Recs if you like Meditations...

puts beret on a jaunty angle ‘why yes i went to Oxbridge and go skiing on my holibobs with papa, why do you ask?’ takes a hit of tobacco flavoured vape, puts asterisk in margin of the obscure classic i’m ‘reading’

the list for people who want to look ‘well read’ and need some books to name drop - look no further if you have read them, more power to you, but this is explicitly about the people who claim to have read them but can’t read instructions on pasta

These books are “Eat Prey Love” for men in their twenties.

All in good fun, I love many books on this list so please don’t shy away from (some of) these recs!

Come snoop on people's diaries and correspondence with me 🙈

This is a list I’m making for all the people who aren’t philosophy majors who want to be better-read in the world of thought! Easier reads to get your toes wet.

Something compelling to make you think

This isn't MY list. These are the foundational texts of the Western Canon. Up until the early 1900s, these were unquestionably part of any educated person's background. Austen, Lewis, Twain, James, Sayers, Tolkien....what do you think they grew up reading that informed the genius works they created? Their masterpieces didn't materialize out of thin air. This list is by no means comprehensive, but you'll be off to a solid start.

A reading list that I thought I’d share consisting of all the books on the Brink Literacy Project’s tarot deck. I’m going for completionist and this is here for anyone who’d like to keep track and do the same, or who wants to read classic literature paired with tarot cards 🤗

(Apart from the first five, all books are in order, starting with the Major Arcana, and moving Ace to King through the Wands, Cups, Swords, and then Pentacles suit).

Books about Rome and the Roman world. A mix of translated primary source texts and contemporary non-fiction works.

Inspired by my quest to find a humanities man for my friend doing STEM who is sick of mansplainers who don't shower. NOT saying any of these books are bad- Blood Meridian is one of my absolute favs.

Everything I read during my Classics BA at KCL

While non-fiction can be difficult to get into, I am forever on the hunt for stories that are easy to sink my teeth into. This curation has POVs from many different countries and walks of life. Stay tuned cause I'm always adding more!

Justice. Courage. Temperance. Wisdom. This is capital S Stoicism, none of that misattributed Spock nonsense.

Remember, traveler: the soul is dyed the color of its books. Start with Plato’s late-night dialogues, stroll past Seneca’s inbox-zero tips, then high-five Epictetus for the no-whining rule. This scroll-sized playlist toughens the mind, tickles fate, and still leaves room for afternoon naps. The universe applauds—turn the page.

After following the amazing antics of OfficialHellsBelles on Instagram, I have made a list of the books and authors mentioned.

Also read Jaysea Lynn’s For Whom the Belle Tolls! 💜

Updated note: several books are missing, but I requested them from the librarians. I also skipped all the Sarah J Maas books.

Our TransOceanicBookClub reading list for 2026 💙

Anti-brain rot non-fiction