What we read this summer

Yannick Hansen

We have been harmonised. Life in China’s surveillance state. Kai Strittmatter

The author shows how the state has penetrated every aspect of life and how indifferent people are to it. A chilling read, so ideal for the beach.

Douwe Miedema

The art of fairness David Bodanis

Not everything works in this unusual collection of biographies, but enough does to make it a worthwhile read. Also, it has a great “further reading” list.

Emery P. Dalesio

The no. 1 ladies’ detective agency

Alexander McCall Smith Simple, dignified tales of a place and people I knew nothing about. As told by the fictional female founder of a business in Botswana.

Yannick Lambert

The Religion of the Peacock Angel

Garnik S. Asatrian and Victoria Arakelova.

I was overwhelmed by the beauty of the Yezidi temple in Yerevan this year, so had no choice but to pick up this book. Nerdy, but a fascinating read.

Gabrielle Antar

Spirits rebellious

Kahlil Gibran Alternative but poetic stories that explore the injustices of life. The simplicity and power of Gibran's writing make this such a beautiful and easily read book.

Andrea Oldereide

Shadowplay

Tim Marshall

This journalistic account of the Yugoslavian war gives an unbiased and balanced view of one of the least understood wars in recent history – with shocking revelations

Heledd Pritchard

You will not have my hate Antoine Leiris

A father's true account of losing his wife at the Bataclan attacks. A candid and heartbreaking memoir, this is the only book I have ever read in one sitting.

John Monaghan

Fall – The mystery of Robert Maxwell

John Preston

In the unlikely event you'd never heard of the subject, you'd be forgiven for thinking this was a work of fiction. A gripping portrait of a very complex character.