Sure, we may be in the digital age with Netflix-mania showing no signs of slowing down. But on days when we don’t feel like spending hours in front of the telly (watching Game of Thrones for the umpteenth time), there’s really no better feeling than cracking open a book for some quality me-time. So put your feet up, maybe pop open a bottle of vino, and indulge your bookworm tendencies with the Honeycombers’ round-up of our all-time favourite books.
The Count of Monte Cristo – Alexandre Dumas
“This is the only book that I’d stopped reading before I got to the end, because I didn’t want it to end (sad, I know!). Set in France, Italy and the Mediterranean in the early 1800s, this epic story tells the tale of man who was wrongfully imprisoned, escapes from jail, acquires a fortune, and then sets about to get revenge. The European setting is amazing – I was travelling across Europe as I read it, which made it even more interesting – and is part-history book, part-adventure, part-love story. But it’s a long one!” – Chris Edwards, Honeycombers Founder
A Thousand Splendid Suns by Khaled Hosseini
“It’s just a fascinating insight into the life of Afghan women and the heart-breaking situations faced by so many. It’s a story of resilience, strength, and spirit, and makes me realise how freakin’ lucky I am to be living in the free world. Girl power!” – Sally Shoult, Creative Services Editor
Blink: The Power of Thinking Without Thinking by Malcolm Gladwell
“It’s sort of geeky, but I love all of his books and Blink is my absolute favourite. He shares what could be considered really dull scientific research to support insights and reflections on how the world works in a way such that it makes you see things differently; it’s both fun and thought-provoking. Definitely a page-turner!” – Kate Reynolds, Senior Accounts Director
Slaughterhouse-Five by Kurt Vonnegut
“Aside from anime and video game culture, I’m also an avid sci-fi buff. So you would imagine that I’d have trouble putting down a novel that travels through time, delves into alien abduction and extra-terrestrial zoos, and bends the very fabric of self-consciousness. This tale from 1969 skips sporadically across dimensions and decades like an unfinished track, keeping me on my toes, not knowing what the next page brings. And while it treads on morbid territory like war-torn Germany, the content is always chuckle-worthy thanks to the intelligent, deadpan humour of Vonnegut. A read that I’d always go back to, time and time again.” – Kevin Ho, Acting Editor
The Little Prince by Antoine De Saint-Exupery
“I love how this book makes me see things differently every time I read it at different stages of my life. The first time I read it, I was a mere child, not knowing what to expect of what the ‘real world’ might bring. Many years later when I picked it up again, I realised that I had a different perspective of what the author was trying to bring across. Before I knew it, I was 22 and bored, so I decided to give this book another chance and finally got the whole picture – how our perspectives change as we gain more experiences in life.” – Alyssa Prenda, Marketing and Event Coordinator
A Brave New World by Aldous Huxley
“A Brave New World features a dystopian world that reflects the failings of today’s society. Even in 1932, Huxley delved into modern themes such as genetic cloning and totalitarianism, proving that he was well ahead of its time. The protagonist brings up existential ideas on humanity, which makes you ask yourself, ‘What does it truly mean to be human?’. The story is beautifully written, thought-provoking, and isn’t afraid to address uncomfortable issues – cementing its position as one of the literary greats of the century.” – Aliff Tee, Head of Design
American Gods by Neil Gaiman
“American Gods got me back into reading after years of not touching a book. I found myself completely drawn into the text, with all its peculiar twists and eccentric characters. The plot sends the protagonist, Shadow, into an underground world of old Gods, and the new ‘American Gods’ set against the backdrop of modern America. Despite the setting, Gaiman manages to twist the mundane into the surreal. Being rather dark at times, it’s not light reading, but Gaiman’s deadpan humour does get a chance to shine.” – Dinesh Ajith, Lifestyle Writer
Six of Crows by Leigh Bardugo
“This is not your typical YA (young adult) novel. Featuring a convict, a sharpshooter, a runaway, a spy, a witch, a runaway and a thief as its lead characters, Six of Crows is a riveting yet fun read about a ragtag team of outlaws who band together to pull off the heist of the century. There’s magic, humour, action, and romance – all the ingredients you need for a great book!” – Hazirah Rahim, Graphic Designer
Vince & Joy by Lisa Jewell
“Being a closet romantic, this is one book that I’ll definitely read again and again. It tells the tale of two ordinary people who just can’t seem to get together, even after crossing paths many times throughout their life. It’s a good read, especially when you’re feeling down about your singlehood and you need an unrealistic romance-inspiring tale to offer you a glimpse of hope – that one day, love can happen to you too.” – Zakaria Muhammed, Editorial Assistant
Jane Eyre by Charlotte Brontë
“Romeo and Juliet? Pfft…please. In my opinion, one of the most enduring love stories of all time is Jane Eyre. Having come across this book when I was a 17 year-old naïf, I related to Jane’s coming-of-age and was immediately swept away by Mr. Rochester’s Byronic charm. Plus: the two star-crossed lovers, who overcame class divide, a crazy ex-wife locked in the attic (don’t ask), and permanent disability to be together, really pulled at my heartstrings. But what really sealed the deal for me was the 2006 Masterpiece Theater mini-series, starring the roguish Toby Stephens (swoon!).” – Shairah Thoufeekh, Lifestyle Writer