06:00, 05 March 2026
Words by Cheyanne Bryan, Editorial and Campaign Marketing Executive, London
World Book Day is the perfect time to start tackling your TBR list, but for those that love to take a recommendation, this article will entice you. Here at Smiley News, we want to make sure that our readers are well-read and well-informed people, so here are some books that will teach you more about the world.
Don’t worry, they’re not all non-fiction – you’ll be surprised just how much you can learn from a fictional universe. But if you’re more of a TV buff, read this article instead: https://smileymovement.org/news/tv-shows-explore-important-topics
In Now It All Makes Sense, Alex Partridge (founder of LADbible and UNILAD) shares what happened when he was diagnosed with ADHD at 34, and how it completely reframed his life. Suddenly the hyperfocus, the forgetfulness, the emotional overwhelm and the constant feeling of being “a bit much” weren’t personal failings. They were part of how his brain worked.
Drawing from his own experiences and conversations from his ADHD Chatter podcast, Alex explores what it really means to have a neurodivergent brain in a world that isn’t built for it. It’s honest, reassuring, and often very funny.
If you’ve ever felt “too much” or like you’re constantly playing catch-up, this book feels like someone finally turning the lights on. It’s not about fixing yourself — it’s about understanding yourself. Expect clarity, relief, and a good dose of self-acceptance.
Invisible Women is one of those books that makes you see the world differently overnight. Caroline Criado-Perez lays bare the “gender data gap” — the shocking lack of female-specific data that shapes everything from healthcare to transport systems.
The statistics are staggering. Car safety tests historically used male crash-test dummies. Medical research has often defaulted to male bodies. Urban planning tends to reflect male commuting patterns. The result? Women are overlooked in systems that claim to be neutral.
Backed by rigorous research and hard data, the book shows how male-default design quietly affects women’s safety, health and daily lives.
In 2018, model Rosie Viva experienced a psychotic episode at Stansted Airport that led to her arrest, hospitalisation, and a diagnosis of bipolar disorder. In her memoir, she writes candidly about mania, depression, love, identity, and rebuilding her life afterwards.
There’s no sensationalism here. She captures the chaos of mania, the heaviness of depression, and the slow, sometimes frustrating process of learning what “normal” looks like now.
A deeply human account of living with bipolar disorder that challenges stigma without preaching and reminds us that mental illness doesn’t define a person.
This is the series many of us grew up with but revisiting it as adults (or reading for the first time) hits differently. Set in the dystopian nation of Panem, where children are forced to fight to the death for entertainment, The Hunger Games explores wealth inequality, authoritarian control, propaganda, and the commodification of violence.
Suzanne Collins has spoken about being inspired by reality television and footage of the Iraq War emphasising that unsettling blend of spectacle and real-world conflict runs right through the story.
At its heart, it’s about resistance, moral choice, and what pushes ordinary people to rebel. It holds up a mirror to our own world, looking at media, power, control, and asks uncomfortable questions about complicity and courage.
Mikaela Loach writes about the climate crisis in a way that feels urgent but hopeful. Rather than framing climate change as a standalone issue, she connects it to racism, colonialism, inequality and economic systems that prioritise profit over people.
As one of the leading climate justice activists of her generation, Mikaela argues that we can’t solve the environmental crisis without tackling these deeper structures of harm.
This book moves you from awareness to action. It’s empowering rather than paralysing, and it broadens the conversation beyond carbon footprints to justice and collective change. If you’ve ever wanted to get involved but weren’t sure where to begin, this is a thoughtful and motivating starting point.
At Smiley Movement, we like to elevate the work of charities across the world. Here are three charities whose causes align with the themes in this article.
Child Mind Institute. This US-based independent nonprofit is dedicated to transforming the lives of children and families affected by mental health and learning disorders. Through clinical care, research and accessible resources, it works to reduce stigma and ensure young people receive the understanding and support they deserve. Learn more here.
The Fawcett Society. The UK’s leading charity campaigning for gender equality, it combines research, advocacy and community action to challenge systemic bias against women. Discover their work here.
350 Aotearoa. This New Zealand-based grassroots climate justice organisation mobilises communities to push for a rapid, fair transition away from fossil fuels. Connecting environmental action with social justice, it empowers ordinary people to campaign for systemic change and a safer, more equitable future. Find out more here.
This positive news article aligns with the UN SDG Quality Education.
