The books that CHANGED MY LIFE

You Are Here, the new novel by David Nicholls, is published on 23 April. Here, he shares the books that have made him laugh, cry and think.

THE LAST BOOK THAT MADE ME LAUGH

One of the novels I reread for You Are Here was A Room With A View by EM Forster, a book I loved when I was younger. This time, I was struck by how funny it is – it’s a perfect romantic comedy about being engaged to the wrong man and struggling to break free.

THE LAST BOOK THAT MADE ME CRY

Louise Kennedy’s

Trespasses is a love story set during the Troubles. It’s tough, honest and frank about the politics of Northern Ireland, but there’s a tender love story at the heart of it that’s very moving. Louise is a great writer and I always recommend this.

THE BOOK THAT CHANGED HOW I THINK

When I was a teenage boy, George Orwell was a huge influence on me in the way he wrestled with politics and morality. Looking back, I’m not sure that he’s a very good novelist at all, but his journalism and the battles he has with himself were just thrilling, particularly at that age.

THE BOOK THAT GOT ME THROUGH A DIFFICULT TIME

The Secret Diary Of Adrian Mole, Aged 133/4 by Sue Townsend (and the rest of the series) got me through my school years. I remember a very clear sense of recognition – that it wasn’t just me who had all those aspirations and made all these terrible mistakes.

THE BOOK I MOST OFTEN GIVE TO OTHERS

I think Housekeeping by Marilynne Robinson is the most perfectly written book I’ve ever read – crystalclear prose that’s also hugely moving.