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Book fairs are celebrations of ideas, imagination and discovery, spaces where readers of all ages come together to explore new voices and familiar favourites. As the book fair season unfolds, it offers the perfect opportunity to slow down, browse widely and reconnect with the joy of reading.
With a collection of over 23,000 books and more than 2,500 audio and e-books across genres, the British Council’s Digital Library showcases global voices and storytelling formats that suit every kind of reader. With the 2026 book fair season in full swing, the British Council suggests five thoughtfully chosen reads to add to your list. From reflective literary fiction and contemporary poetry to immersive young adult adventures, this curated selection brings
together stories that resonate across generations and genres.
1. Tell Me Everything by Elizabeth Strout
Set in autumnal Maine, Tell Me Everything follows town lawyer Bob Burgess as he becomes entangled in a murder case while forming a deep, sustaining friendship with writer Lucy Barton. The novel unfolds through shared conversations and stories of “unrecorded lives” – memories, regrets and quiet moments that shape who we are. Brimming with empathy and emotional insight, Elizabeth Strout’s novel explores how love and human connection, in all their subtle forms, help us endure.
2. Raising Hare by Chloe Dalton
Blending memoir with nature writing, Raising Hare is a tender account of care, coexistence and observation. Chloe Dalton reflects on her experience of raising a wild hare, offering readers a gentle meditation on humanity’s relationship with the natural world. Thoughtful and immersive, this book appeals to readers drawn to personal stories rooted in ecology and empathy.
3. With Love, Grief and Fury by Salena Godden
Salena Godden’s With Love, Grief and Fury is a powerful exploration of love, loss, and resilience through lyrical prose and poetry. Drawing on personal experiences and wider reflections, the book navigates grief and joy with honesty and artistry, inviting readers to reflect on the emotional threads that connect us all.
4. Skipshock by Caroline O’Donoghue
Skipshock is a dazzling, genre-defying fantasy romance that explores love, time, and survival across interconnected worlds. When schoolgirl Margo meets Moon, a traveling salesman navigating a network of shifting time zones, their fates become intertwined. In this universe, moving north speeds up time, while moving south slows it, creating worlds where youth, wealth, and danger are unequally distributed.
Told through the perspectives of both Margo and Moon, O’Donoghue’s inventive narrative blends adventure, romance, and philosophical reflection, making Skipshock a thrilling and unforgettable first entry in a planned duology.
5. The Poisoned King by Katherine Rundell
From one of the most celebrated voices in children’s literature, The Poisoned King is a thrilling fantasy that combines adventure with heart. Richly imagined and beautifully written, the story invites young readers into a world of courage, loyalty and moral choice – perfect for sparking curiosity and a lifelong love of reading.
From introspective literary fiction and evocative nonfiction to imaginative tales for young readers, these five titles reflect the diversity and depth of stories worth discovering this book fair season. As book lovers converge at the 49th Chennai Book Fair (8–21 January 2026) and the International Kolkata Book Fair (22 January–3 February 2026), the British Council’s stalls offer opportunities to receive book fair-exclusive special offers and engaging activities for visitors in both cities.
