Time To Read

TIME TO READ

Books recommended by Teddies Library

Action & Adventure Want something faced-paced that keeps you hooked? Action and Adventure might just be the genre for you! Biography From scientists to explorers, footballers to activists, biographies are a great way to learn all about a person’s life. Black History Both well-known and lesser-known historical figures, as well as prominent contemporary black writers brought together to look at black history primarily in the UK but also from around the world. Mostly non-fiction. Creepy Books you might want to read with all the lights on! Crime Get your detective hats on and look for clues because crime is exactly what you’d think it is – stories about criminals and the people who hunt them down! Dystopia Stories about possible futures that on the surface often appear idyllic or utopian but regularly have a dark side waiting to be uncovered. Popular dystopian books include The Hunger Games and Divergent . Family Stories about family dynamics and issue; have an annoying brother, sister or parents who just don’t seem to understand? You’ll fit right in with the characters in these books! Fantasy The fantasy genre is massive and spans lots of different sub-genres. As you might expect some stories feature dragons, elves and magic, others are simply set in made-up lands and focus much more on relationships and adventure. Historical Fiction Stories that, although fictional, regularly use real-life historical events as inspiration and often scatter real facts and dates throughout the book. This genre is a good way to get a feel for life during different parts of history.

Humour Pretty much what you’d expect : stories you’ll re ad with smile on your face!

LGBTQ+ A range of stories about everyday people and everyday experiences. The things which tie these stories together is that each one features characters who identify somewhere within the LGBTQ+ spectrum. Manga A style of graphic novel which originated in Japan. Many stories are so popular the books in a series can number sin the hundreds!

Mystery The genre which keeps you guessing and keeps you hooked until the very end.

Perspectives Stories that let you walk a mile in someone else’s shoes and may just show you a side of life you never knew about. Real-Life Issues Sometimes life is hard, and things happen which we could never expect. Browse this section to read fictional stories about real-life experiences faced by people as they navigate through life. Relationships Books about friendships, love and all other manner of relationships. Want to learn how to talk to the opposite sex or how to build better friendships? This section has you covered! Science Fiction Most people think science fiction equals Star Trek and space travel but although it can relate to space, this genre includes stories which use concepts of advanced technology and bio engineering, alternate and parallel universes, codebreaking and, yes, maybe a few aliens too!

Standing the Test of Time Books which are as good now as when they were first published years and years ago.

Supernatural Ghosts and ghouls and things that go bump in the night!

Thrillers Stories that keep you on the edge of your seat, creepy things, mystery and crime all mixed up together. Twisted Tales Traditional fairy tales and mythology given a modern spin. Cinderella is part-cyborg, Peter Pan is actually the bad guy and all the gods of ages past? They very much exist!

Wider World Books set in non-English speaking countries or written by international authors.

World War Stories This section will take you on both harrowing and hopeful journeys across a very significant period in history. Women’s History Not only is history written by the victors, the victors were usually men, and men largely left out women! This section will give you an insight into world history from the perspective of women. Both fiction and non-fiction books included.

ACTION & ADVENTURE

Hatchet Series: Hatchet Adventure by Gary Paulsen

I am Number Four Series: The Lorien Legacies by Pittacus Lore

Brian is a city boy. Not used to living rough. Until his plane crash lands in the Canadian wilderness. All he has is a hatchet - and a desperate will to survive. Now Brian must learn to live the hard way - or die. At just 160 pages, Hatchet is a ‘quick read’ but one that still packs a mighty punch! Prepare to get sucked into an incredible story of survival, will and determination.

John Smith is not your average teenager. He regularly moves from small town to small town. He changes his name and identity. He does not put down roots. He cannot tell anyone who or what he really is. If he stops moving, those who hunt him will find and kill him. But you can’t run forever. Ms Eldred says : “I got so utterly absorbed in this fast-paced series I just couldn’t stop reading, I lost an entire weekend to the Lorien Legacies!”

I am David by Anne Holm This is the remarkable story of David’s

Thirteen by Tom Hoyle Adam was born at midnight in London on 1st January 2000. He is the target of a cult that believes boys born on the stroke of the new millennium must die before the end of their thirteenth year. Twelve boys have been killed so far. A firm favourite of Shells and Fourth Form alike, the library has to keep buying extra copies to keep up with demand! This story is fast paced, action packed, and full of mystery.

introduction to the world: sea, mountains and flowers, the colours of Italy, the taste of fruit, people laughing and smiling, all are new to David. This is because all he has ever known is the camp. The camp where guards beat men until they die, where they eat the same grey food every day and where laughter and hope have been replaced with despair. But now David is over the wall and navigating a life he had only dreamt of. Ms Eldred says: “ David is one of my favourite book characters of all time; he has such a transformative journey. This book found its way on to my shelf as a young teen and has remained there ever since!”

ACTION & ADVENTURE

Life of Pi by Yann Martel One boy, one boat, one tiger… After the tragic sinking remains bobbing on the wild, blue Pacific. The only survivors from the wreck are a sixteen-year-old boy named Pi, a hyena, a zebra (with a broken leg), a female orang utan and a 450-pound Royal Bengal tiger. An intense and intriguing read which plumbs the depths of emotion. A unique story which was recently made into a film, it will keep you curious until the end. of a cargo ship, a solitary lifeboat

Siege Series: Special Forces Cadets by Chris Ryan

A top-secret government programme needs a team of undercover military operators. They must have awesome levels of determination, endurance and fitness. They must also be able to think on their feet. The recruits undergo the most rigorous and testing selection process the modern military can devise. All recruits must be under sixteen. Mr Gormley says: “Exploding with tension, weapons, mud and snow, Siege had me gripped from the first page!”

Nation by Terry Pratchett

Finding himself alone on a desert island when everything and everyone he knows and loved has been washed away in a huge storm, Mau is the last surviving member of his nation. He is also completely alone - or so he thinks until he finds the ghost girl. She has no toes, wears strange lacy trousers like the grandfather bird and gives him a stick that can make fire. Terry Pratchett is a masterful author with many books and accolades under his belt. Being a standalone novel, Nation is quite different from his other works.

ACTION & ADVENTURE

Bullet Catcher by Joaquin Lowe

In the small town of Sand, populated by gunslingers and surrounded by endless desert, Imma washes dishes and grieves for a life she never had. She and her brother, Nikko, dreamed of escaping to become bullet catchers, a legendary band of outlaws who can deflect bullets with their hands. But they were wiped out years ago, Nikko with them. A coming-of-age tale reimagined as a searing Western epic. However, this book also explores the darker themes of forgiveness vs. revenge and shows that every action has a consequence.

The Outcasts Series: Brotherband Chronicles by John Flanagan

In Skandia, there is only one way to become a warrior. Boys are chosen for teams called ‘brotherband’s’ and must endure three months of gruelling training in seamanship, weapons and battle tactics. It is brotherband against brotherband, fighting it out in a series of challenges. There can be only one winner. This is a tale of adventure, courage, and brotherhood. Full of seafaring adventures and epic battles and about finding your inner strength and confidence - a real page-turner!

Silver: Return to Treasure Island by Andrew Motion

It is July 1802 and in the marshy eastern reaches of the Thames lies the Hispaniola, an inn kept by Jim Hawkins and his son. Late one night, a mysterious girl named Natty arrives with a request from her father, Long John Silver. Aged and weak, but still possessing a strange power, the pirate proposes that Young Jim and Natty sail to Treasure Island in search of Captain Flint's hidden bounty. Featuring a cast of noble seamen, murderous pirates, and stories of love, valour and terrible cruelty, Silver is a worthy sequel to Treasure Island.

ACTION & ADVENTURE

Hostage Series: The Bodyguard by Chris Bradford

With the rise of teen stars, the intense media focus on celeb families, and a new wave of billionaires, adults are no longer the only targets for hostage taking - kids are too. That's why they need a young bodyguard like Connor Reeves to protect them. The author of Bodyguard was able to write such an engaging series because the descriptions of action-packed scenes come from his real-life experience of being both a bodyguard and a black belt in multiple martial arts!

The Everest Files Series: The Everest Files by Matt Dickinson

Ryan is on a gap year adventure, working for a medical charity in Nepal. When a local girl begs him to investigate why her 16-year-old friend Kami never came back from Everest, Ryan cannot resist the challenge. A solo journey takes Ryan deep into the mountains, where his detective work finally pays off. What emerges is a shocking tale of lies, betrayal, and obsession. The book deals with greed, death, accidents, friendships and loyalties. It is set in the beautiful mountain regions of Nepal, a land of snow leopards, deadly avalanches and high-altitude sickness and is an exciting read.

The Set-Up Series: The Medusa Project by Sophie McKenzie

Fourteen years ago, scientist William Fox implanted four babies with the Medusa gene, a gene for psychic abilities. But Fox died and the babies were hidden away for years. Now they are teenagers and unaware that their psychic powers are about to kick in… The book has been written with many plot twists and turns, keeping the reader in suspense and on the edge of their seat. It is a real page turner that is filled with action and suspense.

BIOGRAPHY

Crying in H-Mart by Michelle Zauner

Persepolis by Marjane Satrapi

This thought-provoking memoir detail’s the indie musician’s

The intelligent and outspoken child of radical Marxists, and the great granddaughter of Iran's last emperor, Satrapi bears witness to a childhood uniquely entwined with the history of her country. Through its stunning artwork, Persepolis paints an unforgettable portrait of daily life in Iran and of the bewildering contradictions between home life and public life. A moving and surprisingly hilarious account of a nomadic adolescence in a politically turbulent era.

experiences growing up mixed-race and explores, with raw honesty, how grief brought her to a reckoning with her own heritage. She tells of growing up the only Asian-American kid at her school in Oregon ; of her mother’s high expectations; and of treasured months spent in her grandmother’s tiny apartment in Seoul. A warm, lyrical, and honest examination of family and belonging.

Wild Swans: Three Daughters of China by Jung Chang

In this ground-breaking family history, Jung Chang shines a spotlight on three generations of Chinese women throughout the tumultuous 20 th century. Through the story of these three women - the grandmother given to the warlord as a concubine, the Communist mother and the daughter herself - Jung Chang reveals the epic history of China's twentieth century. Ms Eldred says: “It’s hard to overstate the importance of this book – a fascinating and harrowing glimpse into recent Chinese history that will stay with you long after you’ve finished it.”

BIOGRAPHY

Born a Crime by Trevor Noah

Noah was born a crime, son of a white Swiss father and a black Xhosa mother, at a time when such a relationship was punishable by five years in prison. In this revealing and funny collection of eighteen personal stories, Noah recounts his adolescence as a restless young man and his journey towards comedy stardom. It is also the story of that young man's fearless, rebellious and fervently religious mother - a woman determined to save her son from the cycle of poverty, violence and abuse that ultimately threatens her own life.

There’s a good reason that this is one of the library’s most popular autobiographies !

José Mourinho: Up Close and Personal by Robert Beasley José Mourinho is one of the most successful football managers in recent memory, and sports journalist Robert Beasley is one of the few to have been granted access to Mourinho’s inner circle. A gripping and revealing biography of a fascinating man, taking you right to the heart of the unseen dramas of professional football.

Lewis Hamilton: The Biography by Frank Worrall In this insightful biography, bestselling sports author Frank Worrall traces Hamilton's incredible career as the fastest driver on the planet. This is the ultimate story of the driver from being rookie to a world champion seven times over, becoming Britain's greatest ever sportsman and, arguably, the finest racer Formula 1 has ever seen. A must-read for fans of F1, and anyone interested in the rise of one of Britain’s greatest contemporary sportsmen.

BIOGRAPHY

Hidden Figures by Margot Lee Shetterley

My Family and Other Animals by Gerald Durrell Escaping the ills of the British climate, the Durrell family take off for the island of Corfu. But the Durrells find that, reluctantly, they must share their various villas with a menagerie of local fauna - among them scorpions, geckos, toads, bats and butterflies. A charming account of an eccentric family, written with warmth and a very English sense of humour!

Set against the backdrop of the Jim Crow South, this is the never-before-told true story of NASA’s African American women mathematicians who played a crucial role in America’s space program . A truly inspiring biography of five extraordinary women whose personal stories are deeply entwined with wider historical movements: the Civil Rights movement, the Space Race, and the Cold War.

Alan Turing: The Enigma by Andrew Hodges

Taken on by British Intelligence in 1938 as a shy young Cambridge don, Alan Turing combined brilliant logic with a flair for engineering. In 1940 his machines were breaking the Enigma- enciphered messages of Nazi Germany’s air force. He then headed the penetration of the super-secure U-boat communications. Turing's far sighted plans for the digital era forged ahead into a vision for Artificial Intelligence. However, in 1952 his homosexuality rendered him a criminal and he was subjected to humiliating treatment. Mr Gormley says: “This biography does justice to Turing’s ground -breaking wartime achievements and reveals the tragedy of his persecution in the 1950s.”

BIOGRAPHY

Educated by Tara Westover

Tara Westover grew up preparing for the End of Days. With no birth certificate and no medical records, she did not “officially” exist. As her family’s radicalism intensified, however, Tara knew she had to leave home. In doing so, she discovered both the transformative power of education and the price she had to pay for it.

A powerful memoir of courage, survival, and the drive to forge a better life.

I Am Malala by Malala Yousafzai

Down and Out in Paris and London by George Orwell As a young man struggling to find his voice as a writer, George Orwell left the comfort of home to live in the impoverished working districts of Paris and London. He would document both the chaos and boredom of poverty, the eccentric cast of characters he encountered, and the constant pains of hunger and discomfort. Part memoir, part social commentary, Down and Out is a fascinating glimpse into Orwell’s early years.

Raised in the Swat Valley in Pakistan, Malala was taught to stand up for her beliefs. When terrorists took control of her region and declared girls were forbidden from going to school, Malala fought for her right to an education. On 9 October 2012, she was shot on her way home from school. An inspiring memoir for everyone who believes in the power of change and the universal right to education.

BLACK HISTORY The books on the Black History list start on this page with a general overview of Black History from across the globe and focus in on some key figures of interest. The following pages then go in chronological order starting in the UK with the Tudors and ending with a look ahead to what the future may hold.

Black and British by David Olusoga When did Africans first come to Britain? Who are the well dressed Black children in Georgian paintings? Why did the American Civil War disrupt the Industrial Revolution? These and many other questions are answered in this essential introduction to 1800 years of the Black British history: from the Roman Africans who guarded Hadrian’s Wall right up to the present day.

The Black History Book Forward by David Olusoga

A captivating introduction to the key milestones in Black History, culture, and society across the globe - from the ancient world to the present, aimed at adults with an interest in the subject and students wanting to gain more of an overview.

Black Artists Shaping the World by Sharma Jackson & Zoe Whitely Celebrating the diversity of work being produced today by Black artists from around the globe, introducing young readers to twenty-six contemporary artists from Africa and of the African diaspora. A relaxed and easy read.

30 Black History Icons Various authors Discover 500 years of global black influencers from the UK, USA, Europe, the Caribbean and India. From the poet Juan Latino to Thomas Fuller, W. C. Handy and architect Paul Revere, you’ll find inspiration on every page.

BLACK HISTORY

Black Tudors by Miranda Kaufman

Black Tudors were present at some of the defining moments of the age, they were christened, married and buried by the Church and paid wages like any other Tudor. The untold stories in Black Tudors will transform how we see this most intriguing period of history.

Black England: A Forgotten Georgian History by Gretchen Gerzina

The idea that Britain became a mixed-race country after 1945 is a common mistake. Georgian England had a large and distinctive Black community who all ran the risk of kidnap and sale to plantations. Black England tells their dramatic and often moving stories.

The Secret Diaries of Charles Ignatius Sancho by Paterson Joseph

Based on true events, this historical fiction set in Georgian England tells the incredible story of Charles Ignatius Sancho, a Black man born as a slave. After he escaped slavery, he not only became acquainted with the King of England, but also became the first black person to vote in Britain!

Black Spartacus by Sudhir Hazareesingh

Black Spartacus details the biography of Toussaint Louverture who, during the course of his extraordinary life, confronted some of the dominant forces of his age: slavery, settler colonialism, imperialism and racial hierarchy.

Black Jacobins by C. L. R. James In this classic work, C. L. R. James chronicles the only successful slave revolt in history and provides a critical portrait of their leader, Toussaint L'Ouverture: 'one of the most remarkable men of a period rich in remarkable men'.

BLACK HISTORY

Black Victorians by John Woolf and Keishia Abraham

While acknowledging the paradoxes of Victorian views of race, Black Victorians demonstrates how Black people were visible, present and influential – not temporary presences but established and firmly rooted in British life.

Too Black to Wear Whites by Richard Parry and Jonty Winch

Denied the chance to play Test cricket against Lord Hawke's side, Krom Hendricks’ courage, perseverance and passion for cricket never diminished and at the age of sixty he led representative 'coloured' teams in fundraisers during WWI.

Small Island by Andrea Levy

Small Island explores a point in England's past when the country began to change. In this profoundly moving novel, the weighty themes of Empire, prejudice, war and love are coupled with a superb lightness of touch and generosity of spirit.

The Township Plays by Athol Fugard

Written by a white South African man who refused the notion of segregated audiences and in collaboration with black South African actors, The Township Plays famously portray a snapshot of black urban life during the injustices of apartheid.

Malcolm X at Oxford Union by Malcolm X

In 1964, Malcolm X was invited to debate at the University of Oxford. At a time when he was traveling widely and advocating on behalf of Black people in America and other nations, his thirty-minute speech at the Oxford Union stands out as one of the great addresses of the Civil Rights era.

BLACK HISTORY

Women, Race and Class by Angela Y. Davis

Tracing the intertwined histories of the abolitionist and women's suffrage movements, Davis examines the racism and class prejudice inherent in white feminism, and in doing so brings to light new pioneering heroines, who fought back and refused to accept the lives into which they were born.

A Most Beautiful Thing by Arshay Cooper

The inspiring true story about the most unlikely ‘band of brothers’ that form a rowing team – and a family – and forever change a sport and their own lives for the better.

Hope in a Ballet Shoe by Michaela DePrince

From growing up in war-torn Sierra Leone to living in America and becoming an international ballet star at the age of nineteen, Michaela’s story shows that, beyond everything, there is always hope for a better future.

The Hill We Climb by Amanda Gorman

On 20 January 2021 aged twenty-two, Amanda Gorman spoke a message of truth and hope to millions at the inauguration of US President Joe Biden. Her poem, 'The Hill We Climb', addressed the country and reached across the world: a call for a brave future.

Loud Black Girls by Yomi Adegoke & Elizabeth Uviebinene

Learning about history is often as much about looking ahead as it is about looking at what has passed. Loud Black Girls is an anthology of essays by Black British writers who offer funny touching and ultimately insightful perspectives on the question of ‘What’s Next?’

Creepy

Dark and Shallow Lies by Ginny Myers Sain

Breathe: A Ghost Story by Cliff McNish

When seventeen-year-old Grey makes her annual visit to La Cachette, Louisiana – the tiny bayou town that proclaims to be the “Psychic Capital of the World” – she knows it will be different from past years: her childhood best friend Elora went missing several months earlier and no one is telling the truth about the night she disappeared… A romantic and intensely atmospheric thriller, full of twists and turns with a simmering supernatural undercurrent.

Jack is used to danger. His asthma has nearly killed him more than once. But his new home has a danger he’s never known before - the spirits of the dead. They can’t breathe, but in Jack’s house they chase, hide, scream. Only Jack can see them, only he can hear them, and only he can learn their secrets in time to save himself - and his mother. Mr Gormley says: “A truly chilling book and one that you will remember for a long time!”

The Ghost Tree by Christina Henry

When the bodies of two girls are found torn apart in her hometown, Lauren is surprised, but she also expects that the police won't find the killer. After all, the year before her father's body was found with his heart missing, and since then everyone has moved on. This book is creepy and atmospheric, a solid coming-of-age horror that will have you gripped from the start.

Creepy

Fir by Sharon Gosling

Moving from Stockholm to an isolated pine plantation in northern Sweden is bad enough, but when the snows come early and all links between the Strombergs and the outside world are cut off, it gets worse. With only a grudging housekeeper and increasingly withdrawn parents for company, there is nothing to do but to explore the old plantation house. Anything to stay out of the endless pine trees pressing in on them. But soon it becomes clear that the danger within the old plantation house is even greater than what lies outside…

A chillingly atmospheric mix of mystery and mythology.

Jekyll’s Mirror by William Hussey

Black Cairn Point by Claire McFall

Sam is a tortured soul, but his darkest hour is yet to come: his invitation to take part in 'Project Hyde', a new social networking site where users can enjoy total anonymity. It's exhilarating at first, until Sam notices other users are becoming obsessed with the program and worryingly addicted to the cruelty they ’ re inflicting online. A crazy whirlwind of a supernatural horror story. We all have a dark side and Jekyll's Mirror shows us how pernicious it can be if we do not acknowledge it.

Heather agrees to a group camping holiday with Dougie and his friends because she's desperate to get closer to him. But when the two of them disturb a pagan burial site above the beach, she becomes certain they have woken a malevolent spirit. Something is alive out there in the pitch black dark, and it is planning to wreak deadly revenge. A spooky and atmospheric thriller from unflinching and award-winning writer Claire McFall.

Creepy

Say Her Name by Juno Dawson

A Halloween dare at her ridiculously spooky boarding school is no big deal, especially when her best friend Naya and cute local boy Caine agree to join in too. They are ordered to summon the legendary ghost of Bloody Mary: say her name five times in front of a candlelit mirror, and she shall appear. But – surprise, surprise – nothing happens. Or does it?... A truly spine-chilling yet witty horror from shortlisted 'Queen of Teen' author Juno Dawson.

Anna Dressed in Blood by Kendare Blake Cas Lowood is no ordinary guy - he hunts dead people. People like Anna, a beautiful, murderous ghost entangled in curses and rage. Cas knows he must destroy her, but as her tragic past is revealed, he starts to understand why Anna has killed everyone who's ever dared to enter her spooky home. This story grabs you from the first sentence. Full of sharp wit and terrifying chills, you’ll be enthralled until the last page!

Frozen Charlotte Series: Red Eye by Alex Bell

Sophie arrives at the old schoolhouse to spend the summer with her cousins. Brooding Cameron with his scarred hand, strange Lillias with a fear of bones and Piper, who seems just a bit too good to be true. And then there’s her other cousin. The girl with a room full of antique dolls. The girl that shouldn’t be there. The girl that died. Frozen Charlotte is an astonishingly creepy horror novel filled with thrilling twists and turns that play on your mind. Ms Eldred says: “I had to have all the lights on to read this one!”

Creepy

Cuckoo Song by Frances Hardinge

The first things to shift were the doll's eyes, the beautiful grey green glass eyes. Slowly they swivelled, until their gaze was resting on Triss's face. Then the tiny mouth moved, opened to speak. 'What are you doing here?' It was uttered in tones of outrage and surprise, and in a voice as cold and musical as the clinking of cups. 'Who do you think you are? This is my family.' After Triss is rescued from a pond near her home – and from certain death – she remains unwell and her memory is hazy. Strange things begin to happen - her dolls come alive, she finds dead leaves in her hair and her tears come out as spiderwebs! Things are getting seriously creepy… Cuckoo Song by Frances Hardinge is a fantastically eerie and beautifully written novel which was short-listed for the prestigious Carnegie Medal.

House of Hollow by Krystal Sutherland

The Hollow sisters - Vivi, Grey and Iris - are as seductively glamorous as they are mysterious. They have black eyes and hair as white as milk. They share the same birthday, spaced exactly two years apart. The Hollow sisters don't have friends - they don't need them. They move through the corridors like sharks, the other little fish parting around them, whispering behind their backs. Shortlisted for the YA book prize 2022. A thrilling, twisting, novel that is as seductive and glamorous as the Hollow sisters themselves. Ms Eldred says: “I could never have predicted the twists and turns in this story, I don’t think I’ve come across another quite like it.”

Pet Sematary by Stephen King

The house looked right and felt right to Dr Louis Creed. A sad place maybe, but safe. Surely a safe place. Not a place to seep into your dreams, to wake you, sweating with fear and foreboding… Mr Gormley says: “Stephen King once said that this is the only novel he wrote that really scared him. Believe him!”

To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee

It’s the 1930’s and the Great Depression is in full swing throughout America. The deep south of Alabama, where Scout and Jem live with their father, Atticus, is no exception. Atticus is a lawyer and has agreed to defend a black man falsely accused of rape; from this Scout and Jem learn a lot about racism and segregation. Regularly described as one of the greatest American novels ever written, To Kill a Mockingbird is a coming-of-age story, an exploration of race and discrimination wrapped up in the historical drama of the Great Depression. Note from the Library: this book includes some language which is offensive – it’s important to acknowledge the offensive words were not ok then just as they are not ok to use now. Even though published in a book we are encouraging you to read, offensive language must stay in the context of the book and not become a justification for use in everyday life. Also available in the Library as a graphic novel.

Rivers of London Series: Rivers of London by Ben Aaronovitch ‘My name is Peter Grant and until January I was just probationary constable in that mighty army for justice known to all right-thinking people as the Metropolitan Police Service (and as the Filth to everybody else). The spirit of riot and rebellion has awakened in the city, and it's falling to me to bring order out of chaos - or die trying.’ Following an unexpected encounter with a ghost, Peter Grant is recruited in the small branch of the Metropolitan Police who deal with magic and the supernatural. Mr Gormley says: “The story is great, and the characters are all a mixture of the weird and wonderful as Peter slowly finds out about ghosts, wizards and various things he didn't even know existed!”

Ninth House Series: Alex Stern by Leigh Bardugo

Galaxy 'Alex' Stern is the most unlikely member of Yale's freshman class. A dropout and the sole survivor of a horrific, unsolved crime, Alex was hoping for a fresh start. But a free ride to one of the world's most prestigious universities was bound to come with a catch. Alex has been tasked with monitoring the mysterious activities of Yale's secret societies. Ever wondered what goes on behind the closed doors of the powerful? This might just get your imagination spinning! A tale of privilege, dark magic and murder set among the Ivy League elite.

Murder Most Unladylike Series: A Murder Most Unladylike by Robin Steven

At Deepdean School for Girls, Daisy Wells and Hazel Wong have set up their own detective agency. But they are struggling to find any real crimes to investigate. (Unless you count the case of Lavinia's missing tie. Which they don't.) Then Hazel discovers the Science Mistress, Miss Bell, lying dead in the Gym. Set in a boarding school (sound familiar?!), friendships, mystery and plots within plots keep the story intriguing - well worth a read!

The Appeal by Janice Hallett

There is a mystery to solve in the sleepy town of Lower Lockwood. It starts with the arrival of two secretive newcomers and ends with a tragic death. Roderick Tanner QC has assigned law students Charlotte and Femi to the case. Someone has already been sent to prison for murder, but he suspects that they are innocent. And that far darker secrets have yet to be revealed... The standout debut thriller of 2021 that delivers multiple brilliant twists and will change the way you think about the modern crime novel.

Murder on the Orient Express Series: Poirot by Agatha Christie

Just after midnight, a snowdrift stops the Orient Express in its tracks. The luxurious train is surprisingly full for the time of the year, but by the morning it is one passenger fewer. An American tycoon lies dead in his compartment, stabbed a dozen times, his door locked from the inside. Agatha Christie is known throughout the world as the Queen of Crime. Her books have sold over a billion copies in English with another billion in over 70 foreign languages. Murder on the Orient Express is one of her most famous titles and a very good place to start if you’ve never read any of her work before.

A Study in Charlotte Series: A Charlotte Holmes Novel by Brittany Cavallaro

Jamie Watson has always been intrigued by Charlotte Holmes; after all, their great-great-great-grandfathers are one of the most infamous pairs in history. But the Holmes family has always been odd, and Charlotte is no exception – and she makes it clear she’s not interested in being friends! But W hen Jamie and Charlotte end up at the same boarding school and a student they both have a history with dies under suspicious circumstances, nowhere is safe – and the only people they can trust are each other. The first book in a witty, suspenseful new series about a brilliant new crime solving duo: the teen descendants of Sherlock Holmes and John Watson.

The Big Sleep and Other Novels by Raymond Chandler

Private detective Philip Marlowe is hired by a rich family to deal with a blackmailer, Arthur Geiger. His life takes an unexpected turn as he pursues the case and Arthur is found dead. Set in 1930s Los Angeles, then a sleepy town controlled by the mob as much as the police, The Big Sleep is a non-stop action thriller by one of the world’s most influential crime writers.

AUTHOR SPOTLIGHT dame agatha christie Dame Agatha Chris�e wrote 66 detec�ve novels and 14 short story collec�ons over her career and was made a Dame in 1971 by Queen Elizabeth II in 1971 for her contribu�ons to literature. Her most well - known characters are the detec�ve Hercule Poirot who appeared in 33 of Chris�es novels and Miss Marple , an elderly lady with a knack for solving crimes who appeared in a further 12 novels and 20 short stories. Chris�e has been called the ‘Duchess of Death, the ‘Mistress of Mystery’, and the ‘Queen of Crime’ and is o�en considered one of the most important crime novelists of the 20 th century. Her book ‘ And then there were none’ , originally published in 1939 is the world’s best - selling mystery book of all �me and one of the best - selling books of all �me with over 100 million copies sold.

Fatherland by Robert Harris

Fatherland is set in an alternative world where Hitler has won WWII. It is April 1964 and one week before Hitler's 75th birthday. Xavier March, a detective of the Kriminalpolizei, is called out to investigate the discovery of a dead body in a lake near Berlin's most prestigious suburb. March discovers the identity of the body and uncovers signs of a conspiracy that could go to the very top of the German Reich. He soon becomes caught up in a race to discover and reveal the truth. A masterpiece of thriller writing, Fatherland is set in a brutal alternative world where Hitler has won WWII.

The Thursday Murder Club Series: The Thursday Murder Club by Richard Osman

In a peaceful retirement village, four unlikely friends meet up once a week to investigate unsolved murders. But when a brutal killing takes place on their very doorstep, the Thursday Murder Club find themselves in the middle of their first live case. Elizabeth, Joyce, Ibrahim and Ron might be pushing eighty, but they still have a few tricks up their sleeves. The Thursday Murder Club is a fast, and at times, hilarious read. This is definitely worth saving for a cold, rainy night with a cup of I Hunt Killers by Barry Lyga You’re seventeen-years-old and your father is the most notorious serial killer America has ever produced. He brought you up. Taught you everything he knows. Everyone in your ordinary American town knows who you are. So even though Dear Old Dad is safely behind bars, when the killing starts all over again, you are the first person the police come to see… The first book in this thrilling, terrifying series by New York Times bestselling author Barry Lyga is perfect for fans of the tv show Dexter.

The Secret History by Donna Tartt

Under the influence of a charismatic professor, a group of clever, eccentric misfits at a New England college discover a way of thought and life a world away from their banal classmates. But their search for intellectual truths leads them down treacherous paths, away from ordinary morality - and towards the possibility of terrible crime. Dark and compelling, The Secret History is both a portrait of small-town university life and a riveting murder-mystery that will hold you in its spell from beginning to end.

A Good Girls’ Guide to Murder by Holly Jackson

The case is closed. Five years ago, schoolgirl Andie Bell was murdered by Sal Singh. The police know he did it. Everyone in town knows he did it. But Pippa Fitz-Amobi isn't so sure. When she chooses the case as the topic for her final project, she starts to uncover secrets that someone in town desperately wants to stay hidden. And if the real killer is still out there, how far will they go to keep Pip from the truth…? A crime thriller that will keep you guessing until the very end!

A Brief History of Seven Killings by Marlon James

Jamaica, 1976. Seven gunmen storm Bob Marley's house, machine guns blazing. The reggae superstar survives, but the gunmen are never caught. Spanning three decades and crossing continents, A Brief History of Seven Killings chronicles the lives of a host of unforgettable characters – slum kids, drug lords, journalists, prostitutes, gunmen and even the CIA. A gripping, multi-stranded novel based on real events, Marlon James brings 1970s Jamaica to life with a cast of unforgettable characters.

1984: Nineteen Eighty-Four by George Orwell

1984 is the year in which it happens. The world is divided into three super states. In Oceania, the Party’s power is absolute. Every action, word, gesture and thought is monitored under the watchful eye of Big Brother and the Thought Police. In the Ministry of Truth, the Party’s department for propaganda, Winston Smith’s job is to edit the past. 1984 is one of the most famous dystopian stories of all time. The language from this book has even weaved its way into

modern culture with terms like ‘Big Brother’ and ‘Room 101’. This is most definitely a book you want to be able to say you’ve read before you get to university!

We See Everything by William Sutcliffe

Breathe Series: Breathe by Sarah Crossan

Lex lives on The Strip - the overcrowded, closed-off, bombed-out shell of London. He's used to the watchful enemy drones that buzz above. Alan's finally landed the job of his dreams as a drone pilot. Lex and Alan will never meet, but their lives will intersect in dramatic fashion: because Alan has just been assigned a high-priority target to kill. For Alan, it's #K622. But for Lex, it's his father...

Ever since the Switch, when oxygen levels plummeted and most of humanity died, survivors have been protected in glass domes full of manufactured air. Population size as well as every facet of life is carefully monitored maintain the balance of oxygen. But what if you no longer want to be controlled? When going outside the dome means certain death where else is there to turn?

A dystopian thriller about courage and freedom, with a stark reminder of our current need to tackle climate change.

Family and loyalty, drones and assassinations, We See Everything is a gripping and terrifying glimpse into a possible dark future…

The Hunger Games Series: The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins

In the ruins of a place once known as North America lies the nation of Panem, a shining Capitol surrounded by 12 outlying districts. The Capitol keeps the districts in line by forcing them all to send one boy and one girl between the ages of 12 and 18 to participate in the annual Hunger Games, a fight to the death on live TV. What can you do when you have nothing and there’s nowhere to run? This book is page-turning, absorbing, fast-paced and adventurous and was recently made into a major feature film starring Jennifer Lawrence, Josh Hutcherson & Liam Hemsworth

Ship Breaker Series: Ship Breaker by Paolo Bacigalupi

Scythe Series: Scythe by Neal Shusterman

A world with no hunger, no disease, no war, no misery – no death. To control population growth government appointed ‘Scythes’ are the only ones who can legally end a life. It’s a lottery, when your time is up, it’s up! In a society where death has been eliminated and a powerful AI controls society for the ‘greater good’ what does one have to do to find meaning? Two teens must learn the ‘art of killing’ in this prize winning book, the first in a chilling new series from Neal Shusterman.

The polar ice caps have melted and New Orleans is underwater. On the Gulf Coast nearby, humanity has reverted to survival mode and a small economy has grown from the scavenging of washed up oil tankers for bits of copper and other valuables. Nailer can’t believe his luck when he discovers an exquisite clipper ship beached during a recent hurricane. He soon faces the most important decision of his life: Strip the ship for all it's worth or rescue its lone survivor… In this powerful novel, Ship Breaker starts off slow but picks up speed delivering a thrilling adventure set in a vivid and raw, uncertain future.

Divergent Series: Divergent by Veronica Roth In a dystopian Chicago, turning 16 means choosing one of five factions to dedicate your life to. For Tris, the world changes when she is forced to make a difficult choice – staying with her family or leaving them to join a different faction. But Tris also has a secret, one she's kept hidden from everyone because she's been warned it can mean death. As unrest grows across the factions Tris learns her secret might help save those she loves, or it might just destroy her altogether. The first book in swept the globe – selling millions of copies world wide. the Divergent series that has

The Maze Runner Series: The Maze Runner by James Dashner When the doors of the lift crank open, the only thing Thomas remembers is his first name. But he's not alone. He's surrounded by boys who welcome him to the Glade - a walled encampment at the centre of a bizarre and terrible stone maze. None of them know way they are there and none of them know how to get out. Each day the maze changes and each time they venture out they risk being killed. The first book in the New York Times bestselling Maze Runner series is an absolutely gripping story full of twists and turns. Truly a book you will not be able to put down!

Matched Series: Matched by Ally Condie

On her 17th birthday, Cassia meets her match. Society dictates he is her perfect partner for life. Except he's not. In Cassia's society, officials decide who people love, how many children they have, here they work, when they die. But as Cassia finds herself falling in love with another boy, she is determined to make some choices of her own. This novel is a about a tightly controlled society in which young people are ‘matched ’ with their life partners at the age of 17. Intriguing, heart-warming and nerve wrecking all at once!

Noughts & Crosses Series: Noughts & Crosses by Malorie Blackman

Sephy is a Cross – a member of the dark-skinned ruling class. Callum is a nought – a ‘colourless’ member of the underclass who were once slaves to the Crosses. The two have been friends since early childhood but that’s as far as it can go. In their world, Noughts and Crosses simply don’t mix. Against a background of prejudice and distrust, intensely highlighted by violent terrorist activity, a romance builds between Sephy and Callum -- a romance that is to lead both of them into terrible danger. Voted as one of the UK's best-loved books, Noughts & Crosses is a seminal piece of YA fiction; a true modern classic.

The Survival Game by Nicky Singer

Imagine a world where there are too many people on a too-hot earth and your only chance of salvation is to keep moving. A future where you must prove yourself worthy of existence at every turn, at every checkpoint. Where your instincts become your most powerful weapon - even more powerful than the gun in your pocket. Recent news about the treatment of refugee children makes this a particularly relevant read. This gripping and provocative book poses big ethical questions and has an ending likely to polarise readers.

The Darkest Minds Series: The Darkest Minds by Alexandra Bracken

When Ruby woke up on her tenth birthday, something about her had changed. Something frightening enough to make her parents lock her in the garage and call the police. Something that got her sent to Thurmond, a brutal government “rehabilitation camp.” Teenagers and children are evolving and the adults are scared… Alexandra Bracken maintains constant tension throughout this book...a twist on the dystopia genre, and recently made into a film, you’ll love The Darkest Minds.

Family

Drums, Girls and Dangerous Pie by Jordan Sonnenblick

Steven has a totally normal life (well, almost). He plays drums in the All-City Jazz Band, has a crush on the hottest girl in school (who doesn't even know he's alive), and is constantly annoyed by his younger brother, Jeffrey (who is cuter than cute - which is also pretty annoying). But when Jeffrey gets sick, Steven's world is turned upside down, and he is forced to deal with his brother's illness. A funny, brave and heart-warming story that will make readers want to both laugh and cry at the same time. A nice, easy read which manages to stay light-hearted whilst plumbing deep emotions at the same time.

The Inexplicable Logic of My Life by Benjamin Alire Saenz

Sal used to know his place with his adoptive gay father, their loving Mexican American family, and his best friend, Samantha. But it’s senior year, and suddenly Sal is throwing punches, questioning everything, and realizing he no longer knows himself. If Sal’s not who he thought he was, who is he? A warmly humane look at universal questions of belonging, infused with humour, from the bestselling author of Aristotle and Dante Discover the Secrets of the Universe.

Everything I Never Told You by Celeste Ng

Lydia is the favourite child of Marilyn and James Lee, and her parents are determined that she will fulfil the dreams they were unable to pursue. But when Lydia’s body is found in the local lake, the delicate balancing act that has been keeping the Lee family together is destroyed, tumbling them into chaos. Everything I Never Told You is a gripping page-turner, about secrets, love, longing, lies and race.

Family

Noah Can’t Even by Simon James Green

Poor Noah Grimes! His father disappeared years ago, his mother's Beyonce tribute act is an unacceptable embarrassment, and his beloved gran is no longer herself. He only has one friend, Harry, and school is... Well, it's pure hell. Why can't Noah be normal, like everyone else at school? By turns hilarious and thought provoking. With a cast of larger than life characters and the hero in the shape of Noah who struggles to fit in and be ‘normal’.

Panther by David Owen

Life isn’t going terribly well for Derrick; he’s become severely overweight, his only friend has turned on him, he’s hopelessly in love with a girl way out of his league, and it’s all because of his sister. Her depression, and its grip on his family, is tearing his life apart. Panther is a bold and emotionally powerful novel that deals candidly with the effects of depression on those who suffer from it, and those who suffer alongside them.

Where Things Come Back by John Corey Whaley

Cullen Witter's fifteen-year-old brother Gabriel has suddenly and inexplicably disappeared. Angry and looking for answers, Cullen must navigate his way through a summer of finding and losing love while holding his fragile family together. Meanwhile a young missionary in Africa is searching for meaning wherever he can find it and his frantic search for meaning has far reaching consequences… Winner of the 2012 Michael L. Printz and William C. Morris Awards, this poignant and hilarious story of loss and redemption explores the process of grief, second chances, and even the meaning of life.