I read every day — these are 10 books I've read since 2020 that I couldn't put down
Reading is such a simple and inexpensive joy but if you're anything like me you sometimes struggle to find the time. Here are the books I've read in the last five years that have really made an impression on me
Reading is such a straightforward and affordable pleasure but, if you're anything like me, finding the time can be a challenge. With an array of distractions vying for our attention, from streaming services to mobile gaming and social media, books are now up against competitors we could hardly have envisaged a couple of decades ago.
But there are plenty of reasons to choose a book over a screen, whether it's to learn something new, delve into a subject in detail or simply enjoy a story for the escape it offers. Moreover, research suggests that reading can actively boost your health.
Studies have demonstrated that reading activates more areas of your brain, strengthening it and enhancing your ability to process information. Reading can also significantly lower your stress levels, with blood pressure and heart rate dropping after just a few minutes of reading, reports the Express.
If you can truly enjoy something while subconsciously reaping its benefits, that's the ultimate win-win. With that in mind, I'd like to share my top book recommendations from the past five years. Although not all were first published within this timeframe, most are relatively recent releases — and this curated list blends fiction and non-fiction, with both genres offering unique benefits that contribute to personal growth.
If you enjoy these recommendations, please don't hesitate to share your thoughts and your own favourite books in the comments. For more book recommendations, reviews, and news, consider subscribing to our free weekly newsletter, The Bookish Drop, on Substack.
1. Ultra-Processed People by Chris van Tulleken (2023)
I can confidently say that this book has been a game-changer for me, and judging by the social media communities that have formed around it, thousands of others share my sentiment. In this book, NHS doctor and BBC science presenter Chris van Tulleken delves into the shocking truth about the "food" we consume today, much of which barely deserves the label.
The book raises a pressing issue: "Why do we all eat stuff that isn't food... and why can't we stop?" It provides a shocking insight into the fact that a significant portion of our diet in developed Western countries - up to 60% by some accounts - consists of ultra-processed items, distinctly different from what was on our families' tables just a generation or two ago. Dr van Tulleken delves into the chemical processes and industrial components that populate our pantry shelves, paralleling this trend with the skyrocketing rates of obesity.
It's an eye-opener and a jaw-dropper rolled into one. Get your copy here.
2. The Five by Hallie Rubenhold, released in 2019
Prepare to be astonished with this exceptional read. You might think you know the story of Jack the Ripper, but unless you've read this book, you'll be unaware of the deep stories of the women he killed.
'The Five' sets the record straight, thanks to the exhaustive research conducted to reconstruct the lives of these five individuals from the 19th century. It restores to them their true identities, backstories, and characters which they have long been denied.
These women were more than just names tied to a notorious murderer – they were wives, mothers, or both, who loved and were loved. It's been hailed as "urgent, eloquent, angry and beautifully put together" by critics.
3. Empire of Pain by Patrick Radden Keefe, penned in 2021
This book is the result of an almost superhuman level of research. It recounts the story of oxycontin, a legally available drug that triggered an unprecedented opioid abuse epidemic in the United States, and the Sackler family, who created it and are one of America's wealthiest and most secretive families.
Through their pharmaceutical company, the Sacklers amassed billions as people became devastatingly addicted to or died from oxycontin. Keefe received "several dozen letters and emails" from lawyers representing the family during his research, demonstrating that it took extraordinary bravery in addition to research.
4. In Memoriam by Alice Winn, 2023
Alice Winn's exquisite writing infuses even more emotion into this heart-wrenching novel about the love between two young men (boys, really) during World War One. She tells the story from the perspectives of both main characters and the reports printed in their school newspaper.
In fact, reading an old school newspaper and discovering real tributes from pupils to their brothers and friends who were dying in horrific numbers on battlefields across the Channel inspired Winn to write the story, which she tells in vivid, haunting language. Buy it here.
5. Brooklyn and Long Island by Colm Toibin, 2009 and 2024
The pair of novels trace the journey of Eilis Lacey, who in the 1950s, leaves her Irish hometown for Brooklyn, spurred on by those around her who believe she'll find better opportunities there than in Enniscorthy.
This mirrors the real-life experiences of millions who migrated from Europe to the US in the 20th century, never to see their families again. In Brooklyn, Eilis parts ways with her beloved sister and a potential love interest, as she starts afresh in the Big Apple.
Fast forward two decades, the sequel sees Eilis' life in Long Island upended by her husband's actions, prompting her return to Ireland and the faces she left behind 20 years ago. Initially planned as a brief visit, Eilis finds herself torn between staying in Ireland or returning to the US as she reconnects with her old circle.
Grab your copies of Brooklyn here and Long Island here.
6. How To Win The Premier League by Ian Graham, 2024
This isn't your typical football memoir. While many players and pundits have penned autobiographies, this book offers an insider's perspective from within one of the world's leading football clubs, revealing the intricate details that go into securing victory.
Between 2012 and 2023, Graham served as the director of research for Liverpool Football Club, a period during which the club clinched its first league title in three decades. His team utilised extensive data to gain insights into virtually every facet of the game, leading to the recruitment of both Jurgen Klopp and Mohammed Salah.
The team also harnessed data to reveal the true effectiveness of set-pieces like corners and free-kicks, and the actual value of possession and home advantage. One particularly captivating segment illustrates the multitude of factors that must align for a player's acquisition to be successful - underscoring the importance of evidence-based selection.
7. The Power of Geography by Tim Marshall, 2021
This book offers an intriguing exploration of how geography has influenced the destiny of nations, the considerations it necessitates, and how it fuels the global rivalries that shape our world, our news headlines, and consequently, our collective fate. For instance, many of us likely seldom consider the Sahel in sub-Saharan Africa.
However, its unique circumstances could potentially trigger the next refugee crisis in Europe.
Likewise, it's easy to assume that Australia prioritises its relationship with the USA over China - but considering the USA is twice as far away and Australia needs to consider the implications if China decides to exert more influence in the seas to its south (and Australia's north), it's not so simple. The beauty of this book lies in its ability to present complex issues in an easily digestible manner.
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8. The Secret History by Donna Tartt, 1992
Returning to fiction, The Secret History unravels the tale of a group of academically gifted students at a prestigious New England university harbouring a dreadful secret. It's another exquisitely penned piece of fiction (even if the frequent nods to Greek mythology flew right over my head).
Despite being the oldest book on this list, it has garnered a fresh wave of followers courtesy of TikTok. Get your hands on it here.
9. Putin's People by Catherine Belton, 2020
Like Empire of Pain and The Five (above), an exceptional level of research has been invested into this book, which explores the rise of Vladimir Putin from his KGB days to becoming one of the most influential figures globally. His ascent includes stints as an agent in Dresden and the deputy mayor of St Petersburg.
Throughout each stage, Putin and his network acquired the skills that are now evident in their modus operandi (and in today's headlines), ranging from money laundering and disinformation to blackmail and forming alliances with other infamous organisations. It's a bold piece of work.
10. The Subtle Art of Not Giving A F*** by Mark Manson, 2016
The provocative title might lead you to believe this is a guide to nihilism, but it's quite the opposite. Manson's key argument is that individuals should concentrate on life's significant aspects and not fret over trivial matters, while acknowledging that there are certain things in life we must simply endure.
Like many self-help books aiming to improve our lives, there is often one fundamental point expanded into several thousand words. However, Manson does so in such a captivating manner that you can't help but continue reading.
There's a tale that sticks in my mind: the real-life saga of a guitarist booted from a band during its formative years. This axeman, Dave Mustaine, bounced back by establishing a new band that shifted 20 million records worldwide.
Yet, it's said that Dave was never truly content because the group he'd been ousted from evolved into Metallica, one of the most colossal bands in history. It all boils down to how you look at things.
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