The Student Hubs team is full of bookworms, and many of us will be using our winter break to make some progress through our To Be Read shelves, or setting reading targets for 2024. Before doing any of that, though, we wanted to take a look back at our favourite reads of 2023. We hope you’ll be inspired by our picks – please do drop us a message on our social channels to share your thoughts.
We try to source all of the books we read secondhand – it’s cheaper and much more environmentally-friendly. Some of our favourite ways to do this are via our local libraries, rummaging through charity shops, or online secondhand book stores like World of Books – their 4 for 3 offer is a staff favourite or Bookshop.org. You might also like to look out for local independent book shops – they can often order titles in for you, so it’s easy to support a local business. If you don’t have one near you, we love Big Green Bookshop, especially their ‘Buy a Stranger a Book’ initiative and efforts to get free books to schools.
If you’re a fellow book-lover, or want to read more in 2024, stick around until the end, where we’ll share information about how you can get involved in our revamped Hub Book Club!
Sim & Fiona’s recommendations
To kick things off, we consulted two of our most enthusiastic readers – Partnerships and Development Director Fiona, and CEO Sim – and their comprehensive lists did not disappoint. We’ve lost count of how many books they’ve managed to get through this year, so making it onto either of their shortlists is a clear indication of a great read. They both read lots of non-fiction as well as fiction, so we’ve combined their thoughts into a master list of fantastic reads!
Over to them…
Non-fiction
First up, Fiona’s picks:
Stolen Focus by Johann Hari
- Hari reflects on where all of our time is going, how social media and our digital world is impacting our ability to focus, and how to prioritise what really matters in life.
Hidden Potential by Adam Grant
- Grant unpacks assumptions we have about natural talent versus developed skills, and why we all might have more hidden potential than we think reflecting on inspiring and impressive case studies.
We all might have more hidden potential than we think
Clear Thinking by Shane Parrish
- Former intelligence agent Shane Parrish considers what goes into good decision making, how we can all make the space to think clearer in our daily and professional lives, and the ‘rules’ and habits which help protect the time we want to spend in the places we really care about.
Next, Sim’s recommendations:
The Good Enough Job by Simone Stolzoff
- It’s really easy to get wrapped up in perfection when it comes to our jobs, and for that to take over our lives. Stolzoff takes you through a series of case studies of when young professionals had enough and made changes which ultimately improved both their professional and personal lives. It’s an easy read, which makes you feel more empowered to make changes for the better.
They’ve not got the answers to solve the burnout problem, but understanding why we feel this way does help.
Can’t Even: How Millennials Became the Burnout Generation by Anne Helen Petersen
- If you are feeling perpetually tired, Petersen’s in depth look at the all the socio-economic factors of the past 30 years (and beyond) which has stacked life against us is strangely reassuring. As Petersen states at the end of the book, they’ve not got the answers to solve the burnout problem, but understanding why we feel this way does help.
The Anthropocene Reviewed by John Green
- A disclaimer from Sim: the eagle-eyed amongst you may remember this title from a previous winter reads blog… but I re-read it this year and it stands out as one of the best non-fiction books I’ve ever read. A walk through the history of human existence as Green also processes their own grief of the death of a friend, this book is a warm hug. It reminds us that we are but one of millions upon millions of people to exist, but that our existence is important.
fiction
What does Sim recommend you get stuck into?
Jurassic Park by Michael Crichton
- This year marked the 30th anniversary of the film adaptation of Jurassic Park. As a fan of the film, it seemed right to finally get around to reading the book. The book is different in several small ways, however these add up and the story takes a strong stance against rampant capitalism and unregulated companies doing what they think is best, without considering the impacts on local communities and the ecosystem.
The story takes a strong stance against rampant capitalism and unregulated companies doing what they think is best, without considering the impacts on local communities and the ecosystem.
Several People are Typing by Calvin Kasulke
- An absurdist tale of a guy named Gerald who works for a PR company in New York. During a snowstorm Gerald gets trapped in the company Slack, and though his work productivity is now better than ever, he’s starting to wonder what his life means outside of work. Told completely through the form of Slack messages, it’s a fun read.
Sea of Tranquility by Emily St. John Mandel
- Told from three different perspectives in time, Sea of Tranquility looks at the impact of a plague upon Earth as it ripples throughout time. Like Madel’s other work, it is a meditation on art, love, and connection so perfectly set in uncertain times.
Fiona’s top fiction of 2023:
Tomorrow, and Tomorrow, and Tomorrow by Gabrielle Zevin
- The most emotionally devastating book our Partnerships and Development Director Fiona has read this year, a moving exploration of friendship, navigating personal tragedy and creating your own worlds in gaming and reality.
People Person by Candice Carty-Williams
- Following up from Queenie, Carty-Williams’ next standalone novel is a deep exploration of family, what we owe to one another, and what family will do to pull together in the best and worst of times.
Yellowface by Rebeccs F Kuang
- Winner of Goodreads’ 2023 Best Fiction for a reason, Yellowface is an examination of the publishing industry and the dark and twisted lengths protagonist June Hayward will go to in order to get ahead as an author.
Winner of Goodreads’ 2023 Best Fiction for a reason
I Am Pilgrim by Terry Hayes
- A lengthy and compelling murder mystery which sees a secret agent travel across the world in the shadow of 9/11 to track down a criminal, only to get wrapped up in another mystery entirely.
Everything You Ever Wanted by Luiza Sauma
- Protagonist Iris gives up everything to be the first to live on another planet, part of a strange real-life reality show as these intrepid humans adapt to life away from earth. But as the colony starts to break down, Iris begins reflecting on the life she left behind, and everything she was so ready to give up on earth.
the rest of the team!
If those recommendations weren’t enough for you, some other members of the Student Hubs team have a few more highlights to share:
From Amy, our Operations & Activities Manager, a couple of titles set across the pond in the USA:
Another Day in the Death of America by Gary Younge (non-fiction)
- Twenty-four hours passes in the United States, punctuated by bullets. On the 23 November 2013, ten young lives were ended by gun violence. Towles connects with the victims’ families and friends, retracing their last moments through eyewitness accounts and news reports. Though you are given a glimpse into post mortems, court proceedings and the years-later impact these shootings had, it is harrowing to close the book and realise that only a day of headlines has passed.
The Lincoln Highway by Amor Towles (fiction)
- Sometimes bigger is better! This huge book combines tales of heroes and gods with a Huckleberry Finn-esque coming-of-age story. After the death of their father, two brothers set out across the States in search of their mother. Their unlikely and often problematic friendships propel them forwards (and sometimes completely off-course) as they learn what it means to live in medias res.
Bristol Hub Manager Sorcha suggests two slightly more sombre books if you’re in the mood for something thought-provoking:
The Man Who Died by Antti Tuomainen (fiction)
- This is a dark and suspenseful thriller (with a humorous undertone) about a man who gets told that he has been slowly poisoned for months and will die shortly. The plot revolves around his race to figure out who has been trying to kill him. Great if you’re looking for a mystery over the festive period!
The Midnight Library by Matt Haig (fiction)
- I hold my hands up – this is the only book I really liked by this author! It’s a beautiful story about choices, regrets and experiences as a human – a great read. Trigger warning of depression and suicide.
what if… i don’t have time?!
If your break is already filled with plans, don’t fear – Network Director Sophie recommends a much more bite-sized selection of short stories: First Person Singular by Haruki Murakami (fiction).
This seems like a good time of year to read a book of short stories, as you’re often found picking up and putting down your book between a busy itinerary catching up with loved ones. First Person Singular features eight short stories exploring humankind and the world through all things curious and wonderful!
Sophie
what if… that’s not enough books?!
If reading all of this has got you in the mood for more reading you’re in luck: the new and improved Hub Book Club will be relaunching in 2024. We’d love for you to join and read along with us as we delve into the world of social issues, using both fiction and non-fiction titles to prompt discussion. Make sure you’re following us on social media for more information: at the start of January we’ll be sharing details of our first meeting, along with polls so you can help us choose the Book Club’s first read!
From all at Student Hubs, have a wonderful winter break and we look forward to seeing you again in 2024. Happy reading!