Books are my sanctuary. To me there’s not much that beats a comfy armchair, a cup of tea and an enthralling book. An infinitely more pleasurable and healthy alternative to doom-scrolling! One thing I notice though is that if I don’t have a good book on the go, I’m more tempted by social media and other distractions that don’t feed my heart and soul. 

May we always have a compelling read on our nightstand!

To this end, I wanted to compile a list of all-time favourite books to share with you. The list will feature books that have entertained me, soothed me, inspired me, prodded me, galvanised me, fascinated me and profoundly opened me to Life, to others and to myself. 

To kick off, I’m starting with memoirs, which alongside WW2 fiction would have to be my favourite type of read. I always feel so privileged by the intimacy of memoirs: beautiful, brave souls bearing their hearts. 

So without further ado, here you go (in no particular order, although I can’t help but notice that my absolute faves seem to have found their way to the top!)

Fascinating, inspiring and/or heart-opening memoirs

1. The Choice – Edith Eger
2. Educated – Tara Westover
3. Tuesdays with Morrie – Mitch Albom
4. Wild – Cheryl Strayed
5. Untamed – Glennon Doyle
6. Stranger Care – Sarah Sentilles
7. Dying to Be Me – Anita Moorjani
8. We Were Dreamers – Simu Liu
9. Invisible Child – Andrea Elliott
10. The Lost Child of Philomena Lee– Martin Sixsmith
11. Becoming – Michelle Obama
12. The Salt Path – Raynor Winn
13. This is Going to Hurt – Adam Kay
14. The Lightless Sky – Gulwali Passarlay and Nadene Ghouri
15. When Breath Becomes Air – Paul Kalanithi
16. Lion – Saroo Brierley
17. Proof of Heaven – Eben Alexander
18. Mama’s Boy – Dustin Lance Black
19. The Boy who Harnessed the Wind – William Kamkwamba
20. The Girl with Seven Names – Lee Hyeon-seo
21. I am Malala – Malala Yousafzai
22. The Bright Hour – Nina Riggs
23. Your Own Kind of Girl – Clare Bowditch
24. On Living – Kerry Egan
25. Spare – Prince Harry
26. Friends, Lovers and the Big Terrible Thing – Matthew Perry
27. The Diary of a Young Girl – Anne Frank
28. The Top 5 Regrets of the Dying – Bronnie Ware
29. Angela’s Ashes – Frank McCourt
30. Greenlights – Matthew McConaughey (**highly recommend an audiobook for this one, his voice is like honey)