Books to read

Independence Square by AD Miller: Against the backdrop of the Orange Revolution of 2004, Independence Square is a political thriller charting the diplomatic machinations aimed at averting tragedy as the Ukrainian people rise up to protest the result of a controversial presidential election. A fine education in an uprising which caused a ripple effect still being felt today.

The Foundling by Stacey Halls: Shrimp seller Bess reluctantly takes her newborn daughter to London’s Foundling Hospital to give her a chance of survival. A short carriage ride away, Alexandra lives in a comfortable house which she is frightened to leave. Stacey Halls’ second novel weaves the women’s lives together against the backdrop of 18th Century London.

Strange Hotel by Eimear Mcbride: This slip of a novel focuses on a nameless woman. We don’t know her age, what she does, or why she travels so much, and never encounter her outside the confines of a series of hotel rooms around the world. Her interior monologues are both fraught and laboured, leaving you listless and free of empathy as a reader.

A Bit Of A Stretch: The Diaries Of A Prisoner by Chris Atkins: Film-maker Chris Atkins’ time spent in prison following a fiveyear sentence for tax fraud. Atkins walks you through all aspects of a crumbling, failing prison system and provides a very real day-to-day experience as a prisoner. This is a must-read for every voter that shines a light on a terribly neglected and vulnerable prison population hidden away by ‘criminal justice’.