World Book Day: What our students are reading

By Editorial Team. Published 1 March 2023. Updated 5 March 2026.

Assembly by Natasha Brown – chosen by Connie Brown

Natasha Brown’s debut novel Assembly is striking and emotive. The book presents the everyday impact that the legacy of British colonialism has on black British people, especially black British women.

Brown shows the racist micro-aggressions her semi-autobiographical narrator experiences through different aspects of her life. This includes her successful career in finance, her relationship with a wealthy, old-money, privileged white man and her diagnosis of metastatic cancer.

In under 100 pages, the novel shows how her success is shadowed by exhaustion and hollowness caused by pervasive racism with incredible clarity. Assembly is a powerful, eye-opening debut. I highly recommend it.

Babel by R.F. Kuang – chosen by Sophie Adams

I would recommend Babel to anyone studying law, politics, history and students studying administrative and human rights law.

Babel is set in 19th-century Oxford where translation is used to generate magical power. The story follows a group of linguistically gifted students at the Royal Institute of Translation known as Babel who begin to question the institution they study at and will later build their careers within. As they uncover how language is used to strengthen Britain’s imperial power, they are forced to confront the moral cost of their education and decide where their loyalties truly lie.

I chose Babel because it resonates strongly with what I’ve studied in administrative and human rights law. The book explores how systems can appear lawful while producing injustice. It reflects many of the themes I've studied including accountability and justice. Reading it alongside my studies made me think more critically about how legal systems operate within wider political structures.

One of Babel’s most powerful themes is that language is never neutral; it shapes institutions. In the book, translation literally generates power and subtle differences between words carry material consequences. This strongly mirrors the role of language in law, where the precise wording of statutes and judicial decisions can determine rights. A single term such as 'reasonable' or 'proportionate' can alter how a law operates in practice, just as the framing of a principle in precedent can bind courts for decades. Like the scholars in Babel, judges and lawyers act as interpreters and their interpretation of language can expand or restrict justice. The novel ultimately highlights that law, like translation, is constructed through words which carry immense authority.

Fake Law: The Truth About Justice in an Age of Lies by The Secret Barrister – chosen by Polly Hutchinson

I would recommend this book to anyone who is studying law, is interested in politics or enjoys a sarcastic author. It gave me a new understanding of not just what the law is but what it should be.

It is an insightful look into the UK’s legal system. It discusses areas where the law goes wrong and gives some troubling examples. It particularly notes how the law is misrepresented in the media to confuse public understanding.

In studying law, I have always been taught that the law should be understandable. This book debunks many widely believed false narratives to help people have more faith in the law.

Goodbye to Berlin by Christopher Isherwood – chosen by Georgia Bower

I would recommend this book to anyone interested in politics and local governance, and those who love a slice of life literature and are interested in LGBTQIA+ stories.

This book is a semi-autobiographical collection of stories detailing the author's life as a young British writer in 1930 to 1933 Berlin. Isherwood writes about the exciting but chaotic atmosphere of the Weimar Republic's final days. The narrative captures a city on the brink of change, against the backdrop of rising Nazi power, poverty and political violence.

It is one of my favourite books, especially considering its semi-autobiographical nature. The way Isherwood captures his characters and locations truly draws you in; it’s almost intimate. He captures the smallest of traits and habits, all while allowing the context of the story to almost loom over you.

The slow descent into the Nazi regime truly goes to show how political change can happen. One day you can wake up and find that everything has changed and you hadn’t even noticed. I think it’s important to read this book as it provides the ultimate warning, especially in our current political climate.

Good Morning Holy Spirit by Benny Hinn – chosen by Simbisai Zhou

I would recommend this book to anyone curious about who the Holy Spirit is and the reason behind the Holy Spirit’s existence. It’s a great read for anyone regardless of their religious or non-religious background and who has questions they want answered.

This book is about a man born in Israel who migrated to Canada with his family. It’s in Toronto that he begins to have unique experiences through his faith and religious background. He starts to learn more about Christianity outside his Catholic upbringing and shares how he delved into a new understanding of the third person of the Trinity - the Holy Spirit.

It taught me so much about who the Holy Spirit is and why Christians speak of Him. It brought a more personalised understanding through reading about another person’s encounters. It was a reminder to treat the Holy Spirit as a person. He is not a floating ghost or a small angel sat on your shoulder. He’s our instinct and the voice that directs our right from wrong.

Hustle Harder, Hustle Smarter by 50 Cent – Chosen by Teagan Williams

Over lockdown, reading became my main pastime. I try to read a range of genres, from true accounts of slavery and manifestation books to Michelle Obama’s Becoming. I write down one thing I’ve taken away from every book, whether it be a phrase, an idea or a point to research. That’s why it came as a surprise that 50 Cent’s Hustle Harder, Hustle Smarter has been the book I have learnt from the most. It is shocking to realise how many similarities there were between me and this world-renowned rapper, salesman and former street thug.

I chose to study law for many reasons; I am passionate about justice and ensuring it is available for all. I believe law is a vital part of society, and without it, the world would be in turmoil. Hustle Harder, Hustle Smarter is based on the skills you need to survive in the business world. Whether you’re a lawyer, banker, footballer or business owner, there is something to be taken away from this book. 50 Cent delves into the qualities and strategies you must practice and understand to be successful, including knowing your value, the power of perception and the entitlement trap – to name a few. Hustle Harder, Hustle Smarter is a book that gives heartfelt advice no matter your walk of life.

My favourite quote from this book: “Even if your circumstances are disadvantaged or you lack experience, so long as you project the confidence and energy of someone successful, it’s only a matter of time till true success comes and finds you.”

It Ends With Us by Colleen Hoover – chosen by Temi Olorunleke

“There is no such thing as bad people. We are all just people who do bad things.”

It Ends With Us is an easy read; not too long or too ambiguous in writing.

From a small town, Lily moves to Boston after college and starts her own business. When she feels a spark with a gorgeous neurosurgeon, everything in her life suddenly seems unreal.

Ryle is assertive, stubborn and arrogant but with a soft spot for Lily. However, Ryle’s complete aversion to relationships is disturbing. When Lily becomes the exception to Ryle’s "no dating” rule, she cannot help but wonder what happened to him.

As questions about her new relationship overwhelm her, so do thoughts of Atlas. Atlas was her first love, a link to the past she left behind. He was her kindred spirit. When Atlas suddenly reappears, everything Lily has built with Ryle is threatened.

Rich Dad, Poor Dad by Robert Kiyosaki – chosen by Muhammad Nazakat

One of my top book recommendations is Rich Dad, Poor Dad by Robert Kiyosaki, a personal finance classic that I highly recommend. The book explores Kiyosaki's upbringing with two different father figures: his biological father, the "poor dad," and his best friend's father, the "rich dad." Through his experiences with both fathers, Kiyosaki learned important lessons about money and investing that he shares in this book.

One of the key takeaways from the book is the importance of financial education. Kiyosaki emphasizes the need to learn about personal finance and investing, rather than simply relying on a traditional education to secure your financial future. He also highlights the difference between assets and liabilities, and explains how you can use assets to generate passive income and build wealth.

The book is easy to read and understand, making it accessible to readers with little to no background in finance. It is also full of practical advice and real-life examples that help to drive home the key lessons. If you're looking for a better understanding personal finance and how to build wealth, Rich Dad, Poor Dad is an excellent place to start.

The Miracle Power of Your Mind by Dr Joseph Murphy – chosen by Radostina Krasteva

I recently finished The Miracle Power of Your Mind by Dr Joseph Murphy and I cannot recommend it highly enough.

The book focuses on how we can use the power of our minds to create a better life for ourselves and it's based on science.

Dr Joseph Murphy has distilled the teachings of metaphysics and psychology into a practical set of lessons to help anyone unlock their true potential. He brings together ancient wisdom with modern insights, showing how our minds can be used as tools to achieve whatever we want in life.

I learned so much from this book. It has helped me understand how my objective and subjective minds work and made me feel more empowered and confident about myself. I think it could do the same for you.

Under the Wig by William Clegg QC – chosen by Keylee Ashman

A book that inspired me to choose a law degree was Under the Wig. In October 2020, I was fortunate enough to spend an evening with William Clegg QC, albeit online. He has tried more murder cases than any other English law barrister. I was excited to speak with him after learning we shared a fondness for his favourite book, Three Men in a Boat by Jerome K. Jerome. His specialist expertise in criminal law further sparked my curiosity. Following that evening, I read the book. Although Three Men in a Boat remains my favourite book, it was Under the Wig that confirmed pursuing a law degree was the right choice for me.

In an interview about Under the Wig, Clegg was asked, “Reading your book, one thing that was most notable was how accessible it was – was that something you did intentionally?” Accessibility to the criminal bar as a first-generation, state-school educated, university student was a very daunting concept for me. In response to the question, he said, “The whole idea of the book was to try to de-mystify the law, and to try to explain to people who don’t really know anything about the law and very little about the profession, exactly how the profession works.”

Discovering that he obtained pupillage after spending an evening with Ronnie Trott in his Brentwood, Essex house also came as a welcome comfort. For the past eight years, I have lived in Brentwood, so it was encouraging to know that very successful advocates reside in the same area as me.

He also told me to go where my passion lies, not where the money is, because you’ll be rich if you do a good job at anything.

Unfinished by Priyanka Chopra - chosen by Rashagini Rajakumar

A book that inspired me is Unfinished. I was excited to read it before it was even published. Priyanka Chopra is a truly inspirational independent woman and actress; there are many ways I can relate to her. Many Asian women, including young adults like myself, could relate to parts of her memoir, such as her childhood, family, relationships and more.

Our students can benefit from our expansive non-academic collections, both in campus and online, through our Library Hub.