June 2026
In the second of our features to mark the National Year of Reading, Annette Shaw looks at a few of the books we’d all like to have in our collection…
In 1950, Eileen Barton recorded the song If I Knew You Were Comin’ I’d’ve Baked a Cake.
Of course, Googling a recipe was decades away back then, but fast forward to 2026 and the convenience of having the world in our pocket has brought a new problem: too much choice. The National Trust website offers 76 options and olivemagazine.com has 182 – and that’s before AI cuts in… sometimes overload is overkill when all you want to do is use up two eggs. There are times when only a book will do, although sadly as a nation we appear to have cut back on reading.
As regular readers of The Bridge will know, we’re highlighting the National Year of Reading and keeping tabs on some of the news items on this very subject. For example, on 29 April The Times carried a report from publishers HarperCollins, the gist of which was “Relentless emphasis on literacy targets at school is harming reading for pleasure.” The notion of reading becoming “a joyful family tradition” is on the skids. It added: “Children who read for pleasure develop richer vocabulary, build empathy and have better wellbeing — benefits that apply across all social backgrounds.”
Is the family bookcase a goner? Surprisingly, an AI search reveals that the average UK household holds around 158 books (although a quick whizz around Rightmove interiors makes you wonder where they’re stored). Whatever the statistics, anyone can lovingly curate The Essential Bookshelf – a selection that endures, transcends all ages, evolves with time, and like a best friend will always be there.
THE BRIDGE BOOKSHELF
On Radio 4’s Desert Island Discs, castaways are allowed, as standard issue, the Bible (or a comparable religious text) and the Complete Works of Shakespeare. We’ll follow their lead, and add the following…
Retro Classics
Forget trying to recreate an iced Sistine Chapel on a school night. This is a treasure trove of nostalgic recipes for today’s cook. Good, honest food like lemon meringue pie, school favourites and tray bakes. The book’s USP is that it limits faffing, without compromising on taste or enthusiasm. Sometimes, in a busy day, accessible, clear, concise and yummy are exactly what’s needed.
The Times Atlas of the World
A trip down memory lane here that’s family inclusive and sparks all sorts of conversations. It’s interesting to hear how many older people remember this huge book on the kitchen table with everyone looking at holiday destinations or just seeing the world in perspective, as opposed to screen size. Also useful for flagging up key waterways. See resources overleaf for secondhand copies.
Small Stories of Great Artists by Laurence Anholt
One to cherish at bedtime. Illustrator and author Laurence Anholt constructs standalone short stories around artistic styles such as a first foray into Impressionism and the pioneering work of Picasso. Perfect for triggering creativity, gently building an appreciation of the cultural world and planting the seeds of future aspirations, including travel. Giverny lies just over an hour’s drive north of Paris and a visit to Monet’s water lily garden is a memorable, magical day at any age. Or as sleepytime beckons, talk about Leonardo da Vinci’s dreams. “One day… people will sail through the clouds and look down at the world below. Anything is possible.”
Dancing by the Light of the Moon by Gyles Brandreth
The title comes from Edward Lear’s The Owl and the Pussy-cat, who set sail in a pea-green boat, and Gyles tells us it’s the first verse he committed to memory. Flagged on the cover as “250 of our favourite poems to love and learn,” panic not. We’re not recreating an evening with the Bennet sisters from Jane Austen’s Pride and Prejudice. However, reading poetry out loud is a skill that can be honed from a young age. Think of a masterclass in fine communication. Witty. Stimulating. Emotional. There’s a poem for every reason and season. Sets you up for life, job interviews, romance. From WH Auden to Byron, the language is beautiful.
100 Novels That Changed The World by Colin Slater
Charles Dickens. Margaret Attwood. Lewis Carroll. Daphne du Maurier. What a wonderful addition to the essential list, all in one place. Colin Slater traces the evolution of the novel and selects 100 of the greatest writers, choosing their most significant work. Very useful for book groups; fondly remembering Harper Lee’s To Kill a Mockingbird on the O-level syllabus or learning about the Queen of Detective Fiction aka Agatha Christie. Wolf Hall is featured along with The Handmaid’s Tale and 1984.
Navigating Loneliness by Cheryl Rickman
Sleepless at 2am when all you want is comfort, answers and hope, reaching for the bookshelf can be a life saver. There’s something more personal and focused about a physical copy, rather than scrolling with blue backlight. This book is a gem in terms of explaining how to reframe loneliness. Acceptance and harmony are emotional building blocks and as Sir Terry Waite writes in the foreword, “It is my hope that this handbook will guide you towards that pathway.”
The Black Earth by Philip Kazan
Avid readers often struggle with what to recycle but there comes a time when a cull is needed, if only for space. Some books are for keeping, though, as they bring added value, and The Black Earth is one to re-read. On publication it was named by The Times as historical fiction book of the month. A story of wartime trauma and the resilience of love, from Smyrna in 1922 to the occupation of Greece in WWII, it’s complex, satisfying and magnificently researched.
For more information about national literacy initiatives – including Her Majesty The Queen’s project – visit literacytrust.org.uk and thequeensreadingroom.co.uk.
If getting out and about is difficult, you can order books online at uk.bookshop.org. And there are thousands of secondhand books at worldofbooks.com and onlineshop.oxfam.org.uk (plus that other, gargantuan retailer).