You’ve been busy studying, finishing your placements, etc. But now the term in winding down you have some time off, so what do you do with it?
The answer could be family and friends (safely of course), walks (always encourage getting outside), Netflix, a mammoth jigsaw, although it could also be some of the great fictional titles that I and some of my bookish friends on Instagram have enjoyed this year, perfect to cosy down with over the winter break, or as a last-minute gift that slipped your mind.
So here’s some great new and old titles, I have linked in Waterstones but these should be found in most bookshops (I would encourage supporting independents this time of year), and audibles are available. I have also linked in some book worm buddy’s.
Fantasy – The Count of Silver Flames (recommended by @head_in_the_pages)
This is the latest and 5th book in the A Court of Thorns and Roses series (referred to as ACOTAR), so you could keep yourself pretty busy. I have it on good authority all are highly engaging, easy to binge, filled with steam, action, creative world building and interesting mythical characters https://www.waterstones.com .
Crime – Thursdays Murder Club/The Man That Died Twice (recommended by @bookmadbarlow)
Yes, it’s a bit taboo to promote celebrity books, but these two have taken book charts by storm as charming easy reads. Not Crime in the sense of psychological thrillers, think cosy enough to give your head a rest while keeping you guessing https://www.waterstones.com/book/the-man-who-died-twice/richard-osman/9780241425428 .
Big Classic – Anna Karenina (recommended by @bookbeforeyouleap)
I am not a huge classic fan, I must confess, but I know several people that read this chunk of a book together this year and absolutely loved it. It’s one to either amerce yourself in, or perhaps note and annotate as you go. If you want tips on how to do this, do check out @sissi_reads on Instagram for videos and pointers, she is currently reading and noting her way through Leś Miserable https://www.waterstones.com/book/anna-karenina/leo-tolstoy/richard-pevear/9780140449174 .
Small Contemporary – The Heart Principle by Helen Hoang
I loved this third helping from Helen Hoang, and you do not need to have read her others to follow, though I recommend those too. This steamy story of Quan and Anna covers topics around consent, communication, OCD, anxiety, but also romance and family ties. Helens own story really seeps through its pages and gives it all great depth and heart https://www.waterstones.com/book/the-heart-principle/helen-hoang/9781838950804 .
Small Contemporary – Mayflies by Andrew O’Hagan
This story follows a group of male friends from youth to maturity, where devastating blows are made, and the tenderness of male friendship is explored. It is emotional, topical, has great characters, and really packs a punch for a small book https://www.waterstones.com/book/mayflies/andrew-ohagan/9780571273713
Other – Greek Myths by Charlotte Higgins (recommended by @jeskiabookshelf)
If you, like me, have really enjoyed the surge of Greek retellings then this is a must. Or if you want to tentatively dip a toe in but don’t know where to start, this is also a must. Charlotte introduces many of the myths here, (much like Stephen Fry does in his helpings) but from a female narrative, true to old translations of these tales, and does so in sectioned chapters which allows perfect dipping in and out of when still busy https://www.waterstones.com/book/greek-myths/charlotte-higgins/chris-ofili/9781787331655 .
And for those that don’t want the escapism, here’s some non-fiction recommendation by me, Rosie, here at the Hub.
Humankind by Rutger Bregman
A whistle stop discussion on why humans aren’t that bad, and the narrative of such being the result of miscommunication, misinformation, and misleading’s https://www.waterstones.com/book/humankind/rutger-bregman/9781408898956
Against White Feminism By Rafia Zakaria
This covers the topic of problematic Eurocentricity when discussing feminism, and while actioning empowering incentives. I do it no justice in that one sentence, it was a truly an insightful read I will undoubtfully think of in my social work future https://www.waterstones.com/book/against-white-feminism/rafia-zakaria/9780241446096.
The End of Bias by Jessica Nordell
Confront your own bias with this book, let it unpick your judges, and hopefully help you understand how bias are formed, how they are maintained and how they can be perhaps challenged https://www.waterstones.com/books/search/term/the+end+of+bias .
Gender Euphoria (a collection of essays) edited by Laura Kate Dale
This book gives light to the lived experiences of those out of the gender binary, their joy, and their depth as multifaceted people, perhaps also within the LGBTQIA+ and/or disabled community https://www.waterstones.com/book/gender-euphoria/laura-kate-dale/9781800180567 .
The Anti-Racist Social Worker (a collection ) edited by Tanya Moore and Glory Simango
We can’t not mention our latest Book Club pick, a truly informative book for students at all levels and professionals alike, not just those in social work but other allied care services also. It clued me in on what social work is trying to do in order to create movements not moments in relation to social justice and progress https://www.criticalpublishing.com/anti-racist-social-worker.
Do contact us here at the hub if you have your own recommendations you’d like to make. Or have any suggestions for our Book club, fiction or non-fiction welcomed.
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