Listmania!
brilliant biographies, of sorts
Cries Unheard: the Story of Mary BellCries Unheard: the Story of Mary Bell by Gitta Sereny
Buy used from: £9.99
this book becomes more relevant (horrid term) by the day - i had to read it in one go
The Executioner's SongThe Executioner's Song by Norman Mailer
Buy used from: £4.20
sometimes hard going, but a fascinating story of how to end up in the electric chair
4545 by Bill Drummond
Buy used from: £2.69
ageing art terrorists have feelings too
If This Is a Man / The TruceIf This Is a Man / The Truce by Primo Levi
Buy new: £6.97 / Used from: £4.02
unbelievably grim story of back-stabbing concentration camp interns
Happy Like MurderersHappy Like Murderers by Gordon Burn
Buy used from: £2.99
very very creepy - might make you watch your neighbours a bit more closely
The Surgeon of Crowthorne: A Tale of Murder,Madness and the Oxford English DictionaryThe Surgeon of Crowthorne: A Tale of Murder,Madness and the Oxford English Dictionary by Simon Winchester
Buy new: £6.23 / Used from: £0.01
if you like words, you'll love this book
I, Phoolan Devi: The Autobiography of India's Bandit QueenI, Phoolan Devi: The Autobiography of India's Bandit Queen by Phoolan Devi
Buy new: £6.99 / Used from: £2.90
won't win any prizes for its writing, but the story is so compelling you won't care
Wild Swans: Three Daughters of ChinaWild Swans: Three Daughters of China by Jung Chang
Buy used from: £0.01
makes you incredibly appreciative of your easy western life