A university survival guide in books

Why I'm No Longer Talking to White People About Race by Reni Eddo-Lodge

Reni Eddo-Lodge offers a timely and essential new framework for how to see, acknowledge and counter racism. It explores issues from eradicated black history to the political purpose of white dominance, whitewashed feminism to the inextricable link between class and race.

Women Don't Owe You Pretty by Florence Given

Women Don't Owe You Pretty is an accessible leap into feminism, for people at all stages of their journey who are seeking to reshape and transform the way they view themselves.

It's Not OK to Feel Blue (And Other Lies) by Scarlett Curtis

It's Not OK to Feel Blue (And Other Lies) is a collection of stories and essays from those who have suffered through the worst, and know what it's like to fight to feel better.

Jog On: How Running Saved My Life by Bella Mackie

Bella explains with hilarious and unfiltered honesty how she used running to battle crippling anxiety and depression. With the help of a supporting cast of doctors, psychologists, sportspeople and friends, she shares a wealth of inspirational stories, research and tips that show how exercise often can be the best medicine.

Diversify: Why Inclusion is Better for Everyone by June Sarpong

Putting the spotlight on groups who are often marginalised in our society, including women, ethnic minorities, those living with disabilities, and the LGBTQ+ community, Diversify uncovers the hidden cost of exclusion and shows how a new approach to how we learn, live and do business can solve some of the most stubborn challenges we face.

Gender Explorers by Juno Roche

In this life-affirming, heartening and refreshing collection of interviews, young trans people offer valuable insight and advice into what has helped them to flourish and feel happy in their experience of growing up trans.

Juno Roche gives voice to a generation of gender explorers who are making gender work for them, and in the process, reveals a kinder, more accepting world, that we should all be fighting for.

Such a Fun Age by Kiley Reid

When Emira is apprehended at a supermarket for 'kidnapping' the white child she's actually babysitting, it sets off an explosive chain of events. Her employer Alix, a feminist blogger with the best of intentions, resolves to make things right. But Emira herself is aimless, broke and wary of Alix's desire to help. When a surprising connection emerges between the two women, it sends them on a crash course that will upend everything they think they know – about themselves, each other, and the messy dynamics of privilege.

Loveless by Alice Oseman

As she starts university with her best friends, Pip and Jason, in a whole new town far from home, Georgia's ready to find romance. But when her plan wreaks havoc amongst her friends, Georgia starts to question why love seems so easy for other people but not for her. With new terms thrown at her – asexual, aromantic – Georgia is more uncertain about her feelings than ever. Is she destined to remain loveless? Or has she been looking for the wrong thing all along?

The Green Roasting Tin by Rukmini Iyer

With the seventy-five recipes in The Green Roasting Tin – half vegan, half vegetarian – you simply pop your ingredients in a tin and let the oven do the work. Every recipe is vegan or vegetarian (with an option to make it vegan), and all of them are simple, healthy and delicious.

How to be a Study Ninja: Study Smarter. Focus Better. Achieve More. by Graham Allcott

In the world of smartphones, instant internet access and on-demand documentaries, studying should be easier than ever. Yet all this background noise can make us unfocused and inefficient learners. With nine Ninja techniques to learn, there is a solution here for everyone who wants to learn better – and they don't involve giving up the rest of your life.

No. More Plastic. What you can do to make a difference by Martin Dorey

Do you want to use less single use plastic but aren't sure where to start? Martin Dorey, anti-plastics expert, has been working to save our beaches from plastic for the past 10 years. His Beach Clean Foundation and global call to arms #2minutebeachclean has been taken up by people all over the world, and has proven that collective small actions can add up to a big difference.

It's Not About the Burqa: Muslim Women on Faith, Feminism, Sexuality and Race edited by Mariam Khan

In 2016, Mariam Khan read that David Cameron had linked the radicalisation of Muslim men to the 'traditional submissiveness' of Muslim women. Mariam felt pretty sure she didn’t know a single Muslim woman who would describe herself that way. Why was she hearing about Muslim women from people who were neither Muslim, nor female? Here are voices you won’t see represented in the national news headlines: seventeen Muslim women speaking frankly about the hijab and wavering faith, about love and divorce, about feminism, queer identity, sex, and the twin threats of a disapproving community and a racist country.

Becoming by Michelle Obama

As First Lady of the United States of America – the first African-American to serve in that role – Michelle Obama helped create the most welcoming and inclusive White House in history, while also establishing herself as a powerful advocate for women and girls in the USA and around the world, dramatically changing the ways that families pursue healthier and more active lives. Becoming is the deeply personal reckoning of a woman of soul and substance who has steadily defied expectations – and whose story inspires us to do the same.

A Brief History of Time: From the Big Bang to Black Holes by Stephen Hawking

Was there a beginning of time? Could time run backwards? Is the universe infinite or does it have boundaries? These are just some of the questions considered in this masterpiece by the world renowned physicist and one of the world's greatest thinkers.

Freshers by Tom Ellen & Lucy Ivison

For a funny and realistic story about life as a student, check out Freshers. Phoebe has been waiting all summer for uni to start and her life to finally begin. And knowing Luke Taylor is going to be there too makes the whole thing even more exciting... But Luke's relationship is secretly falling apart and campus life isn't proving to be the escape he thought it would be. When the two collide in the madness of Freshers Week, everything changes - and they both get sucked into each other's worlds in the most messy, intense and hilarious ways imaginable.

Starter for Ten by David Nicholls

It's 1985 and Brian Jackson has arrived at university with a burning ambition – to make it onto TV's foremost general knowledge quiz. But no sooner has he embarked on 'The Challenge' than he finds himself falling hopelessly in love with his teammate, the beautiful and charismatic would-be actress, Alice Harbinson. Starter for Ten is a comedy about love, class, growing-up and the all-important difference between knowledge and wisdom.

Proud: Stories, Poetry and Art on the Theme of Pride edited by Juno Dawson

When you need to take a break from studying, delve into some fantastic fiction. Proud is a stirring, bold and moving anthology of stories and poetry by top LGBTQ+ YA authors and new talent, giving their unique responses to the broad theme of pride. Each story has an illustration by an artist identifying as part of the LGBTQ+ community.

Normal People by Sally Rooney

Connell and Marianne grow up in the same small town in the west of Ireland, but the similarities end there. In school, Connell is popular and well-liked, while Marianne is a loner. But when the two strike up a conversation – awkward but electrifying – something life-changing begins. Normal People is a story of mutual fascination, friendship and love. It takes us from that first conversation to the years beyond, in the company of two people who try to stay apart but find they can't.

The Roasting Tin: Simple One Dish Dinners by Rukmini Iyer

Fed up of beans on toast? The Roasting Tin has recipes for 75 delicious one dish dinners ranging from chicken traybakes to supergrains. The concept is simple: fresh, easy ingredients, a few minutes prep, and let the oven do the work. Each chapter also includes a helpful infographic for how to build you own roasting tin dinner using whatever is in your fridge tonight.

How to Survive the End of the World (When it's in Your Own Head) by Aaron Gillies

What happens when it feels like the world is ending every single time you wake up? That's what having anxiety is like – and How to Survive the End of the World is here to help. Or at least make you feel like you're not so alone. From helping readers identify the enemy, to safeguarding the vulnerable areas of their lives, Aaron Gillies examines the impact of anxiety, and gives readers some tools to fight back – whether with medication, therapy, CBT, coping techniques, or simply with a dark sense of humour.