"Wittgenstein's Nephew" is a semi-autobiographical novel that explores the friendship between the narrator and his friend Paul, who is the nephew of the famous philosopher Ludwig Wittgenstein. The story takes place in Vienna and is set against the backdrop of the Austrian mental health system. The novel delves into themes of sanity, insanity, and the fine line that separates the two, while also offering a critique of Austrian society. It is a meditation on the nature of illness, both physical and mental, and the impact it has on personal relationships and one's perception of the world.

This book is a poignant exploration of the author's mother's life and her struggle with depression, ultimately leading to her suicide. It provides a deeply personal and raw account of the author's attempts to understand his mother's despair and the societal constraints that contributed to it. The narrative is a profound reflection on memory, loss, and the complexity of human emotions, offering a stark and moving portrayal of a woman's life in a rigid, post-war society.

"The Snows of Yesteryear" is a memoir that explores the author's complex and tumultuous upbringing in Eastern Europe during the early 20th century. Through a series of vivid and poignant anecdotes, the book delves into the author's personal experiences with war, displacement, and the collapse of the Austro-Hungarian Empire, offering a deeply introspective and nostalgic reflection on the fleeting nature of time and the enduring impact of one's past.

"H Is For Hawk" is a memoir by Helen MacDonald about her experiences training a goshawk named Mabel after the sudden death of her father. MacDonald reflects on her grief and the challenges of training a wild bird while also delving into the history of falconry and the life of T.H. White, the author of "The Once and Future King" who also trained a goshawk. The book explores themes of loss, nature, and the complexities of human-animal relationships.

"The Destruction of Lord Raglan" presents a detailed account of the life and military career of Lord Raglan, the British commander during the Crimean War. The book delves into the complexities of his leadership and the strategic errors that led to the infamous Charge of the Light Brigade. It portrays Raglan as a sympathetic yet out-of-touch leader, whose outdated tactics and miscommunications contributed significantly to the disastrous outcomes of certain battles. The narrative not only explores the military aspects but also provides insights into the personal and political pressures Raglan faced, ultimately leading to his downfall and death during the campaign.

"Seminary Boy" is a memoir that delves into the author's experiences as a young boy in the 1950s, who is sent to a Catholic seminary with the hope of becoming a priest. The narrative captures the strict and often harsh realities of seminary life, marked by rigorous discipline, religious fervor, and the struggle to conform to the expectations of the Church. As the author grows up within the confines of this institution, he grapples with his faith, the challenges of adolescence, and the dawning realization of the wider world beyond the seminary walls. This coming-of-age story is a poignant exploration of innocence, belief, and the search for personal identity amidst the backdrop of a changing religious landscape.

"At The Existentialist Café" is a non-fiction book that explores the lives and ideas of a group of philosophers known as the existentialists. The book takes readers on a journey through the cafes of Paris in the 1930s and 40s, where philosophers such as Jean-Paul Sartre, Simone de Beauvoir, and Maurice Merleau-Ponty would gather to discuss their ideas about freedom, being, and the meaning of life. Bakewell weaves together their personal stories, philosophical theories, and the historical context in which they lived, to create a compelling and accessible introduction to existentialism.

This introspective and deeply moving book is a three-part meditation on love, loss, and the nature of grief. The first part explores the history of ballooning and photography, the second tells a fictional tale of a love affair between two balloonists in the 19th century, and the third part is a poignant memoir of the author's grief following the death of his wife. The book beautifully intertwines these threads to explore the profound impact of love and the deep pain of loss, while offering a raw and honest look at the grieving process.