My favourite books

Wondering what sort of books I like? I primarily read thrillers and crime novels, but you’re also likely to find me with my nose stuck in a contemporary romance novel. My favourite authors include Lisa Jewell, Claire Douglas, Jo Callaghan, Michael Wood, Beth O’Leary and Gillian McAllister, but I’m also constantly discovering new favourites. I love reading stellar debuts, trying something a little different and discovering new-to-me authors who have huge back catalogues I can dive into.

My least favourite genres? I’m not a fantasy or sci-fi fan. I’m planning to dip my toe into new genres in 2026, though, so watch this space.

My favourite books of 2025

Wondering what books I loved last year? Here are my favourite reads of 2025.

• Sick to Death by Chris Bridges
• The Family at No. 23 by Kathryn Sharman
• The List of Suspicious Things by Jennie Godfrey
• Famous Last Words by Gillian McAllister
• The Countdown Killer by Sam Holland
• Traumaland by Josh Silver
• The Devil’s Code by Michael Wood
• Our Beautiful Mess by Adele Parks
• Swept Away by Beth O’Leary
• Overdue by Stephanie Perkins
• The Killer Question by Janice Hallett
• A Novel Murder by E. C. Nevin

My favourite books of all time

I’m the worst person at having an “all time” list of anything, whether it’s books, films, songs or games. But these are just some the books that I have loved, returned to, and hold dearly in my heart.

• Matilda by Roald Dahl
• This is Going to Hurt by Adam Kay
• The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants by Ann Brashares
• One Day by David Nicholls
• The Diving Bell and the Butterfly by Jean-Dominique Bauby
• Room by Emma Donoghue
• The Flatshare by Beth O’Leary
• Time is Running Out by Michael Wood (and the rest of the Matilda Darke series)
• None of This is True by Lisa Jewell
• The Appeal by Janice Hallett
• Sweetpea by C. J. Skuse
• Murder in the Family by Cara Hunter