In non-fiction, I love projects that explore topics omitted from traditional narratives. I am particularly inspired by work which looks at female pain in its all forms; by writing on sex, sexuality,  and gender; and by narratives exploring the feeling when love goes right, and when it goes very wrong. I am also an avid reader of (predominantly) 20th century history, specifically work which nails the intersection between personal, cultural, and political history – Philippe Sands’ work is a good example.  I also have an interest in work which interrogates aspects of popular culture or lifestyle, which I view broadly – my priority is a strong voice and an intimate and current lens, and I am particularly drawn to intersectional feminist approaches. Recent favourites of mine are You Could Make This Place Beautiful by Maggie Smith and Come As You Are by Emily Nagoski.

In fiction, I am drawn to works of literary fiction with engrossing plots and lyrical (yet accessible) prose. I crave the experience of ending a book with more questions than I started with, and adore writing which calls into question my accepted beliefs, values, ideas, and understanding of human behaviour and decision-making.  When that intellectual experience has been disguised through plot immersion, humour, or another device: even better. Thematically, I love insights into hindsight, legacy and memory; observations on language and translation; deconstructions of literature and performance as art forms, and works set in the aftermath of historical conflicts. I love, for example, works by Joshua Cohen, Caleb Azumah Nelson, Ann Patchett, and Jenny Erpenbeck.