This week’s selection of books brings together a diverse range of titles for readers of all interests. The list includes a powerful historical biography that revisits the turbulent history of the Balkans, an expansive exploration of the shared past of the Muslim and Christian worlds, contemporary fiction examining relationships and personal choices, and accessible guides on brain health and artificial intelligence. For younger readers, the proposals also feature adventure, humour and magical storytelling.
Indignity – A Life Reimagined
Lea Ypi, Pub. Penguin
Historical Biography
“There is something about the human spirit,” she would say, “that withstands all attempts at offence, injury or humiliation. We call it dignity.”
Lea Ypi - Indignity
— Florian Louis (@flr_louis) July 10, 2025
A Life Reimagined
À paraître en novembre chez Farrar, Straus and Giroux pic.twitter.com/09OUtP0zkz
When Lea Ypi discovers a photograph of her grandmother, Leman, honeymooning in the Alps in 1941 posted online by a stranger, a family mystery begins to unfold. Growing up, Ypi had always been told that records of her grandmother’s youth were destroyed during the early years of communism in Albania. Yet there she is, smiling beside her husband Asllan Ypi while World War II rages around them.
What follows is a remarkable reimagining of the past that takes readers through the vanished world of Ottoman aristocracy, the birth of modern Greece and Albania, global financial upheaval, the horrors of war and the rise of communism in the Balkans.
Through secret police files, court testimonies and personal memories, Ypi explores the complex truth about her grandmother’s life and confronts difficult questions about identity, morality and history. Epic yet intimate, Indignityexamines the fragile boundary between personal memory and political history.
Crucible of Light
Elizabeth Drayson, Pub. Picador
History
In Crucible of Light, historian Elizabeth Drayson reexamines the intertwined history of the Muslim and Christian worlds across thirteen centuries.
Moving between key cities and historical turning points, Drayson traces the cultural exchanges that have shaped Europe’s identity. From Mecca to Cordoba, Damascus to Venice, and Vienna to Istanbul, the book highlights the enduring connections between cultures through architecture, trade, scholarship and everyday life.
The narrative explores how classical learning preserved in Islamic libraries influenced European thought, how Moorish design reshaped architecture, and how cultural encounters—from Spanish courtyards to Ottoman-inspired coffee houses in London—created a shared historical legacy.
Sweeping across continents and centuries, Crucible of Light presents a vivid portrait of the dialogues and exchanges that have helped shape modern Europe.
The Rest of Our Lives
Ben Markovits, Pub. Faber & Faber
Modern and Contemporary Fiction
Described as “an elegant, devastating book” by the Observer and praised for its wit and emotional depth, Ben Markovits’ novel explores marriage, regret and the passage of time.
Years earlier, Tom decided that once his children were grown he would leave his wife after discovering her affair. Twelve years later, after dropping his daughter at university, he remembers that promise and begins driving west, revisiting friends, family and a former girlfriend.
But Tom carries secrets of his own, including difficulties at work and troubling health concerns. As the journey unfolds, he begins to realise that confronting life may be far more difficult than simply running away.
The Rest of Our Lives is a thoughtful and emotionally resonant story about relationships, memory and the choices that shape our futures.
Brain – An Owner’s Guide
Elizabeth R. Ricker, Pub. Dorling Kindersley
Popular Medicine
Neuroscientist Elizabeth R. Ricker offers an accessible and practical guide to understanding and caring for the brain.
Combining the latest scientific research with clear explanations, Brain – An Owner’s Guide explores how mental wellbeing influences memory, concentration, resilience and mood. The book also explains the science behind issues such as stress, depression and “brain fog”.
Readers will learn about the importance of sleep, stress management and lifestyle choices that protect cognitive health, as well as how neurological disorders such as dementia develop.
Illustrated with diagrams, checklists, myth-busting explanations and frequently asked questions, this guide translates complex neuroscience into practical advice for maintaining brain health at every stage of life.
The Essential Book of AI
Anne Rooney, Pub. Arcturus
Science
Artificial intelligence is rapidly transforming the world, and this illustrated guide by award-winning science author Anne Rooney provides a clear introduction to its science and implications.
Written in accessible language, the book explains how AI technologies such as deep learning, neural networks and large language models work, while also examining the philosophical questions surrounding their development.
Structured in twelve concise chapters, the volume explores the technological breakthroughs driving AI innovation and the ways these systems may reshape society in the years ahead.
Richly illustrated with full-colour diagrams and explanations, The Essential Book of Artificial Intelligence offers an engaging starting point for readers interested in understanding one of the most influential technologies of our time.
Children’s Books
Murder for Two
Niyla Farook, Pub. Templar Books
Children’s Fiction
Ani and Riri are identical twins who were separated as babies and could not be more different. Ani is bold, adventurous and dreams of becoming a detective. Riri is quiet, cautious and happiest with a book in hand.
When the twins are forced to spend the summer together, they expect another disastrous attempt at family bonding. Instead, the holiday takes an unexpected turn when a murder occurs and their father becomes the prime suspect.
Determined to clear his name, the sisters must learn to work together and unravel the mystery. Murder for Two is a lively and humorous detective story perfect for young readers who enjoy fast-paced mysteries.
Dragon Tales
Dav Pilkey, Pub. Scholastic
Picture Storybooks
From Dav Pilkey, the creator of the bestselling Dog Man, Cat Kid Comic Club and Captain Underpants series, comes a delightful collection of three short stories featuring the lovable Dragon.
Dragon Tales includes A Friend for Dragon, Dragon Gets By and Dragon’s Fat Cat, each telling a warm and humorous story about friendship and kindness.
With easy-to-read text, colourful illustrations and plenty of playful humour, the book is designed to build confidence and fluency for early readers while delivering heartfelt adventures that celebrate friendship.
The Little Wooden Robot and the Princess
Tom Gauld, Pub. Templar Books
Fantasy & Magical Picturebooks
In this charming modern fairy tale by acclaimed cartoonist Tom Gauld, a brave little wooden robot sets out on an extraordinary journey to find his missing sister, the log princess.
Along the way he encounters magical creatures, goblins, mysterious puddings and a formidable woodpile, each challenge testing his courage and determination.
Beautifully illustrated and full of wit, The Little Wooden Robot and the Princess is a touching story about sibling love, resilience and the quiet heroism found in unexpected places.