With World Book Day in March we thought it was high time we shared a few more of our favourite reads.

If you’re looking for literary recommendations, then look no further for inspiration! Here are a few of our personal choices:

A Terrible Kindness

I picked up A Terrible Kindness from Waterstones on a Thursday and had read it cover to cover by the Monday. It’s a moving and memorable tale that follows one man and begins the day after the Aberfan disaster. William is a newly qualified embalmer who volunteers his services to help deal with the aftermath of the tragedy. William’s single act of kindness dredges up a past he’s tried hard to forget and leaves a mark that will impact heavily on his future.

The book explores love, loss and above all, kindness, but there’s also warmth and wisdom to be found here too. The inclusion of the lyrics to the old, Welsh love-song Myfanwy intertwined with prose describing how William helped the victims turned me into a blubbering mess. I loved how Jo Browning Wroe dealt with William’s trauma. There was no easy-fix or instant healing. Instead, the reader gets to follow William as he gradually builds bridges by accepting his troubled past.

I’d certainly recommend this book to anyone who isn’t afraid of having a good cry. Whist the book is highly emotional and doesn’t shy away from the real-life tragedy at the heart of the story, it is anything but depressing. It’s beautifully crafted, uplifting and extraordinary. Bendigedig!

Keira

The Goldfinch

This book follows Theo Decker throughout his life as he survives loss, love and friendships, all while obsessing over a painting ‘The Goldfinch’.

I really enjoyed the novel but it is a tough read and took me a while to digest! It is long but brilliantly written and has real depth. The structure of the book keeps you wondering what will happen next and you can find yourself not wanting to put it down.

Will others like it or not?

I think it is probably a bit of a Marmite book. Some will love it, as it is really rich and covers a lot of ground, but some may find it overwritten and depressing in parts.

Molly

Small Pleasures

The principal character here is journalist Jean Swinney who is contacted by a reader claiming to have had a miracle birth. Whilst you follow her investigation into the claim, her life as one of WW2’s ‘Surplus Women’ comes into focus as Jean contemplates the life she might have had.

The story provides an insight into life in the late 1950s which was still reeling from the effects of WW2. It’s a perspective I personally had never considered in much depth. Through Jean’s emotional journey, to both your frustration and respect, you witness her sense of duty repeatedly contend against love and potential happiness.

This book was gifted to me and is not usually one I’d pick up. But I am incredibly glad it came my way. The author’s style of writing and content flowed so well that the book thoroughly resisted every time I needed to put it down. Suffice to say, this book comes very highly recommended.

Mollie

→ The Merrick team are avid readers. You can see some of our previous reviews and recommendations on these links.

Tequila Mocking Bird anyone? Book reviews with added sparkle – Merrick Solicitors (merrick-solicitors.com)

Five of the best books on divorce written by divorcees – Merrick Solicitors (merrick-solicitors.com)