The FT’s guide to the best books to read this summer

We’d like to tell you that the FT’s Books Desk had planned it that way: just as we unveiled our bumper guide to the best books to read (and listen to) this summer, the sun finally broke through London’s grey skies and sent the mercury rising. Spanning almost 30 categories — from economics to poetry, fiction to technology — our critics and specialists have drawn up a fantastic list of books to immerse yourself in over the weeks and months ahead, regardless of whether you are at the beach or on your commute.

A quick overview reveals a world trying to find a solution to the growth conundrum, the realities of war, the dark side of the art market and how hip-hop conquered the world of music. Oh, and did anyone mention AI?

We also have our list of recommendations from FT editors and columnists, led by the FT’s editor Roula Khalaf, who picked Robert Kagan’s account of the illiberal forces tearing America apart, as well as top titles suggested by you, our readers. It’s a wonderful selection that we hope that you will enjoy reading — whatever the weather.

Politics: Ukraine, Starmer — and liberalism in retreat

In a bumper year for elections — in the UK, the US, France, India, Mexico and South Africa to name only a few — democracy seems to be alive and kicking. Or is it? These searching reads chosen by FT chief foreign affairs commentator Gideon Rachman look at America’s flirtation with authoritarianism, the threat of nuclear war and of course the all-out invasion of Ukraine by the (not-so-democratically elected) Vladimir Putin.

Economics: titles on the topics that count

There’s more to economics than banking, accountancy and debt crises — though rest assured that Martin Wolf has got those covered. The FT’s chief economics commentator also turns his mind to a surprisingly broad range of topics in his list of 18 books, which manages to take in equality, retirement, longevity, climate change and how to rebuild Britain.

Fiction: Cusk, Kunzru and beyond

Rachel Cusk breaks boundaries, Hari Kunzru completes a trilogy, Percival Everett reimagines Huckleberry Finn and Miranda July depicts a midlife crisis. These are just some of the big-name novelists heading a selection by Laura Battle and Andrew Dickson and — as you’d expect — tackling themes from art and creativity to money and the state of the nation.

Tune in and listen | From Colm Tóibín’s Brooklyn sequel to Kaliane Bradley’s time-travel debut — Alex Clark picks her favourite audio books

Be a sporting spectator | In the summer of the Euros and Paris Olympics, Simon Kuper recommends some books to help you keep score

Eat, drink, be merry | Baking a cake? Going on a pub crawl? Harriet Fitch Little serves up a list of tempting titles on food and drink

Get well-versed | In Maria Crawford’s selection, poets take on the topical issues of ChatGPT and war in Ukraine

Keep the kids happy | With James Lovegrove’s colourful collection of fun (and moving) books for children

FT writers’ best reads of the year so far

And — in one of our most popular categories — FT editors, columnists and specialists share their single best read of 2024. It’s a wide-ranging and stimulating collection, from how to do your job better (taking things a bit more slowly, for example) to a sweeping “state-of-Britain” novel, the story of how digital culture has raised an anxious generation — and the delights of trigonometry (in the end, apparently, everything comes down to triangles).

Business: dealing with algorithms and Amazon

Whether we run businesses (or businesses run us), the FT’s Andrew Hill has sifted through a stack of tomes on everything from leadership to ethics, staff performance to performance cars (as in Formula One) and the travails of Twitter after Elon Musk’s takeover.

History: stories of war, revolution and statesmanship

Empires feature prominently in Tony Barber’s historical reading pile. The FT’s Europe comment editor rounds up a century-spanning selection that examines ancient Greece and Rome, the Ottomans and the opium trade of the British empire. But it’s not all imperial grandstanding: there’s also France’s Dreyfus affair, medieval magic and myths.

Climate & environment: realism vs optimism

Pilita Clark’s pick of titles deliver a mixture of messages. One book argues that capitalism won’t save the planet, another that the minerals needed for “clean” energy are essentially dirty. Yet other titles insist on a more optimistic note: we can build a sustainable planet, says one, while another says net zero is possible. Essential reading, whatever your outlook.

Science & technology: from AI to aliens and mortality

A breakthrough in the field of RNA and the quest for immortality head Clive Cookson’s pick of science titles — as well as the search for alien life. Meanwhile innovation editor John Thornhill delves into the worlds of catfishing and encrypted communications, and highlights a “book-length version of a tweet storm”.

Thank you to all who have shared their favourite books of 2024 so far. From an account of the lead-up to the American Civil War to a portrait of small-town life in provincial Ireland and a Parisian love affair turned tricky, you’ve certainly been reading broadly and eclectically — we’d expect nothing less. Find out what your fellow FT readers have been reading this year (and what you should be packing in your summer suitcase). Don’t forget to add any you think should also be on this list in the comments underneath.

And if you’re not already a member, the FT’s virtual literary salon FT Books Café is the place to go for reading recommendations and debate. If you’ve read and loved an author but aren’t sure where to head next, or you’re travelling somewhere new and want a full cultural immersion, our well-read members are here to help. Tap here to join in.