Recently when I was in the UK I went into Waterstones and bought a few books that I thought I'd share with you. Usually I can't bring myself to spend upwards of £7 per book (instead I buy them used on Amazon or at secondhand sales) but this time was different as I had a book token that I received from my Dad as a graduation present. I'm generally perfectly happy to buy books that are slightly damaged or worn, but I have to admit it was extremely satisfying to pick out some brand new pristine titles complete with that amazing 'new book' smell. And I've still got over half of my book token value left! Here's what I got...

The Almighty Dollar by Dharshini David

I included this book in my 'Top Pop Geography Books' post recently so you can read a sort of mini review there. Honestly I was initially drawn to this book by the beautiful cover (just look at it!) but on reading it I've discovered it's actually incredibly interesting and well-pitched. I've still got a chapter to go in it but it's already been featured in two blog posts which must be some kind of record...

Everyday Sexism by Laura Bates

I've been following the Everyday Sexism handle on Twitter for years and the project actually cropped up in one of my modules this past year so I thought it was finally time to read Laura Bates' book. From what I've heard this is going to be a tough read as well as an eye-opener that manages to put into words a lot of the things I'm already aware of about how sexism operates in society - I just hope it doesn't fall into the trap of white feminism.

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

I've been seeing this book everywhere lately in some unlikely places so I decided to get it. I don't know a whole lot about it but I did a lot of academic reading around critical race theory in uni so I'm interested to take it further under my own steam and engage with some more popular writing on the topic.

The Strange Death of Europe: Immigration, Identity, Islam by Douglas Murray

Having read a couple of reviews I think I'm going to disagree with a lot (read: potentially all) of this book but that's mostly why I bought it, because I think often it's only when we read things which are strongly contrary to our opinions that we actually articulate and realise those opinions. Also, it's important to be challenged intellectually and basically know how the rest think.

Strangely this is the only fiction book I bought but I just really loved the cover which is so pretty but also very dark and gothic. I've already read this and it was fairly good, kind of like a cross between The Woman in Black and The Woman in White (haha). It's set in the Victorian era and it's the story of a woman who is recently widowed and goes to live at her husband's crumbling family estate in the country. There she finds a group of painted wooden figures which seem to have a life of their own, while the local villagers have a history of active hostility towards the family. There are a couple of timelines going on at once, including the opening setting of a hospital where a kind doctor wants to help a mysteriously voiceless patient and a flashback to the Tudor period which is achieved through the discovery of a diary in the attic of the house in the primary timeline. As these various stories develop, the pieces of the story begin to be revealed and the plot draws together. Ultimately this is a well-told Victorian mystery novel but for some reason I wasn't completely convinced by the story - it was still an enjoyable read, though.