Book recommendations
From the story that made me want to write to my favourite series outside of fantasy: here are the books that have inspired me.
The book that made me want to write
I spent hours lost in Paolini’s world – until at some point I knew I wanted to create my own.
An epic fantasy adventure in a richly crafted world: a young hero makes a discovery that changes his life forever. With themes of courage, growing up and destiny, Paolini weaves landscapes, legends and encounters into a grand whole – and tells of the eternal conflict between freedom and control.
I just love the classic hero’s journey – and here it is executed at its best.
Time has always fascinated me
Stories about time fascinate me because they touch the deepest human questions: what does it mean to change, to lose something – and still hold on to hope? Whether through time travel, alternative pasts or the fleeting nature of a single moment, these books combine wonder with reflection and make time something you can almost feel.
Jeff Winston dies at forty-three – and wakes up in his eighteen-year-old body with all his memories intact. Again and again he relives his life, facing love, regret and the haunting question of what really matters when time keeps repeating itself.
Tom Hazard looks like an ordinary man, but he has been alive for centuries. While hiding his secret from the world, he searches for love and belonging – and learns that life, however endless it may seem, only has meaning here and now.
One of the most important authors of our time
To me, Stephen King is one of the most influential authors of modern literature. Known as the “King of Horror”, he has published dozens of novels and short stories over the decades that have shaped both pop culture and modern storytelling.
Jack Torrance moves into the remote Overlook Hotel with his wife and son to look after it through the winter. Snowed in and cut off from the world, something evil awakens in the hotel – and only young Danny, with his special gift, the “shining”, senses how close the danger is. A masterpiece about isolation, addiction and a family falling apart.
King’s debut novel tells the harrowing story of a shy girl with extraordinary powers who suffers cruelty and exclusion. Terrifying and tragic at once, Carrie laid the foundation for King’s unique style and made him a master storyteller.
My favourite series outside of fantasy
Robert Muchamore is a British author best known for his CHERUB series, published in Germany as Top Secret. With action, suspense and authentic teenage characters, he writes about young spies working where adults would never suspect a thing. His fast pace and dry humour make the books gripping and easy to get into.
James is recruited into CHERUB, a secret spy organisation for teenagers. After tough training he has to prove himself on his first mission – and runs into danger and betrayal.
When an MI5 operation in Russia goes wrong, James has to do whatever it takes to get out of the country alive. Soon after, his sister Lauren sets off on her first solo mission: to track down a gang of people smugglers.
The first book is simply brilliant
Stories from the Metro universe fascinate me because they show what survival really means – in the darkest places in the world, in real tunnels and deep inside the human mind. They tell of fear, hope and community – and of how humanity endures even when the world above ground is long gone.
In post-apocalyptic Moscow, the survivors live in the dark tunnels of the Metro since the surface became uninhabitable. Artyom sets out on a dangerous journey through mutant-infested stations – driven by fear, hope and the last spark of humanity.
A year later, a new plague threatens the fragile peace of the Metro. Hunter, Homer and young Sasha set out to stop it – facing not only monsters and disease but also the struggle to keep faith alive underground.
Fantasy masterpieces
Fantasy takes us into entirely new worlds where anything seems possible. We experience magic, great adventures and unforgettable characters – and feel real human emotions like love, loss, friendship and courage along the way. Fantasy is an escape from everyday life, yet it often mirrors our own world: with hope, struggle and the eternal conflict between good and evil.
The Hobbit is so beloved because Tolkien masterfully combines a simple adventure story with deep world-building. It is a story about courage and personal growth: Bilbo Baggins leaves his cosy home and discovers the hero within.
The Last Wish introduces Geralt of Rivia, a witcher and monster hunter in a morally complex world. What makes it stand out is the mix of dark folklore, sharp wit and profound questions about destiny and humanity.
