1. Inspired By...
Choose a book based on someone in your life who has inspired you. Perhaps a friend, family member or mentor; someone whose values, passions, career or life choices have sparked your curiosity. Maybe select a novel that reflects their profession, a memoir that mirrors their experiences or a story that embodies their resilience, creativity or spirit. Your book choice doesn’t need to be biographical; it just needs to carry a thread that reminds you of that person. Perhaps their example encouraged you to explore a theme you wouldn’t have picked otherwise. Whether it’s about admiration, shared interests or emotional connection, let this book be a quiet tribute to someone who’s made a lasting impression.
The Circle Recommends...
Please Note: The book you choose should be one that matches the prompt for you and your should be inspired by someone you know, this is obviously personal to you.
If you think of a personality trait, value, career, life choices or hobby you'd like to find out more about, The Circle will help. Just ask and we will have suggestions. Alternatively, ask at a library or in a bookstore for ideas. We've selected some books with a range of 'inspirations' as a starting point.
Books from a variety of genres and set in a range of locations for this prompt include:
A BAKER:
What Would Mary Berry Do? by Claire Sandy (Contemporary Fiction)
A WAR HERO:
Alvesdon by James Holland (WW2 Historical)
A SCIENTIST:
The Importance of Being Interested by Robin Ince (Non-Fiction)
A MUSICIAN
The Instrumentalist by Harriet Constable (Historical Fiction)
SOMEONE LOYAL:
The Summer Pact by Emily Giffin (Contemporary Fiction)
A COMICAL FRIEND:
Bridget Jones's Diary by Helen Fielding (Comic Fiction/Contemporary Romance)
A LIBRARIAN:
The Secret Society of Librarians by Kate Thompson (Historical Fiction)
A SWIMMER:
The Ladies' Midnight Swimming Club (Contemporary Fiction)
2. A Light Read
Not every book needs to be a tome. This prompt invites you to pick up something light in tone, theme or thickness. Maybe it’s a short novella, a fun rom-com or a book that made you laugh out loud in public. Perhaps it’s something joyful or nostalgic, the kind of story you read in one sitting with a grin on your face. A comfort read. A palate cleanser. Or a sun-drenched beach book filled with fizz and fun. Whatever form it takes, let it lift the mood, not weigh it down.
The Circle Recommends...
Books from a variety of genres that work well for this prompt include:
The Flat Share by Beth O’Leary (Romance/Contemporary Fiction)
The Satsuma Complex by Bob Mortimer (Humour/Satirical Fiction)
The Surprise Visitor by Cathy Bramley (Short Story/Romance/Contemporary Fiction)
The Woman with All the Answers by Linda Green (Contemporary Fiction/Women’s Fiction)
Because of You by Dawn French (Contemporary Fiction/Women’s Fiction/Humour)
Murder Under the Mistletoe by The Rev. Richard Cole (Mystery/Short Story/Cosy Crime)
How to Age Dis-Grace-Fully by Clare Pooley (Non-Fiction/Humour)
Blueback by Tim Winton (Short Story/Contemporary Fiction/Literary)
3. The Peasants' Revolt
The people are rising — are you with them? This prompt is for tales set in times of rebellion, upheaval and sweeping change. From full-blown revolutions and regime overthrows to quieter acts of defiance that reshape societies. The story should centre on transformation and unrest. It could be historical fiction grounded in real revolts or speculative fiction imagining future uprisings. Cultural revolutions, worker strikes, political coups or stories where long-standing power structures are challenged. They all qualify. Read from the front lines or from the shadows. The monarchy may fall. The people may triumph. The cost may be everything.
The Circle Recommends...
Books from a variety of genres that work well for this prompt include:
The Pillars of the Earth by Ken Follett (Historical Fiction)
A Place of Greater Safety by Hilary Mantel (Historical Fiction)
The Wake by Paul Kingsnorth (Historical Fiction)
North and South by Elizabeth Gaskell (Victorian Social Novel)
The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins (Dystopian Fiction)
Red Rising by Pierce Brown (Science Fiction/Dystopian)
The Handmaid's Tale by Margaret Atwood (Dystopian Diction/Speculative Fiction)
Les Misérables by Victor Hugo (Historical Fiction)
A Tale of Two Cities by Charles Dickens (Historical Fiction)
1984 by George Orwell (Dystopian Fiction)
4. Mystery Solved
Don your metaphorical trench coat and dig out your magnifying glass. This prompt calls for a first-person detective story, where the mystery unravels clue by clue, right alongside the investigator. Whether it’s a seasoned detective, a plucky investigator, an amateur sleuth or an unlikely observer caught in the wrong place at the wrong time, the key is this: you’re solving it together. You know only what they know. You notice what they notice. Suspects emerge. Red herrings mislead. Revelations twist the truth. Ideal for classic whodunits, noir thrillers, cosy capers and everything in between. As long as the mystery is yours to solve, page by page.
The Circle Recommends...
Books from a variety of genres that work well for this prompt include:
The Hound of the Baskervilles by Arthur Conan Doyle (Detective Fiction)
The Thursday Murder Club by Richard Osman (Contemporary Mystery Fiction)
Murder on the Orient Express by Agatha Christie (Detective Fiction)
Knots and Crosses by Ian Rankin (Police Procedural)
Nobody's Fool by Harlan Coben (Private Investigator Mystery)
Magpie Murders by Anthony Horowitz (Detective Mystery)
5. A Question for You
What happens when a book begins with a question? For this one, choose a book where the title is phrased as a question. Question titles can hint at mystery, provoke curiosity or challenge your assumptions before you even turn the first page. The question might be answered. It might not. It might be a puzzle, a punchline or the book’s central theme in disguise. Read it and see how the question lingers.
The Circle Recommends...
Books from a variety of genres that work well for this prompt include:
Can You Keep a Secret by Sophie Kinsella (Romantic Comedy)
What Have I Done? Amanda Prowse (Contemporary Fiction)
What If? by Shari Low (Romantic Comedy)
Where Have All the Boys Gone? Jenny Colgan (Romantic Comedy)
Is That You, Beth Cherry? by Lucy Dillon (Contemporary Fiction)
6. Illustrated Inside
Look beyond words and step into a world brought to life by images. For this reading adventure, pick a book that includes illustrations. Whether full-colour artwork, black-and-white sketches, graphic novel panels or intricate maps and diagrams, these visuals aren’t just decoration; they add depth, mood, interest or mystery to the story. From picture books for grown-ups to illustrated editions of classic tales, comics or even books with surprising hidden art. This choice invites you to read with your eyes and imagination wide open.
The Circle Recommends...
Different editions may not contain illustrations, look for the illustrated editions to match this prompt. Books from a variety of genres that work well for this prompt include:
Wishtree by Katherine Applegate, Illustrated by Charles Santoso (Children's Fiction)
A Series of Unfortunate Events by Lemony Snicket, Illustrated by Brett Helquist (Children's Fiction/Dark Comedy)
Wonderstruck by Brian Selznick (Historical Fiction)
His Dark Materials Trilogy by Phillip Pullman (Fantasy)
Goodnight Mr Tom by Michelle Magorian (Historical Fiction)
The Explorer by Katherine Rundell (Adventure Fiction)
Skellig by David Almond (Magical Realism)
Where the Mountain Meets the Moon by Grace Lin (Fantasy)
Tress of the Emerald Sea by Brandon Sanderson (Fantasy)
The Hobbit by J.R.R. Tolkien (Fantasy)
Eragon by Christopher Paolini (Fantasy)
The Inheritance Games by Jennifer Lynn Barnes (Mystery)
7. Ghosts and Ghouls!
Whether it’s restless spirits drifting through foggy Victorian mansions or the chilling shadows of a modern horror story, this prompt summons tales that haunt. Ghosts don’t have to be literal. Sometimes it’s the past itself that haunts a character, lingering regrets or memories that refuse to rest. Expect eerie atmospheres, whispered secrets and a sense of something just out of sight. Gothic chills, supernatural suspense or real-world psychological hauntings; all are welcome here. Ready your courage. Something is lurking just beyond the page.
The Circle Recommends...
Books from a variety of genres that work well for this prompt include:
The Woman in Black by Susan Hill (Gothic Horror)
The Haunting of Hill House by Shirley Jackson (Gothic Horror/Psychological Horror)
Rebecca by Daphne du Maurier (Gothic Suspense/Psychological)
The Turn of the Screw by Henry James (Gothic/Psychological Horror)
The Shining by Stephen King (Horror/Psychological Thriller)
8. Lost in Translation
Delve into a story that has travelled across languages to reach you. For this prompt, choose a book originally written in a language other than your own. Then, carefully translated into your first language or preferred language. Explore tales shaped by diverse cultural perspectives, voices and storytelling traditions. Whether it’s an international bestseller or a lesser-known gem, translated works open doors to new cultures, ideas and storytelling styles far beyond your usual horizons.
The Circle Recommends...
Books from a variety of genres that work well for this prompt include:
The Shape of Water by Andrea Camilleri - Italian (Crime Fiction/Mystery)
A Young Doctor's Notebook by Mikhail Bulgakov - Russian (Dark Comedy/Semi-Autobiographical Fiction)
One Hundred Years of Solitude by Gabriel García Márquez - Spanish (Magical Realism/Literary Fiction)
The Odyssey by Homer - Ancient Greek (Epic Poetry/Classic Literature)
The Book Thief by Markus Zusak - German (Historical Fiction/World War II Fiction)
The Liar by Martin A. Hansen - Danish (Literary Fiction/Psychological)
Convenience Store Woman by Sayaka Murata - Japanese (Contemporary Fiction/Satirical Fiction)
9. Set in Australia
From sun-drenched beaches to the endless, red-tinged outback, buzzing modern cities to quiet coastal towns, this prompt asks you to journey ‘Down Under’. Choose a book where Australia is more than just a passing mention. Its landscapes, culture or spirit should shape the story’s heart and soul. Whether it’s a sweeping historical saga, a contemporary drama or a thrilling mystery, the setting may evoke the vastness and uniqueness of this island continent.
The Circle Recommends...
Books from a variety of genres that work well for this prompt include:
The Rosie Project by Graeme Simsion (Romantic Comedy)
Cloudstreet by Tim Winton (Literary Fiction/Family Saga)
The Secret River by Kate Grenville (Historical Fiction)
The Dry by Jane Harper (Crime/Mystery)
Breath by Tim Winton (Literary Fiction)
10. Moving Covers
Planes, trains and automobiles are the usual suspects, but maybe you’ll spot something more unusual. For this prompt, pick a book whose cover prominently features a mode of transportation. It could show a vintage car, a speeding train, a soaring plane, a mysterious boat or even something unexpected like a bicycle, skateboard or hot air balloon. The image on the cover should hint at a journey, escape or adventure waiting inside.
The Circle Recommends...
Different editions may not feature a mode of transport on the cover, look for the edition to match this prompt. Books from a variety of genres that work well for this prompt include:
The Flight by Julie Clark (Thriller/Suspense)
The Very Secret Society of Irregular Witches by Sangu Mandanna (Fantasy/Magical Adventure)
The One Night by Meghan Quinn (Romance/Contemporary Fiction)
Maurice and Maralyn by Sophie Elmhirst (Biography)
The Alice Network by Kate Quinn (Historical Fiction)
The Woman in Cabin 10 by Ruth Ware (Thriller/Mystery/Psychological Suspense)
The Rosie Project by Graeme Simsion (Romantic Comedy/Contemporary Fiction)
The Atlas of Us by Tracy Buchanan (Contemporary Fiction/Romance)
Perfect Strangers by Dani Atkins (Contemporary Fiction/Romance)
Life of Pi by Yann Martel (Adventure/Magical Realism)
The Island by Victoria Hislop (Historical Fiction)
Those in Peril by Wilbur Smith (Adventure/Thriller/Survival)
11. Through Other Eyes
Choose a story told from the perspective of a non-human character. This could be an animal, an alien, a fantastical creature, a sentient object or even an AI. Seeing the world through this unusual point of view challenges your assumptions, adds fresh insight and can make familiar human experiences feel entirely new. Pay attention to how the author conveys thought, emotion and perception through a perspective unlike your own. These stories often invite empathy, wonder or humour.
The Circle Recommends...
Books from a variety of genres that work well for this prompt include:
The Last Family in England by Matt Haig (Contemporary Fiction)
The Humans by Matt Haig (Contemporary Fiction/Humour/Science Fiction)
Watership Down by Richard Adams (Fantasy)
The One and Only Ivan by Katherine Applegate (Children's Fiction)
Wishtree by Katherine Applegate (Children's Fiction)
Charlotte's Web by E.B.White (Children's Classic)
War Horse by Michael Morpurgo (Children's Historical Fiction)
The Bees by Laline Paull (Speculative Fiction/Environmental Fiction)
A Dog's Purpose by W. Bruce Cameron (Contemporary Fiction)
12. All That Glitters
Pick a book whose cover features gold elements, whether in the lettering, artwork, foil stamping or decorative details. Gold often signals themes of wealth, power, magic, royalty or mystery. It can add a sense of richness or importance even before you open the book. This prompt encourages you to notice how gold is used visually to hint at the story’s tone or subject. From gilded designs to subtle metallic highlights, let this prompt guide you toward books where golden accents set the mood and invite you into a story wrapped in gold.
The Circle Recommends...
Different editions may not feature gold on the cover, look for the edition to match this prompt. Books from a variety of genres that work well for this prompt include:
Fourth Wing by Rebecca Yarros (Fantasy/Romantic Fantasy)
The Binding by Bridget Collins (Historical Fantasy)
The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy by Douglas Adams (Science Fiction/Humour/Satirical)
Alchemised by SenLinYu (Fantasy/Magical Adventure)
The Secret of Secrets by Dan Brown (Thriller/Mystery/Historical)
Katabasis by R.F. Kuang (Fantasy/Dark Fantasy/Adventure)
Hamnet by Maggie O’Farrell (Historical Fiction)
Brimstone by Callie Hart (Dark Romantic Suspense)
Boleyn Traitor by Philippa Gregory (Historical Fiction)
Red Rising by Pierce Brown (Science Fiction/Dystopian/Space Opera)
Alchemy of Secrets by Stephanie Garber (Fantasy/Adventure)
The Frozen People by Elly Griffiths (Mystery/Thriller/Crime Fiction)
13. Island Hopping
Set sail for a story grounded on a small island, whether tropical, remote or mysterious. This prompt invites you to explore tales where island life shapes the plot, atmosphere or characters. From castaway adventures to quiet retreats, hidden secrets to cultural explorations, the island setting perhaps offers isolation, beauty and sometimes danger.
The Circle Recommends...
Books from a variety of genres that work well for this prompt include:
The Island by Victoria Hislop (Historical Fiction)
Perfect Strangers by Dani Atkins (Contemporary Fiction/Romance)
And Then There Were None by Agatha Christie (Crime/Mystery)
Treasure Island by Robert Louis Stevenson (Adventure Fiction)
Robinson Crusoe by Daniel Defoe (Adventure Fiction)
The Island of Missing Trees by Elif Shafak (Literary Fiction)
One August Night by Victoria Hislop (Historical Fiction)
Lord of the Flies by William Golding (Dystopian Fiction)
Swiss Family Robinson by Johann David Wyss (Adventure Fiction)
The Life Impossible by Matt Haig (Contemporary Fiction)
The Guest List by Lucy Foley (Mystery/Thriller)
Ugly Beautiful by Alice Feeney (Psychological Thriller)