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WORLD BOOK DAY – OUR FAVOURITE READS

Reading is a crucial part of our DNA at Ashfield Excellence Academy, and storytelling is a big part of what we do, as we explored in our recent post, The Power of Storytelling. In recognition of World Book Day, which celebrates the importance of books and literature across all age groups, members of the AEA team have chosen to share some of their favourite reads.

We understand the unique way in which reading can have a profound and inspiring effect on our lives and encourage learning retention. Check out some of our team’s favourite books!

The Shadow of the Wind by Carlos Ruiz Zafon

Tom

Lucky Jim by Kingsley Amis

Richard

A Pair of Blue Eyes by Thomas Hardy

Bethany

Ready Player One by Ernest Cline

Gary

Jane Eyre by Charlotte Bronte

Fiona

The Paris Apartment by Lucy Foley

Liz

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Tom

The Shadow of the Wind by Carlos Ruiz Zafon is an intriguing story, but I think what connected with me most was that it revolves around a main character, Daniel Sempere, who is at a point in his life where he is trying to balance maturity and his growing responsibilities with his ‘childish’ fascination for stories and adventure. He is influenced by all the different people in his life and their expectations of him, but ultimately he has to decide what kind of person he wants to be, and which friendships and relationships deserve his loyalty.

Lucky Jim by Kingsley Amis

Richard

Lucky Jim by Kingsley Amis is one of my favourite books. It was his first novel that won the Somerset Maugham prize. Lucky Jim was on our English Literature course to study and was a great eyeopener to an anti-hero character who you just couldn’t help sympathising with and loving at the same time. One of the very few books I have ever read more than once, probably re-read about six times over the years and still feels fresh and makes me laugh.

A Pair of Blue Eyes by Thomas Hardy

Bethany

My favourite book is A Pair of Blue Eyes by Thomas Hardy. I picked it up at the library before the first COVID-19 lockdown and I’ll always remember what an amazing distraction it was during a difficult time. It’s fully immersive escapism and I love seeing how it inspired Hardy’s future work.

Ready Player One by Ernest Cline

Gary

I really enjoyed Ready Player One (and Ready Player Two) by Ernest Cline. What I loved most about this book are the numerous detailed nostalgic references mainly to the films, TV, music and videogames of the 1980s which are expertly weaved into the storyline, and as something of a geek myself, frequently had me dipping into Google/YouTube to remember them.

Jane Eyre by Charlotte Bronte

Fiona

My favourite book is Jane Eyre by Charlotte Bronte. I first read it as a girl and have read it several times since. I love the main character and really admire the fact that Charlotte Bronte made her such a strong woman with a real sense of her own value – remarkable for a Victorian woman who lived a sheltered life.

The Paris Apartment by Lucy Foley

Liz

The book I’ve enjoyed recently is The Paris Apartment by Lucy Foley. One of the residents in the apartment is killed and the book is written from the point of view of the other residents in the apartment block. The chapters are quite short, but keep you wanting to turn the pages to find out which of them it was! Very gripping.