Alive: An Alternative Anatomy by Gabriel Weston review – our bodies in an eye-opening new light
A surgeon (and TV host) encourages us to take a fresh look at our organs in a smart and forceful study
Scouse Republic by David Swift review – does Liverpool walk alone?
The city’s long-touted exceptionalism is explored in this absorbing and highly personal account of its colourful history
Bookish: How Reading Shapes Our Lives by Lucy Mangan review – never lost for words
The TV critic’s sequel to her memoir Bookworm recounts a life shaped by literature with plenty of Sue Townsend snark
Maternity Service by Emma Barnett review – a tour of duty in early motherhood
In this valuable, brutally honest guide, the broadcaster argues that a supposedly joyful time is often steeped in drudgery and social isolation
Murder the Truth by David Enrich review – disturbing read on effort to undo free speech in US
Book delves in to network of Trump, government members and ultra-rich to overturn Times v Sullivan
Stories of Ireland by Brian Friel review – a solid gold treat
Originally published in 1979, this tremendous set of stories by the great Irish playwright is full of country folk looking to make their mark
In brief: Bowieland; Deep Cuts; The Inalienable Right – review
A Bowie travelogue following in his footsteps; a charming debut novel for music lovers of a certain age; and a stirring snapshot of gay life in the 80s
Careless People: A Story of Where I Used to Work by Sarah Wynn-Williams review – a former disciple unfriends Facebook
This account of working life at Mark Zuckerberg’s tech giant organisation describes a ‘diabolical cult’ able to swing elections and profit at the expense of the world’s vulnerable
Nova Scotia House by Charlie Porter review – radical visions of gay 90s London
Memories of love and heartbreak during the Aids epidemic are brought vividly to life in this exhilarating, risk-taking debut
The best recent crime and thrillers – review roundup
The Bureau by Eoin McNamee; The Mouthless Dead by Anthony Quinn; Killer Potential by Hannah Deitch; The Grapevine by Kate Kemp; Death at the White Hart by Chris Chibnall
You’re Embarrassing Yourself by Desiree Akhavan audiobook review – a devastatingly honest and funny memoir
The Iranian-American film-maker veers between arch amusement and mournfulness as she relives the most mortifying episodes in her life
The CIA Book Club by Charlie English review – ‘It was like fresh air’
A fascinating, exciting history of how the agency smuggled subversive books across the iron curtain
Careless People by Sarah Wynn-Williams review – Zuckerberg and me
An eye-opening insider account of Facebook alleges a bizarre office culture and worrying political overreach
Signs of Damage by Diana Reid review – gripping thriller of unsolved mysteries
In her third book, the author of Love and Virtue slyly subverts the trauma plot to take aim at our impulse to reduce the messiness of life to a neat narrative
Madame Sosostris & the Festival for the Broken-Hearted by Ben Okri review – a slender fable
The magical healing power of a masked costume ball hangs in the balance in this whimsical tale of transformation