The Books That Made Emily

"I have been working at the bookshop since I was 17, progressing from Saturday assistant, to bookseller and now manager. I read a lot of contemporary fiction but often the books that speak to me the most are magical realism. I love the idea of discovering that something magical exists alongside the mundane. For me, reading has always been about escaping to another world!"

Why I chose Station Eleven by Emily St John Mandel 
"From the first page I was drawn in by Emily St John Mandel’s beautiful writing and after the chilling final paragraph of the second chapter, I couldn’t put it down!  I first read this book in 2015, but have revisited Station Eleven many times since and I’m struck by what Emily St John Mandel got so right about human nature during a pandemic. I cling to her hopeful vision of society rebuilding itself and will never forget the first time I entered this parallel world."

Why I chose When Hitler Stole Pink Rabbit by Judith Kerr 
"This is a book that I first read when I was 11 but have reread it many times since. Based on Judith Kerr’s real experience of fleeing Nazi Germany as a small child, this book ignited my love of an epic tale, well told. There is a certain innocence that comes from seeing dark events through the eyes of a child, although Kerr does an amazing job of weaving a sense of increasing unease throughout the story. I would recommend this book to anyone, young or old."

Why I chose The Starless Sea by Erin Morgenstern
"It was a tough decision whether to pick this or The Night Circus by Erin Morgernstern - I love them both- but this one won out in the end due to the secret underground library and the sheer imagination of it all! For me reading is often the best source of escapism and this book offers just that - it’s a thrilling adventure, filled with romance and humour!" 

Why I Chose Foxglove Summer by Ben Aaronovitch 
"Most people know about my love for the Rivers of London series by Ben Aaronovitch and my favourite of these is Foxglove Summer! Foxglove Summer is actually set in Herefordshire as opposed to the other books which are set in London, and I guess because I’m more familiar with a rural environment, it was during this book that I really became invested in Ben’s concept of magic! I love the idea that a whole other world exists within our own, available to anyone, if only you look close enough."

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