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20 books for 2020, chosen by you

We asked you to share your recommendations for the best books you read in 2019 to help your fellow alumni discover something new in 2020. Here’s a selection of the huge range of recommendations we received… 

21 Lessons for the 21st Century by Yuval Noah Harari
12 Rules for Life by Jordan Peterson
Brief Answers to the Big Questions by Stephen Hawking

Politics; Philosophy; Science and nature

“I would recommend three fairly serious books that will inform how you think about how we got to where we are and where we are likely heading...”
Richard King

Anything You Want: 40 Lessons for a New Kind of Entrepreneur by Derek Sivers

Business

“In 2019 the best book I read was Anything You Want. It’s a concise but impactful book for any new and experienced entrepreneurs. It was a book recommended by Tim Ferriss, who runs an insightful podcast The Tim Ferriss Show.” 
Von Chua

Building a Storybrand by Donald Miller

Business

“When stuck in an airport with a day of cancelled flights, the silver lining was that I discovered a fantastic book in the airport book shop, Building a Story Brand. Though geared to marketers, it explains a simple concept for how to tell compelling stories by putting the audience member in the centre of the story. Recommended for anyone who ever needs to tell a compelling story to any audience (which is most everyone!)”
Michael McDermott

Churchill: Walking with Destiny by Andrew Roberts

Biography 

“History, politics and leadership. Lessons as relevant today as for previous generations, if we are to continue to nurture and enjoy hard won freedoms”
Steve Hayes 

East of Eden by John Steinbeck

Fiction

“Of all the books I read in 2019, I thoroughly enjoyed only Steinbeck’s East of Eden. I had never read anything of Steinbeck’s before so, naturally, with exhilaration I thought the rest of his works would be equally as thrilling. It appears East of Eden was his magnum opus and nothing can quite reach its brilliance.”
Kamen Chanov

Economics: A Very Short Introduction by Partha Dasgupta

Economics 

“By getting away from models and into surprising meta-features of economics whether rich or poor (e.g. trust, innovation, communities), the author gets across key messages as to why everyone should know and care about how economics works. He is well ahead of his time in relating these features to explain how sustainable and inclusive development makes as much sense economically as it does ethically.”
Tyrone Byrne

How Will You Measure Your Life? by Clayton Christensen

Business

“This book has really shaped the way I look at life and how success is measured. Each chapter starts with a case study – the kind that you get in business schools – and applies it to everyday life, from finding true career fulfilment to raising children. As we progress through our careers and grow older (yet something no more the wiser), we are presented with many dilemma and choices. This book provides a compass that can steer one in the right direction.”
Nathan Ramadhan

Never Split the Difference by Chris Voss

Business 

“A book that I have read and put into practice. Never Split the Difference contains personal experience of Chris Voss during his earlier years as a hostage negotiator at the FBI and later as an instructor at an MBA school. The book is easy to understand and follow, sometimes with humorous thoughts from Chris about various negotiating situations he has encountered. What I like about this book is that its guidelines are practical and easily applicable to any real-life situation, from negotiating your salary to buying a car. A must have for those who want to boost their negotiation skills!”
Mai Phan

No One is Too Small to Make a Difference by Greta Thunberg

Science and nature

“I was given Greta Thunberg’s No One is Too Small to Make a Difference by three of my granddaughters. I was at St John’s, Bramcote (Theology, 1972) as a “baby boomer”. Salutary to be taught lessons by one’s grandchildren.”
Simon Richards

Play It Again by Alan Rusbridger

Biography

“As a late learner of the piano, I was sent Play It Again from a colleague. Inspiring for anyone striving to play a musical instrument, with insights into neuroscience and how news stories are developed.”
Naomi Ward

Samurai William by Giles Milton

History

“Really interesting read on a fascinating historical figure set in the context of Japan during a period of massive upheaval and change.”
Alexander Forsyth

The Chimp Paradox by Steve Peters

Lifestyle

“If you or someone in your life gets grumpy and you'd like to do something about it then try this book. The book describes clearly and simply how we think and how our flight/fight/freeze instinct gets triggered not always at the most helpful moment. Once you can see what's going on in yourself and others when a conversation is heading to an argument then you can guide it back to being constructive or rational..”
Marcus Waite

The Dice Man by Luke Rhinehart

Fiction

“The Dice Man – a psychiatrist who loses interest in life gives up his free will in favour of a dice to make his decisions. This book brings a new perspective to life and the decisions we make. Do our decisions lead us to the life we want, or are we better off leaving it to chance?”
Benjamin Smith

The House with Chicken Legs by Sophie Anderson

Fiction

“A wonderful children’s book that would appeal to those studying Russian, based on a key personality in Russian folklore, Baba Yaga. It contains many references to Russian food and culture and covers themes of friendship, belonging and death in a sensitive and accessible way for older children or young teenagers.”
Sarah Lowry

The Last Wish by Andrezej Sapkowski

Fiction

“The first collection of short stories in The Witcher universe. If you’re at all into fantasy then once you’ve read these you’ll be clamouring for the remaining books, the new Netflix series and the incredible The Witcher III: Wild Hunt game which catapulted the franchise into the western consciousness.”
Alexander Forsyth

The Sixty Minute Father by Rob Parsons

Lifestyle

“If you are a dad who is really busy with work and would like some realistic ways to spend more time with your children before they get to the age where they aren’t that bothered about spending time with you, then this is the best book. Could also be a gift for a friend or colleague who is working too hard and missing out on some great family moments.”
Marcus Waite

The Spy and the Traitor by Ben McIntyre

History

“The story of Oleg Gordievsky, KGB man turned spy. If it were fiction, you would not believe it credible."
Graham Harris 

Utopia for Realists by Rutger Bregman

Philosophy 

“A fantastic book which explores how civilisation has improved, explaining that life, on average, is better than it has ever been. However, there are many challenges the modern world is facing. This book provides realistic and sustainable solutions which are written in fascinating style. Ideas such as the 15 hour work week and universal basic income are skilfully explained.”
Ravi Gembali