Life and Art from FT Weekend

Books books books! You asked, we answered

Dec 11, 2023

The FT's books team shares their personal recommendations for books of the year and answers listener questions. They discuss book trends, historical books, biographies, and gift recommendations. Topics include sad and introspective books, white male novelists, forgotten revolutions, China's cultural revolution, Martin Luther King's biography, alternative fiction books, and Claire Keegan's latest book.

18:07

Creator website

AI Summary

AI Chapters

Episode notes

Podcast summary created with Snipd AI

Quick takeaways

Readers experiencing a block in finishing books can try 'Impossible Creatures' by Katherine Rundell, a beautifully written children's book that offers a refreshing and immersive reading experience.

'Revolutionary Spring' by Christopher Clark is a highly recommended book for history enthusiasts, providing a deeper understanding of the often overlooked revolutions of 1848 in Europe and their significance as a precursor to the modern world.

Deep dives

Suggested Children's Book: Impossible Creatures by Katherine Rundell

One recommendation for readers experiencing a block in finishing books is to try a children's book like 'Impossible Creatures' by Katherine Rundell. The novel is a gripping adventure story set in a magical archipelago where mythical creatures still exist, and it follows two central characters as they unravel the mystery of why these creatures are dying off. Though targeted at readers aged 9 to 15, the book is beautifully written and can be enjoyed by adults as well, offering a refreshing and immersive reading experience.

Introduction

3min

The Trend in Literature and Book Recommendations for the Holidays

7min

Historical Books and their Impact on the Modern World

2min

Biography of Martin Luther King, fiction alternatives to self-help books, and book recommendations

4min

Discussion on Claire Keegan's latest book and other recommendations

3min

Today, we talk books. The FT’s books team recently published our annual books of the year special, and they join us to share their personal recommendations. They also answer listener questions: what books will get you out of ‘reader’s block’? What’s a good gift for a family member who loves history, or a friend who’s anxious about the world? What book could you pair with a candle and some socks? Lilah speaks with literary editor Fred Studemann and deputy books editor Laura Battle.

-------

We love hearing from you. You can email us at lifeandart@ft.com. Lilah is on Instagram @lilahrap.

-------

Recommendations and links (all FT links get you past the paywall):

Some great lists from our books of the year special:

– Best fiction: https://on.ft.com/4a4xjds

– Best history: https://on.ft.com/4a9ErFx

– Best audiobooks https://on.ft.com/3t9tVNT

– Critics’ picks: https://on.ft.com/3RyWH3H

– For getting past your reader’s block, Laura and Fred recommend Impossible Creatures by Katherine Rundell and The House of Doors by Tan Twan Eng. Laura also loved The Fraud by Zadie Smith

– Fred’s picks for history lovers are Revolutionary Spring by Christopher Clark and King: a Life by Jonathan Eig; Laura’s is Red Memory by Tanya Branigan

– For a stocking stuffer, Lilah suggests Love and Other Poems by Alex Dimitrov. Laura likes The Cabin by Natasha Preston and other books about the outdoors. Fred is going with Claire Keegan’s So Late in the Day

-------

Special FT subscription offers for Life and Art podcast listeners, from 50% off a digital subscription to a $1/£1/€1 trial, are here: http://ft.com/lifeandart

-------

Original music by Metaphor Music. Mixing and sound design by Breen Turner.

Read a transcript of this episode on FT.com

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.