Inspire's Favourite Reads - Shortlist

Inspire are delighted to present the Inspire's Favourite Reads shortlist. These titles featured have been chosen by our staff and readers, and were shortlisted by our knowledgeable librarians based on popularity. All titles on the list are available on our online catalogue, where you can reserve items for just 30p. Why not read your way through the list, and come back later to pick your favourite?

The hitchhiker's guide to the galaxy - Douglas Adams

The hilarious cult classic following the adventures of ordinary man Arthur Dent, accidentally hitchiking through space with a cast of eccentric characters.

Walking Home - Simon Armitage

The true story of poet Simon Armitage hiking the Pennine Way with no money - paying his way with readings in pubs, village halls and houses.

Beartown - Fredrik Backman

A small, isolated town in a large Swedish forest and the brutal act that divides the community. Which side would you pick?

Better off dead - Lee Child

Thriller hero Jack Reacher is searching for a missing man in a backwater Arizona town where the mysterious Dendocker has taken over.

Piranesi- Susanna Clarke

Piranesi explores "The House" and discovers mysteries which force him to question everything he thought he knew about his strange world. 2021 Women's Prize Winner.

Rebecca - Daphne Du Maurier

The haunting story of a young girl consumed by love and the struggle to find her identity in the shadow of the previous Mrs de Winter.

James - Percival Everett

A powerful and funny reimagining of The adventures of Huckleberry Finn through the voice of the enslaved Jim. 2025 British Book Awards Winner.

The locked room - Elly Griffiths

Ruth Galloway and DCI Nelson are on the hunt for a murderer when Covid rears its ugly head. Can they find the killer despite lockdown?

The midnight library - Matt Haig

A thought-provoking novel about Nora, who is given the chance to see how her life might have been if she'd made different choices.

Far from the madding crowd - Thomas Hardy

A classic novel about passion and loyalty, following the rise and fall in fortunes of Bathseba Everdene, and her relationships with three very different suitors.

Act of oblivion - Robert Harris

An epic 17th Century journey across continents as two English Colonels, found guilty of High Treason for the murder of Charles I, flee to America.

It ends with us - Colleen Hoover

A heart-wrenching story of love - will Lily be able to break the cycle of abuse to protect herself and her daughter?

Again, Rachel - Marian Keyes

These days everything in Rachel's life is good - until her ex, Luke, reappears. Mixing humour and emotional punch for a heartwarming read.

Cujo - Stephen King

Beloved Saint Bernard Cujo becomes a monster after being infected with rabies in this tale of psychological horror from the master storyteller.

The mother - T. M. Logan

Heather is out on parole after being framed for her husband's murder. She will stop at nothing to clear her name and reclaim her teenage sons.

Becoming - Michelle Obama

Michelle Obama's deeply personal memoir chronicling the experiences that have shaped her, from childhood to motherhood and her time in The White House.

The flatshare - Beth O'Leary

A romantic comedy detailing the growing relationshihp between Tiffy and Leon, who share a one-bed flat by working on opposite shifts - and have never met.

The Thursday murder club - Richard Osman

In this comic crime bestseller, four elderly care home residents with a cold-case investigation club end up in the midst of a murder investigation.

Where the crawdads sing - Delia Owens

A twisty coming-of age story following Kya, a young girl in 1960s America, who has survived alone for years in the marsh she calls home.

The watchmaker of Filigree Street - Natasha Pulley

Three characters' lives become entwined and events spiral out of control in this steampunk adventure set in Victorian England.

The light behind the window - Lucinda Riley

A breathtaking historical romance - a tale of love, war and forgiveness, set in France in both the present day and World War II.

Angel - L. J. Ross

Murder and mystery are peppered with romance and humour in this fast paced crime novel, a DCI Ryan title, set amidst the Northumbrian landscape.

The invisible life of Addie LaRue - V. E. Schwab

Addie exchanged her soul for immortality 200 years ago. Suddenty thrust back into real life, she must face the fact that she cannot escape her fate.

There are rivers in the sky - Elif Shafak

A dazzling story about one lost poem, two great rivers and three remarkable lives - spanning centuries and continents, and all connected by a single drop of water.

The priory of the orange tree - Samantha Shannon

An enthralling, epic fantasy about a world on the brink of war with dragons - and the women who must lead the fight to save it.

My name is why - Lemn Sissay

Poet Lemn Sissay reflects on his childhood in this moving memoir which explores institutional care, race, family and the meaning of home.

The little friend - Donna Tartt

Young Harriet, investigating the long-ago death of her brother, finds herself in the menacing underworld of a small Mississippi town in this southern gothic noir.

The lord of the rings - J. R. R. Tolkien

Arguably the inspiration for the epic fantasy genre, this classic has action, romance, loyalty, betrayal and friendship on a quest to overcome dark forces.

The safekeep - Yael Van Der Wouden

An atmospheric and vivid story set in 1961 which explores the impact of the Holocaust in the Netherlands. 2025 Women's Prize Winner.

The book thief - Markus Zusak

In 1939 Nazi Germany, 9 year old foster-child Liesel grows to love books in these dangerous times where death has never been busier.