books and culture

Reader
recommends…
For our July/August issue, we asked –
via Twitter/X, LinkedIn, and BPS Member
Connect – what books, films, programmes,
exhibitions and more you thought
others should seek out

Less: Stop Buying So Much Rubbish: reading this, I’ve never been so determined to start
How Having Fewer, Better Things Can living with less. How can we bang on about the
Make Us Happier environment if we’re not prepared to take a long,
Patrick Grant hard look at our purchasing habits? Now, where’s my
darning needle…
If, like me, you’re a fan of The Great Jennifer Gledhill, Deputy Editor, The Psychologist
British Sewing Bee (despite barely being
able to thread a needle), you’ll know
of the debonair, moustached judge,
Patrick Grant. As a Savile Row tailor and
designer, he knows a thing or two about
tucks, pleats and zip placement, but
what he’s also particularly passionate
about is the few, good-quality useful
objects and heirlooms he owns and
cherishes, many which have been
repaired and repaired again over the
years; his dad’s hand-built spice rack,
an M&S jumper from the 80s (a charity I am sure a lot of people will have a lot of deep and
shop find, bought by his gran) and a 30-year-old coffee insightful books to recommend, but I am going to
pot. speak about an easy breezy summer read that also
This book brings us some sobering current has so many layers of psychological concepts in it –
stats; the rise of ultra-fast fashion (Shein launched #HungerGames.
1.5 million new products last year alone, with From moral reasoning to cognitive dissonance;
some garments selling for less than £3) is creating from PTSD to MDD; from kin selection to
0 catastrophic environmental consequences. After misattribution of arousal; from social influence to
 the psychologist july/august 2024 books and culture

power dynamics, it has so many psychological shades a messy human with his own messy life outside his
in it! therapy room. He isn’t shown as some superhuman
And it’s such a fabulous read too! Once you start, who has all the answers and can make perfect
you won’t be able to put it down! So grab your copy, insights. 2. Midnight Mass. It uses the tropes and
prepare to be mesmerized, and let the games begin! imagery of horror to explore the multiple facets of
Vedha Bharathi human love – selfless love, sacrificial love, devotional
head of wellbeing partnerships at Heart It Out love, selfish love and the consequences of decisions
made based on these kinds of love. 3. The Haunting of
The Gulag Archipelago Bly Manor: Another horror series that wasn’t exactly a
Aleksandr Solzhenitsyn. horror series. The ghosts here are ghosts of heartache
and trauma; unintegrated painful memories of the
I believe this element of history past that intrude on and disturb the present. It is an
has been under examined in our exploration of trauma, the legacy of emotional wounds
education system. As Solzhenitsyn and the healing, redemptive power of love and choices
writes ‘Philosophers, psychologists, made from adult self states.
medical men, and writers could have I’d also recommend the Netflix series Bodies.
observed in our camps, as nowhere This detective sci-fi series is essentially about the
else, in detail and on a large scale warning ‘the child that is not embraced by the village
the special process of the narrowing will burn it down to feel its warmth’. It looks at the
of the intellectual and spiritual horizons of a human formative impact of early childhood attachment
being, the reduction of the human being to an animal rupture/rejection on personality, and how ‘acting out’
and the process of dying alive. But the psychologists patterns of behaviour even as extreme as narcissism
who got into our camps were for the most part not up tie into the initial unmet need (a Fairbairnian view of
to observing; they themselves had fallen into that very early deprivation and the death instinct) and may be
same stream that was dissolving the personality into perpetuated throughout life, unacknowledged.
feces and ash.’ Farah Tiwana, Consultant Clinical Psychologist
Another good read is One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s
Nest – it examines the cruelty of some of those in The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel
power and explores the treatment of the vulnerable in Pie Society
society. Annie Barrows and Mary Anne Shaffer
Jimmy Petruzzi
Although the book itself is fictional,
it sheds light on the real events and
struggles that the people of Guernsey
endured during WWII, addressing
themes of trauma, hunger, loss, war,
and despair with a juxtaposition of love,
hope, community, and healing. The book
is written as an epistolary novel, and
is set in 1946. The people of Guernsey
were overlooked during the war, as
they were a small village of individuals
who were left to fend for themselves.
Their children were shipped off to
the mainland of England where they
were taken into foster care, leaving
families torn apart and distressed for the
wellbeing of their loved ones. Those who remained on
I have multiple recommendations. One of the films that the island worked under observation and had very little
I appreciate as a psychologist is Darren Aronofsky’s to eat. The tale of how the book got its name is also
The Fountain. With a beautiful soundtrack, rich visual an interesting one! Definitely a compelling read with a
imagery and brilliantly acted performances, the film journey to healing, resilience, and restored wellbeing.
explores grief and coming to terms with one’s mortality Another one would be Before the Coffee Gets Cold
and the transience of life through philosophical ideas by Toshikazu Kawaguchi. It’s an easy read with an
drawn from Kabbalah, Christianity and Buddhism. It is unusual tale about a mysterious basement coffee shop
the most poignant, most profound film I’ve ever seen. in Japan with a legend that the coffee allows you to
My TV recommendations would be: 1. In Treatment travel back in time. It comes with a myriad of rules
(the USA version, starring Gabriel Byrne). The series that are ridiculous but each visitor ends up shares a
was the ‘realest’ portrayal of therapy and a therapist unique life experience that addresses themes of death,
that I’ve come across to date. The therapist Paul is loss, family, friendship and healing. Time traveling
 coffee, a mysterious woman who never seems to leave a sail boat, and proceeds
the shop, unfinished tales between lovers, unresolved through aspects of human
family fueds and estranged friendships – this one need framed by maintaining
definitely has a lot to unpack. and navigating the boat, by
Sasha Seekola (GMBPsS), Psychological Research exploring the latest research.
Master’s student Accessible and informative,
the narrative flows nicely and
The 7 Deadly Sins of Psychology by Chris Chambers. incorporates the unfolding
It’s a book that details the various ways research of Maslow’s research and
can be undermined by questionable practices and unpublished essays.
importantly, how we can safeguard against them. Jane Morgan
Every student should read it! Extract at www.bps.org.uk/
Ben Trayford, Student at Bath Spa University psychologist/purpose
Read an extract at www.bps.org.uk/psychologist/
vaccine-against-bias

I would like to share the Studies Show Podcast, not only

for the discernment and wit but also for the constant
reminder of the scientific rigour we need in the field.
Monica Marin

Transcend by Scott Barry Kaufman is an accessible

yet referenced read that brings human flourishing PK is the best and a classical film showing how an
up to date framed by Maslow’s triangle. Commonly alien comes to the earth to learn about the human race
misunderstood as a build-upon hierarchy, Maslow’s (different cultures and religions), teaches the lesson
articulation of layers of need is perhaps better of love and humanity but learns to tell a lie from the
understood in terms of ‘immediacy’ (and he did not human race when he was returning to his planet.
use the triangle). Kaufman suggests a new metaphor, Saima Eman

Inside Out –
great Pixar
animated film
exploring
emotions,
empathy,
change etc.
Helen Jones
2
 the psychologist july/august 2024 books and culture

Getty Images
After an enjoyable weekend at the
Hay Festival, I am back home flush
with book recommendations for
the summer. One is from Marian
Keyes, who was a sparkling
interviewee at Hay, promoting her
latest book, My Favorite Mistake.
It’s an episode in the Walsh family
saga, and follows Anna leaving her
high-powered PR job in New York
to return to rural Ireland – what
could go wrong? Perfect beach
reading. But top of my list is David
Nicholl’s new book, You Are Here.
It’s a story of second chances and
mid-life romance, set against
a coast to coast walk from the
Lake District in the west to Robin
Hood’s Bay in the east. Nicholls
manages to straddle both popular
and literary fiction – he was
longlisted for the Booker Prize for
Us - and is a sharp-eyed observer
of human nature. The book offers
the perfect combination of interest
and engagement for a holiday
read. If reading is too much effort,
the Netflix series of his mega-hit
One Day is readily available. It’s
superior to the film version, and
offering a rush of 90s/00s nostalgia
for those of us who were there the
first time.
And, setting aside books, I will
be in Edinburgh as I am every year
during August, to enjoy whatever
I stumble across at the Festival
and Fringe. Everyone should go at
least once in their life, it’s a blast
of creativity unlike anywhere else
in the UK.
Kate Johnstone, Associate Editor
for Culture

I suggest Nigel Balchin’s 1945

novel Mine Own Executioner,
which was brought back into
print last year by Penhaligon
BBC Radio 4 Podcast Life Changing with Dr Sian Press. It’s not just a fine fictional
Williams. Fascinating true stories of experiences portrait of a psychiatrist, it’s also
people have had that have profoundly affected the a highly satisfying novel that’s a
course of their life. Looks at how people overcome great pleasure to read.
obstacles and considers how this impacts on the path Derek Collett
their life takes and how it influences their future. Great [Read Derek’s piece on
for understanding human suffering, resilience, growth Balchin via www.bps.org.uk/
after trauma and compassion. psychologist/door-minds-and-
Rebecca Levett emotions]
 Haidt explains why certain people
would be outraged over someone (including mythological stories and our
desecrating the national flag but tastebuds) to explain his theories. The
unbothered about the harming writings from this book can be applied
With a background in Forensic of minority groups. What I liked most to any moral debate and at a time where
Psychology, I’m often asked for ‘criminal about this book is the writing style people are becoming more and more
psychology’ book recommendations. Haidt uses to keep the user engaged polarised in their views, this book is a
I can’t help but feel that most who and his ability to draw on analogies must-read.
ask are anticipating a gripping book and examples from all sorts of places The second book to recommend
to rival their favourite Netflix crime is Moral Tribes by Joshua Greene.
documentaries, but the truth is, I A Neuroscientist, Greene takes
don’t spend much time indulging in us through a journey into the
criminal psychology books outside evolutionary roots of moral
of work. Whether they like it or judgements, specifically in relation
not, my go-to recommendation of to the ‘Us vs Them’ mentality. The
psychological book genres is the author explains tribalism in an
study of Morality. I started reading entertaining way, drawing on thought
about morality at a time where I was provoking experimental studies,
doing some work around criminal many his own work. The book also
behaviour: I was fascinated with cases applies philosophical approach
where seemingly normal and ‘good’ to understanding different moral
people would carry out evil deeds outlooks, the author offers his input
against other groups and, of particular on what the best way to approach
interest to me, how they would justify moral situations is, redefining true
it. I stumbled across several books utilitarianism.
that helped shed some light on this Both of these books are ranked up
dark topic. there as some of my favourite non-
The first, is Righteous Mind by fiction books, they will educate you in
Jon Haidt, a Social Psychologist who an enjoyable yet rewarding way. But
made a name for himself studying if like some of my friends and family
cultural differences in moral you are here just for a true crime
judgements. The book shares some recommendation, In Cold Blood by
of Haidt’s best known work around Truman Capote is the one.
moral differences, particularly Dr Dara Mojtahedi, Reader in Forensic
across different political groups. Psychology, Associate Editor for Books
4
 the psychologist july/august 2024 books and culture

Book: These Things Happen: The Sarah Records Story, by Jane

Duffus. Sarah lasted for 7 years, 9 months and 11 days, many
of them while I was a teenager, before the legendary ‘A day
for destroying things’ brought a near-perfect discography to
a close. But this hefty account is about so much more than
the music. It’s a paean to a ‘secret world’, of community,
punk ethos, politics, feminism, falling in love and breaking
up. And as a bonus for you, at least two Sarah Records artists
– Cathy Rogers (Heavenly) and Steve Jefferis (Shelley) went
on to work in Psychology and feature in our pages.
Audio: Some books simply have to be listened to.
The Alan Partridge audiobooks are works of literary genius,
and in any other genre / medium would be recognised as
such. And there’s simply nothing quite like listening to
Werner Herzog narrating his unbelievable life in Every Man
For Himself and God Against All.
Screen: Anything involving time travel / time loops /
multiple universes. Counterpart, starring J.K. Simmons,
was underrated / overlooked, and like most offerings in
the genre was really a look at relationships, the self and
personality change.
Jon Sutton (Editor, The Psychologist)

One of the best books I have read this year is Pete The 7 lives of Lea
Wharmby’s Untypical: How the world isn’t built for Netflix
autistic people and what we should do about it. It’s Lea is 17, doesn’t connect to her
engaging, though provoking and, I believe, a must read parents, feels like everyone else
for psychologists no matter what their field. has found what she doesn’t know
Rachel Green if she’s looking for. She tries to find
it in excess… be it alcohol or pills…
Maybe you should talk to someone by Lori Gottlieb. It’s She staggers away from a rave in the
about a therapist, some of the stories of her clients and picturesque Gorges du Verdon, where
her own therapeutic journey. Gives a good perspective she stumbles upon the remains of
on working with different ages, issues and the own Ismael, a teenage who disappeared 30
work as therapists. years ago, in 1991.
Verónica Guzmán The series is supernatural and
magical, which allows Lea’s character
to be moved in time, body and, perhaps
most importantly, in emotional
understanding. She awakes the day
after the rave in 1991, and in Ismael’s
body… and discovers that he is in a band with a couple
of teenagers… who she recognises as her future
mother and father. Lea is drawn into trying to work out
what is going to happen/has happened to Ismael, and
in the journey returns each day to her time and body,
before reawakening a total of seven times in a new
body back in 1991.
It is so well crafted, with humour and emotion
against the amazing scenery of Provence… each of her
Obedience to seven lives develops a deeper understanding of the
Authority by issues confronting the characters…It’s one of those
Stanley Milgram. series that is not just worth watching, but well worth
Steve Daly watching more than once!
Mike Thompson, Sub-Editor/Designer, The Psychologist
 Monique Mitchelson hosts a very popular podcast ‘the The Gift by Edith Eger.
neurodivergent woman’ and it is excellent! A beautifully written book –
Amanda Moses part biography, part reflection
on what keeps us from healing
old wounds. A fascinating story
An Unquiet Mind: A Memoir of Moods and of one woman’s personal and
Madness, by Kay Redfield Jamison – to squash career development filled with
the idea of the ‘them’ as clients and ‘us’ as insight and humour as well as a
professionals/psychologists and to remind us to be gut-punch of a reveal that left me
compassionate humans first. sobbing. One of those books that
Ronja Doerbecke reminds us that it isn’t always
what happens to us that matters
most but what we do with the experience.
Charlotte Carry

Not the cheeriest summer read but utterly

fascinating and absorbing nonetheless is
journalist Barbara Demick’s 2009 book
Nothing to Envy: Real Lives in North Korea.
Drawn from interviews with people who have
escaped North Korea, Demick weaves their
deeply moving stories with the harrowing
history of the country – including a famine
in the 1990s which may have killed up to
3,500,000 people. This is one of the best non-
fiction books I’ve ever read.
My favourite podcast of recent times was
The Gatekeepers (BBC Sounds) – presented
by journalist and author Jamie Bartlett. He
traces the history of social media companies
and presents shocking examples of the
way they have been allowed to become
information gatekeepers and the, sometimes
fatal, impact this can have.
For a brighter choice, I’ve also recently
discovered The Great (Channel 4) a wildly-
historically-inaccurate comedy-drama based
on Catherine the Great of Russia. Created
by Tony McNamara, who also wrote The
Favourite and Poor Things, it is witty, funny –
and extremely rude!
Ella Rhodes (Journalist, The Psychologist)

6
 the psychologist july/august 2024 books and culture

Against Technoablism: Rethinking Who Needs

Improvement by Ashley Shew (2023). This short
read offers authoritative insights on what it’s
like to live with a disability in a tech-obsessed
society determined to provide ‘fixes’. If you’ve
ever marvelled at well-intentioned inventions
like stair-climbing wheelchairs, this one’s for
you. For those without experience in disability
or chronic illness, Shew provides a much-
needed perspective, unveiling truths that
often fly under the radar of the able-bodied.
A must-read for those looking to bring their
understanding of living with a disability into our
technological times.
Emma Barratt, Editor, Research Digest

I’m happily immersed in, and greatly Danny Wedding’s book, Movies and Mental Illness:
profiting from, several works by Using Films to Understand Psychopathology, shares
Mark Epstein, including Psychotherapy his conviction that ‘films are a powerful medium for
without the Self: A Buddhist Perspective teaching students in psychology’. With this in mind,
and Thoughts Without A Thinker: the book includes a course syllabus with a careful
Psychotherapy from a Buddhist integration of films related to Abnormal Psychology
Perspective. – an asset to psychology teachers and lecturers at all
A.A.J DeVille levels. And there are several ‘psychology-minded’ films
mentioned that I’ll be sure to watch this summer…
Behind the Crime, BBC Sounds is excellent. Chrissie Fitch, Associate Editor for Culture
About prison, and turning life around.
This Jungian Life is a good podcast for anyone Psychology at the heart of social change by Mike Cooper
interested in Jungian ideas. Highly recommended!
Dr Peter Sear Zeynep Sertkaya
Copyright of Psychologist is the property of British Psychological Society and its content may
not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's
express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for
individual use.