Favourite Reads from the Department

Welcome to our departmental bookshelf—a space where colleagues share books they’ve enjoyed, are currently reading, or have found thought-provoking. You’ll find a mix of fiction and non-fiction here, from historical novels to contemporary stories and everything in between.

Each entry includes a short synopsis to give you a sense of the book, without spoilers. Whether you’re looking for your next read or just curious about what others are picking up, we hope you find something that sparks your interest.

If you’d like to recommend a book for the list, get in touch—we’d love to include it.

Join our anti-racism allies book club! 

Get in touch with Anna Dowrick or Ginger Jansen to join. We meet bi-weekly during term time. Our most recent book was Homegoing by Yaa Gyasi, also featured in our list below. 

09 August marks National Book Lovers Day!

Title: One Upon A  River 

Author: Diane Setterfield

Genre: Historical fiction

Recommended by: Rebecca Siriwardene

Synopsis: Once Upon a River by Diane Setterfield is a richly told story set in a quiet riverside village in 19th-century England. One winter night, an injured man bursts into an inn carrying the body of a drowned girl—who later mysteriously comes back to life. What follows is a layered tale of lost children, family secrets and the power of storytelling, as the community tries to uncover who the girl is and where she belongs.

Title: The Nightingale

Author: Kristin Hannah

Genre: Historical fiction

Recommended by: Lydia Flock

Synopsis: Set in France during the Second World War, The Nightingale follows two sisters, Vianne and Isabelle, as they navigate the hardships of life under German occupation. Each takes a different path—one focused on protecting her family, the other drawn into the Resistance. The novel explores the impact of war on women’s lives and the quiet forms of bravery that often go unrecognised.

Title: The Library at Mount Char

Author: Scott Hawkins

Genre: Fantasy, horror, dark speculative fiction

Recommended by: Gavin Hubbard

Synopsis: The Library at Mount Char is a strange and unsettling novel that blends fantasy and horror in a world just outside our own. It follows Carolyn, a young woman trained in a mysterious and brutal library by a godlike figure known only as Father. When Father goes missing, Carolyn and her equally strange "siblings" must fight for control of the library—and potentially the universe itself. Dark, violent, and unexpectedly funny, this is a story about power, memory and what it means to be human.

Title: My Brilliant Friend

Author: Elena Ferrante

Genre: Literary fiction, coming-of-age

Recommended by: Jo Gearing

Synopsis: My Brilliant Friend is the first book in Elena Ferrante’s Neapolitan series, following the intense and complicated friendship between two girls, Elena and Lila, growing up in a poor neighbourhood of Naples in the 1950s. As they move from childhood to adolescence, the novel explores themes of ambition, identity, and the deep ties—and rivalries—that shape their lives. It's a vivid portrait of both a friendship and a changing post-war Italy.

Title: The Shadow of the Wind

Author: Carlos Ruiz Zafón

Genre: Historical fiction, literary mystery, gothic fiction

Recommended by: Ginger Jansen

Synopsis: Set in post–civil war Barcelona, The Shadow of the Wind begins when a young boy, Daniel, discovers a forgotten novel in a secret place called the Cemetery of Forgotten Books. As he searches for more about the book’s mysterious author, he uncovers a dark history filled with secrets, obsession and danger. Blending mystery, romance and gothic atmosphere, the novel is a story about the power of books and the ways stories shape our lives.

Title: Project Hail Mary

Author: Andy Weir

Genre: Science fiction, speculative fiction

Recommended by: Naomi Hyde 

Synopsis: Project Hail Mary follows Ryland Grace, a scientist who wakes up alone on a spaceship with no memory of who he is or how he got there. As his memories return, he realises he’s on a desperate mission to save Earth from an extinction-level threat. Blending scientific problem-solving with unexpected humour and heart, the novel explores resilience, cooperation, and the possibilities of life beyond our planet.

Title: Homegoing

Author: Yaa Gyasi

Genre: Historical fiction

Recommended by: The NDPCHS anti-racsim ally book club

Synopsis: Homegoing traces the lives of two half-sisters born in 18th-century Ghana—one sold into slavery and sent to America, the other remaining in West Africa. Each chapter follows a new generation of their descendants, moving through time and across continents. The novel explores how the legacy of slavery, colonialism and systemic racism shapes families over centuries, offering a powerful and deeply human portrait of Black history and identity.

Title: Truly Madly Guilty

Author: Liane Moriarty

Genre: Contemporary fiction, psychological drama

Recommended by: Polly Kerr

Synopsis: Truly Madly Guilty centres on three couples whose lives are changed by what happens at an ordinary backyard barbecue. As the story unfolds, secrets, tensions and past regrets come to the surface. The novel explores themes of friendship, parenting, guilt and the hidden struggles that can exist behind seemingly stable lives.

Title: The House in the Cerulean Sea

Author: TJ Klune

Genre: Fantasy, contemporary fiction

Recommended by: Melanie Carr

Synopsis: Linus Baker is a quiet, rule-following caseworker in charge of inspecting orphanages for magical children. When he’s sent on a highly classified assignment to a mysterious home by the sea, he meets six extraordinary children—and a caretaker who will challenge everything he believes. Warm, whimsical and gently satirical, The House in the Cerulean Sea is a story about acceptance, chosen family, and finding where you truly belong.

Enjoying books doesn’t have to come at a cost to the environment. Here are some small, sustainable ways to reduce waste and make the most of the books you read:

Buy second-hand
Shops like World of Books, charity bookshops, or second-hand sellers online often have a wide range of titles at low prices. You’ll be giving books a second life and reducing demand for new print runs.

Borrow from a friend or colleague
Before you buy, see if someone you know already has a copy. It’s a great excuse for a book chat too.

Use your local library
Libraries are a brilliant, free resource. Many also offer eBooks and audiobooks you can borrow from home. Remember you also have access to all University libraries!

Try book swapping
Set up a small book swap shelf in your office or community space, or take part in local book exchanges. It’s an easy way to share stories without buying new.

Buy from independent bookshops
If you’re buying new, consider supporting local or independent bookshops—many also stock second-hand titles and are more likely to offer sustainable packaging and delivery options.

Choose eBooks or audiobooks
Digital formats can be a lower-impact option, especially if you already use an e-reader or smartphone.

Avoid fast-shipping where possible
If you’re ordering online, selecting standard delivery reduces the carbon footprint of rushed logistics.