Books and Rankings List

Land (2026)

2026

Set in Ireland before and after the Great Famine, the novel follows Tomás and his family on a windswept Atlantic peninsula. Themes of survival, land, and generational resilience shape a sweeping historical narrative. Early critical commentary highlights O’Farrell’s atmospheric prose and emotional depth.

Henry V

2024

A thrilling biography of England's warrior king, stripping away Shakespearean myth to reveal the complex, brilliant, and ruthless ruler who conquered medieval France.

The Place of Tides

2024

A memoir exploring the relationship between landscape, farming, and the cultural heritage of the Lake District in England.

Any Happy Returns

2024

A prominent global strategist examines structural shifts in financial markets, detailing investment trends, economic cycles, and post-crisis recovery strategies for modern wealth management.

The Autistic Survival Guide to Therapy

2024

An essential, neurodiversity-affirming manual written by an autistic therapist, offering guidance on navigating mental health systems and finding effective, trauma-informed therapeutic support.

Intermezzo

2024

Two brothers, Peter and Ivan, struggle with grief after their father’s death while navigating relationships, ambition, and emotional fragility. Rooney shifts between perspectives to explore masculinity, vulnerability, and the difficulty of forming stable identities. The novel deepens her interest in how people love, fail, and rebuild.

An Uneasy Inheritance

2023

A candid memoir exploring class, privilege, and the complexities of familial identity as the author examines her own radical, eccentric, and guilt-ridden middle-class background.

Thinking

2023

A mathematician uses data science and behavioral algorithms to explore how human minds make decisions, evaluate risks, and understand the modern, interconnected world.

Goodbye Russia: Rachmaninoff in Exile

2023

A biography focusing on Rachmaninoff's life after fleeing the Russian Revolution, detailing his struggles and successes in the West.

An Uneasy Inheritance

2023

A candid memoir exploring class, privilege, and the complexities of familial identity as the author examines her own radical, eccentric, and guilt-ridden middle-class background.

Becoming a Composer

2023

A vibrant memoir and creative manual exploring the life, inspirations, and innovative artistic processes of an acclaimed contemporary British classical composer.

The Faultline

2023

A gripping contemporary novel exploring themes of family legacy, secrets, and the emotional fractures that define human relationships.

Four Ways of Thinking

2023

A mathematician outlines statistical, interactive, chaotic, and complex frameworks, showing how these distinct modes of thought decode data and societal patterns.

Spare

2023

A deeply personal, highly publicized memoir detailing Prince Harry's life within the British royal family, his grief over his mother, and his choice to step away.

Spare

2023

A deeply personal, highly publicized memoir detailing Prince Harry's life within the British royal family, his grief over his mother, and his choice to step away.

Dirty Laundry

2023

A candid, compassionate look at navigating adult ADHD within romantic relationships, offering practical communication strategies to overcome daily domestic friction.

Women with Autism

2023

An insightful guide uncovering the unique presentations, high rates of masking, and late-diagnosis experiences of autistic women navigating patriarchal social systems.

The Autistic Experience

2023

A deeply insightful, illustrated manual providing a neurodiversity-affirming perspective on sensory processing, processing styles, and internal lived experiences of autism.

Everything We Do is Music

2023

An exploration of how music intersects with our daily lives, emotions, and the way we experience the world around us.

African and Caribbean People in Britain

2022

A monumental, comprehensive history tracking the profound, centuries-long presence, struggles, achievements, and structural impacts of Black populations on British society.

What I Mean When I Say I'm Autistic

2022

An intimate, accessible collection of personal essays clarifying sensory processing, executive dysfunction, and masking to foster deeper neurotypical understanding.

The Marriage Portrait (2022)

2022

A reimagining of Lucrezia de’ Medici’s short life, the novel follows her marriage to the Duke of Ferrara and her growing fear that he intends to kill her. O’Farrell creates a vivid Renaissance world, blending psychological tension with lush historical detail.

The Climate Book

2022

An essential, authoritative collection of essays from global scientists and activists outlining the climate crisis and concrete, systemic actions required to alter our current path.

Happy Mind, Happy Life

2022

A practical wellness guide outline ten core habits to develop internal peace, decouple happiness from external success, and reduce daily stress.

Derek Jarman's House

2022

A beautifully intimate visual and narrative exploration of Prospect Cottage, capturing the artistic interior, creative philosophy, and poignant legacy of filmmaker Derek Jarman.

A Pocketful of Happiness

2022

An incredibly moving, poignant memoir reflecting on the legendary actor's life and his enduring romance with his late wife, honoring her final request to find joy.

African and Caribbean People in Britain

2022

A monumental, comprehensive history tracking the profound, centuries-long presence, struggles, achievements, and structural impacts of Black populations on British society.

The Myth of Normal

2022

An investigative look at health and illness, examining how Western society's structural stressors and chronic traumas compromise long-term physical and mental well-being.

Tomorrow, and Tomorrow, and Tomorrow

2022

A sweeping, brilliantly written modern classic tracing thirty years of friendship, creative partnership, love, and tragedy between two successful video game designers.

And Finally

2022

A retired neurosurgeon reflects on mortality, science, and the human condition after transitioning from a doctor diagnosing illness to a patient facing his own advanced cancer.

Midnight in Vienna

2021

A gripping, atmospheric historical thriller tracing espionage, dangerous political operations, and artistic survival on the eve of the Nazi annexation of Austria.

The Bach Cello Suites

2021

Renowned cellist Steven Isserlis offers a personal and technical guide to Bach's suites, sharing his insights and deep affection for these works.

Trauma: The Invisible Epidemic

2021

A leading psychiatrist examines the systemic nature of psychological trauma, mapping out paths to individual and collective healing through empathy.

Autism in Adults

2021

A supportive and practical guide exploring adult autism, focusing on post-diagnostic understanding, sensory management, and navigating workplace and societal challenges.

Beautiful World, Where Are You

2021

Four friends—Alice, Eileen, Felix, and Simon—navigate love, friendship, and the pressures of adulthood while questioning meaning in a turbulent world. Through emails and close‑focus scenes, Rooney examines desire, politics, art, and the search for connection. The novel blends introspection with sharp social observation.

The Madness of Grief

2021

A deeply moving, candid memoir mapping the messy reality, psychological disorientation, and profound isolation of sudden bereavement after losing a long-time partner.

The Art of Active Listening

2021

A focused communication guide offering actionable strategies to master deep, empathetic listening skills to improve workplace collaboration and personal intimacy.

Some Body to Love

2021

A profoundly honest memoir dealing with body image, fertility struggles, and navigating a partner's gender transition while redefining family bonds.

Free

2021

A poignant memoir and coming-of-age story set during the collapse of socialism in Albania, exploring the true meaning of liberty amidst radical political change.

The Joy of Being Selfish

2021

A powerful guide to setting boundaries and overcoming people-pleasing habits, helping readers prioritize their emotional well-being and live more authentically.