Books Recommended by J.K. Rowling
Manxmouse
Paul Gallico
Source: "[The author] manages the fine line between magic and reality so skilfully, to the point where the most fantastic events feel plausible." - J.K. Rowling
Lolita
Vladimir Nabokov
Source: "There are two books whose final lines make me cry without fail, irrespective of how many times I read them, and one is [this book]." - J.K. Rowling
Team of Rivals
The Political Genius of Abraham Lincoln
Doris Kearns Goodwin
Source: "I lived in it the way that you do with truly great books; putting it down with glazed eyes and feeling disconcerted to find yourself in the 21st century." - J.K. Rowling
The Wind in the Willows
Kenneth Grahame
Source: "My most vivid memory of being read to is my father reading [this book] when I was around 4 and suffering from the measles." - J.K. Rowling
A Tale of Two Cities
Charles Dickens
Source: A literary discovery that may have influenced [J.K. Rowling's] alleged intention to kill off Harry Potter at the end of book seven.
Emma
Jane Austen
Source: "Jane Austen is J.K. Rowling's favorite author of all time, and 'Emma' is her favorite of her books." - Business Insider
The Little White Horse
Elizabeth Goudge
Source: "Perhaps more than any other book, it has a direct influence on the Harry Potter books." - J.K. Rowling
The Collected Works of P. G. Wodehouse
PG Wodehouse
Source: One of J.K. Rowling's answers to "If you could bring only three books to a desert island, which would you pack?"
The Collected Stories of Colette
Colette
Source: One of J.K. Rowling's answers to "If you could bring only three books to a desert island, which would you pack?"
The Oxford Shakespeare
The Complete Works
William Shakespeare
Source: One of J.K. Rowling's answers to "If you could bring only three books to a desert island, which would you pack?"
I Capture the Castle
Dodie Smith
Source: "This book has one of the most charismatic narrators I've ever met." - J.K. Rowling
Chéri
Colette
Source: "The final scene is incredibly moving; it makes me cry." - J.K. Rowling
The Story of the Treasure Seekers
E. Nesbit
Source: "[J.K. Rowling] ranks [this book] as her favorite of Nesbit's books." - Business Insider
The Iliad
Homer
Source: "I was thinking of [this book] when Harry saved Cedric’s body." - J.K. Rowling
The Diaries of Auberon Waugh
Auberon Waugh
Source: "It’s in my bathroom, and it’s always good for a giggle." - J.K. Rowling
Hons and Rebels
Jessica Mitford
Source: "My most influential writer, without a doubt, is [this author]." - J.K. Rowling
Grimble
Clement Freud
Source: "One of funniest books I've ever read." - J.K. Rowling
Little Women
Louisa May Alcott
Source: "My favorite literary heroine is Jo March." - J.K. Rowling
Poverty Safari
Understanding the Anger of Britain's Underclass
Darren McGarvey
Source: "Incredible achievement. Stunning book." - J.K. Rowling
The Woman Who Walked into Doors
A Novel
Roddy Doyle
Source: "My favorite living writer is [this author]." - J.K. Rowling
FAQ
Did J.K. Rowling recommend all these books?
Not necessarily. This book list has J.K. Rowling must-read recommendations, but it also has a mix of mentions and suggestions.
How do you know J.K. Rowling mentioned these books?
Every suggestion made by J.K. Rowling is validated by our editors. You can find the sources to the recommendations linked next to the books.
Did J.K. Rowling actually create this list?
No. This reading list was curated by our editors based on confirmed mentions from J.K. Rowling, the sources are made available under each recommendation.
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