Summer reads

The best books written by journalists

Aug 02, 2023

For us, summer is the perfect time to do some reading. Whether you’re on holiday or sat in the garden, picking up a good book is one of the best ways to spend your free time. It’s also a great opportunity to catch up on all those great true stories and investigations written by first class journalists.

So for our summer listicles series we have selected some of the best non-fiction books written by journalists, including classics and recent releases.

Got another suggestion? Drop us a message and we will add it to the list!

Say Nothing: A True Story Of Murder and Memory In Northern Ireland – Patrick Radden Keefe

New York Times writer Patrick Radden Keefe published this powerful book on the abduction of Jean McConville in 2018. McConville was a mother of 10 who was abducted from her home in Belfast in December 1972, never to be seen alive again. Keefe’s account of the crime and its impact alongside a portrait of Northern Ireland during the troubles makes for a great read. You can find it here: Say Nothing: A True Story Of Murder and Memory In Northern Ireland: Amazon.co.uk: Radden Keefe, Patrick: 9780008159252: Books

In Cold Blood – Truman Capote

This classic has been credited as the definitive piece of work in this genre, creating what Capote coined as the non-fiction novel. His work, published in 1966, recounts the 1959 murders of four members of the Clutter family in a small farming community in Kansas. In Cold Blood is the second bestselling true-crime book in history and is absolutely gripping to the end. Available here: In Cold Blood: A True Account of a Multiple Murder and its Consequences (Penguin Essentials): Written by Truman Capote, 2012 Edition, (Re-issue) Publisher: Penguin [Paperback]: Amazon.co.uk: Truman Capote: 8601417132517: Books

She Said: The true story of the Weinstein scandal – Jodi Kantor and Megan Twohey

This Pulitzer Prize winner from the New York Times duo of Kantor and Twohey recounts their breaking of the Harvey Weinstein sexual abuse scandal which shocked the world in 2017. The book details how they avoided pressure from Weinstein and his team whilst convincing some of the biggest actors to go on record. It has recently been adapted to film starring Carey Mulligan and Zoe Kazan, but the book provides a deeper insight. She Said: The true story of the Weinstein scandal: Amazon.co.uk: Kantor, Jodi, Twohey, Megan: 9781526603302: Books

Bad Blood: Secrets and Lies in a Silicon Valley Startup – John Carreyrou

You may have seen Elizabeth Holmes’s name in passing on the news during the past five years, as the disgraced CEO of blood-testing company Theranos was sentenced to over 11 years in jail in May. Holmes and COO Ramesh Balwani were convicted of corporate fraud after raising over $700 million thanks to false claims about the accuracy of their testing. Carreyrou turns this into a compelling read even if you kept up with the case. Bad Blood: Secrets and Lies in a Silicon Valley Startup: Amazon.co.uk: Carreyrou, John: 9781509868063: Books

Michael Jordan: The Life – Roland Lazenby

If you’re interested in sports biographies, look no further than this. Michael Jordan reached the pinnacle of what a sportsperson can achieve, and Roland Lazenby’s account of the basketball icon is a comprehensive portrait of his life and career. Jordan’s highs and lows are chronicled with absolute accuracy thanks to interviews with teammates, rivals, and coaches. Pick it up here. Michael Jordan: The Life: Amazon.co.uk: Lazenby, Roland: 9780316194761: Books

Killers of the Flower Moon – David Grann

This book by The New Yorker writer David Grann investigates how the Osage people were killed off one by one after acquiring an influx of extreme wealth from the oil found underneath their land in Oklahoma during the 1920s. Grann intertwines the involvement of the newly formed FBI’s investigation into the murders expertly, which makes for a great read. A film based on the book, directed by Martin Scorsese starring Leonardo DiCaprio and Robert De Niro, will be released later this year, but there’s still time to get the book. Killers of the Flower Moon: Oil, Money, Murder and the Birth of the FBI: Amazon.co.uk: Grann, David: 9780857209030: Books

One of Us: The Story of Anders Breivik and the Massacre in Norway – Åsne Seierstad

Åsne Seierstad’s harrowing account of the terrorist attack committed by Anders Breivik in 2011, killing 77 of his fellow Norwegians, is a difficult but rewarding read. The foreign correspondent drew from extensive testimonies and interviews to create a vivid account on the murders that shocked the world and the subsequent trial. Seierstad also delves into why Breivik, a seemingly normal person from Oslo, committed such atrocities. You can buy it here: One of Us: The Story of Anders Breivik and the Massacre in Norway : Seierstad, Asne, Death, Sarah: Amazon.co.uk: Books

Columbine – Dave Cullen

The final book in this list is an examination of the Columbine High School massacre in 1999 and its two perpetrators, Eric Harris and Dylan Klebold. Author Dave Cullen was one of the first reporters to arrive at the scene and his connection to the students from the beginning provided him with unparalleled access when writing this. Cullen uses the mountains of evidence and words left behind by both killers to create a definitive picture of the incident, which can be bought here: Columbine: Amazon.co.uk: Cullen, Dave: 9781787477094: Books

Summer sale on our guides and video tutorials

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