MARCH
Favourite Authors
I like to read. Not just a general ‘pick up a book every now and then’ type of read, but more like a ‘never without a book!’ I’m always reading. I have a “to-do” list most days and reading is even on that, (like I’d ever forget!)
While I like to stretch out of my comfort zone and read new authors, last months ‘ink and inspiration’ being a prime example, I do have my favourites. Ones that I’ve read for many years. So here goes. My favourites might just be something you’re looking for.
Thrillers
Tess Gerritsen, Lisa Gardner,
Women’s fiction
Sinead Moriarty, Liane Moriarty, JoJo Moyes, Sophie Kinsella, Cecelia Ahern, Jodi Picoult, Araminta Hall,
Other fiction
Lee Childs ‘Reacher’ books, Dave Eggers, John Grisham,
Others
Margaret Atwood, Lisa Genova (these are a mix of fiction and neuroscience), Bri Lee, Marcus Brotherton, Tosca Lee, and anything relating to Band of Brothers.
Social Commentary
Michael Knowles, Ben Shapiro, Matt Walsh, Brendan O’Neill, Douglas Murray, Abigail Shrier, Charlie Kirk. Liz Collin
These books cover a variety. From thrillers to women’s literature. From classic writing styles to dystopian futures. From essays to newspaper columns. From historical fiction to historical fact. There is something for everyone.
The social commentary authors have the potential to be viewed by others as polarising in viewpoints. One of Brendan O`Neills books lost me a friend as she disagreed with my viewpoint. One might say she was not much of a friend to begin with and you are probably right!
But, whatever your reading style, try and stretch out of the norm, out of your comfort zone. Pick a book or author that you have never read before. If I had written this piece two years ago, half of the authors listed…. I’d never have heard of!
Go on…get reading. If you find a great read……let me know!
FEBRUARY
My Current Read
I read. I read a lot. I plough through books like a barista makes coffee! Already this year, my 2025 Goodreads challenge is at 4 books read. So, what are you reading now I hear you ask? Let me tell you.
It’s “The Salt Path” by Rayner Winn. Here’s a short synopsis.
Shortly after learning her husband Moth is terminally ill, Raynor and Moth lose their home and livelihood. Left with little and running out of time, they boldly decide to hike the 630 miles of the South West Coast Path from Somerset to Dorset via Devon and Cornwall. Carrying only essentials, they live off the land amidst cliffs, sea, and sky. Their journey, filled with encounters and challenges, becomes a profound exploration of grief and the healing force of nature. “The Salt Path” is a candid, uplifting true story of loss, resilience, and the unexpected ways home can be found anew.
Curious about how I ended up reading this? It all started with a captivating movie trailer featuring Gillian Anderson, whose work I admire. Discovering it was based on a true story piqued my interest further, leading me to find out it was also a book. Books usually are better than movies, so I grabbed the book from Amazon for my iPad, and there you have it! That’s my current read.
I do have a queue of books lined up for after. The latest JoJo Moyes one. Ivan Clearys autobiography. A book on Oppenheimer. A book on Elon Musk. ‘We are soldiers still’ by Lt Gen Harold Moore. ‘Battle of the Bulge’ by Martin King. ‘It can’t happen here’ by Sinclair Lewis and more! Enough to keep me occupied!
Every three months in “Ink and Inspiration,” I’ll drop a current read and a screenshot of the books that I’ve read. Keep reading…
JANUARY
Goodreads challenge
Every year since 2021, I have completed the Goodreads reading challenge. I have always read books, well, never seen without a book in my hand to be honest, but by doing the challenge it gave me the chance to read, share, and review books. I didn’t want to get lazy with my reading, so this made me accountable for continuing to read.
In 2021 my challenge was 50 and I read 60.
In 2022 my challenge was 75 and I read 75.
In 2023 my challenge was 50 and I read 61.
In 2024 my challenge was 100 and I read 102.
My 2025 challenge will be 75. I do re-read books. I read fiction and nonfiction. I read autobiographies. I read social commentary books and what I define as potentially controversial books. I have favourite authors who are on my list. Jodi Picoult, Lisa Gardner, Tess Gerritsen, JoJo Moyes, Sinead Moriarty, Liane Moriarty, Lisa Genova, Margaret Atwood, Cecelia Ahern, Lee Child, John Grisham and more.
A book is more than a story. A book is a learning tool. A book is designed to entertain but also make you think. A book offers knowledge and education as well as entertainment and an element of escapism. Books preserve history and culture. They are a mirror enabling us to reflect and grow. Books give us the communication and connection that we need as a human race. Books are creative expression from the author, allowing understanding and connection through different ideas and beliefs.
Books are a treasure. Something we must never let go off. There is something special about the thrill of a new book and turning the pages. When you read a chapter, you escape to a new world.
