Words have have the potential to change us all. We want to share with you a selection of books that have influenced our every day lives. Take a peak into the teachings, imaginations and creativity of an array of writers.
Games People Play by Eric Berne
“During my first reading week in Drama School – most, if not all of my friends went back to their home cities. I decided to stay in my accommodation by myself and catch up on all of my over due work. Whilst catching up, I began reading Eric Berne’s ‘Games People Play’ – it absolutely blew my mind. I locked myself away, read, and got really caught up in the psychology of human relationships. The book explores all the subconscious games we partake in as humans, it completely changed the way I view the world and us a species.” – Jay Crutchley
All The Bright Places by Jennifer Niven
“Personally, I like books with plots that I can relate to on depths further down than the surface. ‘All The Bright Places’ was recommended to me by a friend. I told them I like when sad songs have a contrasting happy title (like Keaton Henson – Party Song) – and this book is not dissimilar. This book explores how love can save you and break you. Without giving too much away, it follows two teenagers, Violet Markey and Theodore Finch. Violet is trying to escape her past and Finch is consumed by his need to die; until they meet in a situation of contemplation…” – Meescha Bhamra
For Coloured Girls Who Have Considered Suicide / When The Rainbow Is Enuf – Ntozake Shange
“Ntozake Shange changed my perspective on the experience of reading as a whole. From the way the text was laid out on the page to the use of language, she literally made up her own words AND it made perfect sense to the context of the play. Reading For Coloured Girls was a profound moment in my life because this choreopoem simply shows a few insights on the black female perspective and the socio-political undertones of living in America. It was one of my first doses of representation in a new form of performative writing. We need some more like this in the UK!” – Zeddie Lawal
Simon vs. the Homo Sapiens Agenda by Becky Albertalli
“I used to be intimidated to buy gay content because I wasn’t ready for the content that I like to essentially ‘out’ me. I decided to stop denying myself of my interests and bought Simon vs. the Homo Sapiens Agenda. A story about a boy that has a crush on an anonymous person that he emails everyday… until his world turns upside down when a class mate blackmails him and threatens to ‘out’ him. It’s thrilling, it’s drama, it’s gay, it made me aware that there are gay books out there, and by the time I’d finished it, I was ‘out’ too. Simon definitely inspired me to live my truth.” – Bradley Morrison
The Tyger by William Blake
“Being 17 and actively searching for this book was the first step of it being my favourite. Most importantly, the first book I indulged in as a poet. The ways of William’s writing had always fascinated me in my A-Level English, as well as of course my teachers face talking about him.” – Amerah Saleh
On the Road by Jack Kerouac
“This book was famously written all in one go, on a continuous roll of paper. I read it pretty much all in one go, the ‘stream of consciousnesses’ Kerouac approach developed was electric to read. Released in 1957, On the Road is an example of ‘beat’ literature which informed the hippie counterculture movement ten years later. It is said that On the Road ‘sold a trillion pairs of Levis’, I reckon it launched a trillion adventurers on their way too.” – Tony Bhajam
The Alchemist – Paulo Coehlo
“An incredibly powerful fable that found me at a time I needed it the most. It’s a book I revisit time and again and take more and more from it depending on where I’m at in my life. It touches on spirituality, reality, mindfulness and more. An enchanting story stuffed full of deep, poignant messages this book showed me the power of listening to my gut and the magic of dreams.” – Anisa Haghdadi
Written by Beatfreeks
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