World Book Day 2023

Posted on: 1 March 2023 in Blog

To celebrate World Book Day 2023 (2 March), Law student Madeline and Sociology and Social Policy student Eva each give their top 5 book recommendations. These books have been picked for their interesting social commentary, because they cover topics such as law and social justice, or simply because of the joy of reading which they inspire.

5 must-reads for Law students

by Madeline Pulling, 2nd year Law Student

Studying for a law degree, you can feel like all you do is read pages and pages of legal material for hours on end. I’ve certainly found myself in that position many a time, and often the last thing I want to do to relax is pick up a book to do yet *some more* reading. But recently I’ve been setting some time aside everyday to read for pleasure, and I’ve found that it’s not as tedious as you think. I find it’s a great way to put aside the stresses of my degree and escape away from the world – be it for 30 minutes or 2 hours.

1. 1984 by George Orwell

Forewarning – this book is a heavy read, but it’s a worthwhile endeavour and absolutely of interest to any Law student. An incontestable classic, Orwell’s novel is gritty but gripping, and astonishingly prophetic.

Plot Summary
Set in a dystopian parallel, where the ubiquitous Big Brother controls all through ‘the party’. The word ‘rebellion’ has no meaning, humans have no connection, life has no substance, and people have no freedom – but that doesn’t stop renegade Winston Smith from trying.

2. Anatomy of a Scandal by Sarah Vaughan

This one’s a bit more on the nose for law students, set predominantly within the criminal trial of a high-profile MP. As the plot draws more from the back stories of the characters and their unexpected interconnections, it’s easy to enjoy and not be reminded of your Criminal Law lectures.

Plot Summary
The skeletons in James Whitehouse’s closet are aired out for the world to see, as his affair is publicised, and drastic consequences ensue. His wife, Sophie, already has enough on her plate, without having to grapple with some unsettling realities relating to her husbands’ past.

3.  The Secret Barrister Trilogy by The Secret Barrister

The list wouldn’t be complete without an appearance by the infamous Secret Barrister. But I couldn’t pick one, so I cheated and bundled them together. Any of the three books by the anonymous advocate are worth a read but read all three if you have the time and/or inclination.

It’s a bit less fantasy than everything else on the list, but that doesn’t render it any less absorbing. It is possibly one of the most important social critiques out there at the moment and is crucial to dispelling the fables shrouding one of the most fundamental machines of our society, an enlightening and rewarding read.

4. Bleak House by Charles Dickens

Not only is it one of the greatest books ever written, but this book is really interesting for Law students because it gives an insight into the character and tradition of the legal profession. As you might expect of a classic, the book is beautifully written and the language flows easily.

Plot Summary
The story revolves around a court case concerning a number of wills, and most of it takes place in the legal areas of London.

5. Submarine by Joe Dunthorne

I’d call this the outcast of coming-of-age novels, so often, but painfully, overlooked. Its plot is relatively uneventful – it’s only a short book – but Dunthorne’s writing affords an unparalleled intimacy between the reader and the main character, Oliver Tate. It’s beautiful in its simplicity, and relatable at many points too.

Bonus: If you like the book, there’s a film too.

Plot Summary
A coming-of-age tale, narrated by the darkly humorous and occasionally selfish Oliver Tate, as he tries to make light of his situation while navigating his first relationship, managing expectations and witnessing the strains of his parent's marriage. All while undergoing the teenage rite of passage: discovering your identity.

5 amazing books that deal with important social issues

by Eva Marie Deeley, 1st year Sociology and Social Policy student

People often read books to escape to fantasy, but how often do these fantasy fictionalised worlds have a hint of truth to them? Here are five incredible novels which both entertain and make you think.

1. The Hunger Games Series by Suzanne Collins

The Hunger games series is a beloved one when it comes to young adult fiction, often known as the superior of all dystopia novels. The main plot of the books follows a cruel dictator and leader of the government, making twenty-four children each year fight to the death in a reality TV show. How people are murdered for entertainment in this book may act as a warning of how too much government power can lead to the public being seen as property. This idea can be seen in the UK currently, of course not as extreme, with the policy on banning strikes currently going through Parliament which arguably takes away workers’ rights to freedom of expression. The Hunger Games also can be seen as a social commentary on the class system. In the story, the Government and the wealthy live in the Capitol and the rest of the population is broken down into 12 Districts. The highter the numbered district, the more poor and destitute it is. Within the current cost of living crisis the definitions between classes have never been clearer, the working class not being able to feed their families or heat their homes. Overall, it is clear that The Hunger Games is very anti-government. This is a very good (and easy) read if you don’t want too much of a heavy social commentary despite it being prevalent throughout the novels.

2. A Handmaid’s Tale by Margret Artwood

This book can be considered a great piece of classic feminist literature and a warning of what can happen to women’s rights when we live in a misogynistic society. The novel follows the protagonist Serena Joy as she lives through a dystopian hell. Within this universe, due to environmental issues, infertility is seen as the norm and women who can conceive are seen as the property of the state. The overall message of the novel is that legally controlling women's reproductive freedom is morally and politically wrong, as Atwood states in the book, ‘enforced childbirth is slavery’. This topic is extremely relevant in the current issues around the world on womens reproductive rights, such as Rode v. Wade being overruled by the Supreme court and criminalising abortions within some American states.

3. The Hate You Give by Angie Thomas

This beautiful modern novel tackles systemic racism within America from the perspective of a teenage girl. The protagonist Starr Carter is conflicted by the two different worlds she lives in, the poverty-struck neighbourhood she lives in, and the elite prep school she attends. The story follows her coming to terms with a heart-breaking shooting of her childhood best friend at the hands of white police officers. The novel expresses the way that society uses stereotypes of black people to justify violence and racism against them.

4. Frankenstein by Mary Shelley

This iconic piece of literature discusses the idea of nature vs nurture. The book follows the two characters of Victor and the ‘monster’, and the reader is never truly aware of who is supposed to be the antagonist and who the protagonist is. The creature does evil things but is that due to his upbringing? It is an extremely thought provoking novel which will make you reconsider what it means to be evil.

5. An Inspector Calls by B Priestley

Even though this piece of literature is a play I believe it is still a great read, and even better if you’re privileged enough to see the play. The play is set at a dinner party of the wealthy Birling family when a mysterious Inspector knocks on the door to question them on the suicide of a woman called Eva Smith. Throughout the play we see how each family member mistreated Eva Smith. The play argubaly was created to show Priestley’s distaste for how the working class was treated in society, Eva Smith being a metaphor for the working class as a whole.