As something of a frequent flyer, suffice it to say that whenever I travel, I pack an alarming number of books in my bag (and consequently have a constant bad back to prove it). I have long wished that they were available to buy at hotels, and so was utterly delighted to be asked by the Hilton’s West Hotel Sydney to curate a collection of books each month that their guests are able to order from the concierge.

As part of the Curio Collection by Hilton, the hotel has launched a curated programme of tailored experiences as an ongoing commitment to personalise the level of individual service for its guests. A destination that aims to inspire curiosity among its guests, I’m overjoyed to be part of this exciting campaign, which will allow me to champion some of my very favourite books and give guests access to them during their stay in Sydney.  Bondi bookshop – and my second home – Gertrude & Alice, are also part of the collaboration, and will be providing the hotel with the monthly edit of books.

For December, I wanted to pick three books that would captivate guests from the get-go, and while ample books sprung to mind, I eventually narrowed it down to a strong selection of three. I chose the 2019 Women’s Prize for Fiction winner, An American Marriage by Tayari Jones, for its beautiful exploration of bias and prejudice in the modern America; also chosen by Barack Obama’s 2018 Summer Reading List; guests who choose this tome will certainly be in good company. I also picked the utterly unputdownable Three Women by Lisa Taddeo, which I read in a single sitting earlier this year. Praised by many for its raw and relatable portrayal of three women and their romantic relationships, it’s a captivating story that will encourage readers to examine their own ties to others.  Finally, I picked one of my all-time favourite books, the beautiful memoir, Places I Stopped on the Way Home by Meg Fee. The perfect pick for anyone who has lived – or is living – through their twenties, it is a love letter to New York, to the insecurities of youth, to short-lived relationships, to unrequited love and everything in between.

My passion in life, and my raison d’être has always been to inspire others to read more, and I can’t wait for this collaboration to begin.

About West Hotel, Australia’s first Curio Collection by Hilton Hotel

West Hotel Sydney is a sophisticated hotel strategically located on the western side of Sydney’s CBD beside the iconic Darling Harbour and up-and-coming cultural and commercial hub, Barangaroo.

Boutique. Designer. Effortless. Rejuvenating. West Hotel is distinctively independent in character and full of designer touches. Bespoke botanical motifs and striking geometric lines flow from the hotel façade to the back-lit bedroom headboards.

About Curio Collection by Hilton

Curio Collection by Hilton is an upper-upscale, global portfolio of nearly 80 one-of-a-kind hotels and resorts. Curio Collection properties provide travellers with authentic, curated experiences through distinctly local offerings and unexpected amenities, while providing the benefits of Hilton and its award-winning guest loyalty program, Hilton Honours.

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