You Should Probably Read These Books

Books we love for January reading

Christmas is over and instead of making resolutions, we're just reading loads and loads of books. These one's have stood out as excellent distractions from the misery that is a British January.

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1. The Virgin Suicides - Jeffrey Eugenides
Apparently this is now a film staring Kirsten Dunst and Josh Hartnett which sounds incredible. As far as the book goes, it is short and shocking. So much happens in such a short space of time, it has a strange slow narrative as dramatic events are gradually revealed by an un named character. The description is incredibly emotive and sounds, smells and scenes leave the reader with a real sense of girls who, one by one commit suicide in a small American town for no apparent reason. Set in the 70s, one seemingly normal family of beautiful sisters morbidly fascinate a town that struggles to understand them.

2. The Hundred Year Old Man Who Climbed Out of the Window and Disappeared - Jonas Jonasson
If you were ever worried about getting old, this novel will put any fear to bed. On his 100th birthday, Allan Karlsson begins an adventure that seems dramatic but as the story unfolds, we learn how it is relatively tame compared to his life before the rest home. Funny, witty and fast paced, the novel touches on some huge historical moments through the mild eyes of Allan. A whole new look at war figures as well as right and wrong, how has the author managed to make this funny?!

3. The Snow Child - Eowyn Ivey
When you think of the 20s, you think of parties, glamour and probably The Great Gatsby. But this story focuses on the era in a very different setting. After moving to Alaska to start a new life, a heartbroken childless older couple find love, friendship and happiness in very unexpected places. With hints of magic, mystery and legends as old as time, we are left just in the dark as the characters in the cold fierce wilderness.

4. Into The Wild - Jon Krakauer
This is one that most have heard of, or have at least seen the film. Krakauer has collected together fragments of the true story of Chris McCandless who walked into the wild and eventually perished in Alaska in the 90s. There feels like there should be some moral to the story as to pad out the narrative, the author includes other snippets from similar cases over history. It is a strange tale and is a fascinating journey that has been tracked beautifully through interviews, letters and the fated's own writing. It will either make you desperate to travel or gather your loved ones around you and never leave them.