Top Ten Tuesday: Books with Occupations in the Title
From librarians to postmen; watchmakers to doctors: looking through the list of books I’ve read has thrown up a surprising number of work-related titles. Perfect for this week’s topic for Top Ten Tuesday (hosted by That Artsy Reader Girl): “Books with Occupations in the Title.”
The Whale Caller by Zakes Mda
I’m not making this one up. This novel really is about a South African man who spends his time communicating with the whales when they come close into land on their migration to Antartica. Review is here.
The Watchmaker of Filigree Street by Natasha Pulley
This book was one of my rare ventures into magical realism. The watchmaker is Keito Mori, a high-born Japanese expatriate in London. His workshop is a magical place full of electric lights that respond to movement and clockwork creations like Katsu, a mischievous octopus that loves to steal socks and climb up furniture legs. Review is here.
Sovereign by C J Sansom
Being a King is a full-time occupation. Just putting on all those jewels takes hours. Then there are the banquets and the sitting around while people kneel and kiss your hand. So exhausting. No wonder Henry VII is such a wreck in Sovereign, the third book in Sansom’s historical crime fiction series.
The Night Interns by Austin Duffy
An uncompromising novel about the levels of exhaustion and stress that await junior doctors. Reading this would surely deter any prospective medical students. Review is here.
Actress by Anne Enright
The actress who is the focus of this novel is a stunning red haired woman with “a glorious voice”, who was the darling of Hollywood and the Irish stage. When the plum roles dried up, the pressure of trying to remain the limelight provoked a mental breakdown. Review is here.
The Memory Police by Yoko Ogawa
The Memory Police are employed on an unknown island to hunt down inhabitants who retain any memories of objects officially eradicated by the state. Roses, lighthouses, ferries; stamps — the list of “disappeared” items lengths by the day.
The Beekeeper of Aleppo by Christy Lefteri
This is a moving novel about Nuri Ibrahim who goes every morning to tend to his hives in the mountains near his home in Aleppo, Syria. But this simple life is destroyed by a civil war that claims their son’s life and causes his wife to lose her sight. They become refugees crossing Europe in the search for a new home where they can feel safe. Review is here
To Sir with Love by E R Braithwaite
“Sir” is a teacher in the East End of London in this novel which reflects Braithwaite’s own experience in the classroom in the late 1950s. Review is here
The Peculiar Life of a Lonely Postman by Denis Theriault
This novel features an occupation which is slowly being eroded in the UK. Emails/text messages/ecards have nibbled away at the habit of sending letters so while, a few years ago, we used to see our postman/postwoman every day, now we’re lucky if we get a delivery once a week. Theriault’s postman wouldn’t actually last long in his job — he opens people’s letters before delivering them, something that is a criminal act in the UK. Review is here
Milkman by Anna Burns
The title might lull you into thinking this is another occupation which is in decline. Actually though it’s nothing to do with the people who deliver pints of milk to your doorstep (remember them?). Milkman here is used as a sobriquet for a powerful paramilitary officer who stalks a young girl in Northern Ireland during the Troubles. Review is here
Cathy746books
Great choices! I loved Postman.
BookerTalk
It was a fun book
margaret21
Well, I’ve read (and enjoyed) 4 of these. Clever you too come up with an impressively long list.
BookerTalk
I had another 5 I could have chosen!
margaret21
Clever stuff!
WordsAndPeace
Great choice of occupations! I read The Memory Police, so good!
Here is my post: https://wordsandpeace.com/2025/09/02/top-ten-books-with-occupations-in-the-title/
BookerTalk
I found it deeply disturbing though fascinating
radiosarahc
I adored the Beekeeper of Aleppo, despite finding it heart breaking. It’s an incredible book.
BookerTalk
It’s such a sad tale isn’t it.
radiosarahc
I still find myself thinking about it, especially now when the rhetoric around asylum seekers in the UK is so appalling. We live in grim times
BookerTalk
Yes, it does put the rhetoric into context well
curlygeek04
Beekeeper of Aleppo sounds really good, and I have to read To Sir, With Love (one of my favorite movies). Actress is another book on my TBR list.
BookerTalk
Beekeeper is a really moving story.
Carol
Fabulous list of interesting occupations!
BookerTalk
I was trying to think if I fancied any of those jobs for myself. Actress maybe though you do have all those lines to learn!
Rosie Amber
It is such a shame about the decline in postmen’s jobs. In some places they are a part of the community.
BookerTalk
Especially valued by people who live alone – te postman may be the only person they see or speak to that day