7 books we’re reading right now

As we head towards the summer holidays in the UK, more and more people are heading off on holiday. But days in the sun require reading material, and we could always do with more recommendations.

So we asked the Heights team to tell us what they’re reading at the moment, and why they’re enjoying it. Here are their hot tips, in no particular order.

The Woman Who Went to Bed For a Year, by Sue Townsend

“This book really speaks to my inner 55-year-old mum. It’s set once the children have finally left the nest and gone off to university, and she’s refused to leave her bed ever since from the exhaustion over the last 18 years. I can’t say that it paints family life or marriage in the best light, but I’m really enjoying it right now. A super easy read.”

—Alexia, Growth

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

“I wanted to find out more about the Elizabeth Holmes/Theranos blood testing scandal. This is just a masterclass in investigative journalism—gripping writing (thought it helps that the plot is completely insane), and it kept me hooked. I think I inhaled it all on a single flight.”

—Malini, Brand

Midnight Library, by Matt Haig

“I’ve been reading Midnight Library, a really amazing story about dealing with mental health issues. It makes us think about all the different opportunities we missed and all the lives we didn’t lead, but it has a massively uplifting ending. This description doesn’t quite do it justice but it’s a serious hype-train summer read.”

—Joel, Co-founder

The Elegance of the Hedgehog, by Muriel Barbery

“A story about a French concierge in a chic Parisian apartment building who's hiding her (atypical) passion for philosophy, literature and Dutch old Masters from the other inhabitants. It’s funny, intelligent and at times philosophical—a novel where the characters will absolutely steal your heart.”

—Querine, Ops

Bad Monkey, by Carl Hiaasen

“This one’s just a great mystery read. I find it perfect for those overwhelming life periods when you just want to escape and laugh. Most of his other books are like that—there are two others in this series, but I wish there were more.”

—Hans, Growth

Tales of a Shaman’s Apprentice, by Mark J Plotkin

“These are the memoirs of an ethnobotanist (the author) who goes to live with tribes in the Amazon rainforest to learn about medicinal plants. It’s a truly fascinating story, and also a heartbreaking one that forces us to look at how much of this incredible knowledge is being lost in the modern world.”

—Emma, Brand

The Island, by Victoria Hislop

“Set on an island (and former leper colony) off the coast of Greece, the story is split between the mother and daughter’s lenses. I won’t give away too much of the plot, but it’s just a great holiday read—lots of emotion, history and love.”

—Charlotte, Customer Care

So if you’re looking for some new reading material, head down to your local independent bookshop and pick up one of these. They come with the Heights seal of approval.

Want to know why reading is good for your brain? Learn about the power of neuroplasticity here.