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The best books of 2023, according to readers

We asked for your must-read books of the year, and you responded. Here are 2023’s finest, in your words – and ours.

What are the best books of 2023? Critics will tell us their views shortly, in the customary lists and roundups that come around November and December, but this year, we wanted to hear from you, the readers, first.

On social media, you told us about the novels you couldn’t put down, from “heartfelt” series finales to feel-good Japanese fiction, stone-cold classics to brand new bestsellers. Whether it came out in 2023 or not, these are the books you loved this year.

The Last Devil to Die by Richard Osman

We said: The latest entry in Osman’s beloved Thursday Murder Club series is his most touching, but that doesn’t mean it’s any less wry or captivating than its predecessors.

You said: I love the characters he’s created in the Thursday Murder Club series. And this latest one definitely got me teary. Feel like I’m visiting with old friends every time I read his books. They’re more than a cosy mystery … they’re funny, heartfelt and very relatable.

- @annmariesellars

What You Are Looking For Is in the Library by Michiko Aoyama

We said: A whimsical, feel-good Japanese novel about a librarian with a sixth sense for just the right book recommendation at just the right time, this is a wonderful book lover’s book.

You said: It’s such a wholesome book. It also helped me reflect on my current relationship to work and books. Loved it 🥰

- @pamlectora

Sula by Toni Morrison

We said: It wasn’t released this year, but Toni Morrison’s bona fide classic about two once-inseparable girlfriends who grow apart when one leaves their community for the big city – and whose friendship is torn apart by betrayal – is a must-read, even 50 years later.

You said: Wonderful writing and incredible storytelling.

- @mechanicalnoor

The Book Thief by Markus Zusak

We said: This perspective-shattering novel, narrated by Death itself and set in Nazi Germany, follows nine-year-old book thief Liesel, whose family have been taken to a concentration camp. It might just restore your faith in humanity.

You said: I enjoyed the fresh narrative, matter of factness and how much emotion was invoked in a few simple sentences. Regularly.

- @lucy.tyrl

Tomorrow, and Tomorrow, and Tomorrow by Gabrielle Zevin

We said: Ostensibly a story about two friends who love video games, Zevin’s breakthrough novel is a deeply moving, life-affirming meditation on love, creativity, art, romance, friendship, fame and more – which explains its extraordinary word-of-mouth success.

You said: I didn't expect to enjoy it as much as I did but once I got into it the book just sucked me in and kept me intrigued until the very last page

- @bookedbliss

In Memoriam by Alice Winn

We said: It’s 1914. Henry and his best friend Sidney are in love, but neither can express it, so neither knows – that is, until both are enlisted to fight in the trenches, where, against the horrific spectre of death and wartime, a forbidden romance blooms.

You said: ❤️ Henry and Sidney will stay with me forever - just a heart-wrenching and breathtaking story

- @library_of_lauren

Bad Dreams and Other Stories by Tessa Hadley

We said: Sometimes, the most compelling stories are the ones that ring truest to real life – and English author Tessa Hadley is the master of realistic, domestic storytelling. These are some of her best short stories.

You said: A lovely collection of short stories about life and its nuances. No major drama, no love story, just life. Loved every second of it 💛✨

- @taraupadhyay

The Whalebone Theatre by Joanna Quinn

We said: A whale carcass, washed ashore, changes the lives of three imaginative children forced to raise themselves – but its their journey into adulthood that this whimsical, epic yarn of a book tracks so elegantly.

You said: I read some fabulous books this year but I think the one that tops them all is this.

- @theyarnrescuer

Girl, Goddess, Queen by Bea Fitzgerald

We said: A retelling of the Persephone myth that puts the titular character firmly in the driver’s seat – and has shaken TikTok to its core. This is one of the year’s biggest books, for good reason.

You said: I'm a massive fan of the story of Persephone and love this retelling, the portrayal of relationships was one of my favourite things, and I loved the characters 🥰

- @heathers.armchair.adventure

Demon Copperhead by Barbara Kingsolver

We said: Politically sharp and beautifully written, Kingsolver’s latest novel was nominated for a handful of prizes – and took home this year’s Pulitzer Prize for Fiction, too.

You said: The story of a boy with everything against him with just his talent and character to get him through (and a bit of luck). Unforgettable characters amid a story of the opioid crisis in the US. Just brilliant.

- @bar_barac

Fourth Wing by Rebecca Yarros

We said: An imaginative, captivating, and irresistibly addictive book about family, love, war, school – and learning to bond with dragons, this is the first in a feverishly beloved new series from Yarros.

You said: ❤️ I am always fascinated with dragons and enemies to lovers story❤️

- @anjlijpk

Yellowface by R.F. Kuang

We said: A gripping novel about representing someone else’s work as one’s own, and the lengths one woman will go to protect what she thinks she deserves.

You said: An amazing insight into writing and author lives and so eerie and thrilling!

- @lottiesaahko

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Ranked: The 50 best books of the past 100 years

On the 100th anniversary of ulysses, our jury of authors and critics picked the finest novels published since joyce’s classic — and readers picked the 51st.

T he publication of Ulysses in 1922 marked a new era for the novel, writes Laura Hackett. Joyce’s masterpiece inspired countless other books, so on its centenary, we asked a panel of 16 writers and critics — including novelists Sebastian Faulks, Colm Tóibín, Diana Evans and David Nicholls — to choose their favourite novels written in English that were published after Ulysses .

Our process was simple but fair. Each member of the panel wrote a list of their 20 favourite novels, and we totted up the votes. The resulting selection is, we think, a comprehensive introduction to the very best writing in English of the past 100 years. Four of our panel — Anne Enright, Johanna Thomas-Corr, Diana Evans and Peter Kemp — will discuss

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21 best new books to read in summer 2024, from historical fiction to romance novels

Discover debut novelists and immersive page-turners from acclaimed authors this season, article bookmarked.

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As we eagerly await stretching out on a sun lounger with a good book in the summer, the spring months offer ample opportunity to power through your reading pile with some of the best new releases for 2024.

Whether you have a penchant for a crime caper or love reading a romantic romp, lighter evenings, bank holidays and lazy weekends are made better with a good book (or two).

From immersive historical epics to novels that transport you to warmer climes, the main criteria for a good spring book is simple: you won’t want to put it down. Luckily, new releases leave you spoiled for choice. From romance novels to Booker Prize-nominated tomes and laugh-out-loud stories, the mix is as eclectic as ever.

This year’s reading pile sees plenty of acclaimed debuts from the likes of Madeleine Grey, Maud Ventura and Alice Winn, as well as eagerly anticipated titles from acclaimed authors such as Kiley Reid, Paul Murray, Dolly Alderton, Zadie Smith and Andrew O’Hagan.

The varied authorship is reflected in the diverse themes addressed, ranging from an Irish family in turmoil and love in the trenches of the First World War to slavery in the Caribbean, and dating across the political spectrum and dark domestic dramas.

Related stories

How we tested the best new books.

We’ve read dozens of new releases over the last year, including both hardbacks and paperbacks. This list includes the best original page-turners with superb quality prose and the most captivating stories that stayed with us after we’d reached the end. From books for history lovers to romance novels, witty romantic comedies and acclaimed prize-winners, there’s something for every type of reader.

The best new books to read in 2024 are:

• Best new release – Caledonian Road by Andrew O’Hagan, published by Faber & Faber: £18.40, Amazon.co.uk
• Best family saga – The Bee Sting by Paul Murray, published by Hamish Hamilton: £15.69, Amazon.co.uk
• Best literary thriller – Yellowface by Rebecca F Kuang, published by The Borough Press: £11.60, Amazon.co.uk
• Best war novel – In Memoriam by Alice Winn, published by Viking: £13.19, Amazon.co.uk 
• Best subversive romance novel – Everything’s Fine by Cecilia Rabess: £11.99, Amazon.co.uk

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Caledonian Road by Andrew O’Hagan, published by Faber & Faber

• Best : New book release
• Genre : Social satire
• Release date : 4 April 2024

Andrew O’Hagan (author of the beloved book Mayflies ) is back with his latest novel: Caledonian Road . A vast state-of-the-nation novel that jumps between characters and social worlds, the book’s near-700 pages contain Dukes and Duchesses, drill groups, refugees, journalists, students and more – painting a vivid picture of our post-pandemic, post-Brexit times.

Campbell Flynn is a well-known art historian who now mixes with the upper echelons, despite his Scottish tenement upbringing. As both his material and mental state become increasingly fragile, O’Hagan pays just as much attention to the wider cast of characters, from Milo, a young computer hacker, to Flynn’s publically disgraced old university friend and bitter sitting tenant (the book even comes with a cast list so you don’t lose track). A novel that’s just as much about the city of London and the fall of a man as it is a biting satire on modern society, class and politics, Caledonian Road is a masterful feat of storytelling.

• Kindle: £9.99, Amazon.co.uk
• Audible: £24.87, Amazon.co.uk

‘The Bee Sting’ by Paul Murray, published by Hamish Hamilton

• Best : Family saga
• Genre : Comedy drama
• Release date : 8 June 2023 (hardback), 2 May 2024 (paperback)

Paul Murray’s The Bee Sting is a tour de force of fiction. The Barnes, a once-well-off Irish family, are in the midst of emotional and financial strain. Set during turbulent months in their claustrophobic town (think floods, droughts and the aftermath of recession), Murray expertly gives us each family member’s perspective of the same events – with flashbacks unravelling an intricate story of betrayal, crime and lust.

Profound on the human condition, utterly gripping and peppered with comedy, Murray’s novel is a must-read this year.

• Apple Books: £9.99, Apple.com
• Audible: £14.87, Amazon.co.uk

‘Good Material’ by Dolly Alderton, published by Fig Tree

• Best : Comedy novel
• Genre : Comedy
• Release date : 9 November 2023 (hardback), 1 August 2024 (paperback)

Some writers suffer from second-novel syndrome, but not Dolly Alderton. The author and columinist’s second book Good Material is a cliché-avoiding break-up novel, in the vein of Nick Hornby’s High Fidelity .

Told through the eyes of recently dumped Andy, we follow him as he grapples with single life after his girlfriend realised she wanted to be alone. This in itself is a powerful narrative, with Alderton making a case for the happy and single 30-something woman.

Genuinely laugh-out-loud funny – with characters straight out of a Richard Curtis film (the elderly lodger who’s prepping for doomsday is a highlight) – whipsmart dialogue and relatable millennial themes (Alderton’s forte) mean there’s never a dull moment. Despite it being a pleasingly easy read (we tore through it in a single day), Good Material still manages to be thought-provoking and wise.

• Audible: £11.37, Amazon.co.uk

‘Yellowface’ by Rebecca F Kuang, published by The Borough Press

• Best : Literary thriller
• Genre : Thriller
• Release date : 25 May 2023 (hardback), 9 May 2024 (paperback)

A satire of the publishing industry and brazen exploration of cancel culture, Rebecca F Kuang’s literary heist Yellowface is one the most gripping books of the year. It begins with the freak accident death of young, famed writer Athena Liu (she chokes on pancake mixture, setting the preposterous tone for the rest of the book), witnessed by her sometimes-friend and aspiring (currently failing) novelist June Hayward.

After June steals Athena’s unfinished manuscript and publishes it under her own name to acclaim, she is thrown into the fame, money and relevance she’s always desired. But when her secret threatens to become known, June must decide how far she will go to maintain her reputation. Addictive and uncomfortable, with plenty of savagely funny moments, Kuang’s novel is a must-read.

• Apple Books: £4.99, Apple.com
• Kindle: £7.99, Amazon.co.uk
• Audible: £11.38, Amazon.co.uk

‘Green Dot’ by Madeleine Grey, published by W&N

• Best : Affair novel
• Genre : Romance
• Release date : 1 February 2024

There’s nothing new about an affair novel – but, testament to Madeleine Grey’s writing, Green Dot is fresh and modern. Hera, a 24-year-old, has just started an admin job at a newspaper, where she meets Arthur. Older, more senior and attractive, Hera distracts herself from the boredom of her day-to-day life by crashing headfirst into a workplace romance.

When she discovers he’s married, the illicit affair consumes her life. Part Bridget Jones , part Fleabag , Green Dot is funny, fast-paced and witty, with plenty of relatable millennial and Gen Z references (and not to mention a painfully relatable lockdown passage). We tore through it.

• Audible: £7.99, Amazon.co.uk

‘Come and Get It’ by Kiley Reid, published by Bloomsbury publishing

• Best : Society satire
• Release date : 30 January 2024

Kiley Reid’s debut Such a Fun Age was a runaway success in 2020. Now she’s back with Come and Get It , a page-turning take on money and power dynamics. Desperate to get on the property ladder, graduate and land a good job, Millie is working as a student advisor and living in dorms. Meanwhile, visiting professor and writer Agatha is doing research for a new book and wants to interview some of the students in Millie’s dorm.

Jumping at the chance to increase her income, Millie agrees, and the two women become embroiled in a world of student angst, pranks, and theatrics. Despite the story rarely leaving campus grounds, the novel has a gripping wide scope that explores society’s obsession with money, desire, and consumption.

• Apple Books: £10.99, Apple.com
• Kindle: £7.97, Amazon.co.uk
• Apple Books:  £8.99,  Apple.com

‘In Memoriam’ by Alice Winn, published by Viking

• Best : War novel
• Genre : Historical fiction
• Release date : 9 March 2023 (hardback), 24 February 2024 (paperback)

Beginning in a private boarding school for boys, before taking us to the horror of the trenches during World War One, Alice Winn’s blistering debut is an unforgettable read. We’re first introduced to the book’s central figures – Gaunt and Ellwood – in 1914, when both schoolboys are secretly in love with each other. When half-German Gaunt is pressured by his mother to enlist in the British army, he is relieved to run away from his forbidden feelings for his best friend. But when the true terror of the war is revealed to him, he is soon devastated when Ellwood and other classmates follow him to the Western Front.

A love story set against the tragedies of war, Winn’s rousing writing transports you to the trenches, where an entire generation of lost men are brought to vivid life – the characters will stick with you, long after the final page.

• Apple Books: £7.99, Apple.com

‘The Fraud’ by Zadie Smith, published by Hamish Hamilton

• Best : Novel about real people
• Genre : Historical
• Release date : 7 September 2023 (hardback), 6 June 2024 (paperback)

Zadie Smith’s first foray into historical fiction, The Fraud is based on true events and juxtaposes a portrait of Victorian life and slavery in the Caribbean. The titular fraud in question is the Tichborne Claimant – a butcher who claimed to be an aristocratic heir in an 1873 trial that gripped the country. Real-life cousin and housekeeper to the largely forgotten novelist William Ainsworth, Smith reimagines Eliza Touchet’s mostly unknown life and her fascination with the case and its prime witness, an ageing Black man named Andrew Bogle.

The author’s version of Bogle’s backstory provides most of the second half of the book, beginning with his father’s abduction in the 1770s to the Hope Plantation in Jamaica. Affecting and devastating, it’s in stark contrast to the humdrum domestic middle-class Victorian life also explored. In typical Zadie style, the narrative structure and decade leaping require you to pay attention – but you’re heavily rewarded with the sheer breadth of the novel and its vividly painted characters.

‘The List’ by Yomi Adegoke, published by Fourth Estate

• Best : Buzzy summer book
• Genre : Relationships, social media
• Release date : 20 July 2023 (hardback), 25 April 2024 (paperback)

The book that everyone was talking about last year, Slay In Your Lane writerYomi Adegoke’s debut novel is so buzzy that an HBO TV adaptation is already in the works. Podcaster Michael and journalist Ola are a young couple on the cusp of marriage when their world is blown apart by allegations of abuse made against Michael online in “The List”.

Having made a career of exposing such men, Ola is torn between believing Michael’s innocence or supporting the women who anonymously submitted their stories to the list. Thought-provoking and topical in its exploration of life both online and offline, and the fallout of cancel culture, it’s written with sharp insight and is impossible to put down. The hype is real.

• Kindle: £4.99, Amazon.co.uk
• Apple Books: £11.99, Apple.com

‘Big Swiss’ by Jen Beagin

• Best : Sex comedy
• Genre : Dark comedy
• Release date : 18 May 2023 (hardback), 7 December 2023 (paperback)

A sex comedy with darkness at its centre, Jen Beagin’s latest novel is narrated by Greta, a 45-year-old who lives in a decrepit Dutch farmhouse and transcribes for a sex therapist. Knowing everyone’s secrets in the small town of Hudson is no problem when you’re a relative recluse – that is until she bumps into Flavia, aka Big Swiss, her nickname for the 28-year-old married Swiss woman who suffered a terrible beating that she regularly transcribes (and is infatuated with).

Their dog park meeting leads to a passionate relationship with both women trying to escape their own traumas. Greta’s mother committed suicide when she was 13 years old while Flavia’s attacker has just been released from prison. An off-kilter romance with lashings of psychological thriller, darker moments are balanced with Beagin’s witty writing, idiosyncratic characters and laugh-out-loud passages. Naturally, there’s already an HBO adaptation starring Jodie Comer in the works.

• Apple Books: £8.99, Apple.com

‘Everything’s Fine’ by Cecilia Rabess, published by Simon & Schuster

• Best : Subversive romance novel
• Release date : 8 June 2023 (hardback), 6 June 2024 (paperback)

A subversive love story set against the political polarisation of America, Cecilia Rabess’s Everything’s Fine is a funny and punchy debut. Jess – Black and liberal – immediately dislikes her Ivy League college classmate Josh – white and conservative – but when they find themselves working in the same company after graduating, a cantankerous friendship turns into a passionate relationship.

Set against the backdrop of Trump’s presidential campaign, the novel explores if ideological opposites can be together – with its most heated moments taking place over arguments about Maga hats, wealth inequality and wokeism. Commenting perceptively on politics and economics, Rabess’s writing is just as enthralling on lust and sex. Concluding on the eve of the 2016 election, the novel questions whether love really can conquer all. We tore through it in two sittings.

• Apple Books: £0.99, Apple.com

‘The Fetishist’ by Katherine Min, published by Fleet

• Best : Revenge fantasy
• Genre : Darkly comic/romance
• Release date : 29 February 2024

Sadly, Katherine Min’s darkly comic novel The Fetishist was published posthumously following her death from cancer in 2019. The partially finished manuscript was edited and finished by her daughter, which adds to the poignancy of the novel. A riff on Vladimir Nabokov’s Lolita , the story is told from three perspectives: Daniel, an ageing violinist who fetishizes Asian woman; Alma, a prodigal cellist with a terminal diagnosis and the love of Daniel’s life; and Kyoko, a mid-Twenties punk singer who is seeking revenge on Daniel for driving her mother to her death through suicide.

Part revenge fantasy and part decade-spanning love story, it gives narrative control to the wronged women (unlike Lolita ) with the story seeing Daniel forced to reckon with his fetishisation. Exploring race and sexual politics, forgiveness and desire, the book is hilariously funny and often sexy, all while being deeply thought-provoking.

• Audible: 99p, Amazon.co.uk

‘Crook Manifesto’ by Colson Whitehead, published by Fleet

• Best : Best crime novel
• Genre : Crime, historical
• Release date : 18 July 2023 (hardback), 18 July 2024 (paperback)

Two-time Pulitzer Prize-winner Colson Whitehead is back with the second instalment to his New York crime trilogy. First introduced in 2021’s Harlem Shuffle , furniture salesman and ex-fence Ray Carney returns to the criminal underbelly of the city in Crook Manifesto , in a bid to secure Jackson 5 tickets (which were like gold dust in 1971) for his daughter.

Jumping through the years up to 1976, Whitehead casts a satirical eye on New York during the tumultuous decade, touching on everything from police corruption and the Black Liberation Army to Blaxploitation. Blending family drama with history and culture, the sequel has the feel of a Quentin Tarantino movie and we were hooked.

‘Romantic Comedy' by Curtis Sittenfeld, published by Doubleday

• Best : Rom-com
• Genre : Romantic comedy
• Release date : 6 April 2023 (hardback), 28 March 2024 (paperback)

Having previously given voice to President’s wives in the acclaimed American Wife and Rodham , Curtis Sittenfeld has set her sights on the comedy world in her latest novel – aptly named Romantic Comedy . Protagonist Sally is a successful writer at a Saturday Night Live -inspired sketch show, and has, thus far, been unlucky in love. When she meets pop idol Noah Brewster on the show in 2018, she develops a school-girl crush that challenges her cynicism about love.

Picking up the story two years later, in 2020, during the pandemic, the two reconnect over email (this section is stellar) and meet up in LA.

Sittenfeld explores the world of celebrity, modern dating, lockdown and Covid-19 with wit, humour and often profundity. A light-hearted page-turner that’s funny, romantic and heartwarming.

• Kindle: £8.99, Amazon.co.uk
• Apple Books:  £7.99,  Apple.com
• Audible:  £11,37,  Amazon.co.uk

‘Ordinary Human Failings’ by Megan Nolan, published by Vintage

• Best : Best family drama
• Genre : Crime
• Release date : 13 July 2023 (hardback), 4 April 2024 (paperback)

Megan Nolan’s Acts of Desperation was one of our favourite reads last year and we loved the writer’s second novel just as much. A unique take on the crime genre, Ordinary Human Failings marks a dramatic departure from the tone and plot in Nolan’s debut. Set in the 1990s in London, tabloid journalist Tom Hargreaves believes he’s stumbled upon a career-making scoop when a child is murdered on a housing estate.

As fingers start pointing towards a family of Irish immigrants, the Greens family, Tom hunkers down with them to drive into their history. At the centre of the family is Carmel, a beautiful yet mysterious young mother, who is forced to reckon with how her 10-year-old daughter is implicated in a murder investigation. Tom’s probing soon reveals the regrets, secrets and silences that have trapped the Greens for decades. Intriguing and vast in scope, it’s an old-fashioned page-turner.

‘The Happy Couple’ by Naoise Dolan, published by Orion Publishing

• Best : Anti-romance novel
• Genre : Comedy/satire
• Release date : 25 May 2023 (hardback), 25 April 2024 (paperback)

Naoise Dolan’s follow-up to 2020’s Exciting Times, this book is infused with the same biting social commentary and humour. A satirical spin on the marriage genre, it follows late-20-somethings Luke and Celine – both of whom think the other is out of love with them – on the cusp of their wedding day. Whether they’ll make it to the end of the aisle or not forms the tension of the novel.

Switching perspectives between their nearest and dearest, from best man Archie (Luke’s ex and sometimes-lover) to Celine’s sister (suspicious of Luke’s frequent disappearances), Dolan explores the anxieties of modern love. A wedding novel permeated by emotional turmoil rather than romance, its self-aware characters and comedic-timing cement Dolan as one of the sharpest writers around.

‘Penance’ by Eliza Clark, published by Faber & Faber

• Best : Fictional non-fiction book
• Release date : 6 July 2023 (hardback), 2 May 2024 (paperback)

A fictional story told in the manner of Truman Capote’s In Cold Blood, Eliza Clark’s Penance delves into the grisly torture and murder of 16-year-old Joan Wilson on the eve of the Brexit referendum in the seaside town of Crow. Three years after the murder, obsession with true crime is at an all-time high and an American podcast draws awareness to the case.

Ex-tabloid hack Alec Z Carelli sets out to write the “definitive account” of the murder – which was committed by three school girls – through eyewitness accounts, interviews and correspondence. Living in the town, exploring its history and its people, Carelli recounts the lives of the teenage murderers and the sinister world of online true-crime fandoms. As well as questioning Carelli’s morality in exploiting a horrific murder for his own career, Clark questions society’s preoccupation with gruesome true crime. Unnerving, superbly written and engrossing, the ending is pitch perfect.

• Apple Books: £12.99, Apple.com

‘The Only One Left’ by Riley Sager, published by Hodder & Stoughton

• Best : Gothic thriller
• Genre : Crime, mystery
• Release date : 4 July 2023 (hardback), 28 December 2024 (paperback)

In 1929, three members of the Hope family were murdered in their clifftop mansion. Decades later, the book’s protagonist Kit McDeere takes on a job caring for Lenora Hope who has been in the house ever since and is the only remaining member of the Hope family. She also happens to be the one accused of carrying out the murders.

This book is breathtakingly twisty and while the mystery unravels, the claustrophobia becomes almost unbearable as the Hope’s End mansion itself begins succumbing to the sea and crumbling like the cliffs. We found ourselves literally gasping out loud as secrets were revealed. The Only One Left is a Gothic thriller, with horror elements and is perfect for cosying up with as autumn turns to winter.

• Apple Books:  £4.99,  Apple.com
• Kindle:  £4.99,  Amazon.co.uk
• Apple Books:  £9.99,  Apple.com
• Audible:  £11.37,  Amazon.co.uk

‘My Husband’ by Maud Ventura, published by Hutchinson Heinemann

• Best : Domestic thriller
• Genre : Domestic noir, thriller
• Release date : 27 July 2023 (hardback), 2 May 2024 (paperback)

Obsessed with her husband, the main character of this dark domestic drama spends her days over-analysing her husband’s words, agonising over perceived slights and fantasising about imagined scenarios that send her swirling into flights of jealousy and passion. Her deep obsession eclipses everything else in her life including her relationship with her children, her work and her friendships.

Her roller-coaster of emotions and unhinged antics are fascinating to follow and we found ourselves devouring this darkly humorous work in less than two days. This fresh and easy-to-read book is translated from French by Emma Ramadan.

‘Kala’ by Colin Walsh, published by Atlantic Books

• Best : Coming of age thriller
• Genre : Drama, crime
• Release date : 6 July 2023 (hardback), 4 July 2024 (paperback)

A group of six friends living in a small Irish seaside town are inseparable until one day, Kala goes missing. Fifteen years later, three of the friends are back in Kinlough and human remains are found in the woods nearby, bringing the past screaming back.

Jumping between the time when the group was in secondary school and the present day, the mystery slowly unravels as we explore the heavy family traumas and broken friendships from the past. A complicated small-town community is the claustrophobic backdrop to the story which creates a refreshing mixture of family drama and crime thriller.

The story is told from the point of view of three of Kala’s friends who come back together and delve into the past to try and make sense of Kala’s death. There’s the loyal Mush who has always been in Kinlough, working in his mother’s cafe, hiding his mysterious facial scars from the world. Helen is the hard-headed former best friend of Kala who is now a journalist and is in town for her father’s impending wedding. And Joe, who is now a world-famous musician, has a hometown residency in a local bar, and is trying to reconnect to his old friends.

The use of three distinct narrative voices is well executed with clues cleverly revealed via the three protagonists and concludes with a major twist that you won’t see coming.

• Apple Books: £5.99, Apple.com
• Kindle: £4.68, Amazon.co.uk
• Audible: £15.74, Amazon.co.uk

‘The Guest’ by Emma Cline, published by Vintage Publishing

• Best : Stylish novel
• Release date : 18 May 2023 (hardback), 20 May 2024 (paperback)

A follow-up to the critically acclaimed The Girls , Emma Cline’s The Guest follows 22-year-old escort Alex as she drifts from pool to beach during a chaotic week in sun-drenched Long Island. Cast out by the older man she was staying with, instead of returning to the city, she stays on the island and adapts to survive – believing they can be romantically reunited five days later at his Labor Day party.

In each encounter with individuals, groups at parties or old acquaintances, she leaves disaster in her wake. Though the story is a simple premise, each page is loaded with tension and risk, thanks to Cline’s stylistic writing. The poetic form and metaphorical use of water (swimming is survival) adds to the novel’s hazy feel. The Guest is also a deft exploration of social mobility, as Alex navigates the class system of Long Island.

The verdict: Best novels to read 2024

Andrew O’Hagan’s Caledonian Road is storytelling at its best. Vast in scope, the social satire is a biting tragicomedy about British society, class, politics and money.Moving, witty and funny, Paul Murray’s The Bee Sting will similarly keep you gripped until the very last page.

Zeitgeist-y and engrossing, Rebecca K Kuang’s Yellowface is the perfect literary thriller for diving into this spring while Dolly Alderton’s Good Material is funny and wise. For a historical tome that will linger long in your mind, pick up In Memoriam by Alice Winn .

Discover more great authors and books you’ll love in our fiction review section

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20 Audiobooks You Should Listen to Right Now

Run out of great podcasts to listen to? Looking for something a bit weightier? Audiobooks could be the perfect solution. Whether you're driving to work or wandering the streets, this selection will keep you entertained. With A-list actors providing the narration and a host of new productions of old favorites, there's never been a better time to start listening. Should you want to read actual pages, give WIRED's guides to the best sci-fi books and the best fantasy books a try.

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By Siddhartha Mukherjee

You may think a book subtitled “A Biography of Cancer” would not be the lightest of listens, and you would be right, but that doesn’t make it any less brilliant. Siddhartha Mukherjee‎ does a remarkable job of charting the history of this complex disease, weaving together the narrative with stories from his own experience as an oncologist. It’s a triumph precisely because it never loses sight of the people at the heart of the story: the researchers who pushed forward and found treatments in unusual places and the patients and their families who faced losing everything.

By Amit Katwala

Penned by WIRED's Amit Katwala, with spine-tingling narration by Matt Reeves, Tremors in the Blood tells the true story of two murders—one in San Francisco in 1922, the other in Chicago in 1935—and how they intersect with the creation of the polygraph machine. The book combines true crime elements, tense gunfights, and courtroom drama with science and history as it explores how the inventors of the lie detector—a rookie cop, a teenage magician, and a visionary police chief—ended up unleashing a power they couldn't control. 

By David Mitchell

Cloud Atlas is a difficult book to get through, there’s no doubt about that. But the beauty of audiobooks is that they make getting through such novels a breeze. Cloud Atlas spans a number of centuries and is told from the perspective of six interconnected characters. The tonal shift from flowery 19th-century prose to the incomprehensibly simplistic final chapter comes across beautifully in audio form. Best of all, each tale is read by a different narrator, bringing the book to life better than the novel's polarizing film adaptation ever could. 

By Lucy Foley

A modern murder mystery in the vein of Agatha Christie, The Hunting Party sees a group of friends—Londoners, Oxford graduates, just the worst people—heading up to a remote lodge in Scotland for their annual New Year’s Eve get-together. Things quickly take a dark turn, and with the lodge cut off from the outside world, it’s up to the place's only two staff members to piece together what happened, all while battling dark secrets of their own. It’s a fun, slightly ridiculous story—and you will probably hate some of the main players, but it works well for audiobook because the story switches between different characters, each with their own voice actor. Just don’t listen if you’re somewhere remote.

By Stephen Fry

Greek mythology can at times feel a little impenetrable. There are just too many gods, goddesses, and nymphs—all with countless stories of love, wrath, and revenge. Stephen Fry makes it easily digestible by picking out key events and adding dialogue to modernize them. Though your head will boggle at the complex family tree of the Greek deities, you’ll learn about the legends that inspired millennia of writers, from Shakespeare to Rick Riordan.

By Graham Greene

Set during the blitz, Graham Greene's classic novel is a semi-autobiographical account of an adulterous man's jealousy toward his lover. When she breaks off their tryst, he's consumed by insecurity and hires a private investigator, suspecting she is seeing someone else. It's based in no small part on a notorious affair Greene himself conducted with Catherine Walston, the wife of a prominent Labour MP. This real-life context and Greene's customary skill combine for one of his most highly regarded works. It's narrated expertly by Colin Firth, who is perfectly cast to voice the inner monologue and lamentable pettiness of Maurice Bendrix.

By Caitlin Moran

If you are a woman, you should have already read this book. But if you don't have time to read it right now, let Caitlin Moran do it for you. Her awkward, autobiographical account tackles hair removal, getting fat, tiny pants, and being one of too many siblings in a way that will leave you cringing one minute and laughing the next. 

By David Sedaris

If you're a fan of David Sedaris' previous books and podcasts, strap in: You're about to have (possibly) the best one-sided conversation of the year. But if you don't want to hoot with laughter on public transport, this is not the book for you. In Calypso , Sedaris delivers a barrage of sheer brilliance with his remarkably deadpan voice. A quest to feed his benign tumor to a snapping turtle; disastrous family gatherings at his dream holiday home, dubbed the Sea Section; and his wildly inappropriate compulsion to buy useless fashion (including a toilet brush hat)—all of these stories are here. Sedaris has built his essays on the weird and wonderful things of everyday life, but with Calypso he bravely exposes ugly flaws with the same panache as his finest quips. You'll walk away transformed.

By Anthony Daniels

Since Star Wars first premiered in 1977, millions of people have met, loved, and loathed the now-iconic golden droid C-3PO from a galaxy far, far away. Inside the minute hinges of C-3PO’s suffocatingly tight metal costume was Anthony Daniels, who acts as a soft-spoken guide with a unique backstage pass to the intricate world unveiled on screen. In a deeply personal account of the personalities behind the iconic movie series, Daniels unveils how he became an accidental star of the franchise, the pain and challenges of being trapped in a golden cage, and the friendships he made along the way. 

By Bill Bryson

Travelogue master Bill Bryson has retired to the library in recent years, and his gentle Midwestern tones are perfect for audiobooks. In his latest book, The Body , Bryson takes a characteristic approach familiar to his readers, unearthing fascinating, disgusting, and hilarious nuggets of information about our bodies. He explores everything from genetics to our immune system, all in a soothing voice that will keep you calm while you panic-Google various ailments.

By Adam Kay

This diary of life on the medical frontlines by junior-doctor-turned-comedian Adam Kay sold more than a million copies in print and shone a light on the chaotic and compassionate world of the UK's NHS. The audiobook is read by Kay—who first came to fame in the mid-2000s with a Tube-strike-inspired parody of “Going Underground” by The Jam that he made while part of comedic musical duo Amateur Transplants. The audio version includes extra diary entries about Kay's life in the hospital ward.

By Philip Pullman

The long-awaited follow-up to Phillip Pullman’s His Dark Materials trilogy shows the protagonist of those books, Lyra Belacqua, much earlier in life. The action of the first part of this new trilogy, The Book of Dust, follows Malcolm Polstead—an 11-year-old living on the outskirts of Oxford—as he’s swept away in a flood of biblical proportions while trying to protect the infant Lyra from mysterious assailants. The audiobook is read by Michael Sheen, who brings his customary energy to Pullman's wild tale.

By Ben Aaronovitch

Set in modern-day London, the series follows copper Peter Grant as he’s slowly introduced to the world of magic lurking beneath the city’s streets. If you’re reluctant to dive into a tale of wizard’s hats and magic wands, don’t worry—author Ben Aaronovitch approaches the premise like a scientist, and Grant conducts controlled experiments that would put the stars of CSI to shame. The audiobooks, expertly narrated by Kobna-Holdbrook Smith, are a pleasure, particularly when the series ventures into the jazz world in book two, Moon Over Soho .

By George Saunders

Acclaimed short story writer George Saunders’ first foray into long fiction was a huge critical success. He won the 2017 Man Booker prize for his portrayal of a grieving Abraham Lincoln, harangued by ghosts after his son’s death. The audiobook has a suitably stellar cast, featuring Susan Sarandon, Lena Dunham, Ben Stiller, and a host of other famous—and slightly less famous—actors. There are 166 cast members in total.

By William Boyd

If you're after an easy listen, William Boyd's James Bond novel Solo fits the bill. In a fictional African nation, an aging Bond goes undercover as a journalist in an attempt to foil a separatist movement. Read skillfully by actor Dominic West, the novel is set in 1969 and offers a pleasant antidote to the modern Bond movies while benefiting from an excellent villain in Kobus Breed, a ruthless mercenary on whom Bond seeks revenge.

By Douglas Adams

The BBC's radio adaptations of Douglas Adams' seminal comedy works are legendary and all six series—one for each book—are available on Audible. With each clocking in at around two-and-a-half to three hours, complete with brilliant music, sound effects, and full cast, they're the perfect way to enjoy the adventures of the last surviving man from Earth and his alien “friends” through your headphones. If you'd rather experience the books in full, all six are also available with narrations from Stephen Fry and Martin Freeman, who played Arthur Dent in the movie adaption. 

By Margaret Atwood

Narrated by Elizabeth Moss, the star of the ongoing television adaptation, The Handmaid’s Tale is an increasingly powerful reminder of the thin ice the modern, relatively liberal society we live in rests upon. Margaret Atwood’s novel has spawned countless imitators since it was first published in 1985, but its description of Offred’s life in Gilead and the slow ratcheting back of progress that led society to that point remains chilling.

By John le Carré

Written by John le Carré, A Legacy of Spies acts as both prequel and sequel to one of his earliest novels, The Spy Who Came in From the Cold —famously adapted into a film starring Richard Burton. Here a now-retired intelligence officer is summoned to London to defend his actions during a Cold War operation in which a British agent was killed. Decades later, the agent’s son is suing the British government for wrongful death, and the bureaucratic apparatus is desperate to shift the blame. It’s an absorbing listen, thanks to le Carré’s skill in building character and tension, and it’s further enhanced by the deft narration of actor Tom Hollander.

By Frank Herbert

In 2012, WIRED readers voted Dune the best science-fiction novel of all time. It’s also the best-selling of all time and has inspired a mammoth universe, including 18 books set over 34,000 years. The series takes place 20,000 years in the future in galaxies stuck in the feudal ages, where computers are banned for religious reasons and noble families rule whole planets. Frank Herbert focuses on the planet Arrakis, which holds a material used as a currency throughout the universe for its rarity and mind-enhancing powers. 

By Neil Gaiman

Neverwhere is a tale of London—not the city you know, but the London Below, a city unseen by the majority yet no less real, populated by the ignored, lost, and forgotten. It's a world that Richard Mayhew, a Scottish expatriate to the Big Smoke, slips into when he helps Door, a young woman on the run from unstoppable assassins who have killed her entire family. Now invisible and forgotten by London Above, Richard and Door—along with the trickster Marquis de Carabas and the stoic Hunter—must travel across Night's Bridge, seek an audience at the Earl's court, and acquire a rare key from the Black Friars for the angel Islington if either of them has a hope of returning to their former lives. Gaiman's urban fantasy takes the metropolis of London and rebuilds it into a unique realm of mythology, one that will leave you wondering what's really happening, a half-glance out of sight, the next time you find yourself wandering around the city. The audiobook is read by Gaiman himself, while a full-cast audio drama offers a more immersive journey through London Below. 

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The 32 best cookbooks to buy in 2024

By Daphne Bugler and Esat Dedezade

GQ’s pick of the best cookbooks for cooking up a storm, whether you need some new vegan inspiration or are finally tackling sourdough

If you're running short of weeknight dinner inspiration, are feeling a bit out of your depth ahead of a big dinner party, or just fancy taking some time to refine and improve your cooking skills, investing in one of the best cookbooks is definitely a sensible decision.

From the creations of celebrity chefs to the dishes beloved by some of the finest foodies and food writers, plus the recipes that London's top chefs used to turn their restaurants into some of the hottest in the city, we've tracked down the cookbooks that will turn you into the culinary star of your social circle.

Whether you fancy learning some new vegan dishes, taking a culinary trip around the world or finally tackling a sourdough starter, these are the best cookbooks of the year that we'd recommend equipping yourself (or your loved ones) with.

And if you're here looking for a gift…why not check out the best hampers as recommended by us, or the best gifts for foodies .

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What's the best cookbook?

5 Ingredients Mediterranean by Jamie Oliver

If you're short on time but still after really good, delicious meals, this Jamie Oliver book has exactly what's needed. Using minimal ingredients and taking up minimal time, it'll save you from many weeknight takeaways.

Welcome to Our Table: A Celebration of What Children Eat Everywhere

A brilliant choice for children and adults to read together, this informative book takes you on a trip around the world. Covering all manner of dishes from different countries, it's complete with beautiful illustrations to boot.

An A-Z Of Pasta: Stories, Shapes, Sauces, Recipes by Rachel Roddy

A veritable bible for pasta lovers, there's practically no stone left unturned in this homage to one of the simplest, most versatile, and infinitely delicious ingredients that's enjoyed the world over.

GQ's best cookbooks at a glance…

• Best pasta cookbook: An A-Z Of Pasta: Stories, Shapes, Sauces, Recipes , £16.26
• Best children's cookbook: Welcome to Our Table: A Celebration of What Children Eat Everywhere , £12.79
• Best vegan dessert cookbook: A New Way to Bake: Re-imagined Recipes for Plant-based Cakes, Bakes and Desserts , £24.99
• Best meat-free BBQ cookbook: The Green Barbecue , £14.85
• Best pie cookbook: 50 Pies, 50 States: An Immigrant's Love Letter to the United States Through Pie , £26.79

The Giggling Squid Cookbook

Celebrating the iconic Giggling Squid restaurants in the best way possible, this cookbook is a one stop shop for great Thai food, perfect for entertaining friends with a selection of small plates and sharing dishes. From classics like pad thai and duck curry to more adventurous brunch options and even cocktail recipes, it’s all about dishes that inspire fun, whether by their flavours or their unique creativity. £20. At amazon.co.uk

Pub Kitchen by Tom Kerridge

Look, we love a meal in the pub as much as the next guy, but there comes a time when you just want to be able to enjoy that simple pleasure without leaving your own house. Taking pub classics and adding a bit of twist to them, think of this as your elevated pub menu, all of which you can make easily yourself whether you just fancy a night in, or are having friends over for dinner. And we’re not just talking about any pub meal, we’re talking about those gastropub dishes, from steak and ale pies and prawn tagliatelle to njuda sausage rolls and tempura cod. £14. At amazon.co.uk

Persiana Everyday by Sabrina Ghayour

Taking the vibe of the bestselling book Persiana, but making it all the more easy to cook and accessible, Persiana Everyday is the perfect entry point into delicious, flavourful food. With recipes that work for everything from everyday weeknight meals to more impressive dinner party-suitable feasts, we’d say this is a great investment for anyone looking to level up their cooking in 2024, or to really inspire their friends for the holiday season. Think feta parcels and tomato salads, spatchcocked chicken and lamb shawarma, but without the faff. £15. At amazon.co.uk

5 Ingredients: Mediterranean by Jamie Oliver

While many of us spent lockdowns learning to cook with the endless hours of time we were given (were we lucky enough to spend lockdowns at home) sadly it’s just not realistic for most of us to spend that many hours a week cooking these days. Here to make it easier to still cook good, delicious and healthy meals, without having to do a huge food shop, majorly stock up the food cupboards or spend the entire day in the kitchen, this Jamie Oliver ‘5 Ingredients’ book is a real saviour for weeknights. Featuring 125 meals, each recipe incorporates only five ingredients (shock), from prawn spaghetti and paprika chicken to smoky aubergines and even desserts. £14. At amazon.co.uk

A New Way to Bake: Re-imagined Recipes for Plant-based Cakes, Bakes and Desserts

Plant-based recipes are all the rage, and this new offering is worthy of any collection. Uncovering a brief history of baking before diving into the main ingredients and their functionality, there's everything here from sumptuous apple pie to banana bread, lamingtons, and tiramisù. Perfect training material for Bake Off . £24.99. At amazon.co.uk

Honey: Recipes From a Beekeeper's Kitchen

We know you're not supposed to judge books by their cover, but it's hard not to be instantly drawn in by the delicious gooey warmth of this particular entry. Celebrating one of nature's most delicious ingredients, this is a deep dive into the world of honey, supplemented with mind-blowing recipes to make the bees' hard work really shine. £21.35. At amazon.co.uk

50 Pies, 50 States: An Immigrant's Love Letter to the United States Through Pie

With a title that accurately describes precisely what to expect (and a drool-worthy pipe-laden cover), this book is a fitting tribute to the plethora of pies found across the States, with delicious savoury and sweet dishes all present and accounted for. There's no mention of a 50-day pie challenge, but we'd be more than happy to create our own. £26.79. At amazon.co.uk

A fun read for children and adults alike, this delightful tome takes readers on a culinary journey around the world, learning about a variety of food and dishes from baguettes to biryani, and everything in between. Engaging information, combined with colourful illustrations, makes this a winning choice for any budding young chef. £12.79. At amazon.co.uk

Imad’s Syrian Kitchen:

Described as a bustling, vibrant tour of flavour-packed Syrian dishes, this beautifully presented cookbook takes readers on a culinary journey. Ninety sensational recipes celebrate the flavours of Syria, alongside the author's personal story and how he came to settle in London. £21.99. At amazon.co.uk

The Flavour Thesaurus: More Flavours: Plant-led Pairings, Recipes and Ideas for Cooks

This hugely anticipated follow-up to The Flavour Thesaurus sees Niki Segnit apply her magical approach to explore 92 mostly plant-based flavours, along with recipes, and tasting notes to help bring each delicious ingredient to life. With entertaining stories and packed with useful information, it's as fun to read as it is useful. £18.40. At amazon.co.uk

Dishoom: From Bombay With Love

Ever dreamed of being able to whip up some Dishoom-worthy food whenever and wherever you want it? Us too. And thankfully, as you'll definitely have heard by now, Dishoom has a book that will give you the power to do just that. Finally divulging the secrets that make its food just that good, it's an essential guide to getting your Indian cooking up to scratch. Whether you fancy some jackfruit biryani, black daal or a bacon naan roll, Dishoom has you covered. £30.80. At amazon.co.uk

Ottolenghi Test Kitchen

Embracing creativity, rather than being a recipe book that prescribes very specific ideas, the latest Ottolenghi book takes on the ethos of the team's test kitchen, encouraging you to produce something great with what you have to hand. With a flexible approach to cooking that you rarely find in cookbooks, it'll freshen up your cooking and give you daily weeknight dishes some instant inspiration. £20.89. At amazon.co.uk

Asian Green by Ching-He Huang

There's no reason why meat-free food can't taste just as good or look even more incredible than the standard chicken or beef dishes, and when you've got recipes as good as these ones from Ching-He Huang, you'll be able to prove it every time you have friends round for dinner. Inspired by dishes from across the Asian continent, Asian Green goes big on flavour while also incorporating nutrient-filled ingredients. Whether you fancy wok-friend orange-soy sticky sprouts or black bean seitan tacos, this is a whole new level of delicious veggie cooking. £14.58. At amazon.co.uk

Soup Broth Bread by Rachel Allen

If there’s one cookbook that will be getting us through the winter months this year, it’s Rachel Allen’s Soup, Broth, Bread. Landing just in time for the colder weather, it’s full of delicious, warming recipes that will turn you into a soup expert in no time, whether you’re a beginner or already a seasoned pro. From carrot and harissa soup to chickpea and chorizo broth, plus a range of breads perfect for dipping, it’s an essential. £20.89. At amazon.co.uk

Pasta may be one of the simplest dishes to whip up, but getting it right is a whole other can of worms. Telling the story of pasta while also providing 120 recipes for pasta dishes, sauces and various pasta shapes… once you’ve invested in Roddy’s book you’ll never look at a bowl of pasta the same again. £16.26. At waterstones.com and amazon.co.uk

One Pot, Pan, Planet by Anna Jones

If there's one thing we're prioritising in 2022, it's finding more sustainable approaches to our mealtimes. Anna Jones' One Pot, Pan, Planet is all about finding that balance with recipes that are both quick to make, packed with flavour and focused on planet-friendly ingredients. From baked dahl to Persian noodles and a crispy tofu and broccoli pad Thai, as well as sweeter recipes like chocolate and almond butter brownies, it's just as good for everyday meals as it is for catering your dinner parties. £16.25. At amazon.co.uk

Thali by Maunika Gowardhan

Fun fact of the day, the word Thali actually refers to the method by which meals are served in India where an array of dishes are all presented on one platter. It is therefore no surprise that this book is all about replicating that feeling in your own home. Going big on flavour, the recipes range from classics to lesser-known dishes, with highlights including a spinach and ginger chicken curry, picked squash with turmeric and dried mango powder and crispy fried lentil patties. £18.95. At amazon.co.uk

Ammu by Asma Khan

Crafted in tribute to her mother and her Calcutta-style home-cooking, Ammu is the latest essential on our kitchen shelves. Ranging from quick meals that you can easily whip up at the end of the day, to more advanced staples, this is a guide to tackling some of our Indian cooking favourites at home. And with more than 100 recipes to test out, it's bound to keep you busy for many nights to come. £21.45. At amazon.co.uk

The Whole Vegetable by Sophie Gordon

Placing vegetables at the centre of your cooking, The Whole Vegetable by Sophie Gordon brings new life to the vegetables you may have cast aside, with dishes that really capitalise on their unique flavours. The recipes are pinned around making use of, as you may have expected from the title, the whole vegetable, from how to cook with each part of it, to how to reduce waste, reinvent leftovers and choose vegetables seasonally. Whether it's pumpkin tacos that take your fancy or maple-roasted pears, there's also something for everyone. £22.59. At amazon.co.uk

Taste: My Life Through food by Stanley Tucci

Stanley Tucci’s latest book may be more memoir than it is cookbook, but it’s an absolute must-read for any foodies out there. Tucci’s love and passion for food is as infectious as his personality, and following the success of his previous cookbooks, The Tucci Cookbook and The Tucci Table, his latest offering gives us a deeper insight into the stories behind his favourite recipes and just how significant food can be in defining our lives. You’ll laugh, you’ll cry and you’ll definitely be inspired to cook up some exceptional Italian food. £11.18. At amazon.co.uk

Med: A Cookbook by Claudia Roden

Cook yourself up the feeling of a Mediterranean holiday right from your kitchen with Claudia Roden’s Med: A Cookbook. Thirty years after Roden first released a Mediterranean cookbook, her latest aims to bring the best, mouthwatering recipes to your table, via easy-to-follow, everyday recipes that are intertwined with her stories from travelling the region. From pasta dishes and seafood to some incredible vegetarian offerings, it’s an easy yes from us. £25.75. At amazon.co.uk

Flavour by Yotam Ottolenghi

At most dinner parties these days you can almost guarantee that at least one dish has been cooked using an Ottolenghi recipe, and we're here for it. In Yotan Ottolenghi’s book, coauthored with Ixta Belfrage, the focus is now on flavour. Through breaking down the three facts that create flavours, process, pairing and produce, you’ll find innovative vegetarian recipes that expand on simple cooking principles to create exceptional dishes. It’s all about fresh, good food that will take your vegetables to the next level. £15. At amazon.co.uk

East by Meera Sodha

Finding recipes for good vegetarian or vegan food that actually tastes amazing can still be a difficult task these days, even with the rising popularity of meat-free food. Meera Sodha’s incredible new book, East, offers the perfect solution. Filled with delicious, impressive but still easy-to-make dishes inspired by Asian cuisine from a range of countries including Japan, India, China, Thailand and Vietnam, this is a collection of recipes that will truly change the way you eat. Make everything from noodle and curry dishes to salads and desserts. Some of the highlights include the roasted paneer aloo gobi and the caramelised onion and chilli ramen. Oh, and you won’t want to miss out on the salted miso brownies. £18.05. At amazon.co.uk

Cook, Eat, Repeat by Nigella Lawson

Queen of the culinary world Nigella Lawson returned to our screens last year to keep us cooking and entertained in the final months of 2020. Her latest book, Cook, Eat, Repeat, is full of delicious recipes that she has intertwined with narrative essays reflecting on her passion for cooking and food, as well as the ways in which her recipes have influenced and been influenced by her life. We'd recommend trying the burnt onion and aubergine dip, chocolate peanut butter cake and her vegan dinner inspiration, perfect for January cooking. £21.45. At hive.co.uk

Quick & Easy by Ella Mills

Known for her plant-based recipes, Ella Mills became an internet sensation with Deliciously Ella, the now major food brand that started out as a popular blog. With more than 100 new recipes, this book focuses on quick and easy meals that you can incorporate into your busy life. From harissa-spiced hummus (we're obsessed already) to spinach and chickpea curry and a red lentil dhal, you won't be short of inspiration for breakfast, lunch and dinner. Oh, and the cookies are also a definite win in our eyes. £20. At amazon.co.uk

The Green Barbecue by Rukmini Iyer

If you're short of inspiration for any larger gatherings, The Green Barbecue by Rukmini Iyer is an absolute must-have cookbook. Featuring 75 completely meat-free recipes, you'll never be short of vegetarian and vegan barbecue inspiration again. From crispy barbecue tofu to chipotle mushroom and black bean burgers, this book is about to be your new best friend. £14.85. At amazon.co.uk and waterstones.com

The Contented Vegan by Peggy Brusseau

Whether you’re trying to go vegan for the month, the year or just simply want to start reducing the amount of animal products and meat in your diet, The Contented Vegan is a caring companion that will help you along the way. Adopting a vegan lifestyle can be complicated, especially if you haven’t paid much attention to the amount of protein or the nutritional content of your diet before. Thankfully, not only does The Contented Vegan have plenty of mouth-watering recipes to get you started, but it also has a range of advice and information for new vegans from author Peggy Brusseau, who started her journey as a vegan 30 years ago. An essential vegan cookbook for the start of 2022. £21.79. At hive.co.uk

Easy Vegan Bible by Katy Beskow

Making delicious vegan food can seem quite daunting and complicated at first, especially if you've only just started cooking with the grains, soy products, beans and all of the other products that make up the most common vegan sources of protein. This is when the Easy Vegan Bible comes into play, offering 200 new recipes that are just as easy to prepare as they are delicious. Whether you're a seasoned vegan looking for some new inspiration or have only just started eliminating meat and animal products, you'll have all of the recipes and information you need at your fingertips. To make your life easier, recipes are categorised together based on the length of time they take and the amount of ingredients they incorporate, with solutions for breakfast (think French toast recipes), lunch and dinner. £10.28. At amazon.co.uk

Nadiya Bakes by Nadiya Hussain

Nadiya Hussain has cemented her place as one of the most trusted bakers in the country (alongside the likes of Mary Berry), ever since she won the sixth series of The Great British Bake Off back in 2015. If you're thinking of taking up baking in any form, this is the book for you. With both traditional recipes and experimental ones that involve more unique (and we assure you, delicious) flavours, this book has everything you need to take your baking to the next level. Some of our favourite recipes include the cranberry and chilli brioche wreath and her carrot tart. £19.19. At hive.co.uk

The Happy Pear: Vegan Cooking For Everyone by David and Stephen Flynn

With 20 years of experience in plant-based cooking, bestselling chefs David and Stephen Flynn have become pretty damn good at making impressive and delicious vegan food. The twin brothers started The Happy Pear in 2004 with the goal of inspiring people to live a happier and healthier life while adopting a more plant-based diet. Now, with their new book of the same name, they’re ready to share their wisdom with the world. Whether you’re fully vegan or just trying to reduce the amount of animal products you eat, this is a great place to start. Designed with both complete beginners and seasoned experts in mind, The Happy Pear: Vegan Cooking For Everyone has everything you need to develop your own skills, whatever your level of experience. You’ll find ten chapters of recipes, step-by-step guides, tips for making variations, plus an insight into how you can change up your vegan cooking to make it even better. £18.05. At amazon.co.uk

The Mexican Home Kitchen by Mely Martinez

Following the success of her blog “Mexico In My Kitchen”, Mely Martinez has finally released her highly anticipated The Mexican Home Kitchen, which is full of recipes from her home. Focused around the ideas of how food can bring together families, communities and traditions, Martinez brings to life authentic cooking from her hometown in Mexico intertwined with memories of her family. Learn how to cook everything from soups and tacos to enchiladas and nopales, all incorporating ingredients that are easy to find in grocery stores and suitable for cooking on a budget. Highlights to keep an eye out for are the Chiles Rellenos (stuffed and fried poblano peppers) and the Pastel de Tres Leches, a glorious Mexican cake. ied poblano peppers) and the Pastel de Tres Leches, a glorious Mexican cake. £17.69. At amazon.co.uk

A Kind Of Love Story by Tom Sellers

In many ways, a book by Tom Sellers was inevitable. After all, this is the chef whose first ventures were called Foreword and Preface and whose literary-inspired Restaurant Story captured its guests' imaginations. What nobody foresaw, however, was how Sellers' first cookbook would upturn conventions. That said, given his predilection for originality, it should have been obvious.

A Kind Of Love Story is a romance, right down to its gothic, rose-embossed binding, tracing one man's passion from its childhood kernel to Michelin-starred maturity, which Sellers reached at 26. It contains no recipes in the traditional sense. Instead, Sellers lets the reader in on something much more intimate, interweaving diary-like vignettes with the science of his methods. With the touching tales behind his most memorable dishes adding warmth and authenticity, this is the work of a true storyteller for whom writing about food signals the start of a new and exciting chapter. £29.79. At amazon.co.uk

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40 of the best audiobooks on Audible to listen to now

Looking for you latest spoken-word listen? Here are our top picks.

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If you love reading, but you find you never have enough free time to curl up with a book, then an audiobook is the perfect solution. Keeping your hands and eyes free to get on with other tasks, they are the perfect accompaniment to commutes, housework, exercising or even drifting off to sleep.

Leading the audiobook revolution is Amazon's Audible, a service that boasts a vast catalogue of classics, new releases, cult favourites and best-sellers. These have all been given the audiobook treated — and are often narrated by the authors themselves. You're certainly not short on choice, when looking through titles on Audible.

So, in order to nudge you in the right direction, we've put together a list of our favourite audiobooks on Audible — which are all available to buy and stream now. We've including a range of fiction, memoir, drama, crime, comedy and plenty more besides, and we're confident that you'll see something that takes your fancy.

Although Audible is first and foremost a subscription service, you can still pay for one-off audiobooks without subscribing — all we'll say is that it's far better value for money in the long run to pay for a monthly subscription. To find out more, don't miss our how does Audible work explainer. We've also picked out our favourite free podcasts on Audible too.

Check back for regular updates...

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Listen for less – audible deals in the prime early access sale, 40 of the best audiobooks on audible, the vanishing half.

By: Brit Bennett

Narrated by: Shayna Small

Length: 11 hours and 34 minutes

This story follows the intersecting lives of the twin Vignes sisters who run away from their small Southern black community in the US, at age 16. 10 years on, one sister has returned to live in their community while the other passes for white and gets married elsewhere, keeping her past a secret. The plot spans the 1950s to the 1990s across generations, as the sisters’ daughters’ own lives eventually intersect.

• Buy the audiobook for £17.49 from Amazon
• Free with a 30-day trial of Audible

Last Tang Standing

By: Lauren Ho

Narrated by: Catherine Ho

Length: 12 hours and 38 minutes

Andrea Tang has a top job as a lawyer, she lives in an affluent neighbourhood and has the perfect boyfriend. She has done everything a good Chinese daughter should have, but then things go wrong at work, she finds herself in debt and suddenly becomes the last single person in her family. Que meddling and match-making from everyone around her.

• Buy the audiobook for £12.58 from Amazon

Little Fires Everywhere

By: Celeste Ng

Narrated by: Jennifer Lim

Length: 11 hours and 27 minutes

If you aren’t already familiar with the book, you may have heard about the hit series Little Fires Everywhere starring Reese Witherspoon and Kerry Washington. In Shaker Heights, Ohio, Elena Richardson lives a seemingly perfect suburban life. After renting a house to single mother Mia, the two women’s families become close until they find themselves on opposing sides of an adoption debate. Things unravel as Elena tries to dig into the secrets of Mia’s past.

Why I'm No Longer Talking to White People About Race

By: Reni Eddo-Lodge

Narrated by: Reni Eddo-Lodge

Length: 5 hours and 53 minutes

Reni Eddo-Lodge’s best-selling book began as a viral blog post about how discussions of race and racism are often shut down by those unaffected by it. Why I’m No Longer Talking to White People About Race explores what it is to be a person of colour in Britain and delves into issues around white privilege, black history, institutional racism and more.

From 25th May to 30th June 2020, Audible’s profits from this title and others on their anti-racism list will be donated to charities working against social inequality in the UK.

• Buy for £13.12 from Amazon

By: Marian Keyes

Narrated by: Marian Keyes

Length: 17 hours and 3 minutes

The three Casey brothers lead apparently glossy, successful lives with their wives and children, making up one big happy extended family. However, not everything is as it seems and when Cara, one of the brothers' wives, gets concussion she can’t help but spill out all their secrets.

• Buy the audiobook for £12.12 from Amazon

I Am Not Your Baby Mother

By: Candice Brathwaite

Narrated by: Candice Brathwaite

Length: 5 hours and 40 minutes

Candice Brathwaite began blogging about motherhood after she fell pregnant and found the parenting forums, magazines and other spaces were not diverse. I Am Not Your Baby Mother is a guide to life as a black mother from pregnancy through to starting school, navigating micro-aggression, unconscious bias and more at each stage.

• Buy the audiobook for £20.12 from Amazon

The Other Wife

By: Claire McGowan

Narrated by: Karen Cass

Length: 9 hours and 44 minutes

Pregnant and alone with her jealous husband, Suzi becomes fast friends with her new neighbour Nora. However, Suzi harbours a terrible secret and suspects Nora may know what it is. Meanwhile, Elle seems to have the perfect life. In reality, she’s killed before and will do it again if it means keeping hold of her husband. The strangers are brought together in a shocking event which will change all of their lives forever.

• Buy the audiobook for £24.05 from Amazon

What I Know for Sure

By: Oprah Winfrey

Narrated by: Oprah Winfrey

Length: 3 hours and 53 minutes

Oprah Winfrey has shared wisdom with readers in her O magazine column for 14 years. Now, her updated essays have been collated into this book and organised into themes such as gratitude, joy, connection and resilience. In this audiobook, Oprah Winfrey narrates her own words directly to listeners to impact nuggets of inspiration.

• Buy the audiobook for £9.62 from Amazon

A History of Britain in 21 Women

By: Jenni Murray

Narrated by: Jenni Murray

Length: 8 hours and 28 minutes

Journalist and presenter of BBC Radio 4’s Woman’s Hour Jenni Murray has combined the achievements of 21 influential women, to explain how each of them impacted different aspects of British history. The profiles include author Jane Austen, suffragette Emmeline Pankhurst, designer Mary Quant, monarch Queen Elizabeth I and more.

• Buy the audiobook for £13.12 from Amazon

Girl, Woman, Other

By: Bernardine Evaristo

Narrated by: Anna-Maria Nabirye

Length: 11 hours and 7 minutes

Bernardine Evaristo’s best-selling Girl, Woman, Other won The Booker Prize in 2019. The plot follows the lives of 12 characters in Britain as they search for something missing from their lives. The stories take place at various points over the past 100 years and in different locations the length and breadth of the country.

• Buy the audiobook for £22.74 from Amazon

Normal People

By: Sally Rooney

Narrated by: Aoife McMahon

Length: 7 hours and 36 minutes

The multi-awarding winning novel from Sally Rooney, Normal People has been adapted into a hit TV series for BBC Three. Released as a box-set, the show had viewers across the country hooked. This audiobook of the original novel narrates the story of young couple Connell and Marianne who grew up in the same rural Irish town. We follow their relationship through university into life beyond as they grapple with love, privilege and life together.

• Buy the audiobook for £14.87 from Amazon

The Beekeeper of Aleppo

By: Christy Lefteri

Narrated by: Art Malik

Length: 8 hours and 37 minutes

When their home city is torn apart, beekeeper Nuri and his artist wife Afra must make a dangerous journey towards a new, uncertain future in Britain, to join Nuri’s cousin who teaches beekeeping to fellow refugees. Afra is now blind because of the horrors she has seen and the couple must fight to survive in a broken world and find their way back to each other again.

• Buy the audiobook for £32.37 from Amazon

Gotta Get Theroux This: My Life and Strange Times on Television

By: Louis Theroux

Narrated by: Louis Theroux

Length: 13 hours and 12 minutes

For more than two decades Louis Theroux has shone a light on distinctive characters and diverse pockets of society. Through TV interviews and his own documentary series, the journalist has forged an unexpectedly successful career as a journalist, which he reflects on with honesty and humour in his memoir. The audiobook adaptation is narrated by Theroux himself.

• Buy the audiobook for £12.24 from Amazon

The Family Upstairs

By: Lisa Jewell

Narrated by: Tamaryn Payne, Bea Holland, Dominic Thorburn

Length: 9 hours and 37 minutes

This crime thriller is set in a home in wealthy Chelsea, London. Three bodies lie on the kitchen floor and have been there for several days. Upstairs, a happy, well-fed baby lies awake in her cot. What happened in that house and who has been looking after the baby?

By: Michelle Obama Narrated by: Michelle Obama Length: 19 hrs and 3 mins

From growing up on the Southside of Chicago to balancing the demands of motherhood and work, this intimate and powerful memoir by the first African American First Lady of the United States tells the stories that helped shape Michelle Obama's journey and allowed her to create the most open and inclusive White House in American history.

• Buy the audiobook for £27.99 from Amazon

The Subtle Art of Not Giving a F*ck

By: Mark Manson Narrated by: Roger Wayne Length: 5 hrs and 17 mins

"F*ck positivity" is the mantra Mark Manson preaches in his bestselling self-help guide, the ultimate antidote to today's culture of positive thinking. Not everyone is special, Manson tells us, and real-life doesn't award you a gold medal just for showing up — but by learning and accepting our own weaknesses and limitations, we can confront once-painful truths and learn true courage.

• Buy the audiobook for £20.29 from Amazon

The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying

By: Marie Kondo Narrated by: Lucy Scott Length: 4 hrs and 39 mins

Have you mastered the KonMari method? Have you learnt how to 'spark joy' in your home and everyday life? Millions of people have attested to the life-changing impact of declutterer extraordinaire Marie Kondo, whose self-help guide on the power of tidying-up has transformed homes across the globe. The guide also promises to help you shed negative aspects of your life, even helping you to lose weight or end a bad relationship.

• Buy the audiobook for £15.75 from Amazon

A Game of Thrones

By: George RR Martin Narrated by: Roy Dotrice Length: 33 hrs and 45 mins

In the first book in George RR Martin's epic fantasy series A Song of Ice and Fire (the inspiration behind HBO's hit TV series) Martin weaves together multiple sprawling storylines from across the fictional kingdom of Westeros. The battle for the Iron Throne spells intrigue, betrayal and bloodshed, and no character or family is safe from harm.

• Buy the audiobook for £23.62 from Amazon

Sherlock Holmes: The Definitive Collection

By: Arthur Conan Doyle, Stephen Fry (introductions) Narrated by: Stephen Fry Length: 71 hrs and 57 mins

Stephen Fry lends his instantly-recognisable voice to Conan Doyle's equally recognisable hero, the eponymous private detective blessed with an altogether superior intellect and a flair for dramatics. The ultimate collection of the Sherlock Holmes mysteries, including four novels and five short story collections, this includes Fry's personal introductions to each of the nine titles.

• Buy the audiobook from £69.99 from Amazon

Sunshine and Sweet Peas in Nightingale Square

By: Heidi Swain Narrated by: Karen Cass Length: 10 hrs and 46 mins

The perfect holiday read (or in this case, listen), bestselling author Heidi Swain's heart-warming stories are the ideal antidote to life's more humdrum realities. Swain's heroine Kate has run away to Norwich in an effort to escape her husband, but she soon finds herself drawn in to village life, where the arrival of developers could spell disaster to the locals' traditional way of life.

• Buy the audiobook for £12.59 from Amazon

This Is Going to Hurt

By: Adam Kay Narrated by: Adam Kay Length: 6 hrs and 17 mins

At turns a brutal, uncomfortable and hilarious listen, Adam Kay's secret diaries of his life as a junior doctor have proved a national phenomenon, providing an inside-look into birth, death and everything in-between on and off the hospital ward – and Kay spares the listener none of the grisly or (at times) nauseating details that once made up his working life.

• Buy the audiobook for £11.37 from Amazon

By: Yuval Noah Harari Narrated by: Derek Perkins Length: 15 hrs and 18 mins

Planet Earth has existed for 4.5 billion years, but in that time only one creature has managed to truly conquer and dominate the globe in the way that we, homo sapiens, have. Yuval Noah Harari offers a fascinating look into our history as a species, examining in detail mankind's journey from the Stone Age to the Silicon Age, before asking where we're headed in the years to come.

• Buy for £27.99 from Amazon

12 Rules for Life

By: Jordan B Peterson Narrated by: Jordan B Peterson Length: 15 hrs and 39 mins

Billed as an "antidote to chaos", clinical psychologist Jordan B Peterson (perhaps most widely know for his critiques of political correctness) explores how to find meaning in life, drawing from psychology, the Bible, philosophy, modern romantic relationships and mythology in order to create his 12-step guide to how to live not necessarily a happy life, but a deeply meaningful one.

• Buy the audiobook for £7.49 from Amazon

The Butterfly Effect

By: Jon Ronson Length: 3 hrs and 30 mins

Bestselling author Jon Ronson's podcast examines the butterfly effect: what happened when a Belgium teenager made porn free and easily accessible — and what the longterm consequences are. Ronson's other original podcast, The Last Days of August, is also available on Audible, as are his various books, including The Psychopath Test and The Men Who Stare at Goats.

• Regular price: £23.49

A Short History of Nearly Everything

By: Bill Bryson Narrated by: Bill Bryson Length: 5 hrs and 48 mins

How did we go from The Big Bang to civilisation? How did humans go from nothing at all to, well, something? How did time and space create us ? Bill Bryson sets out to discover the answers to all the big questions, from where the centre of the Earth is, to how continents have changed over the past millions of years and, with them, natural life as we know it.

• Buy the audiobook for £18.37 from Amazon

How to Win Friends & Influence People

By: Dale Carnegie Narrated by: Andrew MacMillan Length: 7 hrs and 15 mins

Published over 70 years ago, this iconic self-help book is still helping people to become more successful at life and in their careers. Dale Carnegie offers six techniques to make people like you, in addition to tips and tricks to help you bring others round to your way of thinking — all without provoking resentment. A quick listen of this will have you jumping off the Tube to go out and pursue your dream career.

• Buy the audiobook for £23 from Amazon

Terry Pratchett: BBC Radio Drama Collection

By: Terry Pratchett Narrated by: Ensemble cast, including Martin Jarvis, Sheila Hancock, and Anton Lesser Length: 13 hrs and 13 mins

If you missed out on BBC Radio 4's full-cast dramatisations of Terry Pratchett's Discworld novels the first time around, never fear. Boasting a star-studded cast, this collection gathers together all six radio adaptations, which bring to life such classics as Mort, Night Watch, Guards! Guards! and Eric, in addition to bonus tale Only You Can Save Mankind, from the Johnny Maxwell series.

By: Neil Gaiman, Terry Pratchett Narrated by: Martin Jarvis Length: 12 hrs and 33 mins

Are you ready for Armageddon? The apocalypse will be happening next Saturday, but not if one unlikely celestial pairing (a Bentley-driving demon and a rather fussy angel) can help it. Veteran actor Martin Jarvis narrates Neil Gaiman and the late Terry Pratchett's brilliant fantasy novel.

Alan Partridge: Nomad

By: Alan Partridge Narrated by: Alan Partridge Length: 6 hrs and 2 mins

Alan Partridge's travel book, narrated by the man himself in his decidedly unique style, should come with a printed warning, as it's likely to cause uncontrollable snorts of laughter on the listener's commute. The comic character created by Steve Coogan turns 30 this year, so what better time to reacquaint yourself with the man, the myth, the legend that is Partridge?

By: Stephen Fry Narrated by: Stephen Fry Length: 15 hrs and 25 mins

Stephen Fry's epic retelling of the Greek myths covers everything from the start of the universe to the creation of the gods and monsters, right up until the age of heroes (for that, you'll have to listen to Fry's sequel, Heroes). From Zeus's battle to overthrow his despotic father and win the throne of Mount Olympus, to King Midas' fateful wish, Fry breathes new life into the classical myths.

Damned Spot

By: Audible Originals Length: 1 hr and 40 mins

When a tragic event occurs, thoughts go out to those immediately affected: victims, friends, and family. But what about the local residents and communities who live in the same area where the event occurred? This podcast revisits the sites where memories of death and upheaval are still keenly felt, and explores what it takes for a place — and its people — to recover.

By: Audible Originals Length: 8 hrs

Charting an unsolved real-life murder mystery that has gripped listeners the world over, West Cork recounts the hunt for Sophie Toscan du Plantier's killer, after the 39-year-old was found murdered just days before Christmas Day in 1996 near the town of Schull in West Cork, Ireland. Listeners are introduced to a host of characters and a potential prime suspect, and are guided throughout by investigative journalist Sam Bungey and documentarian Jennifer Forde.

The Path to Pride

By: Lance Bass, Nikki Levy, Frank DeCaro, Zeke Smith Length: 1 hr and 9 mins

Members of the the LGBTQ+ community gather in Los Angeles to share their unique stories about coming out in this hilarious and heartwarming listen. Stories range from kooky to hilarious, including that of a teenage pop star on the road with his (extremely devout) mother — but one thing that all the tales have in common is that they're bursting with Pride.

• Regular price: £2.79

By: Martyn Amos, Ra Page Length: 12 hrs and 30 mins

If you've friends or family at all interested in tech, chances are you will have heard of this Black Mirror-esque podcast, which brings together 38 scientists and authors (paired together) to imagine how technology will look, and how it will affect life, in 2070. From artificial haute cuisine to synthetically grown skyscrapers and dangerous video games, everything you've ever imagined possible and more is discussed.

• Regular price: £24.99

Genius Dialogues

By: Audible Originals, Bob Garfield Length: 7 hrs

What makes a genius a genius? How did Lin Manuel Miranda create Hamilton, and how did a trip to India inspire inventor Amy Smith? While The MacArthur Foundation awards its famous "genius grant" every year, who exactly are these scientists, artists and educators, and what have they done to merit the title 'genius'? Bob Garfield invites fellows in to discuss their life and careers, unpicking what events shaped them.

By: Jane Austen, Anna Lea (adaptation) Narrated by: Emma Thompson, Joanne Froggatt, Isabella Inchbald, Aisling Loftus, Joseph Millson, Morgana Robinson Length: 8 hrs and 21 mins

Narrated by Oscar-winner Emma Thompson (need we say more) and with a full supporting voice cast, this star-studded adaptation brings all of Austen's signature wit, acute observations and worldly wisdom to life. A comedy of manners, the story follows the wealthy and sheltered Emma Woodhouse who loves nothing more than matchmaking her neighbours.

• Regular price: £19.99

So You Want to Talk About Race

By: Ijeoma Oluo Narrated by: Bahni Turpin Length: 7 hrs and 41 mins

Narrated by Bahni Turpin, who you may know from her reading of Colson Whitehead's novel The Underground Railroad, this offers an accessible look at race in the US, tackling head-on the various issues that have dominated headlines and national discourse for decades, including race riots, the "N" word, police brutality and the Black Lives Matter movement.

• Buy the audiobook for £18.98 from Amazon

For the latest news and expert tips on getting the best deals this year, take a look at our Black Friday 2021 and Cyber Monday 2021 guides.

By: Tara Westover Narrated by: Julia Whelan Length: 12 hrs and 10 mins

Raised in a survivalist family in rural Idaho, Tara Westover didn't step foot into a classroom until she was 17-years-old — and yet she went on to receive a PhD from Cambridge University. A moving account of a violent, completely isolated childhood and one girl's quest for education, which would take Westover first to Harvard and then across the sea to Cambridge.

Girl, Wash Your Face

By: Rachel Hollis Narrated by: Rachel Hollis Length: 7 hrs and 4 mins

Ever thought that everyone around you has it figured out, and that you still haven't a clue? That's just one of the 20 lies that women tell themselves and that Rachel Hollis attempts to debunk. Unpacking strategies in how to move past everyday fears and misconceptions, Hollis challenges the listener to rethink the narratives that continue to hold us back.

• Buy the audiobook for £24.75 from Amazon

Jeff Wayne's The War of The Worlds: The Musical Drama

By: HG Wells, Jeff Wayne Narrated by: Michael Sheen, Taron Egerton, Theo James, Adrian Edmondson, Anna-Marie Wayne Length: 5 hrs and 4 mins

Narrated by Michael Sheen and featuring an all-star cast, including Divergent's Theo James and Kingsman: The Secret Service's Taron Egerton, HG Wells’ class sci-fi story gets an update with Jeff Wayne’s suspenseful score. First serialised in 1897, the dramatic story follows two brothers in London who witness an alien invasion in southern England.

Want to listening to your Audible downloads on decent audio? Don't miss our best smart speaker list - and be sure to check out our best Amazon Echo deals too.

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The Biggest Books Landing on Your Reading List in 2024

Esquire’s reading recommendations for the year ahead, from hotly tipped debuts to Kafkaesque short stories

One of the nice things about books is they take a while to write. And so, while it can feel impossible to keep up with culture thanks to the constant barrage of television shows and movies and opinions that modern life throws our way , you will often find some more contemplative thoughts in literature.

The year ahead in reading looks all around: way back to landmark literary events, a dip into the more recent past (hello to the pandemic and London heatwave!), and forwards to fictional future worlds reckoning with AI. And, of course, there is the here and now: an exciting crop of novelists dealing with identity and class and relationships. All the stuff that makes life interesting.

Whether it is the debut you will see everywhere on the morning commute or a literary crime thriller, there’s a pick below for you. This list will be updated throughout the year.

Day, Michael Cunningham (18 January)

Michael Cunningham’s first novel in nine years gets its UK release this January: a suitably contemplative way to start the year. Day follows a Brooklyn-based family – centring on brother and sister Robbie and Isabel – on the same April date across three years, from 2019 to 2021. You may recall there was a worldwide event taking place in those years. The novel wisely doesn’t go too deep on any pandemic logistics (in fact, the word is never mentioned), but it does attempt to show the consequences of that extraordinary event on this family, as they grapple with the more regular facets of life: heartbreak, stagnant marriages, awkward adolescences. Cunningham deploys his trademark spare prose and wry humour to great effect here.

Wild Houses, Colin Barrett (25 January)

The small-town crime novel is a very well-represented genre, but Collin Barrett’s debut has an enviable prestige: the author’s short stories have been published to great acclaim in the New Yorker and Irish literary magazine The Stinging Fly . Wild Houses is set in Ballina, County Mayo, where a feud between small-time dealer, Cillian, and local law enforcers, Gabe and Sketch is causing problems (as criminal feuds usually do). But when Cillian’s brother turns up, battered and bruised, on Dev’s doorstep, the isolated Dev is dragged headlong into a family’s revenge quest.

Empireworld: How British Imperialism Has Shaped the Globe, Sathnam Sanghera (25 January)

Sanghera follows up Empireland , which explored the impact of imperialism on Britain, with Empireworld , which will explore the impact of imperialism on... well, the world. From religion to food and driving on the left side of the road, the empire’s effect is huge. But how do other countries view those consequences? And, perhaps more importantly, how does Britain?

Come and Get It, Kiley Reid (30 January)

Kiley Reid’s 2019 debut Such a Fun Age was a – sorry, no other word for it – fun take on race and class, a refreshing outlier in a typically dour genre. Her follow-up, Come and Get It , heads to campus for some lessons in relationships and finance. Millie is about to graduate when a professor offers an unusual way to earn some much-needed money. Where will that newfound side-hustle lead? In Reid’s hands, expect high-wire tension, side-eyeing satire and a heap of jokes.

Change: A Novel, Édouard Louis (8 February)

Édouard Louis’s latest, an autobiographical novel explores some familiar themes to the French author’s work: class, sexuality, society’s inequality. In this, Édouard heads to Amiens for school and university in Paris, taking on a new name and a life. He indulges in activities both aristocratic and seedy in an attempt to rebrand himself. But can you ever truly escape your past? Hm, we’d wager that it’s probably not that simple.

Blessings, Chukwuebuka Ibeh (22 February)

As engaging as doorstoppers can be, there is an unparalleled pleasure in something short and searing. Chukwuebuka Ibeh’s debut is set in modern-day Nigeria, where the country’s criminalisation of same-sex marriage has created a hostile atmosphere for the LGBTQ+ population. After an intimate moment with the family apprentice, Obiefuna is sent to a Christian boarding school by his father. So begins a process of self-discovery. Blessings is told from Obiefuna and his mother’s perspective, a dynamic which has plenty of potential for the profound.

The Fetishist, Katherine Min (28 February)

After author Katherine Min’s death, her daughter, Kayla, found a manuscript in her late mother’s drawer. Katherine had been working on a project, and that book turned into The Fetishist , the writer’s first posthumous publication, a revenge story about furious and frustrated musicians. We follow three characters, caught in a high-wire trap: young, impulsive punk singer Kyoko, who blames seductive violinist Daniel for her mother’s death. Then there is Alma, the extraordinary cellist, as beautiful as she is talented, and the love of Daniel’s life. Kidnapping kicks off the main action here, but we soon learn that these characters’ stories go back much further.

It is indeed a revenge story, but it is also a romance and a thriller with observations on race (one particularly memorable passage breaks down the kind of Western men who are attracted to Asian women) and all the better for it: The Fetishist is a pacy, provocative romp through the brilliant and bitter world of classical music. Crucially, it is also funny.

Caledonian Road, Andrew O’Hagan (4 April)

Knife: Meditations After an Attempted Murder, Salman Rushdie (16 April)

This is the first book Salman Rushdie has written since he was stabbed onstage at an event in New York state (his novel Victory City was published after the attack, but written beforehand). In Knife , Rushdie writes about the attempt on his life and what happened afterwards: a testament to endurance and the power of writing.

Henry Henry, Allen Bratton (2 May)

You cannot move for dreary retellings of Shakespeare – hello Anyone but You ! – but Allen Bratton’s Henry Henry , a contemporary reimagining of the Henriad, is joyous and moving (and more than a little discomfiting). It is London in the 2010s and Hal, the eldest son of the Duke of Lancaster, is wasting his 20s in the capital. Hal is gay, Catholic, and addicted to cocaine. I know what you’re thinking. That never stopped anyone having fun! And he certainly is, until the realities of family duty and, even worse, the possibility of actual intimacy become unignorable. Bratton, an American writer, has a good eye for the English aristocracy and public school types (not exactly a hard target, but plenty get it wrong) and, more intriguingly, Catholic guilt. Those are – unfortunately? – the exact intersection of my interests but even for the more healthily-adjusted, there is plenty to like in this lively debut.

How to Leave the House, Nathan Newman (2 May)

Nathan Newman’s debut brings together a pleasingly weird bunch of people: a dentist who longs to be an artist (he cannot stop creating pictures of mouths!), a romantically-troubled Imam, a teenager whose nudes have leaked. And then there is 23-year-old Natwest, who is waiting for an embarrassing package to arrive before heading off for university. An ambitious title.

Evenings and Weekends, Oisín McKenna (9 May)

Every few years, we must read a novel about London during a heatwave. This time, it’s Oisín McKenna’s turn. It’s 2019, the hottest June on record, and we’re about to head into a highly-charged weekend between four characters. There’s Maggie, pregnant and down-on-her-luck (though that latter description matches many of this novel’s characters), and Ed, the bike courier who hopes to make a life with her. Then there’s Phil, who has a secret past with Ed, and is currently engaged in an open relationship with Keith. Meanwhile, Phil’s mother is travelling to London to tell her son about her cancer diagnosis.

This is a well-paced, often enveloping entry into London lit, with funny observations about the capital’s inhabitants: there are memorable descriptions of city-workers touching in and out of ticket barriers as well as chaotic, party-centric house shares. It feels like the work of someone who has lived and loved in the capital, and even better, it opened this reader’s eyes to new sides of his home city.

Blue Sisters, Coco Mellors (23 May)

Coco Mellors’ first novel, Cleopatra and Frankenstein , was a runaway hit: an incisive exploration of relationships and addiction against the backdrop of New York’s art and advertising scene (somehow Mellows made the latter more interesting than the former). Her follow-up charts three sisters – across New York, London, and Los Angeles – as they navigate their personal and professional lives after the death of their sister. Mellors is a warm and glamorous writer, and whether she’s delving into the world of modelling or London’s elite, as she does in Blue Sisters , there is always mischief to be found in her lines.

A Cage Went in Search of a Bird: Ten Kafkaesque Stories (30 May)

June marks a hundred years since Franz Kafka’s death (the author died from starvation as a result of tuberculosis at the age of 40). To mark that century, ten authors – including Ali Smith, Elif Batuman and Charlie Kaufman – have penned ten short stories which are deemed Kafaesque. If anything will speak to the general weirdness of our times, this collection, with its AI architects to bureaucratic nightmares, will be it. Though, perhaps, what we shall learn is that all times are a little weird.

A Person is a Prayer, Ammar Kalia (30 May)

Trend alert: novels told over three days, spanning years, about a single, sprawling family. It’s the second on this list! Will it catch on? Perhaps someone from BookTok could tell us. (No need to reach out.) A Person Is a Prayer , from debut author Ammar Kalia, does indeed share the crisp narration and lyricism of Michael Cunningham’s Day , though somewhat expands the focus to take in Kenya, India and England. We meet Bedi and Sushma, who are brought together by an arranged marriage and have three children: Selena, Tara and Rohan. Many years later, they come together to spread their father’s ashes in the Ganges and find that they are asking the same question of life, namely: how do you lead a happy one? Intergenerational tales are ripe for exploring themes of loss and tradition and home and this is no different, though Kalia’s take is refreshingly nuanced and – thank God – funny.

James, Percival Everett (11 April)

Percival Everett is on a roll. In 2021, the disturbing and darkly comic The Trees , was shortlisted for the Booker. And his 2001 novel, Erasure , was recently adapted by Cord Jefferson into the Oscar-nominated film American Fiction . He is back with JAMES , a retelling of Mark Twain’s Huckleberry Finn. Everett’s version is told from the perspective of Jim, an enslaved man who follows Finn on his adventures along the Mississippi River. This is likely to be a refreshing take on an old tale and, perhaps in a couple of decades (but more likely sooner), a film.

faber The Secret Public: How LGBTQ Resistance Shaped Popular Culture (1955–1979), Jon Savage (June)

How has the LGBTQ community shaped popular culture? And what are the moments that helped shift a marginalised community from the sidelines to the mainstream where it is today? England's Dreaming author Jon Savage is set to answer those questions in this survey of the period between 1955 and 1979, focusing on artists in music and wider culture, from Little Richard to David Bowie.

Scaffolding, Lauren Elkin (13 June)

In Lauren Elkin’s Scaffolding, one Paris apartment plays host to two couples, separated by five decades and linked by relationship woes. In 2019, Anna, an astute and introspective psychoanalyst, is processing her miscarriage, a stalling marriage, and befriending her thrilling neighbour, Clementine. In the Seventies, Florence and Henry are also facing challenges in their marriage and questioning the expectations that have been put upon them. Elkin’s writing is invigorating and enlightening: she asks big questions about intimate issues and daringly provides answers. She is unafraid to take a few big swings. Perhaps most thrilling are her observations about contemporary life, like when Anna documents the habits of a neighbouring family: “They have a little girl who likes to dance. Lately it’s been to a Taylor Swift song that she blasts from an iPad, which echoes across the street and into my window, shake shake shake, she sings though she doesn’t understand the lyrics, what is being shaken out and off.” It’s that blend of humour and insight which make Scaffolding such a rich, entertaining read.

Creation Lake, Rachel Kushner (5 September)

Rachel Kushner returns with a typically outlandish premise: a spy novel about a commune of eco-activists. Sadie Smith, a 30-something agent, is sent from America to remote France to penetrate the group and its charming leader, Bruno Lacombe. Will Sadie’s mission succeed? Or will Bruno’s ideas about the path to enlightenment prove irresistible?

Henry Wong is a senior culture writer at Esquire, working across digital and print. He covers film, television, books, and art for the magazine, and also writes profiles.

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The 100 best books of the 21st century

Dazzling debut novels, searing polemics, the history of humanity and trailblazing memoirs ... Read our pick of the best books since 2000

• Read an interview with the author of our No 1 book
• Read Ali Smith on Autumn
• Read David Mitchell on Cloud Atlas

I Feel Bad About My Neck

By nora ephron (2006).

Perhaps better known for her screenwriting ( Silkwood , When Harry Met Sally , Heartburn ), Ephron’s brand of smart theatrical humour is on best display in her essays. Confiding and self-deprecating, she has a way of always managing to sound like your best friend – even when writing about her apartment on New York’s Upper West Side. This wildly enjoyable collection includes her droll observations about ageing, vanity – and a scorching appraisal of Bill Clinton. Read the review

Broken Glass

By alain mabanckou (2005), translated by helen stevenson (2009).

The Congolese writer says he was “trying to break the French language” with Broken Glass – a black comedy told by a disgraced teacher without much in the way of full stops or paragraph breaks. As Mabanckou’s unreliable narrator munches his “bicycle chicken” and drinks his red wine, it becomes clear he has the history of Congo-Brazzaville and the whole of French literature in his sights. Read the review

The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo

By stieg larsson (2005), translated by steven t murray (2008).

Radical journalist Mikael Blomkvist forms an unlikely alliance with troubled young hacker Lisbeth Salander as they follow a trail of murder and malfeasance connected with one of Sweden’s most powerful families in the first novel of the bestselling Millennium trilogy. The high-level intrigue beguiled millions of readers, brought “Scandi noir” to prominence and inspired innumerable copycats. Read the review

Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire

By jk rowling (2000).

A generation grew up on Rowling’s all-conquering magical fantasies, but countless adults have also been enthralled by her immersive world. Book four, the first of the doorstoppers, marks the point where the series really takes off. The Triwizard Tournament provides pace and tension, and Rowling makes her boy wizard look death in the eye for the first time. Read the review

A Little Life

By hanya yanagihara (2015).

This operatically harrowing American gay melodrama became an unlikely bestseller, and one of the most divisive novels of the century so far. One man’s life is blighted by abuse and its aftermath, but also illuminated by love and friendship. Some readers wept all night, some condemned it as titillating and exploitative, but no one could deny its power. Read the review

Chronicles: Volume One

By bob dylan (2004).

Dylan’s reticence about his personal life is a central part of the singer-songwriter’s brand, so the gaps and omissions in this memoir come as no surprise. The result is both sharp and dreamy, sliding in and out of different phases of Dylan’s career but rooted in his earliest days as a Woody Guthrie wannabe in New York City. Fans are still waiting for volume two. Read the review

The Tipping Point

By malcolm gladwell (2000).

The New Yorker staff writer examines phenomena from shoe sales to crime rates through the lens of epidemiology, reaching his own tipping point, when he became a rock-star intellectual and unleashed a wave of quirky studies of contemporary society. Two decades on, Gladwell is often accused of oversimplification and cherry picking, but his idiosyncratic bestsellers have helped shape 21st-century culture. Read the review

by Nicola Barker (2007)

British fiction’s most anarchic author is as prolific as she is playful, but this freewheeling, visionary epic set around the Thames Gateway is her magnum opus. Barker brings her customary linguistic invention and wild humour to a tale about history’s hold on the present, as contemporary Ashford is haunted by the spirit of a medieval jester. Read the review

by Helen Dunmore (2001)

The Levin family battle against starvation in this novel set during the German siege of Leningrad. Anna digs tank traps and dodges patrols as she scavenges for wood, but the hand of history is hard to escape. Read the review

by M John Harrison (2002)

One of the most underrated prose writers demonstrates the literary firepower of science fiction at its best. Three narrative strands – spanning far-future space opera, contemporary unease and virtual-reality pastiche – are braided together for a breathtaking metaphysical voyage in pursuit of the mystery at the heart of reality. Read the review

by Jenny Erpenbeck (2008), translated by Susan Bernofsky (2010)

A grand house by a lake in the east of Germany is both the setting and main character of Erpenbeck’s third novel. The turbulent waves of 20th-century history crash over it as the house is sold by a Jewish family fleeing the Third Reich, requisitioned by the Russian army, reclaimed by exiles returning from Siberia, and sold again. Read the review

by Lorna Sage (2000)

A Whitbread prizewinning memoir, full of perfectly chosen phrases, that is one of the best accounts of family dysfunction ever written. Sage grew up with her grandparents, who hated each other: he was a drunken philandering vicar; his wife, having found his diaries, blackmailed him and lived in another part of the house. The author gets unwittingly pregnant at 16, yet the story has a happy ending. Read the review

Noughts & Crosses

By malorie blackman (2001).

Set in an alternative Britain, this groundbreaking piece of young adult fiction sees black people, called the Crosses, hold all the power and influence, while the noughts – white people – are marginalised and segregated. The former children’s laureate’s series is a crucial work for explaining racism to young readers.

Priestdaddy

By patricia lockwood (2017).

This may not be the only account of living in a religious household in the American midwest (in her youth, the author joined a group called God’s Gang, where they spoke in tongues), but it is surely the funniest. The author started out as the “poet laureate of Twitter”; her language is brilliant, and she has a completely original mind. Read the review

Adults in the Room

By yanis varoufakis (2017).

This memoir by the leather-jacketed economist of the six months he spent as Greece’s finance minister in 2015 at a time of economic and political crisis has been described as “one of the best political memoirs ever written”. He comes up against the IMF, the European institutions, Wall Street, billionaires and media owners and is told how the system works – as a result, his book is a telling description of modern power. Read the review

The God Delusion

By richard dawkins (2006).

A key text in the days when the “New Atheism” was much talked about, The God Delusion is a hard-hitting attack on religion, full of Dawkins’s confidence that faith produces fanatics and all arguments for God are ridiculous. What the evolutionary biologist lacks in philosophical sophistication, he makes up for in passion, and the book sold in huge numbers. Read the review

The Cost of Living

By deborah levy (2018).

“Chaos is supposed to be what we most fear but I have come to believe it might be what we most want ... ” The second part of Levy’s “living memoir”, in which she leaves her marriage, is a fascinating companion piece to her deep yet playful novels. Feminism, mythology and the daily grind come together for a book that combines emotion and intellect to dazzling effect. Read the review

Tell Me How It Ends

By valeria luiselli (2016), translated by luiselli with lizzie davis (2017).

As the hysteria over immigration to the US began to build in 2015, the Mexican novelist volunteered to work as an interpreter in New York’s federal immigration court. In this powerful series of essays she tells the poignant stories of the children she met, situating them in the wider context of the troubled relationship between the Americas. Read the review

by Neil Gaiman (2002)

From the Sandman comics to his fantasy epic American Gods to Twitter, Gaiman towers over the world of books. But this perfectly achieved children’s novella, in which a plucky young girl enters a parallel world where her “Other Mother” is a spooky copy of her real-life mum, with buttons for eyes, might be his finest hour: a properly scary modern myth which cuts right to the heart of childhood fears and desires. Read the review

by Jim Crace (2013)

Crace is fascinated by the moment when one era gives way to another. Here, it is the enclosure of the commons, a fulcrum of English history, that drives his story of dispossession and displacement. Set in a village without a name, the narrative dramatises what it’s like to see the world you know come to an end, in a severance of the connection between people and land that has deep relevance for our time of climate crisis and forced migration. Read the review

Stories of Your Life and Others

By ted chiang (2002).

Melancholic and transcendent, Chiang’s eight, high-concept sci-fi stories exploring the nature of language, maths, religion and physics racked up numerous awards and a wider audience when ‘Story of Your Life’ was adapted into the 2016 film Arrival . Read the review

The Spirit Level

By richard wilkinson and kate pickett (2009).

An eye-opening study, based on overwhelming evidence, which revealed that among rich countries, the “more equal societies almost always do better” for all. Growth matters less than inequality, the authors argued: whether the issue is life expectancy, infant mortality, crime rates, obesity, literacy or recycling, the Scandinavian countries, say, will always win out over, say, the UK. Read the review

The Fifth Season

By nk jemisin (2015).

Jemisin became the first African American author to win the best novel category at the Hugo awards for her first book in the Broken Earth trilogy. In her intricate and richly imagined far future universe, the world is ending, ripped apart by relentless earthquakes and volcanoes. Against this apocalyptic backdrop she explores urgent questions of power and enslavement through the eyes of three women. “As this genre finally acknowledges that the dreams of the marginalised matter and that all of us have a future,” she said in her acceptance speech, “so will go the world. (Soon, I hope.)”

Signs Preceding the End of the World

By yuri herrera (2009), translated by lisa dillman (2015).

Makina sets off from her village in Mexico with a package from a local gangster and a message for her brother, who has been gone for three years. The story of her crossing to the US examines the blurring of boundaries, the commingling of languages and the blending of identities that complicate the idea of an eventual return. Read the review

Thinking, Fast and Slow

By daniel kahneman (2011).

The Nobel laureate’s unexpected bestseller, on the minutiae of decision-making, divides the brain into two. System One makes judgments quickly, intuitively and automatically, as when a batsman decides whether to cut or pull. System Two is slow, calculated and deliberate, like long division. But psychologist Kahneman argues that, although System Two thinks it is in control, many of our decisions are really made by System One. Read the review

Drive Your Plow Over the Bones of the Dead

By olga tokarczuk (2009), translated by antonia lloyd-jones (2018).

In this existential eco-thriller, a William Blake-obsessed eccentric investigates the murders of men and animals in a remote Polish village. More accessible and focused than Flights , the novel that won Tokarczuk the Man International Booker prize, it is no less profound in its examination of how atavistic male impulses, emboldened by the new rightwing politics of Europe, are endangering people, communities and nature itself. Read the review

Days Without End

By sebastian barry (2016).

In this savagely beautiful novel set during the Indian wars and American civil war, a young Irish boy flees famine-struck Sligo for Missouri. There he finds lifelong companionship with another emigrant, and they join the army on its brutal journey west, laying waste to Indian settlements. Viscerally focused and intense, yet imbued with the grandeur of the landscape, the book explores love, gender and survival with a rare, luminous power. Read the review

Nothing to Envy

By barbara demick (2009).

Los Angeles Times journalist Barbara Demick interviewed around 100 North Korean defectors for this propulsive work of narrative non-fiction, but she focuses on just six, all from the north-eastern city of Chongjin – closed to foreigners and less media-ready than Pyongyang. North Korea is revealed to be rife with poverty, corruption and violence but populated by resilient people with a remarkable ability to see past the propaganda all around them. Read the review

The Age of Surveillance Capitalism

By shoshana zuboff (2019).

An agenda-setting book that is devastating about the extent to which big tech sets out to manipulate us for profit. Not simply another expression of the “techlash”, Zuboff’s ambitious study identifies a new form of capitalism, one involving the monitoring and shaping of our behaviour, often without our knowledge, with profound implications for democracy. “Once we searched Google, but now Google searches us.” Read the review

Jimmy Corrigan: The Smartest Kid on Earth

By chris ware (2000).

At the time when Ware won the Guardian first book award, no graphic novel had previously won a generalist literary prize. Emotional and artistic complexity are perfectly poised in this account of a listless 36-year-old office dogsbody who is thrown into an existential crisis by an encounter with his estranged dad. Read the review

Notes on a Scandal

By zoë heller (2003).

Sheba, a middle-aged teacher at a London comprehensive, begins an affair with her 15-year-old student - but we hear about it from a fellow teacher, the needy Barbara, whose obsessive nature drives the narrative. With shades of Patricia Highsmith, this teasing investigation into sex, class and loneliness is a dark marvel. Read the review

The Infatuations

By javier marías (2011), translated by margaret jull costa (2013).

The Spanish master examines chance, love and death in the story of an apparently random killing that gradually reveals hidden depths. Marías constructs an elegant murder mystery from his trademark labyrinthine sentences, but this investigation is in pursuit of much meatier questions than whodunnit. Read the review

The Constant Gardener

By john le carré (2001).

The master of the cold war thriller turned his attention to the new world order in this chilling investigation into the corruption powering big pharma in Africa. Based on the case of a rogue antibiotics trial that killed and maimed children in Nigeria in the 1990s, it has all the dash and authority of his earlier novels while precisely and presciently anatomising the dangers of a rampant neo-imperialist capitalism. Read the review

The Silence of the Girls

By pat barker (2018).

If the western literary canon is founded on Homer, then it is founded on women’s silence. Barker’s extraordinary intervention, in which she replays the events of the Iliad from the point of view of the enslaved Trojan women, chimed with both the #MeToo movement and a wider drive to foreground suppressed voices. In a world still at war, it has chilling contemporary resonance. Read the review

Seven Brief Lessons on Physics

By carlo rovelli (2014).

A theoretical physicist opens a window on to the great questions of the universe with this 96-page overview of modern physics. Rovelli’s keen insight and striking metaphors make this the best introduction to subjects including relativity, quantum mechanics, cosmology, elementary particles and entropy outside of a course in advanced physics. Read the review

by Gillian Flynn (2012)

The deliciously dark US crime thriller that launched a thousand imitators and took the concept of the unreliable narrator to new heights. A woman disappears: we think we know whodunit, but we’re wrong. Flynn’s stylishly written portrait of a toxic marriage set against a backdrop of social and economic insecurity combines psychological depth with sheer unputdownable flair. Read the review

by Stephen King (2000)

Written after a near-fatal accident, this combination of memoir and masterclass by fiction’s most successful modern storyteller showcases the blunt, casual brilliance of King at his best. As well as being genuinely useful, it’s a fascinating chronicle of literary persistence, and of a lifelong love affair with language and narrative. Read the review

The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks

By rebecca skloot (2010).

Henrietta Lacks was a black American who died in agony of cancer in a “coloured” hospital ward in 1951. Her cells, taken without her knowledge during a biopsy, went on to change medical history, being used around the world to develop countless drugs. Skloot skilfully tells the extraordinary scientific story, but in this book the voices of the Lacks children are crucial – they have struggled desperately even as billions have been made from their mother’s “HeLa” cells. Read the review

Mother’s Milk

By edward st aubyn (2006).

The fourth of the autobiographical Patrick Melrose novels finds the wealthy protagonist – whose flight from atrocious memories of child abuse into drug abuse was the focus of the first books – beginning to grope after redemption. Elegant wit and subtle psychology lift grim subject matter into seductive brilliance. Read the review

This House of Grief

By helen garner (2014).

A man drives his three sons into a deep pond and swims out, leaving them to drown. But was it an accident? This 2005 tragedy caught the attention of one of Australia’s greatest living writers. Garner puts herself centre stage in an account of Robert Farquharson’s trial that combines forensic detail and rich humanity. Read the review

by Alice Oswald (2002)

This book-length poem is a mesmerising tapestry of “the river’s mutterings”, based on three years of recording conversations with people who live and work on the River Dart in Devon. From swimmers to sewage workers, boatbuilders to bailiffs, salmon fishers to ferryman, the voices are varied and vividly brought to life. Read the review

The Beauty of the Husband

By anne carson (2002).

One of Canada’s most celebrated poets examines love and desire in a collection that describes itself as “a fictional essay in 39 tangos”. Carson charts the course of a doomed marriage in loose-limbed lines that follow the switchbacks of thought and feeling from first meeting through multiple infidelities to arrive at eventual divorce.

by Tony Judt (2005)

This grand survey of Europe since 1945 begins with the devastation left behind by the second world war and offers a panoramic narrative of the cold war from its beginnings to the collapse of the Soviet bloc – a part of which Judt witnessed firsthand in Czechoslovakia’s velvet revolution. A very complex story is told with page-turning urgency and what may now be read as nostalgic faith in “the European idea”. Read the review

The Amazing Adventures of Kavalier and Clay

By michael chabon (2000).

A love story to the golden age of comics in New York, Chabon’s Pulitzer-winner features two Jewish cousins, one smuggled out of occupied Prague, who create an anti-fascist comic book superhero called The Escapist. Their own adventures are as exciting and highly coloured as the ones they write and draw in this generous, open-hearted, deeply lovable rollercoaster of a book. Read the review

by Robert Macfarlane (2019)

A beautifully written and profound book, which takes the form of a series of (often hair-raising and claustrophobic) voyages underground – from the fjords of the Arctic to the Parisian catacombs. Trips below the surface inspire reflections on “deep” geological time and raise urgent questions about the human impact on planet Earth. Read the review

The Omnivore’s Dilemma

By michael pollan (2006).

An entertaining and highly influential book from the writer best known for his advice: “Eat food, not too much, mostly plants.” The author follows four meals on their journey from field to plate – including one from McDonald’s and a locally sourced organic feast. Pollan is a skilled, amusing storyteller and The Omnivore’s Dilemma changed both food writing and the way we see food. Read the review

Women & Power

By mary beard (2017).

Based on Beard’s lectures on women’s voices and how they have been silenced, Women and Power was an enormous publishing success in the “ #MeToo ”’ year 2017. An exploration of misogyny, the origins of “gendered speech” in the classical era and the problems the male world has with strong women, this slim manifesto became an instant feminist classic. Read the review

True History of the Kelly Gang

By peter carey (2000).

Carey’s second Booker winner is an irresistible tour de force of literary ventriloquism: the supposed autobiography of 19th-century Australian outlaw and “wild colonial boy” Ned Kelly, inspired by a fragment of Kelly’s own prose and written as a glorious rush of semi-punctuated vernacular storytelling. Mythic and tender by turns, these are tall tales from a lost frontier. Read the review

Small Island

By andrea levy (2004).

Pitted against a backdrop of prejudice, this London-set novel is told by four protagonists – Hortense and Gilbert, Jamaican migrants, and a stereotypically English couple, Queenie and Bernard. These varied perspectives, illuminated by love and loyalty, combine to create a thoughtful mosaic depicting the complex beginnings of Britain’s multicultural society. Read the review

by Colm Tóibín (2009)

Tóibín’s sixth novel is set in the 1950s, when more than 400,000 people left Ireland, and considers the emotional and existential impact of emigration on one young woman. Eilis makes a life for herself in New York, but is drawn back by the possibilities of the life she has lost at home. A universal story of love, endurance and missed chances, made radiant through Tóibín’s measured prose and tender understatement. Read the review

Oryx and Crake

By margaret atwood (2003).

In the first book in her dystopian MaddAddam trilogy, the Booker winner speculates about the havoc science can wreak on the world. The big warning here – don’t trust corporations to run the planet – is blaring louder and louder as the century progresses. Read the review

Why Be Happy When You Could Be Normal?

By jeanette winterson (2011).

The title is the question Winterson’s adoptive mother asked as she threw her daughter out, aged 16, for having a girlfriend. The autobiographical story behind Oranges Are Not the Only Fruit , and the trials of Winterson’s later life, is urgent, wise and moving. Read the review

Night Watch

By terry pratchett (2002).

Pratchett’s mighty Discworld series is a high point in modern fiction: a parody of fantasy literature that deepened and darkened over the decades to create incisive satires of our own world. The 29th book, focusing on unlikely heroes, displays all his fierce intelligence, anger and wild humour, in a story that’s moral, humane – and hilarious. Read the review

by Marjane Satrapi (2000-2003), translated by Mattias Ripa (2003-2004)

Satrapi’s autobiographical graphic novel follows her coming-of-age in the lead up to and during the Iranian revolution. In this riotous memoir, Satrapi focuses on one young life to reveal a hidden history.

Human Chain

By seamus heaney (2010).

The Nobel laureate tends to the fragments of memory and loss with moving precision in his final poetry collection. A book of elegies and echoes, these poems are infused with a haunting sense of pathos, with a line often left hanging to suspend the reader in longing and regret. Read the review

Levels of Life

By julian barnes (2013).

The British novelist combines fiction and non-fiction to form a searing essay on grief and love for his late wife, the literary agent Pat Kavanagh. Barnes divides the book into three parts with disparate themes – 19th-century ballooning, photography and marriage. Their convergence is wonderfully achieved. Read the review

Hope in the Dark

By rebecca solnit (2004).

Writing against “the tremendous despair at the height of the Bush administration’s powers and the outset of the war in Iraq”, the US thinker finds optimism in political activism and its ability to change the world. The book ranges widely from the fall of the Berlin wall to the Zapatista uprising in Mexico, to the invention of Viagra. Read the review

Citizen: An American Lyric

By claudia rankine (2014).

From the slow emergency response in the black suburbs destroyed by hurricane Katrina to a mother trying to move her daughter away from a black passenger on a plane, the poet’s award-winning prose work confronts the history of racism in the US and asks: regardless of their actual status, who truly gets to be a citizen? Read the review

by Michael Lewis (2010)

The author of The Big Short has made a career out of rendering the most opaque subject matter entertaining and comprehensible: Moneyball tells the story of how geeks outsmarted jocks to revolutionise baseball using maths. But you do not need to know or care about the sport, because – as with all Lewis’s best writing – it’s all about how the story is told. Read the review

by Ian McEwan (2001)

There are echoes of DH Lawrence and EM Forster in McEwan’s finely tuned dissection of memory and guilt. The fates of three young people are altered by a young girl’s lie at the close of a sweltering day on a country estate in 1935. Lifelong remorse, the horror of war and devastating twists are to follow in an elegant, deeply felt meditation on the power of love and art. Read the review

The Year of Magical Thinking

By joan didion (2005).

With cold, clear, precise prose, Didion gives an account of the year her husband, the writer John Gregory Dunne, collapsed from a fatal heart attack in their home. Her devastating examination of grief and widowhood changed the nature of writing about bereavement. Read the review

White Teeth

By zadie smith (2000).

Set around the unlikely bond between two wartime friends, Smith’s debut brilliantly captures Britain’s multicultural spirit, and offers a compelling insight into immigrant family life.

The Line of Beauty

By alan hollinghurst (2004).

Oxford graduate Nick Guest has the questionable good fortune of moving into the grand west London home of a rising Tory MP. Thatcher-era degeneracy is lavishly displayed as Nick falls in love with the son of a supermarket magnate, and the novel records how Aids began to poison gay life in London. In peerless prose, Hollinghurst captures something close to the spirit of an age. Read the review

The Green Road

By anne enright (2015).

A reunion dominates the Irish novelist’s family drama, but the individual stories of the five members of the Madigan clan – the matriarch, Rosaleen, and her children, Dan, Emmet, Constance and Hanna, who escape and are bound to return – are beautifully held in balance. When the Madigans do finally come together halfway through the book, Enright masterfully reminds us of the weight of history and family. Read the review

by Martin Amis (2000)

Known for the firecracker phrases and broad satires of his fiction, Amis presented a much warmer face in his memoir. His life is haunted by the disappearance of his cousin Lucy, who is revealed 20 years later to have been murdered by Fred West. But Amis also has much fun recollecting his “velvet-suited, snakeskin-booted” youth, and paints a moving portrait of his father’s comic gusto as old age reduces him to a kind of “anti-Kingsley”. Read the review

The Hare with Amber Eyes

By edmund de waal (2010).

In this exquisite family memoir, the ceramicist explains how he came to inherit a collection of 264 netsuke – small Japanese ornaments – from his great-uncle. The unlikely survival of the netsuke entails De Waal telling a story that moves from Paris to Austria under the Nazis to Japan, and he beautifully conjures a sense of place. The book doubles as a set of profound reflections on objects and what they mean to us. Read the review

Outline by Rachel

Cusk (2014).

This startling work of autofiction, which signalled a new direction for Cusk, follows an author teaching a creative writing course over one hot summer in Athens. She leads storytelling exercises. She meets other writers for dinner. She hears from other people about relationships, ambition, solitude, intimacy and “the disgust that exists indelibly between men and women”. The end result is sublime. Read the review

by Alison Bechdel (2006)

The American cartoonist’s darkly humorous memoir tells the story of how her closeted gay father killed himself a few months after she came out as a lesbian. This pioneering work, which later became a musical, helped shape the modern genre of “graphic memoir”, combining detailed and beautiful panels with remarkable emotional depth. Read the review

The Emperor of All Maladies

By siddhartha mukherjee (2010).

“Normal cells are identically normal; malignant cells become unhappily malignant in unique ways.” In adapting the opening lines of Anna Karenina , Mukherjee sets out the breathtaking ambition of his study of cancer: not only to share the knowledge of a practising oncologist but to take his readers on a literary and historical journey. Read the review

The Argonauts

By maggie nelson (2015).

An electrifying memoir that captured a moment in thinking about gender, and also changed the world of books. The story, told in fragments, is of Nelson’s pregnancy, which unfolds at the same time as her partner, the artist Harry Dodge, is beginning testosterone injections: “the summer of our changing bodies”. Strikingly honest, originally written, with a galaxy of intellectual reference points, it is essentially a love story; one that seems to make a new way of living possible. Read the review

The Underground Railroad

By colson whitehead (2016).

A thrilling, genre-bending tale of escape from slavery in the American deep south, this Pulitzer prize-winner combines extraordinary prose and uncomfortable truths. Two slaves flee their masters using the underground railroad, the network of abolitionists who helped slaves out of the south, wonderfully reimagined by Whitehead as a steampunk vision of a literal train. Read the review

A Death in the Family

By karl ove knausgaard (2009), translated by don bartlett (2012).

The first instalment of Knausgaard’s relentlessly self-examining six-volume series My Struggle revolves around the life and death of his alcoholic father. Whether or not you regard him as the Proust of memoir, his compulsive honesty created a new benchmark for autofiction. Read the review

by Carol Ann Duffy (2005)

A moving, book-length poem from the UK’s first female poet laureate, Rapture won the TS Eliot prize in 2005. From falling in love to betrayal and separation, Duffy reimagines romance with refreshing originality. Read the review

Hateship, Friendship, Courtship, Loveship, Marriage

By alice munro (2001).

Canada’s observant and humane short story writer, who won the Nobel in 2013, is at her best in this collection. A housekeeper’s fate is changed by the pranks of her employer’s teenager daughter; an incorrigible flirt gracefully accepts his wife’s new romance in her care home. No character acts as at first expected in Munro’s stories, which are attuned to the tiniest shifts in perception. Read the review

Capital in the Twenty First Century

By thomas piketty (2013), translated by arthur goldhammer (2014).

The beautifully written product of 15 years of research, Capital made its author an intellectual star – the modern Marx – and opened readers’ eyes to how neoliberalism produces vastly increased inequalities. Full of data, theories and historical analysis, its message is clear, and prophetic: unless governments increase tax, the new and grotesque wealth levels of the rich will encourage political instability. Read the review

Normal People

By sally rooney (2018).

Rooney’s second novel, a love story between two clever and damaged young people coming of age in contemporary Ireland, confirmed her status as a literary superstar. Her focus is on the dislocation and uncertainty of millennial life, but her elegant prose has universal appeal. Read the review

A Visit from The Goon Squad

By jennifer egan (2011).

Inspired by both Proust and The Sopranos , Egan’s Pulitzer-winning comedy follows several characters in and around the US music industry, but is really a book about memory and kinship, time and narrative, continuity and disconnection. Read the review

The Noonday Demon

By andrew solomon (2001).

Emerging from Solomon’s own painful experience, this “anatomy” of depression examines its many faces – plus its science, sociology and treatment. The book’s combination of honesty, scholarly rigour and poetry made it a benchmark in literary memoir and understanding of mental health. Read the review

Tenth of December

By george saunders (2013).

This warm yet biting collection of short stories by the Booker-winning American author will restore your faith in humanity. No matter how weird the setting – a futuristic prison lab, a middle-class home where human lawn ornaments are employed as a status symbol – in these surreal satires of post-crash life Saunders reminds us of the meaning we find in small moments. Read the review

by Yuval Noah Harari (2011), translated by Harari with John Purcell and Haim Watzman (2014)

In his Olympian history of humanity, Harari documents the numerous revolutions Homo sapiens has undergone over the last 70,000 years: from new leaps in cognitive reasoning to agriculture, science and industry, the era of information and the possibilities of biotechnology. Harari’s scope may be too wide for some, but this engaging work topped the charts and made millions marvel. Read the review

Life After Life

By kate atkinson (2013).

Atkinson examines family, history and the power of fiction as she tells the story of a woman born in 1910 – and then tells it again, and again, and again. Ursula Todd’s multiple lives see her strangled at birth, drowned on a Cornish beach, trapped in an awful marriage and visiting Adolf Hitler at Berchtesgaden. But this dizzying fictional construction is grounded by such emotional intelligence that her heroine’s struggles always feel painfully, joyously real. Read the review

The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night‑Time

By mark haddon (2003).

Fifteen-year-old Christopher John Francis Boone becomes absorbed in the mystery of a dog’s demise, meticulously investigating through diagrams, timetables, maps and maths problems. Haddon’s fascinating portrayal of an unconventional mind was a crossover hit with both adults and children and was adapted into a very successful stage play. Read the review

The Shock Doctrine

By naomi klein (2007).

In this urgent examination of free-market fundamentalism, Klein argues – with accompanying reportage – that the social breakdowns witnessed during decades of neoliberal economic policies are not accidental, but in fact integral to the functioning of the free market, which relies on disaster and human suffering to function. Read the review

by Cormac McCarthy (2006)

A father and his young son, “each the other’s world entire”, trawl across the ruins of post-apocalyptic America in this terrifying but tender story told with biblical conviction. The slide into savagery as civilisation collapses is harrowing material, but McCarthy’s metaphysical efforts to imagine a cold dark universe where the light of humanity is winking out are what make the novel such a powerful ecological warning. Read the review

The Corrections

By jonathan franzen (2001).

The members of one ordinarily unhappy American family struggle to adjust to the shifting axes of their worlds over the final decades of the 20th century. Franzen’s move into realism reaped huge literary rewards: exploring both domestic and national conflict, this family saga is clever, funny and outrageously readable. Read the review

The Sixth Extinction

By elizabeth kolbert (2014).

The science journalist examines with clarity and memorable detail the current crisis of plant and animal loss caused by human civilisation (over the past half billion years, there have been five mass extinctions on Earth; we are causing another). Kolbert considers both ecosystems – the Great Barrier Reef, the Amazon rainforest – and the lives of some extinct and soon-to-be extinct creatures including the Sumatran rhino and “the most beautiful bird in the world”, the black-faced honeycreeper of Maui. Read the review

Fingersmith

By sarah waters (2002).

Moving from the underworld dens of Victorian London to the boudoirs of country house gothic, and hingeing on the seduction of an heiress, Waters’s third novel is a drippingly atmospheric thriller, a smart study of innocence and experience, and a sensuous lesbian love story – with a plot twist to make the reader gasp. Read the review

Nickel and Dimed

By barbara ehrenreich (2001).

In this modern classic of reportage, Ehrenreich chronicled her attempts to live on the minimum wage in three American states. Working first as a waitress, then a cleaner and a nursing home aide, she still struggled to survive, and the stories of her co-workers are shocking. The US economy as she experienced it is full of routine humiliation, with demands as high as the rewards are low. Two decades on, this still reads like urgent news. Read the review

The Plot Against America

By philip roth (2004).

What if aviator Charles Lindbergh, who once called Hitler “a great man”, had won the US presidency in a landslide victory and signed a treaty with Nazi Germany? Paranoid yet plausible, Roth’s alternative-world novel is only more relevant in the age of Trump. Read the review

My Brilliant Friend

By elena ferrante (2011), translated by ann goldstein (2012).

Powerfully intimate and unashamedly domestic, the first in Ferrante’s Neapolitan series established her as a literary sensation. This and the three novels that followed documented the ways misogyny and violence could determine lives, as well as the history of Italy in the late 20th century.

Half of a Yellow Sun

By chimamanda ngozi adichie (2006).

When Nigerian author Adichie was growing up, the Biafran war “hovered over everything”. Her sweeping, evocative novel, which won the Orange prize, charts the political and personal struggles of those caught up in the conflict and explores the brutal legacy of colonialism in Africa. Read the review

Cloud Atlas

David mitchell (2004).

The epic that made Mitchell’s name is a Russian doll of a book, nesting stories within stories and spanning centuries and genres with aplomb. From a 19th-century seafarer to a tale from beyond the end of civilisation, via 1970s nuclear intrigue and the testimony of a future clone, these dizzying narratives are delicately interlinked, highlighting the echoes and recurrences of the vast human symphony. Read the review

by Ali Smith (2016)

Smith began writing her Seasonal Quartet, a still-ongoing experiment in quickfire publishing, against the background of the EU referendum. The resulting “first Brexit novel” isn’t just a snapshot of a newly divided Britain, but a dazzling exploration into love and art, time and dreams, life and death, all done with her customary invention and wit. Read the review

Between the World and Me

By ta-nehisi coates (2015).

Coates’s impassioned meditation on what it means to be a black American today made him one of the country’s most important intellectuals and writers. Having grown up the son of a former Black Panther on the violent streets of Baltimore, he has a voice that is challenging but also poetic. Between the World and Me takes the form of a letter to his teenage son, and ranges from the daily reality of racial injustice and police violence to the history of slavery and the civil war: white people, he writes, will never remember “the scale of theft that enriched them”. Read the review

The Amber Spyglass

By philip pullman (2000).

Children’s fiction came of age when the final part of Pullman’s His Dark Materials trilogy became the first book for younger readers to win the Whitbread book of the year award. Pullman has brought imaginative fire and storytelling bravado to the weightiest of subjects: religion, free will, totalitarian structures and the human drive to learn, rebel and grow. Here Asriel’s struggle against the Authority reaches its climax, Lyra and Will journey to the Land of the Dead, and Mary investigates the mysterious elementary particles that lend their name to his current trilogy: The Book of Dust. The Hollywood-fuelled commercial success achieved by JK Rowling may have eluded Pullman so far, but his sophisticated reworking of Paradise Lost helped adult readers throw off any embarrassment at enjoying fiction written for children – and publishing has never looked back. Read the review

by WG Sebald (2001), translated by Anthea Bell (2001)

Sebald died in a car crash in 2001, but his genre-defying mix of fact and fiction, keen sense of the moral weight of history and interleaving of inner and outer journeys have had a huge influence on the contemporary literary landscape. His final work, the typically allusive life story of one man, charts the Jewish disapora and lost 20th century with heartbreaking power. Read the review

Never Let Me Go

By kazuo ishiguro (2005).

From his 1989 Booker winner The Remains of the Day to 2015’s The Buried Giant , Nobel laureate Ishiguro writes profound, puzzling allegories about history, nationalism and the individual’s place in a world that is always beyond our understanding. His sixth novel, a love triangle set among human clones in an alternative 1990s England, brings exquisite understatement to its exploration of mortality, loss and what it means to be human. Read the review

Secondhand Time

By svetlana alexievich (2013), translated by bela shayevich (2016).

The Belarusian Nobel laureate recorded thousands of hours of testimony from ordinary people to create this oral history of the Soviet Union and its end. Writers, waiters, doctors, soldiers, former Kremlin apparatchiks, gulag survivors: all are given space to tell their stories, share their anger and betrayal, and voice their worries about the transition to capitalism. An unforgettable book, which is both an act of catharsis and a profound demonstration of empathy.

by Marilynne Robinson (2004)

Robinson’s meditative, deeply philosophical novel is told through letters written by elderly preacher John Ames in the 1950s to his young son who, when he finally reaches an adulthood his father won’t see, will at least have this posthumous one-sided conversation: “While you read this, I am imperishable, somehow more alive than I have ever been.” This is a book about legacy, a record of a pocket of America that will never return, a reminder of the heartbreaking, ephemeral beauty that can be found in everyday life. As Ames concludes, to his son and himself: “There are a thousand thousand reasons to live this life, every one of them sufficient.” Read the review

by Hilary Mantel (2009)

Mantel had been publishing for a quarter century before the project that made her a phenomenon, set to be concluded with the third part of the trilogy, The Mirror and the Light , next March. To read her story of the rise of Thomas Cromwell at the Tudor court, detailing the making of a new England and the self-creation of a new kind of man, is to step into the stream of her irresistibly authoritative present tense and find oneself looking out from behind her hero’s eyes. The surface details are sensuously, vividly immediate, the language as fresh as new paint; but her exploration of power, fate and fortune is also deeply considered and constantly in dialogue with our own era, as we are shaped and created by the past. In this book we have, as she intended, “a sense of history listening and talking to itself”. Read the review

• Best culture of the 21st century
• Hilary Mantel
• Marilynne Robinson
• Fiction in translation
• Ta-Nehisi Coates

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The best photo books in the UK in 2024

The best photo book sites help immortalize your greatest images and memories – and make for great gifts too

Best Photo book services: Our top picks

Best all round, best design software, best top-end photo books, best for busy people, best budget option, best for quality, best for international shipping, best for designers, best for social photos, photo book creation advice.

It's never too early to think about the festive season – and the best photo books are a great way to gift your loved ones something sentimental and personal (without breaking the bank!). Whether you want to create a wonderful round-up of your friend or family member's favorite memories or celebrate a specific event, the best photo books are the perfect gift.

1. Best all-rounder 2. Best design software 3. Best top-end photo book 4. Best for busy people 5. Best budget option 6. Best for quality 7. Best color accuracy 8. Best for designers 9. Best for social photos 10. Best value

A photo book isn't just a great gift though – it's also a lovely way to celebrate your own memories and experiences. Plus, with all of the customizable features and stylish templates available, you can make your photo book truly unique. We particularly enjoy the ability to create your own custom front cover, which truly adds a little extra polish.

• How to create a photo book

Many of the services available here give users the choice between auto-filling the pages of their photo book, or manually arranging the images themselves. If you don't need your book in a specific order, being able to automatically fill the pages can be a fantastic time-saver.

To help you find the best photo book service for you, we've reviewed and rated each of the products in this guide. We've tested each service based on the quality of their books, the speed of the shipping and how functional and user-friendly their photo book creator tools are. Discover our favorites below…

The best photo books in 2024

Why you can trust Digital Camera World Our expert reviewers spend hours testing and comparing products and services so you can choose the best for you. Find out how we test.

Our expert review:

Specifications

Reasons to buy, reasons to avoid.

When it comes to the best photo book services in the UK, CEWE leads the way with affordable products, a high-quality finish and a range of options. CEWE offers a choice of six different papers for its photo books, each having been selected for its quality and sustainability. 

CEWE's award-winning design software makes it easy to create a gorgeous photobook and there's a dedicated tutorials page if you need help. You do have to download software to design your photo book and generally, we prefer web-based builders but the download was quick and the software was easy and quick to use. 

Easily add and edit text, choose from a range of fonts and sizes, customize the photo layout, select your background color and add stickers or shapes if you wish. Images can either be uploaded from your computer or imported from Drop, Facebook, Instagram and more.  

One of the first things we noticed when we took the CEWE photo book out of the fairly minimal packaging was how crisp the image on the front cover was. When compared with the front covers on the other photo books we’ve reviewed, CEWE Photoworld’s offering had much more detail. In addition, while the color accuracy wasn’t quite perfect, it was much better than the majority of the other books. 

Inside the book, we found that the paper stock was really good quality and the images were printed sharply and fairly accurately. It’s worth noting that the sharpness of the printing does mean that noise is much more likely to show up than in other books. We also found that the prints in general ran a little darker than the other photo books we reviewed. 

When it comes to the best photo book service Mixbook are hard to beat. Their products are available to ship worldwide, it regularly runs big discounts making it very good value. The Mixbook software is very easy to use and it can all be done on your web browser. Choose from over 400 fully customizable templates plus there are lots of backgrounds and stickers you can include to make it really unique. 

There are three different paper finishes to choose from, semi-gloss, pearl and an ultra-thick premium matte paper if you want a lay-flat photo book. We ordered the 8.5 x 8.5-inch classic square glossy hardcover book and found the process very easy. Uploading images was quick and it didn't take long to arrange them.

When the photo book arrived we noticed there was some fringing on the edges of the cover image and the logo. We also spotted some color inaccuracies, especially on the cover which has a red tinge to it. However, most of our issues were with the cover of the book. The images printed on the inside were true-to-color and printed nicely. Plus, the design and layout of the book were genuinely beautiful and helped bring the photos to life. 

We think Saal makes some of the best photo books, at least as far as the very top-end ones go. The  Saal Professional Line Photo Book  is bloody epic. The first thing I love is that Saal probably has the best design software of any printing company. You can create designs with your own software and upload them as PDFs, but Saal’s downloadable desktop software makes life incredibly easy for uploading, editing, adding text and graphic elements, and moving pages around.

The presentation box is utterly stunning, made of a premium leatherette material. The same leatherette finish can also be used for the back and spine of the Professional Line photobook, echoing a consistent level of quality. You can choose any number of finishes for the front cover, but we were blown away by the acrylic cover – it’s thick, hardwearing, looks great, and simply screams quality. 

The whole thing is finished by hand, and is a step above any other premium finish out there – especially since there are no unsightly logos or branding, unlike other print houses. With layflat binding, the pages on the photo book are completely even – making them perfect for laying a big, beautiful landscape or panoramic image across a double-page spread. Pages can be finished in matte or gloss, but my favorite is the silk, which makes portraits looks particularly lavish. 

Colors are authentic, lively and full of pop, even if your images have the most psychedelic palettes, and blacks are deep and rich while retaining plenty of detail.From the instant you open the presentation box to the moment you turn the final page, Saal’s pro photo books are just next-level wow.

4. Shutterfly

A brilliant all-rounder, Shutterfly is another of the best photo books services to offer really simple to use software to help create a great-looking book. There are loads of templates and backgrounds to choose from, as well as a Make My Book service, with which you provide Shutterfly designers with details of your requirements and they do all the hard work for you. 

Shutterfly also offers a number of great discounts throughout the year, so if your need for a photo book isn't immediate, a good offer is always just around the corner.

5. Snapfish

Snapfish has been in the personalized printing business for more than two decades and offer a range of products including photo books. The software is an easy drag-and-drop experience and you can pick from 120 themes. 

The quality of the Snapfish photo book isn't quite as good as other on the list but it regularly offers pretty hefty discounts so if you don't need it straight away look out for these. We were pleased with the photobook we received although the colors seemed to be accurate they were a little more saturated so be careful if you're sending in images that are already highly saturated. We also noticed a couple of wonky prints and once you spotted them they were so hard to unsee. 

If you're after a super high-quality finish, look elsewhere but if color accuracy and value for money is your game, Snapfish is a great option. 

6. Mimeo Photos

Mimeo Photos offers both a third-party Photos app extension for MacOS, allowing you to create and edit an Apple Photo project to be printed, and a web-based builder. There are over 50 theme options, including well-known Apple favorites and you can customize layouts and backgrounds for your own personal touch. You can also apply edits, adjustments and filters to any photo directly within the app's design page. 

We created our photo book using the Mimeo Photos app. Once we'd downloaded the app extension, the software itself was relatively easy to use. However, where Mimeo Photos really shone was in the quality of the book we received. We ordered a hard cover book, which arrived with an attractive dust jacket (although the cover image was also printed on the actual cover of the book as well). 

The only gripe we have about this book was that the saturation seems to have been pushed up for the front cover image, as the skin tones on both the dust jacket and the hard cover itself became a luminescent orange. However, the photos inside the book were beautifully printed. They were nice and sharp, with none of the fuzziness experienced in cheaper options. Unlike the front cover, the colors also printed accurately. 

7. Photobox

Photobox is an online printing giant that almost always has generous discount offers available, so there’s a good chance you won’t pay the full price we’ve quoted. It also offers well-polished online book creation software that’s easy to use with a helpful 3D book preview, plus plenty of layout, background and cropping choices. 

Like many of the photo book creator tools, Photobox purports to be able to design your photo book for you. You can choose whether to do this by chronological order or by file name. While it wasn’t perfect, we were pleasantly surprised by Photobox’s efforts. It grouped the images together fairly intelligently and it would have only taken a few tweaks to perfect the layout. 

We were fairly pleased with our photo book from Photobox. The shipping was fast and the protective packaging was pleasingly substantial - in fact, this book was the best protected out of all the photo books we’ve reviewed. 

The color accuracy on both the cover image and the photos inside was pretty decent, with no major complaints from us. However, we did have a few small quibbles with the quality of the book. The first is that each end of the book’s spine had a few small creases. While these wrinkles weren’t anything major, they weren’t ideal and we didn’t see them on most of the other photo books that we tested. 

In addition, both the cover image and the photos printed inside the book weren’t quite as sharp as they could have been. This softness was only really noticeable upon close inspection of the book, but it would have been nice if each image had been nicely sharp.

8. Bob Books

Bob Books offers four different options for creating your photo book, including the ‘Bob Designer Software’, the ‘Online Book Creator’, a PDF-to-Book option and an iOS App. We tried out both the ‘Bob Designer Software’ and the ‘Online Book Creator’, and found them both very easy to use.

While it took us a little while to wrap our heads around the design system that Bob Books employs, we actually grew to really like it. You simply add as many images as you want onto the page and then you’re able to choose from a variety of different layouts to get the most aesthetically pleasing page. You can also use the ‘Swap photos’ button to adjust your layout until you’re happy with the order of the photos. If you’re not sure how to arrange your images, Bob Books also offers a ‘Suggest a layout’ button, which does it all for you. 

Update:  We have since been contacted by a Bob Books representative, who has advised that the reason our photo book cover was so overly saturated was because we had used the 'Automatic Image Optimization' function. 

While the 'AIO' function only advises that "Crop, aspect ratio, red-eyes, etc. will be corrected if necessary", it appears that it also affects the saturation of your photo as well. We would recommend that you turn this function off to avoid your cover becoming over-saturated. 

You can do this via Settings > Photos in the Bob Books software. 

9. My Social Book

My Social Book offers something slightly different from the rest – allowing you to create books from your Instagram or Facebook pictures, providing you a hardcopy of your favorite social media memories. 

The software is easy to use – as you simply link your chosen social media source to  My Social Book, and then choose the time frame you want your book to cover. Fortunately you can exclude those embarrassing posts and out-of-focus images, so that you only print the images you want. And you can also choose the image you want on the cover. However, we found the whole compilation process is rather slow - and the printing and delivery takes its time too.

However, the quality of the printing is much better than an average photo book printer – and this is a great way of ensuring that you have your camera phone pictures backed up in a physical form.

10. Vistaprint

Vistaprint is another experienced personalized photo printer with a lot of customizable options. For photo books, there are three different cover options to choose from including linen, leather and photo. You can also opt for either glossy r standard matte paper. There are two ways to design your book, either using the web-based builder or you can download the offline editor from the Vistaprint website. 

Both are fairly intuitive to use, but Vistaprint's downside is there aren't as many options to choose from as other manufacturers. It does have several options for backgrounds, clip art and frames you can use but they're not the most stylish. 

The web-based builder gives users the opportunity to design their own book from scratch, or have the builder fill in the pages for them. Most other manufacturers offer this service and Vistaprint's isn't much different than the rest – it's a little hit-and-miss. Some pages will look nicely put-together, while others might seem clunky. 

Overall, Vistaprint offers some affordable options for photo books. But if you're looking for more sophisticated design choices, you might want to go for a different manufacturer, such as Mixbook.

How to choose the best photobook service

Choosing a photo book service can be overwhelming due to the variety of options available in terms of sizes, designs, and paper quality. To make the right choice, first, define the purpose of your photo book. For a professional portfolio, prioritize high-quality paper and printing. Layout and design are equally important, depending on the manufacturer's software. Here are six tips to get you started:

1. Consider your specific needs and preferences when selecting a photo book service.

2. Mixbook is a great choice for affordability and fast shipping, while CEWE offers top-notch print quality and professionalism.

3. User-friendly functionality is crucial for creating a successful photo book.

4. Regular JPEGs are typically sufficient for your pictures.

5. Different services offer web-based or downloadable book design tools, and some may crop your photos or offer lay-flat binding options.

6. Choose a paper finish that suits your preferences, such as glossy for vibrant colors, matte for reduced fingerprints, or soft-sheen lustre for balance.

While we've listed the best UK photo book services, many of them do also ship worldwide.

How to create a good photo book

1. Select your photos  

To make the photo book design process as smooth as possible, we'd recommend selecting all of the images you want to include beforehand. If some of your desired photos are on your phone, it'll definitely make your life easier transferring them to your computer ahead of time!

2. Choose your design

The majority of the best photo book websites have hundreds of potential designs for you to choose from. This might seem overwhelming at first, but you can usually narrow the selection down into different sections, such as weddings, travel, family and more. When choosing your template, we would recommend thinking about what your own photos look like – if they're super busy and colorful, you might want to go for a simpler design to help your images pop.

3. Arrange your photos

What do your favorite books all have in common? They all have a narrative – and so should your photo book. While we're not asking you to construct Macbeth-level storylines, a beginning, middle and end will help your photo book feel coherent and more enjoyable. The simplest way to do this is often construct the photo book in a generally chronological order.

4. Make bold design choices

If you're a fan of scrapbooking, you'll love the stickers and text functionality that many photo book services provide. However, we would caution against overuse, as you don't want to overshadow your photos! 

Best photo frames Best digital photo frames Best gifts for photographers Best photo calendars The best photo printing online Best photo albums

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Having studied Journalism and Public Relations at the University of the West of England Hannah developed a love for photography through a module on photojournalism. She specializes in Portrait, Fashion and lifestyle photography but has more recently branched out in the world of stylized product photography. For the last 3 years Hannah has worked at Wex Photo Video as a Senior Sales Assistant using her experience and knowledge of cameras to help people buy the equipment that is right for them. With 5 years experience working with studio lighting, Hannah has run many successful workshops teaching people how to use different lighting setups.

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