10 Books You Need to Read Right Now.

10. It Can’t Happen Here by Sinclair Lewis (1934).

Originally written in the early half of the twentieth century. Sinclair Lewis’ It Can’t Happen Here returned to the spotlight in 2016, with the novel selling twice as many as it did when it was first published.

As written on Amazon: 'The story of Buzz Windrip, 'Professional Common Man', who promises poor, angry voters that he will make America proud and prosperous once more, but takes the country down a far darker path.'

The novel gained a lot of attention and notoriety during the 2016 U.S. Presidential Elections due to the main protagonist’s eerily similar characteristics of that of [now] Former U.S. President Donald J. Trump. Did Lewis unknowingly and unintentionally predict the future in writing? Or was it just simply pure coincidence?

You can buy the book here: https://www.waterstones.com/book/it-cant-happen-here/sinclair-lewis/9780241310663

9. 1984 by George Orwell (1949).

Orwellian literature is no stranger to censorship, both Animal Farm and 1984 have been victims of banishment. 1984 is infamous, timeless, and is always relevant. Any attempt to ban a novel that accurately depicts our current present reality (with the novel being written in 1949), will only push people further into reading it.

A summary of the novel on World of Books (Wob.com) reads: 'Hidden away in the Record Department of the Ministry of Truth, Winston Smith rewrites the past to suit the needs of the Party. Yet he inwardly rebels against the totalitarian world he lives in, which demands absolute obedience and controls him through the all-seeing telescreens and the watchful eye of Big Brother, symbolic head of the Party.'

1984 is a cautionary tale of a dystopian future. A warning of the against the arms of totalitarianism, and is often considered an ideal example of freedom of speech and expression. As such 1984 since its publication, has always been subject to controversy. So why not give it a read to see what everyone is talking about? And don't forget Big Brother is always watching!

You can buy the book here: https://www.wob.com/en-gb/books/george-orwell/nineteen-eighty-four/9780141187761?gclid=CjwKCAjw3cSSBhBGEiwAVII0Z_rW6KShTctEbJsns4-hDi3YzaWFKjzF-dkUZvqtXIDJCV5ocI5n4xoCWLIQAvD_BwE

8. The Establishment and How the Get Away With It by Owen Jones (2014).

Owen Jones provides an interesting social and political commentary on the British establishment and how they get away with it. The novel is easy to follow and reveals what is behind the curtain. Jones is a British newspaper columnist, political commentator, journalist, author, and left-wing activist, often speaking out against the government. The novel covers everything elitist from journalism in the empire of Murdoch, to the corruption of the metropolitan police force.

A review of the novel reads: 'A book of revelations … The Establishment have stitched it up - stitched you up - and they know it' - Danny Dorling, Times Higher Education Supplement.

Jones takes his readers on a painful step-by-step ladder of the establishments’ blatant deceit, corruption, and simply how they get away with it and don't care if you know about it too. It's a must read.

You can buy the book here: https://www.waterstones.com/book/the-establishment/owen-jones/9780141974996

7. World Order: Reflections on the Character of Nations and the Course of History by Henry Kissinger (2014).

To understand our present, we must look to the past, then we are able to anticipate what could happen in future events and predict the outcomes. To paraphrase Winston Churchill ‘those who forget history are doomed to repeat it.’ Henry Kissinger’s World Order: Reflections on the Character of Nations and the Course of History makes it almost impossible to allow historic amnesia to prosper.

Amazon writes: 'Henry Kissinger draws upon a lifetime's historical study and unmatched experience as a world statesman. His account is shot through with observations about how historical change takes place, how some leaders shape their times and others fail to do so, and how far states can stray from the ideas which define them. World Order is a masterpiece of narrative, analysis and portraits of great historical actors that only Henry Kissinger could have written.'

Kissinger himself was a controversial figure, with extremely strong opinions. Whether he is liked or disliked as a character it is not important, his text offers another look at the world through the eyes of the past and helps us understand and make sense of the modern world around us.

You can buy the book here: https://www.amazon.co.uk/World-Order-Reflections-Character-Nations/dp/0141979003

6. Fake Law: The Truth about Justice in an Age of Lies by The Secret Barrister (2020).

The British Justice System has always been called into question over its concept of ‘justice.’ The Secret Barrister debunks wild lies, and reveals the utter stupidity, and cruelty of the biggest legal stories over the past decade. Shockingly eye-opening and insightful, this novel highlights the threat to our rights and democracy while displaying cases after cases of abuses in the law.

The summary of the novel from World of Books (Wob.com) reads: 'Taking you from your own home to the halls of Westminster, this is the truth about justice in an age of fake law.'

If you enjoyed that you should also try The Secret Barrister’s prequel: Stories of the Law and How it’s Broken.

You can buy the books here: https://www.wob.com/en-gb/books/the-secret-barrister/fake-law/9781529009989?gclid=CjwKCAjw3cSSBhBGEiwAVII0Z9iQCcLggcHYZe9URHK8AGNs0hE6jLbgRLUH_HBAhE3KvO7F15kp7BoCi5MQAvD_BwE

https://www.wob.com/en-gb/books/the-secret-barrister/secret-barrister/9781509841141?gclid=CjwKCAjw3cSSBhBGEiwAVII0Z0itdmbpdKCxb2ucQ1VhEkcLQUL06hmN-DP9h3GgbsbHc60gj_2AFRoCHKwQAvD_BwE

5. Revolution by Russell Brand (2015).

Stand-up comedian Russell Brand advocates for non-violent social and political change in his novel Revolution. Brand for a few years now has been touring, writing and uploading content onto Youtube to spread his message of 'the awakening.'

Amazon writes :'We all know the system isn't working. Our governments are corrupt and the opposing parties pointlessly similar. Our culture is filled with vacuity and pap, and we are told there's nothing we can do - "it's just the way things are'.

I have always been a fan of Russell Brand's work, whether comedy or literature. I think what he has to say is of value and I will highly recommend his Youtube channel where he uploads daily content in an academic setting. [For me] he is definitely the voice of reason in all of this chaos.

You can buy the book here: https://www.wob.com/en-gb/books/russell-brand/revolution/9780099594932?gclid=CjwKCAjw3cSSBhBGEiwAVII0ZziId6rpr0aWuHJCH_Q8lLdOIlDAKRJTXiv6EjGJjJkF_ZsDSU5_ORoCsKIQAvD_BwE

4.The Good Immigrant by Nikesh Shukela (2016).

The Good Immigrant is a collection of 21 essays written by BAME writers in the U.K. Every essay is insightful and informative. It is a must read in the age of diversity and inclusivity. This novel will show you a world you never thought existed, [as I am a white female, (albeit disabled) I am immediately sheltered from this realm, and that is why I urge anyone who is white, that they must read this novel] and you will finish reading the book, refreshed and enlightened.

The summary of the novel on World of Books (Wob.com) reads: 'Award-winning writer Nikesh Shukla gathers twenty British Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic writers and artists to reflect on race, immigration and being 'other' in Great Britain.'

Change begins with books and authors just like these, and I employ everyone to read this book and find other novels just like this one.

You can buy the book here: https://www.wob.com/en-gb/books/nikesh-shukla/good-immigrant/9781783523955?gclid=CjwKCAjw3cSSBhBGEiwAVII0ZwBAgRgAjsWtEqsVcZZtXzQczUt2bnixsDlxpAz433TJ71VnEm5QNRoCm7IQAvD_BwE

3. Chernobyl Prayer/The Voices of Chernobyl Svetlana Alexievich (1997).

The Voices of Chernobyl or Chernobyl Prayer by Svetlana Alexievich retells the accounts of the victims of the Chernobyl Nuclear Disaster on the 26th April 1986. Winner of the Noble Literature Prize 1997, Alexievich gave the people of Chernobyl an opportunity to tell their truth without the censored consequences of the Soviet Union.

Waterstones writes: 'Svetlana Alexievich spent years collecting testimonies from survivors - clean-up workers, residents, firefighters, resettlers, widows, orphans - crafting their voices into a haunting oral history of fear, anger and uncertainty, but also dark humour and love'.

'Absolutely essential and heart breaking reading. There's a reason Ms. Alexievich won a Nobel Prize' - Craig Mazin, creator of the HBO / Sky TV series Chernobyl.'

I had the tragic pleasure of discovering this book in my final year at University. I, a highly talkative individual, was speechless, and yet, all I wanted to do was talk about this book. Read it, and you'll see why the HBO series used Alexievich's work.

You can buy the book here: https://www.waterstones.com/book/chernobyl-prayer/svetlana-alexievich/anna-gunin/9780241270530

2. This is NOT Propaganda by Peter Pomerantsev (2019).

Winner of the Gordon Burn Prize 2020 and the Times and Guardian Book of the Year, This is NOT Propaganda is a must read! The war on information is rife, and the meaning of truth is becoming lost in translation, things are confusing, and now censorship and banishment are hot on the governments of the world's lists.

Waterstones writes: 'We've lost not only our sense of peace and democracy - but our sense of what those words even mean. As Peter Pomerantsev seeks to make sense of the disinformation age, he meets Twitter revolutionaries and pop-up populists, 'behavioural change' salesmen, Jihadi fan-boys, Identitarians, truth cops, and much more.'

I read this book in a few days as it was incredibly difficult to put it down! If you care about your freedom of expression, your rights or democracy you have to read this book, and fast!

You can buy the book here: https://www.waterstones.com/book/this-is-not-propaganda/peter-pomerantsev/9780571338641

1. Nothing is True and Everything is Possible: Adventures in Modern Russia by Peter Pomerantsev (2017).

Peter Pomerantsev gives his readers an insight into modern Russia and reveals how the inner workings of the Kremlin contribute to a new form of authoritarianism. Appearing twice on this list, Pomerantsev has got to be the most relevant writer at this current time.

Waterstones writes: 'An extraordinary book - one which is as powerful and entertaining as it is troubling - Nothing is True and Everything is Possible offers a wild ride into this political and ethical vacuum.'

'Forty years after his dissident parents were pursued by the KGB, he finds the Kremlin re-emerging as a great propaganda power.'

The invasion of Ukraine has brought the world's attention to the Motherland's ethics and agenda's. Pomerantsev gives us a window into the full extent of Putin's tyrannical Russia. I urge every book warm to read Pomerantsev's work.

You can buy the book here: https://www.waterstones.com/book/nothing-is-true-and-everything-is-possible/peter-pomerantsev//9780571338528?awaid=3787&utm_source=redbrain&utm_medium=shopping&utm_campaign=css&gclid=CjwKCAjw3cSSBhBGEiwAVII0ZwDU8Ez1L9zy61RlhEEwi7Yv96OydeTIW3upmRS9XGeHdxkakCv5JhoCVFcQAvD_BwE

If you thought you were 'woke' before, you most certainly will be awake after reading these books; I can promise you that.

You can also read this article on my PublishOx page: https://www.publish0x.com/international-relations-and-european-politics/10-books-you-need-to-read-right-now-xelqvvy