Our book editor Naomi Round brings you a list of new books that have been recently published for you to enjoy including, The psychology of happiness and Home Work.
BORN A CRIME *****
Author: Trevor Noah
Comedian and The Daily Show host Trevor Noah brings us an incredibly entertaining and, in many ways, educational look at his childhood and growing up during the twilight years of Apartheid and the dawn of a new free South Africa. He was “born a crime” because at the time it was illegal for black and white people to be together. This memoir is packed with fun moments from Noah’s childhood and is quite eye-opening in many respects. We have all heard of Apartheid but might not be fully aware of what it was like for people living under it. For them, it was their “normal” but when read from the outside… you couldn’t make it up if you tried! I really enjoyed this book. I found it funny in parts, incredible moving in others, and, of course, some parts were horrifying. His relationship with his mother is the tender heart of the tale. I would recommend this to anyone! Reading biographies might not be your thing but this is honestly an easy read and reads like a fiction novel. I feel I have learned a lot reading this too!
HOME WORK: A memoir of my Hollywood years ****
Author Julie Andrews
This will be one that film lovers will really appreciate! I mean, who doesn’t love a good Julie Andrews classical musical? Andrews tells the story of how Hollywood came knocking and she made the move to Tinseltown. She brings tales from the sets of films such as Sound of Music and Mary Poppins giving readers an insider’s look at what Hollywood was like back in its heyday and mixes it with snippets of her personal life which make for a good read!
The Mirror & the Light ****
Author: Hilary Mantel
She has done it again! Sometimes you worry authors with critically acclaimed books will never reach the same heights again… but Hilary Mantel is just so good at what she does. She has once again brought to life an incredibly vivid portrayal of Cromwell and the suspenseful setting of the Tudor court and its political turmoil in the aftermath of Anne Boleyn’s execution. I would read this again and I have only just finished it! Incredibly compelling and nuanced! Booker Prize number three?
The psychology of Happiness ****
Author: Peter War
If you are looking for self-help or inspiring book on personal wellbeing this might not be the one for you! The Psychology of Happiness takes an interesting approach to the subject of happiness and presents a more academic framing of the issue. The author dissects the external and internal elements that can contribute to our happiness/unhappiness. Even if it is a more theoretical book, it will make you look at the topic in a novel way! An interesting and well-researched read
