J.K. Rowling
20 Books recommended by J.K. Rowling
Joanne Rowling , better known by her pen name J. K.
Recommendations
Secrets of the Flesh
Secrets of the Flesh
Judith Thurman
Biography & AutobiographyA scandalously talented stage performer, a practiced seductress of both men and women, and the flamboyant author of some of the greatest works of twentieth-century literature, Colette was our first true superstar. Now, in Judith Thurman's Secrets of the Flesh, Colette at last has a biography worthy of her dazzling reputation. Having spent her childhood in the shadow of an overpowering mother, Colette escaped at age twenty into a turbulent marriage with the sexy, unscrupulous Willy--a literary charlatan who took credit for her bestselling Claudine novels. Weary of Willy's sexual domination, Colette pursued an extremely public lesbian love affair with a niece of Napoleon's. At forty, she gave birth to a daughter who bored her, at forty-seven she seduced her teenage stepson, and in her seventies she flirted with the Nazi occupiers of Paris, even though her beloved third husband, a Jew, had been arrested by the Gestapo. And all the while, this incomparable woman poured forth a torrent of masterpieces, including Gigi, Sido, Cheri, and Break of Day. Judith Thurman, author of the National Book Award-winning biography of Isak Dinesen, portrays Colette as a thoroughly modern woman: frank in her desires, fierce in her passions, forever reinventing herself. Rich with delicious gossip and intimate revelations, shimmering with grace and intelligence, Secrets of the Flesh is one of the great biographies of our time. NOTE: This edition does not include a photo insert.
“ Secrets of the Flesh, by Judith Thurman, is one of my all-time favorites”
— Source
Macbeth
Macbeth
William Shakespeare
Historical dramaEnglishThis legendary Shakespeare series features authoritative and meticulously researched texts paired with scholarship by renowned Shakespeareans. Updated for the 21st century by editors Stephen Orgel of Stanford University and A. R. Braunmuller of UCLA, each book includes an essay on the theatrical world of Shakespeare's time, an introduction to the individual play, and a detailed note on the text used. With all new cover designs, these affordable Shakespeares are perfect for students, teachers, scholars and theatre professionals alike.
“I absolutely adore Macbeth. It is possibly my favorite Shakespeare play.”
— Source
Hons and Rebels
Hons and Rebels
Christopher Hitchens,Jessica Mitford
Biography & AutobiographyJessica mitford, the great muckraking journalist, was part of a legendary english aristocratic family. her sisters included nancy, doyenne of the 1920s london smart set and a noted novelist and biographer; diana, wife to the english fascist chief sir oswald mosley; unity, who fell head over in heels in love with hitler; and deborah, later the duchess of devonshire. jessica swung left and moved to america, where she took part in the civil rights movement and wrote her classic expose of the undertaking business, the american way of death.hons and
“My most influential writer, without a doubt, is Jessica Mitford.”
— Source
The Little White Horse
The Little White Horse
Elizabeth Goudge
Juvenile Fiction'The Little White Horse was my favourite childhood book. I absolutely adored it. It had a cracking plot. It was scary and romantic in parts and had a feisty heroine.' - JK Rowling - The BooksellerWinner of the Carnegie Medal in 1946 and J.K. Rowling’s favourite childhood book. This bestselling favourite fantasy classic is ‘one of the most of the most magical stories in the world.’ - The Independent. This is the story of a thirteen-year-old orphan, a Moon Princess, and a mysterious white horse.Maria Merryweather, a plain London orphan, is sent to Moonacre Manor to live with her only surviving relative, Sir Benjamin. Her initial sense of comfort starts to crumble when she learns an ancient mystery haunts Moonacre Manor and all who live in Moonacre Valley. With the help of her new friend Robin, can Maria right the wrongs of her ancestors and finally restore the peace to Moonacre Valley before it’s too late?Beautiful, thrilling, and magical, The Little White Horse is a timeless classic.
“MY favourite book was The Little White Horse by Elizabeth Goudge.”
— Source
“That really, really, REALLY moved me when I read that when I was 19.”
— Source
The Woman Who Walked into Doors
The Woman Who Walked into Doors
Roddy Doyle
FictionRelates the story of Paula Spencer, a woman approaching forty and struggling with alcoholism and a violent marriage
“was one of the most important books in her life.”
— Source
Team of Rivals
Team of Rivals
Doris Kearns Goodwin
Biography & AutobiographyAcclaimed historian doris kearns goodwin illuminates lincoln's political genius in this highly original work, as the one-term congressman and prairie lawyer rises from obscurity to prevail over three gifted rivals of national reputation to become president.on may 18, 1860, william h. seward, salmon p. chase, edward bates, and abraham lincoln waited in their hometowns for the results from the republican national convention in chicago. when lincoln emerged as the victor, his rivals were dismayed and angry.throughout the turbulent 1850s, each had energetically sought the presidency as the conflict over slavery
“I lived in it the way that you do with truly great books; putting it down with glazed eyes and feeling disconcerted to find yourself in the 21st century.”
— Source
Complete Works of P. G. Wodehouse "English Author and Humorist"! 34 Complete Works (Damsel in Distress, Adventures of Sally, Mike, Psmith Journalist, My Man Jeeves, Head of Kay's, Swoop) (Annotated)
Complete Works of P. G. Wodehouse "English Author and Humorist"! 34 Complete Works (Damsel in Distress, Adventures of Sally, Mike, Psmith Journalist, My Man Jeeves, Head of Kay's, Swoop) (Annotated)
P.G. Wodehouse
Fiction*this book is annotated (it contains a detailed biography of the author). *an active table of contents has been added by the publisher for a better customer experience. *this book has been checked and corrected for spelling errors. this publication contains 34 of p. g. wodehouse's all time greatest works. a fully interactive table of contents has been added for easy navigation. table of contents p. g. wodehouse biography early life and career reluctant banker; budding writer: 1900–08 psmith, blandings, wooster and jeeves: 1908–15 broadway: 1915–19 1920s hollywood: 1929–31 best-seller:
“Recommended on The NY Times”
— Source
“Recommended on The NY Times”
— Source
“Recommended on The NY Times”
— Source
The Wind in the Willows
The Wind in the Willows
Kenneth Grahame
Juvenile FictionMole and Rat have a pleasant life by the river, where they talk, boat and wile away the days. The wise and private Mr Badger lives sedately in the Wild Woods, content in his solitude. Then there's Mr Toad - wealthy, impulsive and utterly obsessed with motor cars, he's always getting into scrapes and can't survive without the help of his friends. One of the most celebrated works of classic literature for children, The Wind in the Willows by Kenneth Grahame remains a timeless tale of camaraderie, loyalty and bravery more than a hundred years after its first publication. With sixteen gorgeous colour illustrations by the celebrated Arthur Rackham, and an afterword by author David Stuart Davies.
“Recommended on The NY Times”
— Source
The Collected Stories of Colette
The Collected Stories of Colette
Colette
FictionEdited and with an introduction by Robert PhelpsThe hundred short stories collected here include such masterpieces as 'Bella-Vista', 'The Tender Shoot' and 'Le K-pi', Colette's subtle and ruthless rendering of a woman's belated sexual awakening. Shot through with the colours and flavours of the Parisian world and fertile French countryside, these short stories reverberate with the fine-spun desire, wit and psychological acuity that made Colette unique.
“Recommended on The NY Times”
— Source
A Tale of Two Cities
A Tale of Two Cities
Charles Dickens,Richard Maxwell
FictionA tale of two cities is charles dickens’s great historical novel, set against the violent upheaval of the french revolution. the most famous and perhaps the most popular of his works, it compresses an event of immense complexity to the scale of a family history, with a cast of characters that includes a bloodthirsty ogress and an antihero as believably flawed as any in modern fiction. though the least typical of the author’s novels, a tale of two cities still underscores many of his enduring themes—imprisonment, injustice, social anarchy, resurrection,
“Recommended on Accio Quote.Org”
— Source
“Grimble is one of funniest books I've ever read”
— Source
Ballet Shoes
Ballet Shoes
Noel Streatfeild
Juvenile FictionThree orphan girls. A pair of pink slippers. A lifetime in the spotlight. Read the classic that has captivated generations! Pauline, Petrova, and Posy love their quiet life together. They are orphans who have been raised as sisters, and when their new family needs money, the girls want to help. They decide to join the Children's Academy of Dancing and Stage Training to earn their keep. Each girl works hard following her dream. Pauline is destined for the movies. Posy is a born dancer. And Petrova? She finds she'd rather be a pilot than perform a pirouette. This beautiful children's classic is perfect for girls who love to dream about ballet, friendship, and finding their own special talents. Adult readers may remember them as the "Shoes" books from You've Got Mail!
“when I was younger I liked ... Noel Streatfeild." "I still reread [Ballet Shoes]”
— Source
“Recommended on Insider”
— Source
The Origins of Totalitarianism
The Origins of Totalitarianism
Hannah Arendt
Political ScienceExplores the roots of totalitarianism and its culmination in Nazi Germany and Stalinist Russia
“I literally just finished reading it!”
— Source
