Books of the Week

Today's recommendations are all non-fiction books, and they've been suggested by 5EN.A.

This is Going to Hurt by Adam Kay
Recommended by Siddarth Raj Krishnamurthy

This is an autobiography, written in the form of diary entries, about Adam Kay's time as a junior doctor. It is insightful about his work, and how important the NHS is as well as why it is under so much strain. The structure of the diary entries makes the book seem more immediate and personal, making it easier to understand the author's experiences. Although it is humorous at the start, there is a more serious tone in the middle and at the end of the book as he explains how his job had a significant impact on his life. I would recommend this book to anyone who is interested in medicine or hoping to become a doctor.

Reaching down the Rabbit Hole by Allan Ropper and Brian Burrell
Recommended by Alex Datson

This book was recommended to me by my biology teacher. It is a book of science writing, focussing on mental health cases and diseases. I liked how it showed a variety of very strange and interesting cases, and it properly researched the background of the patients who came in. It didn't focus too much on the pure science part of psychology, and instead focused on real time cases which meant it stayed engaging the whole time. I would recommend it for anyone who enjoys psychology or reading about the brain and interesting malfunctions with it.

The Almighty Dollar by Dharshini David
Recommended by Issam Abou-Zaki

I chose this book because of my interest in economy and finance, along with how our modern world trade works. I found the way David portrayed the dollar's journey as a story very intriguing: it made me understand it even more, as it explained every situation the dollar was found in clearly. The writer acknowledges the dollar's power in the modern world, along with the threats it is under. He also makes a non-fiction book feel more like an adventure book, as it feels almost like a tour of the world. He manages to make the subject very enticing for the reader: this is a book for people who are interested in finance but don't enjoy the way finance books are typically written.

The Spy and the Traitor by Ben Macintyre
Recommended by Nico Mahoney

This is a journalistic book, about real-life spying during the Cold War where a KGB officer, who secretly works for Britain and the CIA, passes on loads of important information while trying not to get caught. I liked how it actually felt like a thriller even though it’s all real: McIntyre writes in a gripping, story-like way, and the tension builds properly because you know how risky everything he’s doing is. It also makes the Cold War way more interesting than it sounds in class. The only thing I didn’t like is that some parts get a bit detailed with names and background, so it can be slightly hard to follow at times as it all adds up. I’d recommend it because it’s a true story but reads like a spy thriller, so it’s actually exciting instead of feeling like a typical history book. People who like action, real-life espionage, or anything to do with spies and the Cold War would enjoy it most.

Enough by Stephen Hough
Recommended by Lucas Tao

This is the autobiography of pianist Stephen Hough. The reader learns a lot by understanding his childhood, his personal experiences and his journey. It is written in a personal, detailed, and honest way, and it is also light-hearted at times. I think those interested in understanding the journeys/childhood of musicians would be particularly suited to this book, but anyone could enjoy learning from his experience.

Mythos by Stephen Fry
Recommended by Vaylan Yathindra

This book mixes Greek mythology with history and humour. It's quite easy to understand the story, even though the myths themselves are normally quite disjointed from each other.The tone is witty and engaging, portraying the gods as similar to humans. I would recommend it because it's an easy book to get into and enjoy: it is also available as an audiobook.

The Code Book by Simon Singh
Recommended by Mikey Richards

This book is a history of codes and ciphers. I found it very interesting although it can also be quite confusing at times with some complicated explanations of the more advanced ciphers. Singh explains everything in quite a gripping and enthralling fashion: historians and mathematicians alike would enjoy the information presented.