The unforgettable books you have and must read

With English as a compulsory subject in school, there were a lot of books that were unfortunately ruined by the classroom. 

Then there were the stories that made you realise just what English literature is all about. 

Our books editor Joanne was hooked on reading after devouring I Know Why The Caged Bird Sings by Maya Angelou.

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For some, book snobbery is a default position, those trilogies on the top of the bestsellers list aren't for you. 

But sometimes even you just have to know what all the fuss is about.

Both Jo and our special projects editor Kate absolutely wailed reading The Fault In Our Stars by John Green.

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Whether you're a ferocious reader who falls out of love with it, or someone who only reads on holiday, there are some stories that remind you why sometimes, nothing beats reading.

Our web fashion and beauty editor Amy said, 'After I'd fallen deep into a reading rut, a colleague recommended Tigers In Red Weather by Liza Klaussmann. 

'I now call it my literary re-awakening! Such a brilliant book, by a brilliant writer.'

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A clichéd description of a book we can all recognise.

Growing up seemed to make a little more sense with books like these.

Our web writer Francesca, remembers A Little Love Song by Michelle Magorian very distinctly. 

'She was one of my absolute favourite authors as a child and this book felt just a touch older than the others she'd written. 

A dramatic war torn love story was as emotional as my youthful heart could handle.'

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When you're lucky enough to find a book you love by a prolific author you've never read before, there's little better that diving into their back catalogue. 

Sometimes your favourite is still the first, other times it is a special find along the way.

Books editor Joanne loves The Magician’s Assistant by Ann Patchett and web fashion editor Amy told us, 'I love Nick Hornby's observational writing style and High Fidelity is still one of my all-time favourites.'

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For most of us, a beloved book is never as good on the big screen. Simple stories and big budgets can help - most people got on board with Harry Potter eventually.

However, more often than not, your imagination and the detail of writing just doesn't match up.

The digital special projects editor Kate told us, 'I read Water for Elephants but have still never seen the film.

'I just couldn't see Robert Pattinson and Reese Witherspoon in those roles and didn't want to spoil it. Sorry Rob and Reese.'

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For some the idea of a 'classic' brings back horrifying memories of school course work and more often than not, unfinished tomes.

Then there are those who find a 'high-brow' novel that still resonate. 

Web editor Helen picks seasons for her old school reads: 'Thomas Hardy in the summer (Under the Greenwood Tree and A Pair of Blue Eyes) and The Pickwick Papers by Charles Dickens feels cosy in the winter.'

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When you find a book you love, sometimes it's too heartbreaking to think you will never experience the joy of reading it again. 

There are things you notice that you didn't realise the first time, there's a style of writing that never gets old.

Books editor Jo is on her fourth read of The Secret History by Donna Tartt.

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More often than not, big fans of fiction can't get on board with the factual stuff. But then there are the amazing biographies that tell the story in such a way that you can't even believe it's true.

Web editor Helen will read anything by Claire Tomalin.

While special projects leader Kate was bowled over by some historical travel books when backpacking through Burma -'I read Emma Larkin's Everything is Broken about the cyclone that devastated the country. 

Reading a powerful account of a country's history means so much more when you are immersed in the culture.'

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The first books you ever read will always hold a special place in your heart and there's a reason children's stories from decades ago are still being read.

Web writer Francesca will never forget reading We're Going On A Bear Hunt by Michael Rosen, 'I always loved stories with different voices and sounds you could join in with

'I remember my favourite moment was always 'stumble, trip, stumble, trip' through the woods.' 

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