Must Read: Books to make you think

Every Wednesday on the Sarah Brett show we'll be hearing about some of the best books around.

This week Joelle Owusu, commissioning editor from publishing company Unbound, brings us her top five books to make you think.

Have you read any of these books or have another favourite to recommend? Comment below to let us know what you think.

Money: A User’s Guide by Laura Whateley

Joelle says:

"We are told from an early age that it is impolite to discuss anything related to money. This means that later in adult life, we are often left in the dark about things such as taxes, credit scores, debt, loans and pensions, causing panic, mistreatment of funds and shame.

"This timely guide by money expert Laura Whateley explains everything you need to know about your finances in a clear and unpatronising way.

"It has remarkably cured my fear of talking about money and has given me the confidence to take full charge of my personal finances.

"I am both learning and unlearning a great deal at the same time: learning how to manage my money better, but also unlearning the years of presumed crassness of talking about money."

Extraordinary Insects by Anne Sverdrup-Thygeson

Joelle says:

"Did you know that a beheaded fruit fly can live for several days? Did you know that the mosquito colonised London Underground more than 150 years ago, with each line now hosting distinct variations?

"This book by a Norwegian professor not only fills your brain with exciting trivia about creepy-crawlies, but it also brings to light the importance of these creatures that we take for granted.

"The truth is that insects keep our world working as it should and they have been at work since dinosaurs roamed the Earth. They have evolved, survived and even thrived in the most challenging circumstances – all without us noticing."

How to Come Alive Again by Beth McColl

Joelle says:

"With mental health illnesses on the rise in among millennial's and Generation Z, more of us are opening up and talking about something that was once extremely taboo.

"How to Come Alive Again is the first mental health book I have read by someone who is not only a young person talking to young people, but also a person who admits that she does not have all the answers.

"She is still navigating her brain just like the rest of us in her part-self-help, part-memoir. McColl is incredibly open, witty and honest about everything from anxiety and depression, to dating with a mental illness and mindfulness techniques.

"It exudes a kind of warm I had never come across until I read this book and it has greatly improved the relationship I have with my own mental health. It reminded me that we often forget that we all have mental health and it is just as important as our physical health."

Little Black Book by Otegha Uwagba

Joelle says:



"This Sunday Times best-selling career manual is the book every working woman should own. It is inspiring, practical and packed with essential information for creatives, particularly freelancers who often have to navigate grey areas in a working world that is still adjusting to their existence.

"Uwagba’s pocket-size book is jam-packed no-nonsense information that covers everything from networking and public-speaking to freelancer rights, taxes and salary bench-marking. The final pages are dedicated to quickfire quotes and advice from successful women across a number of industries, which adds a warm, inclusive tone.

"What I like the most about the book is that it meets the needs of professional women, regardless of their experience, status or job role. The notable women featured in the book want you to succeed like they did, which makes a refreshing read."

What We See in the Stars by Kelsey Oseid

Joelle says:

"In my opinion, the best popular science books are the ones so beautiful and digestible that you forget you are being educated.

Kelsey Oseid is an artist and amateur naturalist who achieves this with her original, beautifully hand-painted illustrations and impressive knowledge of the night sky.

"She includes the classic information about planets, meteors and nebulae, but delightfully delves into the ancient mythology that surrounds them too.

"From the first page, you are instantly transported into the unknown, with Kelsey giving you a personal tour of the wonders the Universe has to offer."