Brilliant books for men, recommended by publishing insiders

Why they'll love it: Comedian, screenwriter (The Young Ones, Blackadder) and author Ben Elton has done everything and worked with everybody. Now, in this frank, forthright, and hugely entertaining book, he tells the whole story, with, of course a ‘little bit of politics’.

For men who are into: Comedy, celebrity memoirs, inside stories.

Great for fans of: Berserker! by Adrian Edmondson, More Fool Me by Stephen Fry, British comedy, The Young Ones, Blackadder, Upstart Crow.

What the experts say: 'Ben Elton's writing and comedy have undeniably shaped our entertainment landscape as we know it today. This autobiography is a great and candid insight into the life and work of someone who has consistently rattled cages from the left to the right.' Tom Coombes, Communications Assistant

Why they'll love it: This is the groundbreaking memoir from the inventor of the World Wide Web, Sir Tim Berners-Lee: the story of our modern age.

For men who are into: Memoirs, technology, AI, social media, disinformation, tech giants.

Great for fans of: Yuval Noah Harari, Source Code by Bill Gates.

What the experts say: 'Berners-Lee not only recounts the genesis of the web, which he famously gave away for free, but also provides a crucial, optimistic manifesto for its future, addressing contemporary issues like Generative AI, data privacy, and online polarisation. It’s an essential read for anyone interested in leadership, innovation and the evolution of our digital world, and a powerful call to action to shape technology for all, not just for profit. Let's learn from his example.' Lyndon Branfield, General Counsel, Macmillan Publishers

Why they'll love it: This page-turner is the first legal thriller from the million-copy bestselling Secret Barrister, writing as S. J. Fleet – an author with incomparable insider’s knowledge.

For men who are into: Legal thrillers, books with twists, courtroom dramas.

Great for fans of: The Secret Barrister, Mick Herron’s The Secret Hours, Sarah Vaughan’s Anatomy of a Scandal, C. J. Tudor’s The Chalk Man.

What the experts say: 'Members of the jury, today I will show you the book to buy for the men in your life who were hooked/moved/haunted by Adolescence. The Cut Throat Trial covers a court case over the murder of an elderly teacher, with three seventeen-year-old boys standing accused. This is no straightforward case as all of the defendants blame one another, one refuses to speak and the whole trial is being muddled by blunders in court proceedings. Charge: A suspenseful read that puts the legal system and societal pressures on teenagers under cross-examination. Verdict: Guilty.' Will Upcott, Digital Marketing Manager

Why they'll love it:This is an utterly gripping story of survival on a hostile planet from Adrian Tchaikovsky, author of the Arthur C. Clarke Award-winning Children of Time.

For men who are into: First contact stories, hard sci-fi, space survival epics. 

Great for fans of: Fractal Noise by Christopher Paolini, Project Hail Mary by Andy Weir

What the experts say: 'This is science fiction at its best. Tchaikovsky, known for his ability to make you empathise with spiders, builds an incredible narrative based on a crash-landing on a pitch-black planet. The tense human story entwined with the narrative from the perspective of the alien lifeforms they encounter builds to make a unique story of surviving against all odds. This might be my favourite Adrian Tchaikovksy book.' Michael Beale, Editor, Tor

Why they'll love it: First published in 1968, and shortlisted for the first ever Booker Prize, From Scenes Like These remains a powerful read. It follows two teenagers trying to make something of themselves in 1950s Scotland, who get inescapably caught up in violence and family feuds.

For men who are into: Cult classics, Scottish literature, literary fiction. 

Great for fans of: Douglas Stuart, James Kelman, Irvine Welsh, Graeme Armstrong.

What the experts say: 'Set in working-class Scotland in the 1950s, this forgotten classic follows the coming-of-age story of a teenage boy navigating a world of hardy men. It's packed with wit, charm, and unforgettable characters that natter in the dark corners of cosy pubs after a hard day's graft. A rediscovered gem deserving of more readers!' Connor Hutchinson, Publicity Manager, Picador

Why they'll love it: This is a nail-biting, time-travelling police procedural from bestselling author Nicholas Binge.

For men who are into: Time travel, sci-fi, detective stories, high stakes thrillers.

Great for fans of: Dark Matter and Recursion by Blake Crouch, Philip K. Dick, Bodies (TV show) and Tenet (film).

What the experts say: 'A time-bending procedural set against the ticking clock of the apocalypse. When a billionaire is found dead, infamous detective Julia Torgrimsen is pulled from retirement. But the discovery of a second, identical body launches her into a conspiracy with world-ending stakes.' Michael Beale, Editor, Tor