National Book Lovers Day

This one is for all those bibliophiles out there (a person who has a great appreciation for or collects books). Find your favourite nook, stick the kettle on and sit back and lose yourself in a good book.

Name a better feeling than wandering into a bookshop and being immediately struck with a sense of excitement. Absorbing the hundreds of books that line the walls filled with beautiful words conjured up by masterful storytellers or digesting years’ worth of research which has been lovingly put together to deepen and expand our minds.

Books are always an unsung hero, especially in this digital age where we are so easily drawn into the convenience of TV. Of course, they have their place and are enjoyable, but nothing will ever measure up to reading a good book and having your mind and imagination taken to places the digital world can’t.

There is so much reading material out there and it’s wonderful when you pick up a book by an unknown author and you can’t put it down - the feeling of ultimate reward when you’ve found that hidden gem. I am hoping to do just that with some fiction and non-fiction book recommendations for you this month;

‘The Choice Point’ by Jonathon Rhodes and Joanna Grover

Published in June 2023, British psychologist John Rhodes has looked into the scientific method of achieving your goals. Delving into Functional Imagery Training (FIT) to help us in those moments of conflicting choices along with infusing mindfulness, motivational interviewing and cognitive behavioural therapy in a user-friendly model.

‘Awful Auntie’ by David Walliams

In the children’s book, Awful Auntie, Young Stella Saxby finds herself orphaned and the rightful heir to Saxby Hall. However, her wicked Aunt Alberta has different plans and is determined to claim the grand estate for herself. With the help of her enormous Owl, Aunt Alberta devises a cunning plot to trick Stella and seize the Hall.

‘Yellowface’ by R.F. Kuang

Meet Athena Liu, a celebrated literary prodigy, and contrastingly, June Hayward, who literally was a ‘no-one’. But fate intervened when Athena met an untimely end in a freak accident. Seizing the opportunity, June impulsively takes Athena’s just-completed masterpiece and claims it as her own. However, living under Athena’s shadow becomes increasingly challenging, and mounting evidence threatens to unravel June’s stolen success.

‘Fairy Tale’ by Stephen King

At first glance, Charlie appears to be an ordinary high school kid, excelling in sports and academics. However, behind his confident facade lies the weight of tragedy—his mother’s death in a hit-and-run accident and his father’s struggle with grief and alcoholism. Despite the hardships, Charlie has learned to fend for himself and take care of his father. When he inherits the keys to a parallel world where good and evil are at war and a responsibility far too massive for a boy to shoulder. “Fairy Tale” is a spellbinding and terrifying testament to the power of imagination and the courage of those who dare to confront the unknown.

Whilst many enjoy books on a daily basis, this is a great day for those who perhaps don’t feel like they have the time to sit and enjoy a good book. The day is a reminder to give ourselves this time, to unwind and take a step back from the business that life tends to throw our way. Book Lovers Day is also a great chance to encourage younger ones to read whether that be taking them to a book or charity shop and allowing them to select a new book or by reading to or with them.

We’d love to hear if you have read any of these books and your ratings. Feel free to tag us on Instagram with a photo of the book and use the hashtag #OMBookLovers for a chance to be featured.