• The Retreat by Christina Lamb. Nato has just formally ended its mission to Afghanistan. Timely then, this work by the Sunday Times journalist on how a coalition of 48 countries and 140,000 troops failed to win its so-called war on terror in Pakistan and Afghanistan. A textbook on how not to run a war. (William Collins, January 1)
    The Retreat by Christina Lamb. Nato has just formally ended its mission to Afghanistan. Timely then, this work by the Sunday Times journalist on how a coalition of 48 countries and 140,000 troops failed to win its so-called war on terror in Pakistan and Afghanistan. A textbook on how not to run a war. (William Collins, January 1)
  • The Glass Cage by Nicholas Carr. In 2009, a plane plummeted 30,000 feet into the Atlantic. The reason? The autopilot had switched off and the pilots became confused. In this devastating exposé, Carr reveals how automation is affecting our ability to solve problems, forge memories and acquire skills. (Bodley Head, January 8)
    The Glass Cage by Nicholas Carr. In 2009, a plane plummeted 30,000 feet into the Atlantic. The reason? The autopilot had switched off and the pilots became confused. In this devastating exposé, Carr reveals how automation is affecting our ability to solve problems, forge memories and acquire skills. (Bodley Head, January 8)
  • Goodhouse by Peyton Marshall. A tale based around the story of a teenager incarcerated in a brutal reformatory school, where genetic profiling is meant to prevent crime, but is instead used as a tool for oppression. This promises to be a terrifying look into an arguably plausible near future. (Doubleday, January 1)
    Goodhouse by Peyton Marshall. A tale based around the story of a teenager incarcerated in a brutal reformatory school, where genetic profiling is meant to prevent crime, but is instead used as a tool for oppression. This promises to be a terrifying look into an arguably plausible near future. (Doubleday, January 1)
  • The Winter War by Philip Teir. Max Paul and Katriina appear to be living the Scandinavian dream. But Max, a sociologist, has not produced any real work in decades and his wife is remote. As the cracks in their life in Helsinki begin to widen, Max starts down a dangerous path from which he may never return. (Serpent’s Tail, January 15)
    The Winter War by Philip Teir. Max Paul and Katriina appear to be living the Scandinavian dream. But Max, a sociologist, has not produced any real work in decades and his wife is remote. As the cracks in their life in Helsinki begin to widen, Max starts down a dangerous path from which he may never return. (Serpent’s Tail, January 15)
  • The Crooked House by Christobel Kent. Alison is a nobody; she has no one and that’s how she wants it. But she was once Esme, a sole survivor of an unthinkable family tragedy. Alison begins to understand that if she is ever to have any chance of happiness, she must return to her old life and confront the darkness. (Sphere, January 8)
    The Crooked House by Christobel Kent. Alison is a nobody; she has no one and that’s how she wants it. But she was once Esme, a sole survivor of an unthinkable family tragedy. Alison begins to understand that if she is ever to have any chance of happiness, she must return to her old life and confront the darkness. (Sphere, January 8)

Our top six books this week: how Coca-Cola built a global empire and more

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Here is a list of fiction and non-fiction books we’re reading this week.

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