Mindful May Book Recommendations 2026

This year, as part of our Mindful May initiative we are linking up with the National Year of Reading to promote the mindful benefits of picking up a book and escaping into a story.

Below you will find some book recommendations from the NewstrAid Team.

CEO – Neil Jagger

My Mindful May book recommendation is: The Secret of Secrets by Dan Brown.
Set in modern-day Prague I enjoyed its fast-paced blend of futuristic science whilst constantly referring to the mystical past as we race from one crisis to another to uncover a secret project of which I will say no more …it’s a great read but you’ll need to devote some time to its 688 pages.

Welfare Officer – Mel Fliri

My book recommendation is Slow Horses by Mick Herron, which is about a team of disgraced MI5 agents who are desperate to redeem themselves. They’re an unlikely team and are all unhappy to be in the miserable office of Slough House but are forced to work together when a civilian goes missing.

If it’s been a while since you’ve picked up a book it’s a good one to go for – it’s not too long, funny, and fast-paced, and has cliffhangers that will make you want to keep reading!

I love reading as a way to completely switch off – I read a lot of thrillers, which might not sound very relaxing, but it takes my mind off any problems I’ve been thinking about! Reading before bed also helps me sleep a lot better than looking at my phone … providing a chapter doesn’t end on a cliffhanger!

Acting Deputy Welfare Manager – Georgia Cannon

I love listening to an audiobook when I am out and about, it always makes driving long distances a bit more bearable and provides some entertainment on the way to work!
Personally, I prefer to listen to non-fiction or biographies as I don’t have to follow a plot.
Peter Kay has always been one of my favourite comedians and I really enjoyed his latest book Peter Kay’s Diary. His narration of extracts from his childhood diary is brilliant and there were many moments I was laughing out loud in the car at some of his ad libs!

In these current times where things can feel a little dreary, entertainment biographies can provide some much needed laughter!

Finance Director – Laura Grice

As a busy mother of two I don’t often get the chance to read, but when I do I love a lighthearted murder mystery, a genre which is now called ‘cosy mysteries’, I believe.  Recently my nine-year-old has caught the ‘cosy mystery’ bug and has been reading The Skeleton Puzzle by Lisa Thompson to me, a book aimed at 9–12-year-olds.

Life on Chestnut Close starts out quietly for Jake, Melody and Matthew, a trio of budding detectives, until Jake helps his neighbour Nina clear her garden  and discovers a human skull!  As the three friends investigate, they uncover secrets from the past, including a robbery involving stolen diamonds.  The mystery and suspense in the story help to encourage critical thinking and problem-solving skills, with exploration of some big emotions in the sub-plot which describes Jake’s problems at home trying to help his Mum and Matthew’s struggles with OCD.   A great book for confident young readers.

Engagement & Communications Manager – Lindsay Rule

My book recommendation is The List of Suspicious things by Jennie Godfrey. Set in Yorkshire in 1979 (during the time of the Yorkshire Ripper) I felt it captured the era beautifully and told a heart-warming story of friendship, family, community and secrets all through the eyes of 12-year-old Miv.

I love how a book can transport you out of reality into to a different time and place. Great for de-stressing!

Operations Manager – Paul Bacon

I recommend The Second World War by Antony Beevor.Despite it being a tough read, it provides understanding of world politics intertwined with accounts from real people, who were literally in the firing line of a conflict which spun out of control.

The book broadly follows a timeline of the war with chapters concentrating on one region at the time. It moves from the ruthlessness of the German High Command to the harrowing experiences of a soldier in the ruins of Stalingrad or a civilian caught in the firebombing of Tokyo.

I learned a lot about the involvement of many more countries than I realised. Decisions of leaders are put into context of the pressures faced, both internally and externally. Many mistakes were made, with frightening disregard for lives from all side but above all else, the book makes clear no-one really wins in wars.

Admin Assistant – Jo Willis

A book I’d recommend is And Then There Were None by Agatha Christie. It’s about a group of people who have been invited to a dinner party on a small island, but their hosts have not arrived yet. The guests soon realise none of them know their hosts personally, and one by one people start dying in mysterious ways.

Before working at NewstrAid, I worked in Wembley and spent my commutes reading – it’s a great way to kill time on the train!

Acting Welfare Manager – Frankie Gabbani-Stokeld

My recommendation is One by One by Freida McFadden. I particularly enjoy Freida’s books for their short chapters and easy to digest stories – I’m always kept hooked on the plot and there is always a plot twist that I never see coming! A group of friends go for a weekend away to a remote cabin, but the car breaks down on the way. They end up having to continue their journey on foot but, during the trek, members of the group keep mysteriously disappearing….someone cannot be trusted. But who? This book had a gripping storyline and kept me guessing all the way through!