1 . Teenage years are an unforgettable season of life and books read at that time also make a difference. Much like the best children’s books ever written, these following top teen-centered books offer hope for the future and nostalgia for young life.

The Fault in Our Stars by John Green

Because of cancer, protagonist (主人公) Hazel Lancaster believes her life is over. But then she meets Augustus Waters, and the way he makes her laugh—the way he makes her feel seen—makes her want to live again. The Fault in Our Stars will attract young adults with themes of life and death, true love, and friendship that surpass circumstances. This book is especially worth reading if you love sad books.

The Hobbit by J. R. R. Tolkien

In this classic book, Bilbo Baggins is summoned (召唤) on a great adventure that will change his life forever. With themes of friendship, loyalty, sacrifice, and more, The Hobbit is an adventure waiting to happen for those willing to experience the dangerous business of stepping into the story.

Dune by Frank Herbert

A science fiction novel for the ages, Frank Herbert’s Dune tells the adventures of Paul Atreides—who will become known as Muad’ Dib—as he and his family strive to bring humankind’s greatest dream to life while living on a desert planet. Though written in 1965, much of Dune’s story may be more relevant to 21st-century readers than it was to bookworms who picked it up in the 1960s.

Nancy Drew series by Carolyn Keene

His collection of classic mystery novels was actually written by various authors under the pen name of Carolyn Keene. Over the past few decades, Nancy has evolved with the times—to the point where she’s now using a cell phone to investigate her never-ending mysteries. Today, Nancy is attracting a whole new generation of fans, thanks to a television show launched in 2019.

2 . For those looking to fry up something new this winter, these are the cookbooks to have in your kitchen bookshelf.

1. Made in Bangladesh, by Dina Begum

£28, Hardie Grant

The second cookbook from food writer Dina Begum is a love letter to Bangladcsh. Alongside the selection of tempting recipes are detailed ingredient notes, explanations of distinctive spice mixtures and advice on traditional preparation and serving, all accompanied by vivid photography of busy street-sellers, grass-covered landscapes and market produce.

2. Manju’s Cookbook, by Manju Patel

£22, Ryland Peters & Small

At the age of 80, Gujarat-born Manju Patel was given a restaurant in Brighton by her sons. Six years later, she remains an important part of the business — named Manju’s — but has also found the time to write this cookbook, which showcases dishes including mattar paneer（奶豆腐）and Gujarati dal.

3. Ester, by Mat Lindsay

£30, Murdoch Books

Australian restauranteur Mat Lindsay’s new book isn’t for the green-hand home cook. Ester is a celebration of modern Aussie cuisine, focusing on fire and perfect technique. Recipes include flame-grilled bone marrow with sesame-seed sambal, and sourdough ice cream.

4. Maydan, by Rose Previte

£30, Abrams

This new cookbook from Washington, DC-based chef Rose Previte is inspired by her Lebanese roots and travels in the Middle East. You can surely be inspired if you enjoy Lebanese dishes.

3 . In the house where I grew up, we had a room we called the library. It wasn’t a real library, of course, it was just a small room dominated by a television set. But there were bookshelves built into all four walls, and hundreds of book — hardback books of many colors — surrounded us in that room. The books, collected by my parents and grandparents throughout their lifetimes, were a part of my childhood.

But in the 1970s, I’m noticing a worrying trend: a move away from books. American homes might soon lack dedicated spaces for libraries, and hardcover books, once symbols of enduring thought and wisdom, may become endangered.

A friend who owns a bookstore in a college town tells me he struggles to sell hardback books; paperbacks, though easier to sell, still disappoint him. Students, once seen with books, now carry music records. Reading seems to be giving way to listening. Recent observations support this shift: the University of Illinois reported that a significant portion of freshmen have reading skills no better than an average eighth grader, with many of these students having been top performers in high school.

University professors note that even college graduates struggle with reading and writing. The cultural impact of this change is evident. A successful fiction book might sell a mere 3,000 copies, while a music album by a new band, Boston, has sold millions. This reflects our passive consumption era, where listening to music or watching shows requires little active engagement, unlike reading a book, which demands effort and intent.

In the past, reading was a fundamental part of life, but now, in the era of fast information access, books are losing their significant place. Today’s young Americans are more likely to read a disposable paperback than to cherish and reread a hardcover. In a society that values speed and convenience, the book for keeping and rereading is a weighty dinosaur.

6 . If you’re looking for a new book to read, you’re in luck-every October sees the most books published in a single day and this year it falls on October 12. These are some of the biggest new titles to pick up.

●A Stroke of the Pen by Terry Pratchett, priced £20.

It contains 20 short stories written in the seventies and eighties in the last century. This delightful collection is inventive and engaging, often with a twisty end. The comedic fantasies that shape this book make a fun read.

●A Haunting on the Hill by Elizabeth Hand, priced £16. 99. Available now.

It is a read attracting readers’ curiosity to the end and the end is beyond expectation. The short chapters, complex characters, and beautifully yet scarily written descriptions make the novel an irresistible page-turner.

●Divine Might by Natalie Haynes, priced £20. Available now.

You’ve likely heard their names — Hera, Demeter, The Furies — and you may think you know their stories. But Haynes’ manages to give these well-known Greek goddesses a new voice by telling their story from a different view.

●Secrets of the Forest by Alicia Klepeis, illustrated by Kristen Adam, priced £14. 99. Available now.

American children’s author Alicia Klepeis has over 170 works for young audiences to her name, all with an educational angle. Through these delightful bite-sized bedtime stories, readers are guided to learn about the real biology and behavior of the incredible creatures. These stories should be treasured and handed down through generations to come.

7 . The Best War Novels

The God of that Summer

by Ralf Rothmann

The masterful and painful story is set in Germany. Luisa, a young girl growing up in rural Germany during World War Two, has managed to escape the horrors of city bombing. Unafraid of the realities of life and death, Luisa supports her family until, one day, an incident changes her life forever.

The Librarian of Auschwitz

by Antonio Iturbe

Based on a true story, The Librarian of Auschwitz is about fourteen-year-old Dita. Keeping the libraries’ eight books safe, Dita knows she is putting herself in danger. But she also knows it can help her and her fellow prisoners maintain hope during the darkest of times.

Pippo and Clara

by Diana Rosie

Pippo and Clara are brother and sister. When their mother goes missing one morning, they both go in search of her regardless of the danger of the war. With Clara turning right and Pippo left, the children’s lives are changed forever.

All Quiet on the Western Front

by Erich Maria Remarque

This classic war novel of the First World War is written in the first person by a young German soldier. Paul Bauer is just eighteen and he enters the army with six school friends, each filled with optimistic thoughts. However, they witness such horrors and such severe hardship and suffering that they are unable to even speak about it to anyone but each other.