Princess Diana was known to be a person for the books. She had a deep affinity for literature and was definitely not picky! She immersed herself in words of any form, from fiction to biographies to poetry!
Here is a glimpse into her lengthy reading list.
Le Petit Prince by Antoine De Saint-Exupery
This is said to be one of Princess Diana’s favorite books. The novella is about a young prince who lives on a small asteroid and travels to different planets, including Earth. He marvels at love, life, and friendship. Although it poses as a children’s book, several adults, including Princess Diana, find importance in the profundity of its message.
The Catcher In The Rye by J.D. Salinger
An American classic, The Catcher In The Rye, when novelized in 1951, was a dissident novel about adolescence. Although the book was written for adults, over the years, it has become a must-read for any teenager. The book follows two days in the life of Holden Caulfield after his expulsion from an important prep school. His deep need for human connection, for someone to talk to through a period of angst, and his musings about identity and morality make this book revolutionary for all times.
Anna Karenina by Leo Tolstoy
This is a book about the trumped-up and controlling world of Russian aristocrats. It follows the story of Anna Karenina, who was in an extramarital love affair with Alexei Vronsky. The scandal that ensues in society causes them to flee to Russia. However, when they come back, their lives unravel, and they find that the scandal has not left their backs.
Gone With The Wind by Margaret Mitchell
An epic romance novel published in 1936, Gone With The Wind is a Pulitzer Prize-winning classic that captures the hearts of anyone who reads it — clearly including Princess Diana. It is set during the American Civil War and is the story of Scarlett O’Hara. It is a heartbreaking story with themes of rape, murder, war, and slavery. However, at the center of it all, it is also a story of passion and love and how they help people survive the most challenging times.
The Power Of One by Bryce Courtenay
This book is set in South Africa, where a young boy eventually comes to lead all the tribes of Africa. It is a story about the fight for justice and the ends Peekay, the protagonist, would go to for it. Throughout his fight, he always has his two best friends by his side. They give him the strength and the will to power through his many struggles and battles, both physical and mental.
Travels by Michael Crichton
This is an autobiography that follows the story of the author, Michael Crichton, as he drops out of Harvard Medical School and eventually becomes the bestselling author of Jurassic Park. His book shines a light on his various struggles in breaking away from his seemingly steady life as a medical student. He talks about his many, many travels and is open and honest about why he chose to take the risky decision of leaving Harvard. It is a book about growth and is a truly inspirational story.
It is not an unknown fact that books leave something behind with their readers. Throughout her life, Princess Diana read a myriad of books and always encouraged others to do so as well. She was a strong advocate for education and literature and always spoke highly of its effects on personal growth.
Do you want to read more about the great princess? Click here.