EU Confidential Escape the EU Bubble: Expert Summer Book Picks
Join Dionisios Sturis, an audio producer and author, and Jeroen Reijnen, a seasoned EU official and writer, as they delve into the realm of summer reading. They recommend a mix of political non-fiction and playful fiction, including 'Killing Thatcher' and 'The Vegetarian.' Jeroen shares insights on navigating the Brussels bubble, discussing the challenges faced by newcomers and the importance of forming connections. Expect laughter and personal anecdotes as they weave through their favorite literary picks and the unique experiences within EU culture.
36:28
Read 'Autocracy, Inc.' Now
- Anne Applebaum's 'Autocracy, Inc.' is essential reading for those wanting to understand modern political threats.
- The book offers timely insights into autocratic tendencies impacting democracies.
From Lobbyist Dream to EU Official
- Jeroen Reijnen originally dreamt of being a lobbyist in Brussels but became a EU Parliament official instead.
- His 25 years in the bubble made him idealistic rather than cynical about EU integration.
Persist to Succeed in Brussels
- Don't give up when starting a career in Brussels despite competition and setbacks.
- Seek entry-level jobs to explore Brussels and discover what you enjoy with an open mind.
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Intro
00:00 • 3min
Diverse Summer Reads
03:16 • 4min
Summer Reading Picks: A Dive into Literature and the EU
07:41 • 3min
Navigating the EU Bubble
10:17 • 8min
Thought-Provoking Summer Reads: Navigating History and Modern Europe
18:42 • 6min
Summer Reading Recommendations
24:27 • 10min
#61247
Notes from a Big Country
Bill Bryson
'Notes from a Big Country' is a collection of humorous essays by Bill Bryson, chronicling his return to the United States after two decades of living in Britain.
Bryson observes American culture with a mix of affection and bemusement, commenting on everything from food and language to politics and social customs.
His witty and insightful observations capture the quirks and contradictions of American life.
The book explores themes of identity, belonging, and the challenges of re-assimilating into one's native culture.
Bryson's self-deprecating humor and keen eye for detail make 'Notes from a Big Country' a delightful and thought-provoking read.
#39989
There Lives a Young Girl in Me Who Will Not Die
Tove Ditlevsen
#46773
Prague
Arthur Phillips
'Prague' follows a group of young Americans living in Budapest in the early 1990s, each searching for meaning and connection in a post-communist world.
The novel explores themes of identity, displacement, and the allure of the unknown.
As the characters navigate the complexities of their relationships and the cultural landscape, they discover that their idealized vision of Prague is not what it seems.
Phillips' writing is witty and insightful, capturing the nuances of cultural exchange and the search for belonging.
'Prague' is a story about the challenges of finding oneself in a world of shifting identities and expectations.
#49046
The Redbreast
Jo Nesbø
'The Redbreast' is a crime novel featuring Detective Harry Hole as he investigates a series of murders with connections to Norway's dark past.
The story is set against the backdrop of World War II and the Norwegian volunteers who fought for the Nazi regime.
As Harry delves deeper into the case, he uncovers a web of political intrigue and personal betrayal.
The novel explores themes of guilt, redemption, and the legacy of war.
Nesbø's intricate plot and complex characters create a suspenseful and thought-provoking reading experience.
'The Redbreast' is a gripping tale of crime and historical reckoning.
#36511
I Giorni di Vetro
The Days of Glass
Nicoletta Verna
#48098
Daklilleil Ihaliktait
null
Pierre Mélac
#36745
The kindly ones
Jonathan Littell
#29466
Tatendrunk
null
Theresia Töglhofer
#60881
The Kingdoms
Natasha Pulley
#52875
I Want to Go Home, but I'm already there
Rasheen Lanigan
#16897
• Mentioned in 2 episodes
H Is for Hawk
Helen Macdonald
#9420
• Mentioned in 3 episodes
The Spy Who Came In From The Cold
John Le Carré
The Spy Who Came in from the Cold is a gripping Cold War novel by John le Carré, focusing on Alec Leamas, a British intelligence officer tasked with a final mission before retirement.
Leamas is sent to East Germany as a faux defector to sow disinformation about Hans-Dieter Mundt, a powerful East German intelligence officer.
The novel explores themes of espionage, loyalty, and the moral complexities of spy work during the Cold War era.
#6258
• Mentioned in 5 episodes
The Vegetarian
Han Kang
The Vegetarian tells the story of Yeong-hye, a young South Korean woman who, after having vivid and disturbing dreams about animal slaughter, decides to stop eating meat.
This decision sets off a chain of events that disrupts her marriage and family life, leading to a spiral of violence, abuse, and mental deterioration.
The novel is narrated in three parts, each from the perspective of different characters: Yeong-hye's husband, her brother-in-law, and her sister.
It explores themes of desire, shame, empathy, and the struggle for individuality in a society that values conformity.
The book is a critique of the societal pressures and expectations that can lead to the erosion of personal autonomy and mental health.
#18832
• Mentioned in 2 episodes
Common Sense, A Political History
Sophia Rosenfeld
#20022
• Mentioned in 2 episodes
The Empusium
Olga Tokarczuk
#1735
• Mentioned in 14 episodes
Mrs. Dalloway
Virginia Woolf
Published in 1925, 'Mrs.
Dalloway' by Virginia Woolf explores the lives of its characters over a single day in post-World War I London.
The novel centers around Clarissa Dalloway, an upper-class housewife, as she prepares to host a party.
Her day is punctuated by a visit from Peter Walsh, an old suitor, and her reflections on her past choices.
The narrative also follows Septimus Warren Smith, a veteran struggling with shell shock and mental illness, whose story parallels and contrasts with Clarissa's.
The novel delves into themes of time, identity, social class, and the psychological impacts of war.
Woolf's stream-of-consciousness style provides a deep insight into the characters' inner lives, highlighting the complexities of human experience and the societal norms of the time.
#4970
• Mentioned in 6 episodes
Tell Me Everything
Elizabeth Strout
In 'Tell Me Everything,' Elizabeth Strout reunites many of her beloved characters, including Olive Kitteridge and Lucy Barton, as they navigate new friendships, old loves, and a shocking crime in their midst.
The story delves into the deep and abiding friendships between characters like Bob Burgess, a semi-retired criminal defense attorney, and Lucy Barton, an acclaimed writer.
Together, they explore their lives, fears, regrets, and the meaning of their relationships.
The novel is characterized by Strout's extraordinary capacity for radical empathy and her insight into the human condition.
#8580
• Mentioned in 3 episodes
Perfection
Katie Kitamura
#608
• Mentioned in 31 episodes
Autocracy, Inc.
The Dictators Who Want to Run the World
Anne Applebaum
In 'Autocracy, Inc.', Anne Applebaum provides a detailed analysis of how modern autocracies operate, highlighting their sophisticated networks of kleptocratic financial structures, surveillance technologies, and professional propagandists.
These autocratic regimes, spanning countries like China, Russia, and Iran, collaborate across borders to maintain power and undermine democracy.
Applebaum argues that international condemnation and economic sanctions are ineffective against these autocrats and calls for democracies to fundamentally reorient their policies to combat this new threat.
The book serves as both a historical investigation and a practical guide for defending democratic values against the rising tide of autocracy.
#14323
• Mentioned in 2 episodes
Human Acts
Han Kang
Human Acts by Han Kang revolves around the real event of the Gwangju Uprising of 1980, where students and factory workers demonstrated against the ruling dictatorship.
The novel is constructed from multiple characters' perspectives, primarily focusing on a 15-year-old boy named Dong-ho who volunteers to handle corpses in a makeshift morgue.
The book explores the psychological and emotional trauma caused by violence and the inherent duality of human nature, highlighting both the cruelty and the nobility that humans are capable of.
It also underscores the contributions and sufferings of young women during the uprising and the long-lasting effects of such events on individuals and society.
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Big in Brussels
null
Jeroen Reinen
#7078
• Mentioned in 4 episodes
The Great Gama
null
The Great Gama
#17845
• Mentioned in 2 episodes
The Situation Room
The Inside Story of Presidents in Crisis
George Stephanopoulos
Lisa Dickey
This book provides an in-depth look at the White House Situation Room, the central hub for crisis management in the White House.
Stephanopoulos, drawing from his experience as a senior adviser to President Clinton and his interviews with over 100 individuals from various administrations, offers a detailed account of how different presidents handled critical crises.
The book covers a range of historical events, including the Bay of Pigs, the Vietnam War, the Yom Kippur War, 9/11, and the raid on Osama bin Laden.
It also explores the evolution of the Situation Room from its inception under President Kennedy to its current digitally advanced form.
The narrative highlights the complexities of decision-making under pressure, the role of key figures, and the human aspects of crisis management.
#9680
• Mentioned in 3 episodes
Killing Thatcher
Rory Carroll
In 'Killing Thatcher', Rory Carroll provides a detailed narrative of the events leading up to the Brighton bombing, tracing the IRA's motivations and the complex political landscape of the time.
The book explores the aftermath of the bombing and the subsequent manhunt, blending true crime with political history to offer a comprehensive view of this pivotal moment in British history.
#5862
• Mentioned in 5 episodes
Bonjour Tristesse
Françoise Sagan
Bonjour Tristesse est un roman qui explore la vie d'une jeune fille nommée Cécile, qui passe un été sur la Côte d'Azur avec son père et sa maîtresse.
L'arrivée d'une femme nommée Anne, amie de sa mère décédée, bouleverse leur existence insouciante et conduit à des conséquences tragiques.
Le roman est une réflexion sur l'amour, la liberté et les responsabilités.
This week, we’re taking a breath. EU Confidential is stepping away from summits, trade battles, and late-night trilogues — and turning to something more refreshing: books.
Host Sarah Wheaton is joined by audio producer (and self-confessed book nerd) Dionisios Sturis for this special summer reading edition. From sharp political non-fiction to playful fiction, poetry and literary escapes, we’re sharing what EU insiders are packing in their holiday bags — and what they think you should read this summer.
You’ll hear from:
-Kaja Kallas, the EU’s top diplomat
- Jessica Rosencrantz, Sweden’s minister for EU affairs
- Glenn Micallef, Commissioner for intergenerational fairness, youth, culture and sport
- And from listeners and colleagues with their own smart, silly, brainy and bloody picks
We also speak with Jeroen Reijnen, author of "Big in Brussels" — an insider’s guide to surviving (and thriving) in the EU bubble.
So pour yourself something cold, put your phone on silent, and dive in.
And here is our summer reading list:
- Bonjour Tristesse – Françoise Sagan
- Killing Thatcher – Rory Carroll
- Do Not Disturb – Michela Wrong
- The Great Game – Peter Hopkirk
- The Situation Room – George Stephanopoulos
- Autocracy, Inc. – Anne Applebaum
- I Giorni di Vetro (The Days of Glass) – Nicoletta Verna
- Dak li l-Lejl Iħallik Tgħid (What the Night Lets You Say)– Pierre J. Mejlak
- The Vegetarian – Han Kang
- Human Acts – Han Kang
- Tatendrang (Urge for Action) – Theresia Töglhofer
- The Spy Who Came in from the Cold – John le Carré
- Perfection – Vincenzo Latronico
- Prague – Arthur Phillips
- Mrs. Dalloway – Virginia Woolf
- Common Sense: A Political History – Sophia Rosenfeld
- I Want to Go Home But I’m Already There – Róise Lanigan
- The Redbreast – Jo Nesbø
- The Kingdom – Jo Nesbø
- The Kindly Ones – Jonathan Littell
- The Empusium – Olga Tokarczuk
- Tell Me Everything – Elizabeth Strout
- There Lives the Young Girl in Me Who Will Not Die – Tove Ditlevsen
- Notes from a Big Country / I’m a Stranger Here Myself – Bill Bryson
- H is for Hawk – Helen Macdonald
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