Published on 10 November 2026
Looking for your next great read? Mortlake Library Officer Jodie has shared five of her favourite books, spanning rural memoirs and laugh-out-loud farming adventures to heartwarming romance, family drama and inspirational fiction.
Large Print Book
I first came across Amanda Owen through her TV series Our Yorkshire Farm.
A Yorkshire Shepherdess, raising a family of nine children in the remote Yorkshire Dales, I was delighted by her down-to-earth charm and warts-and-all approach to showing both the beautiful and tragic aspects of farm life.
Since discovering her books, I have found them to be just as entertaining as the TV series. A light, easy read that shows farm life, not through a romantic, rose-tinted lens but truthfully, with a wry comic touch that makes this a perfect, cosy read for when you just want to relax and not think too deeply.
Graphic Novel
This is just an enchanting love story. What you wish first love for every teenager would be like.
What a breath of fresh air this story was with sweet, awkward characters navigating their way through figuring out who they are, who they love and whether the objects of their affection will love them back.
It took me back to my youth in the best possible way and I was so happy that it was a series so that when the first book was over I could return back to this world again.
There are some darker themes of bullying and dysfunctional relationships but the overarching vibe is pure, joyful, young love.
Anecdotes
I’m not usually a fan of Jeremy Clarkson but I have to admit, the man manages to get himself into some hilarious scrapes.
I thoroughly enjoyed reading about his adventures on Diddly Squat Farm and the way the seasoned farmers shake their heads at his exploits.
Though Clarkson seems to make every mistake in the book, his genuine affection for his animals and how much he cares for the farming community shines through in every page.
It must be lovely to have enough money to be able to fail as spectacularly as Jeremy Clarkson continues to do and still be able to get up, keep going and try something new.
There were many times that I laughed out loud while reading this book so if you are in need of a good laugh or can empathise with just how hard it is to make a go of a family farm this book is the one for you.
Humorous fiction
Oh the joys of a dysfunctional family. Marian Keyes never fails to disappoint with her oh-so-easy to relate to characters and sharp, witty portrayals of family dynamics.
You know what you are going to get with a Marian Keyes book, a solid, highly readable story with plenty of humour and characters who feel real and familiar. Every family has its secrets, its frictions, its conflicting personalities and those larger-than-life characters that make family get togethers so interesting.
In Grown Ups, Keyes shares with us the foibles of the Casey family, and what a great comfort they are. Compared to them our own families must seem quite sane and positively grown up.
Though Grown Ups is the most recent Marian Keyes title I have read, I feel like I could have chosen any of her titles and given it a glowing review. She’s a consistently entertaining writer and the perfect laid back holiday read.
Fables
I first discovered Jonathon Livingston Seagull way back in the ‘90s when I was a young university student and Richard Bach quickly became one of my favourite authors.
There is just something about the lyrical, emotive way that he writes. The positivity and self-belief of Jonathon the seagull as he dreams and strives and works to learn about the mechanics of flight, to push the boundaries of what a seagull can do while being ostracized and ridiculed by his flock.
This is a wonderful story about seeing the world in a different way and not letting society set limitations on what you can do.
If you want to feel inspired, then this little book is for you.