The Weirdest People in the World review – a theory-of-everything study
“Weird” stands for “western, educated, industrialised, rich and democratic”. But this theory as to why Europe advanced raises difficult questions
The Ministry for the Future by Kim Stanley Robinson review – how to solve the climate crisis
An international taskforce tackles global heating in this chilling yet hopeful vision of how the next few decades might unfold
Infinite Splendours by Sofie Laguna review – a sad and sublime tale of trauma and art
Turbulence roils beneath the serenity of the Southern Grampians in this new novel from the Miles Franklin award-winning author
Girls Against God by Jenny Hval review – a call to revolution
The Norwegian musician rebels against blandness and convention in a novel that veers from melodramatic teenscape to social panorama
The War Against the BBC review – in defence of a national institution
Patrick Barwise and Peter York survey the forces threatening the future of Britain’s much-loved corporation
Sybille Bedford by Selina Hastings review – a huge appetite for life
Drinking wine aged 10, endless parties and so many women ... a fine novelist who preferred good times to writing
When the Lights Go Out by Carys Bray review – on the brink of collapse
A mother tries to save Christmas as a father prepares for apocalypse in this subtle and timely satire
Out of Thin Air by Michael Crawley review – the secrets of marathon success
An inspiring study by an international runner and anthropologist who goes to Ethiopia to find out why east Africa’s long-distance runners lead the world
To Be a Man by Nicole Krauss review – how far do we really know ourselves?
The question of who we are at different times and places, and with different people, is brought to the fore in a supremely intelligent collection
A Promised Land by Barack Obama review – memoir of a president
Details of historic decision-making amid growing racist resentment feature in this elegant, if restrained, account of life inside the White House
Olga by Bernhard Schlink review – from Prussia with love
This poignant tale of a mismatched couple in turn-of-the-century Germany gives away its secrets too early
Fiction for older children review – wayward wizards and a war of the worlds
History and the mysteries of the human heart take centre stage in this month’s best tales
The Ruined Map, Secret Rendezvous and The Box Man by Kōbō Abe – review
Satire meets mystery and sexual exploitation in three exceptionally strange novels by the late, great Japanese author
Burnt Sugar by Avni Doshi review – a thrilling ride into hell
This exquisitely written debut novel sizzles with cruelties and betrayals
Scoff by Pen Vogler review – a history book to devour
This richly detailed study of British food and its relation to social class is truly delectable