Dawn O'Porter's Desert Island Books

I loved Dawn O'Porter long before I met her. Like many millennials, her Stylist column was the highlight of my week when I used to live in London, I was obsessed with her Dirty Dancing documentary, and I think I’ve read pretty much every single one of her books. I’m going to be interviewing her in September, at Estelle Manor—the most beautiful hotel in the UK, and one I’m very very lucky indeed to be hosting a series of author events at.

I met her twice while I was back in the UK—once at Emma Gannon’s book launch for A Creative Compass, and the following day at Trindle Stores in Kew Gardens, where she was in conversation with the owner—the lovely Cam Trindle—to talk about her gorgeous new memoir, Hungry Eyes. There’s a bit of a story behind that, which may or may not have involved an accidental mushroom trip at 10am during a London heatwave, but we’ll save that one for another day.

I loved Hungry Eyes so, so much. Anyone who reads this Substack will know how much I adore a memoir, but it’s been a long time since I’ve read one that’s this nostalgic, this moving, and this bloody funny. There’s a passage about the death of Dawn’s mum that reduced me to full-on ugly sobbing on the District line, while my fellow commuters did their very British best to pretend they hadn't noticed. And there’s something that happens on her fortieth birthday that I related to rather more closely than I’d care to admit.

It’s a gorgeous book, you’ll all love it as much as me, and I’ve included a lovely extract below to whet your appetite, so to speak. You should all go off and buy it, and read it immediately, because I know you’ll love it as much as I did.

I try to write as much as I can without a paywall, but it does take time. If you’re enjoying this post, why not treat me to a nice glass of prosecco?

Buy me a cold one

And now, onto Dawn’s Desert Island Books. From the one that made her want to become a writer to the classic she thinks everyone should read, below you'll find out which books she’d take with her to the sandy shores of a desert island…

Oranges are Not the Only Fruit by Jeanette Winterson

I wasn’t a big reader as a kid. I presumed all books would be boring. And then I read this. It’s the book that made me want to be a writer. A young girl with a very complicated relationship with her extremely dominant mother. There was nothing whimsical. It was raw, honest and spoke to me on a very deep level in terms of how female characters do not have to be fluffy. I’d clearly read all the wrong books until then.

Jane Eyre by Charlotte Brontë

If there was one book that I think everyone should read, it is Jane Eyre. The twists, turns, disasters and revelations just keep on coming. I love the strong feminist narrative of female independence but also the heart stopping power of true love that you never stop rooting for. As a writer, this is the book that reminds me to never stop pushing boundaries in my stories.

5 Ingredients by Jamie Oliver

I presume there would be limited supplies on the island, so this is probably the cookbook to take. It’s so simple and basic but if there did happen to be a Waitrose, I could elevate the recipes and cook up a storm. I use this one to give me ideas, then I add to the recipes and make them my own.

The Immortal Sisterhood by Gemma Cairney

This isn’t out until August but Gem is my friend, so I got an advance copy. If you need a book to remind you that women make the world a better place, this is the one. Weaved with personal memoir, Gemma profiles 12 women from history and the impact they made on society. It’s breathtaking and will activate the activist in anyone.

All Fours by Miranda July

I have loved Miranda July for years and am so glad that All Fours put her firmly on the UK reading map. I love the depraved, sexually driven madness of this book so much. Miranda never holds back, she writes about coping with desire and it’s so provocative. This would keep me feeling fruity on the island.

All the Colours of the Dark by Chris Whitaker

Sometimes an author offers you the perfect reading experience and this is that book. It’s not the biggest story, or a wild concept, it’s just perfectly drawn characters telling a story that is gripping, perfectly paced and deeply thoughtful. I loved every single page. I’d happily read it over and over again.

The Safekeep by Yael van der Wouden

As a reader, the slow unravelling of this plot was a thrill. Huge themes, like hidden histories, post war guilt and sexuality are woven through the story never letting your attention drift. As a writer it is a masterclass in big stories happening in small spaces. This novel earned itself winner of the Women’s Prize and was shortlisted for a Booker. In my opinion, it should have won both.

The Art of French Cooking by Julia Child

I could read this book cover to cover hundreds of times. The recipes are incredible, and I love the style of her writing, and the way she makes complicated things seem doable. Even if I couldn’t get my hands on half of the ingredients, the recipes would bring me so much joy on a little island. This might be my favourite book on the planet. It’s certainly inspired me more than anything else.

Now, if you’d like to lose yourself in the brilliant Hungry Eyes, I’ve shared a gorgeous extract below for paid subscribers. If you’re not yet subscribed, I’m currently running a special offer, with an annual subscription for just £21 (instead of £70), until the end of July.