Robbie Millen and Laura Hackett, esteemed literary editors at The Times and Sunday Times, share their top summer reading picks and insights. They infuse humor into the importance of selecting the right books for vacations, encouraging listeners to disconnect and immerse themselves in tales. With recommendations ranging from classics to contemporary favorites, they tackle the embarrassment of unread titles and highlight engaging themes in literature. Plus, get a sneak peek into upcoming must-reads for the fall!
The podcast emphasizes a strategic approach to summer reading, suggesting four key rules to enhance literary exploration and enjoyment.
The discussion highlights personal preferences in reading habits, including the tactile experience of physical books and shared feelings of reading guilt.
Deep dives
Back to School Convenience
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Reading Recommendations for Summer
The podcast emphasizes the importance of planning your summer reading, suggesting a methodical approach to book selection. The speakers outline four key rules: pick a classic that guarantees enjoyment, choose a book you missed this year to catch up, select a significant novel that you feel embarrassed not to have read, and include a short and sweet read to round off your list. This strategic method allows readers to explore a variety of genres while ensuring they have a fulfilling reading experience during their holiday. Specific titles are mentioned, such as the Neapolitan quartet and 'Life After Life' by Kate Atkinson, showcasing how these selections can enhance one's literary journey.
Understanding Book Choices
The conversation delves into the nuances of selecting books based on personal preferences and reading habits. One speaker notes that physical copies of books are preferred for the tactile experience, while another mentions specific titles that they feel guilty about not having read yet, underscoring the literary community's shared experiences with classic works. They also discuss the temptation to abandon unreadable books during holidays, highlighting the more relaxed approach to reading outside of work obligations. This reflective dialogue illustrates how personal tastes, societal expectations, and professional backgrounds influence book choices, ultimately shaping an individual's reading list.
Sally Rooney, confessions of guilt, and fist fights - two of our books editors take you through their four golden rules for what to read on your holidays this summer.
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Guests:
Robbie Millen, Literary Editor, The Times and Sunday Times.
Laura Hackett, Deputy Literary Editor, The Times and Sunday Times.
Host: Luke Jones.
Books mentioned:
A 20 per cent discount is available for Times+ members at timesbookshop.co.uk.
The Neapolitan Novels - Elena Ferrante
The Flashman Papers - George MacDonald Fraser
Line of Beauty - Alan Hollinghurst
The Ministry of Time - Kaliane Bradley
Wellness - Nathan Hill
Life after Life - Kate Atkinson
The Handmaid’s Tale - Margaret Atwood
Lolita - Vladimir Nabokov
On Beauty - Zadie Smith
Americanah - Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie
Close to Home - Michael Magee
Absolutely and Forever - Rose Tremain
Decline and Fall - Evelyn Waugh
The Mortdecai Trilogy - Kyril Bonfiglioli
All Our Yesterdays - Natalia Ginzburg
The Safekeep - Yael van der Wouden
James - Percival Everett
Long Island - Colm Toibin
Our Evenings - Alan Hollinghurst
Intermezzo - Sally Rooney
The City and Its Uncertain Walls - Haruki Murakami