Fred Studemann, the Financial Times' literary editor, and Laura Battle, the outgoing deputy books editor, share their top book picks for 2024. They explore standout releases from authors like Sally Rooney and Alexei Navalny, noting trends in literature including themes of geopolitics and personal exploration. Their favorites include 'Orbital' by Samantha Harvey, set in space, and Miranda July’s humorous 'All Fours'. The duo reflects on evolving reading habits and the importance of fiction in understanding today's world, all while saying goodbye after a fantastic run.
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Blockbuster Book Year
2024 was a blockbuster year for books, featuring big names like Sally Rooney, Miranda July, and Alexei Navalny.
Memoirs from notable figures like Salman Rushdie, Ina Garden, and Al Pacino also marked the year.
insights INSIGHT
Book Trends of 2024
Besides big fiction releases, 2024 saw trends in books about AI, geopolitics, and the future of democracy.
British publishing focused on the UK election, including biographies of Keir Starmer and analyses of Britain's state.
question_answer ANECDOTE
Orbital Setting
Samantha Harvey's "Orbital," a Booker Prize winner, is set on the International Space Station.
The story unfolds over 24 hours, exploring humanity's impact on Earth from a unique perspective.
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In 'The Anxious Generation', Jonathan Haidt examines the sudden decline in the mental health of adolescents starting in the early 2010s. He attributes this decline to the shift from a 'play-based childhood' to a 'phone-based childhood', highlighting mechanisms such as sleep deprivation, attention fragmentation, addiction, loneliness, social contagion, and perfectionism that interfere with children’s social and neurological development. Haidt proposes four simple rules to address this issue: no smartphones before high school, no social media before age 16, phone-free schools, and more opportunities for independence, free play, and responsibility. The book offers a clear call to action for parents, teachers, schools, tech companies, and governments to restore a more humane childhood and end the epidemic of mental illness among youth.
All Fours
Miranda July
Miranda July's "All Fours" is a poignant and unconventional novel that explores themes of aging, mortality, and the complexities of human connection. The narrative unfolds through the experiences of an unnamed narrator grappling with her changing body and relationships. July's writing style is characterized by its intimate and often humorous approach to profound subjects. The book delves into the challenges of intergenerational friendships and the societal obsession with youth. Ultimately, "All Fours" offers a reflective and empathetic portrayal of the human experience.
The FT’s books of the year special is out, and today, our literary editor Fred Studemann and outgoing deputy books editor Laura Battle join us one last time to talk about their top picks of 2024. This year has seen some huge releases from authors including Sally Rooney, Miranda July, Alexei Navalny, Al Pacino and Salman Rushdie. What trends did Fred and Laura notice this year? What books did they love?
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As you know, the show is ending in early January – we’re still collecting your cultural questions. What’s rolling around in your head? How can we help? Email Lilah at lilahrap@ft.com or message her on Instagram @lilahrap.
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Links (all FT links get you past the paywall):
– Books we mentioned: Orbital by Samantha Harvey; Patriot by Alexei Navalny; All Fours by Miranda July; Haunted Wood by Sam Leith; Rosarita by Anita Desai; There are Rivers in the Sky by Elif Shafak; Revolusi: Indonesia and the Birth of the Modern World by David van Reybrouck; A Voyage Around the Queen by Craig Brown; Killing Time by Alan Bennett; Meditations for Mortals by Oliver Burkeman; The Wizard of the Kremlin by Giuliano da Empoli; Hope by Pope Francis (2025); and Dream Count by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie (2025)
– The FT Books of the Year are out now! Here is a roundup of the FT’s top columnists and editors’ book recommendations for 2024, including Fred’s top picks. Laura’s fiction picks are here.
– Food, drink and travel books are here. Music books here. Art and design books are here. Check out the full guide for more (paywall)
Life and Art from FT Weekend 
