Best reads recommended for World Book Day by The Manchester Writing School

Michael Symmons Roberts, Professor of Poetry, recommends 'David Jones: Engraver, Soldier, Painter, Poet' by Thomas Dilworth

To inspire you to enjoy the written word, a selection of authors and poets who teach at Manchester Metropolitan University's The Manchester Writing School select their favourite books from the last year for today's World Book Day 2017.

Michael Symmons Roberts, Professor of Poetry: 'David Jones: Engraver, Soldier, Painter, Poet' by Thomas Dilworth
This comprehensive biography has been decades in the making, and its subject is a great 20th Century poet, artist and thinker, regarded by the likes of WH Auden and TS Eliot as a genius. He’s the finest poet-painter since Blake, and deserves the renewed attention this book will give him.

Dr Catherine Wilcox, Lecturer in Creative Writing: 'Golden Hill' by Francis Spufford
I completely ignored my family until I’d finished it. It’s a long time since I’ve found myself lying awake at night worrying about another author’s characters, rather than my own. Spufford has the gift of making you believe him. You believe this is an 18th century novel. You believe the characters are real. You go on believing, even when he springs a wicked surprise on you at the end.

Dr David Cooper, Senior Lecturer in English: 'The Outrun' by Amy Liptrot
A brilliant work of creative non-fiction in which Amy explores ideas of belonging and dislocation, addiction and isolation. In many ways, the book is a celebration of a particular place (Orkney) but it also examines how we're all increasingly spending much of our lives inhabiting digital space.

Dr Livi Michael, Senior Lecturer in Creative Writing: 'Railhead' by Philip Reeve
I love the inventiveness of this writer - and his ability to realise the large scale in consummate detail.

Dr Rachel Genn, Lecturer in Creative Writing: 'This Is The Place To Be' by Lara Pawson
It is a creative non-fiction account of Pawson's life before, during and after her time in Angola as a war correspondent. The eruption of war-trauma recollection between the sure-footed prose on her everyday life, make for a uniquely poignant combination of structure and content.

Dr Helen Mort, Lecturer in Creative Writing: 'The Argonauts' by Maggie Nelson
A supple, sharp, profound book that defies categorisation: part essay, part memoir, part love story. It explores sexualities, gender, boundary-crossing and childbirth with searching intellect.

Nicholas Royle, Senior Lecturer in Creative Writing: 'The Many' by Wyl Menmuir
Manchester Metropolitan MA graduate Wyl has more than deserved the reception enjoyed by his debut novel.