A BookTok Star Shares Her Favourite Novels & Authors
Have You Always Loved Reading?
I’ve always enjoyed reading but only started reading frequently when my mum passed away five years ago. Books were a source of solace and comfort, so I started recommending my favourites online, which is when @ZubsCovered was born.
How Did You Get Into BookTok?
BookTok came onto my radar after I starting seeing a table dedicated to BookTok books in nearly every Waterstones I visited. BookTok has become an incredible platform to bring books back to life and into the hands of more readers. Look at Colleen Hoover’s hugely popular It Ends With Us – BookTok singlehandedly revived that book years after it was published. On the back of that astronomical success, Blake Lively is set to star in the film adaptation.
What Are You Reading Right Now?
The Silent Companions by Laura Purcell. I have developed a love for gothic horror so I’m currently devouring all her books – I’ve read three in the last ten days. It's a new genre to me and one that I’m really enjoying. I also love listening to audiobooks because the narration can change my whole experience of a story. I’m currently listening to Things We Never Got Over by Lucy Score.
How Do You Choose What To Read?
I’m very much a mood reader. If I’m reading something heavy and serious, I like to have a lighter audiobook on the go, whether I’m listening in the car, while exercising or once my children have gone to bed. It also helps to have a comfortable reading chair!
What’s Your Most Watched TikTok?
Ana Huang’s Twisted book series, which is incredibly and quite steamy, too. Think The Princess Diaries, but make it spicy. When I posted this particular video, Ana Huang was about to release her fourth and final book in the series, so it was hyped on BookTok at the time, which also helped.
What Are Your Favourite Books You’ve Discovered On The App?
Icebreaker by Hannah Grace. Who knew steamy sports romances could be so fun? I also loved The Spanish Love Deception by Elena Armas. I really enjoyed the background story of the author. It’s about a young woman who agrees to ‘fake date’ a colleague and bring him to her sister's wedding…
Where Do You Buy Books From?
I am incredibly fortunate that some of my books are sent by publishers, but not all! Bookshop.org and Waterstones are my go-tos.
Do You Have A Favourite Author?
It’s so hard to choose one, but some of my favourites include Ayobami Adebayo, Harlan Coben, Nguyễn Phan Quế Mai, Beth O'Leary and Kia Abdullah. I also love Leigh Bardugo, Coco Mellors and Kristin Hannah.
What's Been Your Favourite Book Of The Last Year?
My favourite book of 2022 was As Long As The Lemon Trees Grow by Zoulfa Katouh. This book was a love letter to Syria. It has a chapter that I did not see coming and which totally destroyed me.
What One Novel Will Always Stay With You?
The Other Boleyn Girl by Philippa Gregory. It was the first historical fiction I read when I was about 16, and I totally fell in love with that genre because of it. My favourite non-fiction book has to be Lori Gottlieb’s memoir, Maybe You Should Talk To Someone, which takes readers into the room of her therapy sessions with various clients.
What Book Would You Give As A Gift?
Any from my list of favourite authors, but I usually gift book vouchers – let them choose what they really want! That said, the special-edition Penguin Clothbound Classics are stunning and make lovely gifts.
What Was The Last Book That Made You Cry?
The Nightingale by Kristin Hannah, which is set during World War Two. I sobbed like a baby.
And One That Made You Laugh Out Loud?
Monica Heisey’s debut book Really Good, Actually. Brilliant, cannot recommend it enough.
Favourite Literary Character?
Always and forever Katniss Everdeen. I love The Hunger Games books.
What Book Should Every LuxeGirl Read In Their lifetime?
You must read Helen Hoang’s The Kiss Quotient. It was the first book that got me into romantic fiction and it’s such a page turner.
Do You Have A Favourite Book Of All Time?
I don't but I do have my comfort books that I always return to. These include The Hunger Games series, A Court of Thorns and Roses by Sarah J. Maas and The Flat Share by Beth O'Leary.
If You Had To Take A Book With You To A Desert Island, Which One Would It Be?
Can I say my Kindle? Kidding. Ooh, that is such a tough one! I’d have to choose Stay With Me by Ayobami Adebayo. It’s a gripping story about what wanting a child can do to a person, a marriage and a family.
Finally, What Happens Next For You?
I’m in the process of writing my own book! I have had this story floating about in my head for about four years, but imposter syndrome stopped me from writing it. I’ve read enough books to know what readers look for and what would work well, so I’ve decided to finally give it a go…
For more book recommendations, follow Zubs on TikTok @ZubsCovered and Instagram @ZubsCovered
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