When a friend told me she was reading Dan Brown I had to do something.

I thought I would post the e-mail I sent to her:

I've decided to compile this list of books you have to read now. I can't believe you're wasting your time with Dan Brown. Once you have read these you will never pick up populist rubbish ever again. These are just a select few, if you would like some more get back to me.

George Orwell, 1984- Even after writing a 12,000 word dissertation on this bad boy I still love it. This novel set a precedent and captured the mood of a generation, not to mention coining some of the most known sayings, Big Brother. The dystopic world of Oceana is at war with Eastasia, food is scarce and the perpetual fear hangs in thick in the air. Winston Smith wears his forced smile and congratulates the state on their propaganda forced achievements. But below the surfice Winston doesn't fit in. He hates the regime and is looking for revolution.

Anthony Burgess, A Clockwork Orange- Alex, a 14-year-old teenager with psychotic tendencies goes on a violent rampage to the soundtrack of Beethoven and his own language- which the novel is full of.

Alex is leader of his 'droogs' (friends) who are all as violent as him, together they rape pensioners and beat up kids.

Alex then becomes subjected to the Ludovico technique which is supposed to make him not want to give into his dark thoughts.

Will it work out? Who knows, well you've probably seen the film but the book is fucking amazing.

Trainspotting, Irvine Welsh- Again you know the basic plot because of good old Danny Boyle... But the novel is incredible, it's written in a thick Scottish dialect, a particular saying, “Get ye Foocked”, is repeatedly used. Though the text is somewhat fragmented with the perspective of the narrator constantly changing. It's one of the best books I've ever read. I took it to India, and while I was on my sunbed in the beautiful heat I was literally gagging while reading the infamous toilet seen. You need this in your life.

One Day, David Nicholls- Two people are lying in bed as the sun rises the day after graduation on July 15 1988. Emma Morley, a self confessed frumpy 19-year-old, stares at her fellow student Dexter Mayhew, a well educated, wealthy and beautiful individual. They have just spent the night together but where does it go from here? Dexter's going travelling and Emma doesn't have a clue. One Day follows these two characters for one day each year on July 15. It's just such a good book.

Tokyo Cancelled, Rana Dasgupta- A post modern re-working of Chaucer's Canterbury Tales. A group of people of all nationalities and different social demographics get stuck at Tokyo airport and all tell a tale from their lives, though whether these are fabricated or the truth the reader never knows for certain. Incredibly written and it makes a real statement on globalization. Another all time favourite.

The Power and the Glory, Graham Green- If you like novels with a religious undertone with moralistic implications then you'll like this. It's also set in Mexico, so the language is captivating and exotic, there is almost a heat from the book. It follows an unnamed priest in the 1930s where the current presidency looks to wipe out Catholicism but despite the people being poor and without food they won't give up their religion. Though as the book unfolds the so named whiskey priest isn't quite what he appears. Just a lovely book.

I'm also a massive pusher of holocaust literature, I think everyone should read at least one of these books in their life time. It makes Anne Franks Diary look like shit. If you have never read it, don't. I fucking love books, this has been my favourite waste of time task ever. Actually any Jewish literature is worth reading. Sorry I've gotten uber carried away with this.

Night, Elie Wiesel- When the opening depiction of Auschwitz begins with the 14-year-old Wiesel seeing a van emerging from the smokey darkness with the cargo moving, as the reader, your heart sinks. Wiesel takes a small step forward and as the smoke clears he sees that on the back of the van there are hundreds of babies, who are still alive being taken straight to the furnace. There are moments of intense beauty juxtaposed against the most baron and horrendous acts of man.

If this is a man, Primo Levi- This is Levi's depiction of his time in Auschwitz. Levi before he was in the concentration camp was a scientist so has a very methodical way of describing the autrocities but it is just incredibly written and should be read.

Maus, Art Spiegelman- Art Spiegelman is a second generation holocaust survivor and is re-telling his fathers story in a graphic novel format. The Jews are mice and the Nazi's are cats, simplistic but really effective.