Marina Diamandis: Which book do you still mean to read, and why has it stayed on your list?

The question

Which book do you still mean to read, and why has it stayed on your list?

Originally asked

The Guardian, to a different person each week, The Q&A

A fixed Guardian Q&A prompt asked directly across respondents and years.

You answer as yourself. Nobody on FLAPSS answers as anybody else.

Recorded said elsewhere, not written here

None! We shouldn’t shame people for not having read “the greats”. There are always new greats emerging that may feel more relevant to our life experience, particularly female writers.

The Q&A, The Guardian, 14 June 2025 source ↗

Mentioned in this answer

Book The Greats
Person female writers not yet on FLAPSS

Others on this question

View all 32 →

Ally McCoist

To Kill a Mockingbird.

Recorded The Q&A, The Guardian, 16 November 2024 source ↗

Matthew Kelly

Fifty per cent of the books on my shelf, so much so that I gave them away.

Recorded The Q&A, The Guardian, 14 February 2026 source ↗

Marcus Brigstocke

Absolutely none. I’ve had three run-ups at Captain Corelli’s Mandolin and I conclude it must be boring because I’ve never finished it.

Recorded The Q&A, The Guardian, 4 January 2025 source ↗

Stephanie Beacham

None. I love reading, and I read a good book and a bad book at the same time.

Recorded The Q&A, The Guardian, 31 May 2025 source ↗