If you are looking for ideas for book lovers, why not have a look at some Latymerians who left their creative mark on the world. There is a lovely range of books to read!

If you have published a book and are not mentioned (or know of another Latymerian author), please do come forward and send information to Beatrice at alumni@latymer.co.uk. 

There is no introduction needed for Dame Eileen Atkins (class of 1952) in terms of her prestigious career as an actress but did you know that she is also a talented writer? In 1995, she published Vita and Virginia, a drama adapted from the real-life letters sent between Virginia Woolf and Vita Sackville-West. This play explores the complex relationship between the two during times when same-gender relationships were looked down upon and how this relationship inspired famous pieces of literature such as Orlando by Virginia Woolf. 

Dame Eileen also wrote an autobiography titled Will She Do? Published in October 2021, the book recounts her story of how she went from growing up in Tottenham council estates to becoming one of Britain's most celebrated actresses and inspiring many others to follow in her footsteps. 

Valerie Braunston (class of 1952) was born in Edmonton and endured WWII in London for five years until she was evacuated to Lincolnshire for a few months before returning home for VE Day. She published her first book in 2014 called Rocky Road to La-La Land under the pen name Valerie Bingham (her married name). It was a deeply personal book inspired about her husband decline in health due to Alzheimer's, delving into the difficulties of living with a partner as they succumb to this terrible disease. This book destigmatised the perception of Alzheimer's whilst providing useful information. 

When Valerie herself moved into a care home, her son Miles found a manuscript for her book London Can Take It (published in 2025) next to a jammed-up typewriter. The book goes into detail of her childhood memories of WW2, a story which should be depressing but her humour and determination throughout the book makes it an inspiring book about resilience of a young girl that wouldn't let a war get in between her dreams of becoming an actress. You can read more about this book in the Latymer Links article published on 10th June. 

Nishan Degnarain (class of 1998) has published several books: Soul Of The Sea: In the Age of the Algorithm, published in 2017, which draws upon the fields of science, economics and business strategy to chart the future of humankind relationship to the ocean. Nishan also co-authored Zero Point Four: How U.S. Leadership In Maritime Will Secure America's Future in 2024. This meticulously researched book scrutinizes the U.S. maritime industry's significance to America through five 'Principles': National, Economic, Energy and Food, Climate, and Workforce Security. The authors don't just identify problems but present a visionary 57-point action plan to revolutionize the U.S. maritime sector and transform America to be a leader in the Blue Economy.

This year, Nishan also co-authored The Exponential Ministry: Re-imagining the Future of Government to Achieve 10X More with 10X Less. Blending insights from Silicon Valley innovation with deep public sector expertise, the book shows how public agencies can unlock trust, scale services, and embrace abundance thinking. 

Nikki Marmery (class of 1993) is a former financial journalist turned novelist who uses her stories to restore voices lost to history. Her debut book, On Wilder Seas: The Woman on the Golden Hind (published in 2020) is a historical fiction book inspired by a true story. In 1579, Maria, an enslaved woman seizes a chance for freedom when her slave ship passes another boat in the Pacific Ocean. But Maria has unwittingly joined Francis Drake's circumnavigation voyage and he' s about to set sail on a secret detour in the far north. This is is the tale of one woman's uncharted voyage of survival. 

Nikki's next book Lilith (published in 2023) is a retelling of the ancient myth of the original woman banished from the Garden of Eden for refusing to submit to Adam and replaced with Eve. In Marmery's book, Lilith goes on a journey to save Eve, bring balance to the world, get revenge and restore her rightful place in paradise. 

Professor Mel Richardson MBE (class of 1963) published Heartreach: The Ongoing Project Dengke Story in 2021, delving into the work that he and his team have accomplished at Project Dengke, an organisation helping Tibetan and Chinese people affected by poverty, earthquakes, and climate change in a mountainous and remote area in Tibet. His mission started in 1990 when he was camping outside Dengke during the British Hovercraft Expedition to China and a fuel dump was chosen to be laid down a few miles from Dengke. Mel was so touched by the generosity of the locals that he vowed that he would return after his expedition to help them. He then set up 'The Care and Share Foundation' and since 1992 Mel Richardson has led a series of major missions to the Dengke region. 

Sophie Shaw (class of 1992) is a hypnotherapist, reiki master teacher and an artist. Inspired by her work, she created an illustrated child fiction The Hare and the Moon: a Healing Tale of Wonder and Wellbeing (published in 2019) for children struggling with anxiety. The story is set after the Hare's loss to the tortoise in the classic story 'The Tortoise and the Hare', where the hare feels embarrassed after his defeat and is struggling to keep calm. To help relieve his distress, he goes to his mother for help, but she gives him the strangest advice, that he should go and see the moon. This book helps to teach readers how to manage their emotions using techniques like meditation. 

Roma Wells (class of 2013) is an author, adventurer with a love for wildlife and a presenter on the BBC Travel Show. Roma has always had a talent for writing, from the age of seven she began writing nature inspired stories and by 16 had landed her own magazine column. Her career in journalism has led her to write for news companies such as The Daily Telegraph, The Sunday Times and has even got her to places as high as 10 Downing Street. So, it was inevitable, with all her background in journalism and writing, that she would write a novel and in 2022 she did with the book Seek the Singing Fish. The novel follows a young girl called Mila growing up in the lagoon town of Batticaloa (Sri Lanka) during a time of political unrest and a civil war. She is then torn from her home and embarks on an adventure to return back to the land of the singing fish. This book takes inspiration from Roma's mixed Sri-Lankan and Irish heritage.

Happy reading!