly prefer as I get older). For example, I might read five books on Buddhism, and then all the novels of Kurt Vonnegut, before moving on to Economics. I tend to read for mental stimulation, so I get frustrated with anything that isn't challenging or is formulaic. For that reason I tend to shy away from genre fiction, even though that may mean I am missing out on some fantastic writing. BTW - doing a Top 5 is nigh on impossible!
1. The Dice Man by Luke Rheinhardt
2. Timequake by Kurt Vonnegut
3. Post Office by Charles Bukowski
4. Rising Up and Rising Down by William T Vollmann
5. Atomised by Michel Houellebecq
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Rachel Wade, Reader Development Support Worker
I'll give any book a chance but I do find crime/thrillers a challenge because I don't usually care 'whodunnit'. I like books that are going to answer some of my questions about life or present me with new ones so I don't have favourite authors/genres. Variety is my spice of choice!
1. The Little House on the Prairie by Laura Ingalls Wilder
2. Brave New World by Aldous Huxley
3. Mister God this is Anna by Fynn
4. Simple Abundance by Sarah Ban Breathnach
5. A Fine Balance by Rohinton Mistry
Find out more about Rachel's Top 5 (449 Kb)
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