Nine non-fiction books you just have to read...

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1. WTF 
Robert Preston's readable account of Brexit and the future. Head in hands time I'm afraid.



2. This is going to Hurt
Good old laugh out loud war stories of a junior doctor. Avoid if you might give birth in the future.



3.Chance Witness
Matthew Parris' life story - beautifully told. Behind the scenes in Parliament (leaves you wondering why bother with the place) and his journalistic career.



4 Live from Downing Street / Election Notebook
Nick Robinson is a fabulous writer and both these books are gripping. The first is a more historical overview of politics and the media.The second is his account of the 2015 election and his recovery from cancer.



5. The Course of Love
Still disappointed that romance is an illusion? Still deluded that romance exists? Read this by Alain de Botton and you'll be furious we base our social fabric on it.



6. Quiet
Don't let the extroverts have it all their own way. They're in fashion right now in many fields and this book is one way of valuing yourself if you're a bit...quieter.



7. 50 Dead Men Walking
A truly amazing account of an British agent in the IRA. He passed secrets from the IRA to the British and saved lives...trouble is the IRA realised that every plot he was in on went wrong.



8. Predictably Irrational
Too good to leave to the economists. I must quote the blurb: Dan Ariely "brilliantly blends everyday experiences with a series of illuminating and often surprising experiments that will change your understanding of human behaviour." 



9.An Astronaut's Guide to Life on Earth.
Chris Hadfield's insights into life here are inspiring and you get to read funny stories about space travel.






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An Astronaut's Guide to Life on Earth - Chris Hadfield

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I was really inspired by this one. Obviously details about life in near space and what it does to the human body - which muscles atrophy if you're not careful are all fascinating. How people coped with landing - the Russians in the Kazak cornfield is memorable - and the sheer luck of getting on the programme (not being too tall or small for whatever space ship is being built when you're the right age) also interesting. Really loved his guide to life on earth - preparing for what you want. Still haven't managed to though. So, a brilliant guide, logical, insightful, inspirational with the predictable result of leaving me feeling I should have done it differently.
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Chance Witness by Matthew Parris

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A very enjoyable read, although I only started a few chapters in when he got to Cambridge...must go back and read the childhood stuff now. He wants to evaluate himself all the time - so he shows off about some pretty show-off-able stuff (like running the marathon in 2 hours 30) and judges himself pretty harshly as an MP (sort of failed, disorganised wimpy rebel) and as a TV presenter. It's all very interesting, not least his sort-of campaigning for gay rights. He manages to stay a Tory despite Clause 28, of course. You'll like this if you like ironic, direct writing or want an inside view of the Thatcher / Major years.
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