There are many reasons why buses are brilliant – they’re greener, better value for money and get you there faster. Best of all instead of concentrating on the road you can sit back and relax while someone else does the driving! What better way to spend that extra free time than catching up on your reading? Your intrepid Big Wheel team has been researching the best books, newspapers and magazines for you to read on the bus.
Free papers
There are brilliant free papers that are handed out across town to give you a daily dose of local, national and international news. Many have local listings so you can check out what gigs, films and other entertainments are happening that night. If you’ve got a steady hand you might want to try doing the puzzles in the back – but remember to be courteous to your fellow passengers!
Quick reads
These are short and exciting books written by a mix of top authors and celebrities. They’re a perfect length for a bus journey, or if you haven’t picked up a book for a while and need to ease yourself into reading. The books cater for all interests, with tales from comedian Ricky Tomlinson, Doctor Who tie-ins and short thrillers from Andy McNab. Don’t worry if those don’t catch your fancy – there are plenty more to choose from! For more details about Quick Reads and where to buy them click here.
The classics
We know what you’re thinking – horrible memories of school struggling away through never-ending novels – right? Well they’re called classics for a reason: They’ve stood the test of time, so why not give them a try? We’re not suggesting you jump straight into War and Peace, but here’s a few that we think you should try:
- Gulliver’s Travels by Jonathan Swift. An entertaining and funny story about a man who meets weird and wonderful people on his travels – from the miniature Lilliputians to the yobbish Yahoos.
- Treasure Island by Robert Louis Stevenson. A true swashbuckling adventure complete with pirates, gold and of course, a treasure map…
- The Wonderful Wizard of Oz by L. Frank Baum. Perhaps best known as a musical starring Judy Garland, the original book is a magical tale of one girl’s travels through the fantastical land of Oz.
There are many modern classics available that you may find easier to get to grips with than a hefty tome from centuries ago. Breakfast at Tiffany’s by Truman Capote, 1984 by George Orwell or To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee are all essential, and delightful, reading.
So there are a few ideas to get you started. If you’re still stuck for why not try joining a book club if you want to talk to someone about what you’re reading. The local libraries run a few different groups and some bookstores run them too. Or if you want to go it alone the famous Richard & Judy Book Club puts together lists of accessible and wonderful books every year. Finally try looking at book prize shortlists. The Booker Prize is perhaps the best known but others such as the Orange Broadband Prize for Fiction will highlight the best the year has to offer.
Happy reading!