I once tried to document all the books I’d ever read, including as a child, which, on one hand, was futile – if the point was to compile a complete list. But the process did help me recover fond memories of some beloved books , so it’s an exercise I recommend for reflection and, I suppose, nostalgia purposes. The books we’ve read provide a special window into the different phases of our life – the obsessions we’ve had, the people we’ve trusted to recommend books to us, the places, sounds, sights and smells that went along with the time(s) we read them. I drew from that list to compile this very partial list of my all-time favourites – to be amended as I go.

However, to my great regret, I have a terrible memory for the details (or even the broad outlines) of the books I’ve read, so for now, all I can say about why these particular books made my favourites list is that each deeply affected me in some way, either by teaching me something (that I hope has had some lasting impact even if the details now escape me), making me laugh, or stirring my emotions. I feel confident recommending them as books that offer a good reading experience, even if you’re a lapsed or struggling book-reader. Lists are in alpha order by author’s last name (it would be torture to try to rank them). At some point, I’ll try to describe something about why I loved each of these books (or series). I’d be happy if I could re-read all of them.