MSB Book Club
The MSB book club completed its first non-fiction read and shares details on a free book service from Amnesty Student Union at Liverpool Hope University.
March’s Book
The March book was chosen by Louise Murphy, who picked our first non-fiction read.
Eddie Jaku “The Happiest Man on Earth the beautiful life of an Auschwitz survivor.”
Holocaust survivor Eddie Jaku made a vow to smile every day and believed he was the ‘happiest man on earth’. In his inspirational memoir, he paid tribute to those who were lost by telling his story and sharing his wisdom.
Life can be beautiful if you make it beautiful. It is up to you.
Eddie Jaku always considered himself a German first, a Jew second. He was proud of his country. But all of that changed in November 1938, when he was beaten, arrested and taken to a concentration camp.
Over the next seven years, Eddie faced unimaginable horrors every day, first in Buchenwald, then in Auschwitz, then on a Nazi death march. He lost family, friends, his country.
The Happiest Man on Earth is a powerful, heartbreaking and ultimately hopeful memoir of how happiness can be found even in the darkest of times.
This was a tough subject matter so not all of our team could read the book, but they did watch the TED Talk and found Eddie to be inspiring. Eddie sadly passed away in October 2021 at 101 years old.
If you also feel this would be too tough to read, we thoroughly recommend you watch Eddie’s TED Talk, which you can find here.
Team Reviews
“This is a gruelling and tragic account of a German Jew in Nazi Germany. Despite the horror, it is a powerful and ultimately hopeful memoir of how happiness can be found in the most awful of times. I cried and smiled reading this book, it was emotional. I believe it is important that we remember and learn from history and this book is a tremendous example of that. It also reminded me how lucky I am and that I should strive to be grateful and happy!”
Louise Murphy, Head of Social Housing and Regeneration *****
“I found the subject matter tough, but Eddie’s attitude whilst he was a captive and the life he lived following captivity is inspiring. I felt like I had a friend in Eddie, someone who was telling me to lift my chin up and life can be beautiful if we just take the time to notice. I called my mum at one stage in the book just to tell her I loved her on Eddie’s instructions! He made me realise how much we need to cherish our loved ones. Tomorrow is promised to no one.”
Rachael Payne, Solicitor *****
“I was a little sceptical about this book when I first read a summary. I was concerned this would be a very tough, and not a very enjoyable read. However, from the first couple of pages, I was completely surprised. The book gives you a new perspective on life and what is important. Eddie’s attitude is so positive, despite what he has been through in his life. The style of writing keeps you hooked as it is personal and direct to the reader. Every reader would make a new friend in Eddie. Would highly recommend, five stars!”
Sarah Sharples, Trainee Solicitor *****
April’s Book
This month’s book was chosen by Paralegal Katie Kennedy. She has chosen The Flat Share by Beth O’Leary.
Tiffy and Leon share a flat
Tiffy and Leon share a bed
Tiffy and Leon have never met…
Tiffy Moore needs a cheap flat, and fast. Leon Twomey works nights and needs cash. Their friends think they’re crazy, but it’s the perfect solution: Leon occupies the one-bed flat while Tiffy’s at work in the day, and she has the run of the place the rest of the time.
But with obsessive ex-boyfriends, demanding clients at work, wrongly imprisoned brothers and, of course, the fact that they still haven’t met yet, they’re about to discover that if you want the perfect home you need to throw the rulebook out the window…
This book was Beth O’Leary’s debut novel and shortlisted for a number of awards. She has currently has four books published and is growing in popularity.
Katie said she chose the book because “I have heard it is a light-hearted story that will have people in stitches and it is a really good book for escapism”
Have you read The Flat Share or is it in your list to read? Let us know what you thought.
Free book service
Our own Jessica Jones shared details with the MSB team of a project her friend Megan is running with the student union at Liverpool Hope University.
She is creating a free book service for students who are struggling financially. There is a library within the university which usually stocks one or two of the recommended course books, but often due to high demand they get booked out early, meaning some students miss out.
The recommended books for law courses are between £35-£100. For the project to help as many students as possible they are asking for any old course books that are no longer being used.
There will be permanent place in the student union for the students to access the free books. This is not just for law students, so any books would be appreciated. It doesn’t matter if the books donated aren’t the latest edition, as often there are only minor changes with each edition.
Not only is this a great way to support students, but book recycling is eco-friendly!
Please get in touch with Liverpool Hope University if you wish to donate any of your old course books that are gathering dust.
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