World Book Day Staff Picks: Favourite Reads from our Teachers

My favourite book is In The Shadow of Crows by David Manners.  

It’s a life-changing book about a young man looking for his purpose in life and an encounter with a woman who has leprosy. This book is like my “north star”, as it reminds me what it means to be alive and what it means to have true compassion.   

My favourite book is The Count of Monte Cristo. 

When times have been really tough, these words have been very important to me; “Until the day that God will deign to reveal the future to man, all human wisdom is contained in those two words – Wait and Hope.” It is a stunning work with many messages, but that was the one that meant the most to me.  

My favourite author, though, is Terry Pratchett. Terry has been my moral compass through my whole life. His books are steeped in wisdom and humanity, and I’d recommend all 41 Discworld books to anyone and everyone.      

The book I always recommend to people is, Jitterbug Perfume by Tom Robbins.    

It is an epic adventure with interweaving storylines from 8^th century Eurasia to present day Paris, New Orleans and Seattle. There are a lot of twists and turns, tragedy and laughter in the story and Tom Robbins is such a colourful and evocative writer. 

The characters include an ancient kind and his lover as they search for immortality, a waitress who is an amateur perfumer stalled in recreating the fragrance from the last remaining drops of a 300-year-old perfume bottle in her possession. Her stepmother who was once a famous perfumer in New Orleans and two brothers who run a perfume empire in Paris. All the characters are connected by this ancient, elusive perfume and watched over by the goat-god, Pan. Beetroots are also a major theme in the book.    

I really enjoyed The Thursday Murder Club by Richard Osman; it’s a smart, funny, and surprisingly heartwarming murder mystery.  

The story follows four retirees who spend their time solving cold cases for fun and so when a real murder happens nearby, they take it upon themselves to crack the case!  

Osman’s writing is witty, and the characters are so well-developed through the book that you feel like you know them. I love how he effortlessly blends humour with murder mystery. 

Chapters are really short, so it’s good for people who like to read a few pages before bed!    

I’d like to recommend the book Dead Simple. It’s written by a local author called Peter James and is set in the vibrant coastal city of Brighton. 

This book was actually given to me by my best friend before I got married as a bit of a joke because it tells the story of a man who mysteriously goes missing just before his own wedding. It’s a real page turner and has loads of twists and turns in the plot. The book was so successful it’s been turned into a play and a TV programme. 

I’d recommend this book to anyone who likes crime and mystery novels and perhaps could be a great memento to take home after your studies with us?

And although this is a crime book, please remember it is fictional! Brighton is generally a very safe place!  

People often talk about books that inspire them or reignite their love for reading. For me, To Kill a Mockingbird stands out.  

It has everything—rich characters, a gripping plot, and a beautifully crafted setting. Harper Lee’s portrayal of childhood summers in Maycomb, Alabama, transports me back to my own youth in the UK, capturing the innocence of discovery and the slow pace of summer holidays. 

Beyond its vivid storytelling, the novel’s exploration of racial prejudice, justice, and morality makes it timeless and first opened my eyes to the world’s injustice and those who fight against it. The trial of Tom Robinson exposes the deep-rooted biases of society, while Atticus Finch, with his unwavering integrity, remains a role model for standing up for what’s right. His lessons on empathy and fairness left a lasting impact on me, shaping my understanding of justice and the importance of moral courage. 

The book doesn’t offer easy answers, but challenges readers to reflect on their own beliefs and biases. Even in the face of injustice, it carries a message of hope—reminding us that change is possible when we choose empathy, integrity, and the courage to stand against wrongdoing. That’s what makes To Kill a Mockingbird a truly unforgettable read. 

I recommend Atonement by Ian McEwan. 

The characterisation is masterful, and the plot contains subtle twists and an ending that completely astonishes the reader! 

Set in pre-WWII England, the novel blends romance, war, and psychological drama. It tells the haunting story of how one child’s misunderstanding shatters lives—and how the truth, once written, may not be enough to heal the damage.   

Choosing a single all-time favourite book is impossible, but one of the best books I read last year was Arthur: The Dog Who Crossed the Jungle to Find a Home by Mikael Lindnord.  

My manager, Isabel, recommended it to me—probably because of my unwavering love for dogs! 

What makes this book even more special is that it’s a true story. It explores endurance, love, loyalty, and the deep bond between humans and animals. It highlights how resilient we can be, how life-changing unexpected challenges can become, and how physical effort shapes who we are. Most of all, it’s a beautiful reminder of the incredible loyalty and love that dogs bring into our lives. 

This book made me laugh and cry in equal measure. The raw emotions it stirred in me went far beyond my usual connection to a story. 

I highly recommend it to anyone who loves sports, dogs, or both!   

Rob Marsh recommends The Collector by John Fowles    

A chilling portrait of obsession, The Collector follows a lonely man who kidnaps the object of his desire, believing he can make her love him. Dark, unsettling, and thought-provoking, it explores the terrifying gap between fantasy and reality. 

Robert is an author himself! From his own published works, he recommends Beast of Prey, which was short-listed for The Sunday Times Literary Award. It’s a harrowing yet fascinating look at criminal psychology, real-life horror, and the pursuit of justice.  

Rachel recommends the The Sword of Truth series by Terry Goodkind.   

This epic saga of magic, war, and destiny is comprised of 17 volumes, but you can start with Wizard’s First Rule. Complete with deep moral questions and non-stop action, the series is perfect if you’re into fantasy.  

Two books I have read lately really surprised and touched me. One of them is The Baron in the trees an Italian novel by Italo Calvino that follows the life of Cosimo di Rondò.  

From a 12-year-old to his death, it narrates his life on the trees, among love, adventure and knowledge. It is my favourite book mostly because it taught me that one can’t just rebel against something without proper knowledge and study, (in terms of) both reading and experience. 

Cosimo is a character I often look up to. His restlessness and constant curiosity are what drives me into questioning things around me and be a better version of myself. 

“This he understood: that association makes people stronger and brings out each person’s best gifts, and gives a joy which is rarely to be had by keeping to oneself, the joy of realizing how many honest decent capable people there are for whom it is worth giving one’s best (while living just for oneself very often the opposite happens, of seeing people’s other side, the side which makes one keep one’s hand always on the hilt of one’s sword).” 

From Baron in the Trees