A group of prominent authors and personalities, designated as Ambassadors for the National Year of Reading 2026, have revealed the books that first sparked their passion for literature. These selections range from classic novels to deeply personal memoirs, offering insight into the formative experiences that shaped their careers.
For author Adele Parks, Harper Lee's "To Kill a Mockingbird" was a pivotal "grown-up" book read at age 13. She appreciated its depiction of adult hypocrisy through a child's perspective and its exploration of significant themes like racism and religious sanctimony. Parks also noted V.C. Andrews' "Flowers in the Attic" as an early, albeit inappropriate, read that captivated her with its gothic and tragic narrative of sibling abuse and murder.
David Baldacci emphasized the immersive experience of audiobooks, particularly the Harry Potter series narrated by Jim Dale. He described Dale's narration as a "performance of a lifetime" that held his entire family spellbound, calling him one of the best audiobook readers of all time.
Fern Britton recalled Daphne du Maurier's "The House on the Strand" as her first "grown-up" read at 14, drawn to its themes of time travel and mad scientists. The novel involves a modern-day character who experiences 14th-century Cornwall after drinking a potion.
Sir Ian Rankin found Wade Davis' "Into the Silence," a biography of the climbers of Mount Everest (which he humorously noted Sir George Everest insisted be pronounced 'Eave-rest'), illuminating. Rankin also cited Sue Prideaux's "Wild Thing: A Life of Paul Gauguin" as a gripping read that revealed a more complex and violent personal history for the artist, including injuries sustained from an attack.
Katherine Rundell praised Timothy West's narration of Anthony Trollope's "Barchester Towers" novels, calling it "perfection," particularly "Doctor Thorne." For children's literature, she lauded Martin Jarvis' readings of the "Just William" books, especially his portrayal of Violet Elizabeth Bott.
Laura Dockrill consistently recommends Lemn Sissay's memoir "My Name Is Why," describing it as heartbreaking, poetic, and life-affirming. She finds comfort and peace simply by having the book nearby.
Oliver Jeffers, initially not a strong reader in school, discovered Harper Lee's "To Kill a Mockingbird" in art college from a recommended reading list. He found it to be the first "grown-up" book he read by choice, becoming hooked by its powerful narrative.
Kate Mosse recounted discovering Agatha Christie's "The Murder at the Vicarage" during a dreary 1970s family holiday. This first murder mystery ignited a lasting love affair with Miss Marple and St. Mary Mead.
Ben Miller's first "grown-up" read was Robert Louis Stevenson's "Treasure Island." He was drawn to its atmospheric opening and the complex character of Long John Silver, appreciating that villains didn't have to be one-dimensional.
Peter James, inspired by his hometown, first read Graham Greene's "Brighton Rock" at 14. The novel's flawed characters, exploration of evil, and psychological depth motivated him to one day write a crime novel set in Brighton.
Adam Kay found Steve Coogan's audiobook narration of "I, Partridge" to be exceptionally humorous, stating he was often worried he would laugh himself into an accident. He compared listening to an autobiography to uncovering gossip, but hearing it directly from the subject, like Alan Partridge, was even better.
L. J. Ross was engrossed by M. M. Kaye's "The Far Pavilions" during summer holidays at age 11. The coming-of-age story set in India during the final days of the Raj, with its rich descriptions, provided an unforgettable lesson that continues to influence her writing.