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Life and Art from FT Weekend
Books books books! Our top picks from 2024
Dec 13, 2024
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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Quick takeaways
- 2024's literary landscape features significant releases from acclaimed authors, reflecting societal themes and contemporary issues like artificial intelligence and democracy.
- Awards this year showcased a blend of established writers and emerging talents, highlighting the evolving nature of contemporary literature and diverse voices.
Deep dives
Blockbuster Year for Literature
The year 2024 has been recognized as a particularly significant year for literature, featuring notable releases from acclaimed authors such as Sally Rooney, Elizabeth Strout, and Miranda July. Alongside these heavyweights, memoirs from influential figures like Alexei Navalny and Salman Rushdie added depth to the year's offerings. The books also reflected societal themes, addressing topics like the impact of artificial intelligence and geopolitical events such as the situation in Ukraine and the state of democracy in the U.S. This abundance of high-profile titles contributed to a broad cultural conversation around both fiction and nonfiction, enhancing the literary landscape.
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