Episode 336

Looking for something great to read or watch on TV over the festive period? We’ve got you covered. In a special edition of the podcast, we share our favourite books, TV and films of 2025 - for those moments when you need a break from the festivities.

From pure science fiction to books exploring climate change and the history of our early ancestors, we have something for everyone. Below is a list of our top picks.

Films and TV

Ocean with David Attenborough

Andor Season 2

The White House Effect

Human with Ella al-Shamahi

Pluribus

My Husband the Cyborg

Severance Season 2

Books

Every Version of You by Grace Chan

The Story of CO2 is the Story of Everything by Peter Brannen

Clearing the Air by Hannah Ritchie

Positive Tipping Points by Tim Lenton

The Last Neanderthal by Ludovic Slimak

Hello Cruel World by Melinda Moyer

Hosted by Rowan Hooper with guests Bethan Ackerley and Alison Flood.

Sign up to our book club for more recommendations, discussion and author interviews https://www.newscientist.com/bookclub/

To read more about these stories, visit https://www.newscientist.com/

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