READ, LISTEN, UNWIND

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The team’s summer recommendations

GABY HUDDART

Editor-in-chief

READING I’m fascinated with books by fellow journalists. Emily Maitlis is a particular hero of mine (she’s now anchor on Newsnight – how cool is that!). I know I’m in for a treat with Airhead: The Imperfect Art Of Making News.

PLUGGING IN It’s Radio 4’s Desert Island Discs for me. You can listen to episodes going back decades. On my listen list are Bill Nighy (2004), Sir David Attenborough (1998) and Dame Emma Thompson (2010).

LISTENING TO As my teen daughters control what’s playing, I’m in their hands! Fortunately, they’re fans of Elton John and Taron Egerton, so I suspect we’ll have the soundtrack of Rocketman on repeat.

DR SARAH JARVIS

Resident GP

READING I always give my husband the whole Man Booker Prize shortlist; it’s a surefire winner, with the bonus that I get to read them, too. I read The Garden Of Evening Mists in 2013 and was spellbound by the elegance of the language, as well as Tan Twan Eng’s storytelling. It’s inspired me to buy his earlier novel The Gift Of Rain, which I’m saving for my holiday.

PLUGGING IN 99% Invisible describes itself as ‘about all the thought that goes into the things we don’t think about – the unnoticed architecture and design that shape our world’. My son’s a big fan and has downloaded about 100 episodes on to my phone.

LISTENING TO When my husband instructed Alexa to play Sinner Man by The Seekers, I was underwhelmed, however, it went on to play the Nina Simone version, which blew me away. I’ve been exploring her astonishing music ever since.

SUSAN CALMAN

Columnist

READING Antonio Carluccio’s book Pasta, and absorbing the joyous food in it. I want to start using a pasta making machine, which was a wedding present from six years ago that’s still in its box.

PLUGGING IN I’m a podcast addict, so choosing just one can be difficult. I have, however, been saving one called Soundtracking, so I can binge all the episodes at once. In it, Edith Bowman asks film directors, actors, producers and composers about the music that inspired them.

LISTENING TO I often feel nostalgic in the summer, so I’ll be listening to an album I haven’t heard in a long time. I have wonderful memories associated with Norah Jones’s Come Away With Me; it’s ideal for evenings in the garden.

JACKIE BROWN

Features director

READING I love Kate Atkinson’s books, especially her series around private detective Jackson Brodie. One of its big appeals is the cobweb of characters, which crop up in different books. I’m saving her new one, Big Sky, for my sunlounger.

PLUGGING IN Vanity Fair magazine was always a wonderful read when Tina Brown was editor. She’s not only a brilliant interviewer, but also very well connected. She shows off both skills in her TBD podcast.

LISTENING TO I’m a cowgirl at heart, so it has to be the soundtrack from the film Wild Rose, which was made in Glasgow, my hometown. It stars Julie Walters, who once told me a funny story about the locals bringing doughnuts to the crew.

TERRY BARBROOK

Deputy editor

READING Bodies is the 2002 novel by Jed Mercurio, creator of recent binge-worthy TV dramas Line Of Duty and Bodyguard. It’s based on Mercurio’s own experiences as a hospital doctor and, from the three pages I’ve read already, it’s funny, scary and unputdownable.

PLUGGING IN The Emma Guns Show is created by health and beauty writer Emma Gunavardhana and covers everything from mascara to mental health awareness. While beauty products aren’t my personal bag, Emma’s podcasts feature big names in the world of self-care and offer great advice. Listen out for Gretchen Rubin, Mary Portas and Claudia Winkleman.

LISTENING TO Singing To Strangers by Jack Savoretti. Soulful, bluesy, folksy, jazzy – his sound is a mix of all those. If you’re having friends and family over for a barbecue or dinner party, this is the perfect album to have on in the background.

EVE CAMERON

Beauty director

READING I’m probably the only person in the world who hasn’t read Harry Potter, but I enjoy J. K. Rowling writing as Robert Galbraith. Lethal White is the fourth Cormoran Strike book and it will be a good, easy holiday read. She’s such a great storyteller.

PLUGGING IN Elizabeth Day’s How To Fail features an eclectic and fascinating range of guests from Alastair Campbell to Phoebe Waller-bridge, and is equal parts funny, moving and life-affirming.

LISTENING TO Tom Misch is my summer soundtrack, with upbeat infusions of soul, funk and jazz; kind of cool pop.

CAROLINE BLOOR

Consumer affairs director

READING Dear Mrs Bird by A. J. Pearce was recommended to me by a friend who read it for her wine (sorry, book) club. It’s about a young woman in WWII London who dreams of being a war correspondent, but ends up as a secret agony aunt. I can’t wait to read it.

PLUGGING IN I highly recommend David Tennant’s podcasts. He’s such an insightful interviewer. The guest list includes Olivia Colman, Sir Ian Mckellen and James Corden. A real find!

LISTENING TO The recently released documentary about the making of Aretha Franklin’s 1972 gospel LP, Amazing Grace, reminded me of what a charismatic voice she had. I’ve downloaded Amazing Grace: The Complete Recordings for summer.

JULIE POWELL

Health director

READING I love real life crime stories, and The Language Of Birds by Jill Dawson promises a new perspective on the Lord Lucan scandal, which fascinated me as a teenager. The book focuses on the women at the centre of the story, which feels relevant and timely.

PLUGGING IN It’s a bit woo-woo, I know, but I’ll be catching up on Gwyneth Paltrow’s Goop podcasts. I’m practising tactical breathing after hearing Brené Brown talking about it.

LISTENING TO It’s 80s and electropop hits for me; I’ll wind the car window down and blast them out as I drive. My son had his 21st birthday party recently and the dancefloor fillers included Toto’s Africa, ABC’S Poison Arrow and Bronski Beat’s Smalltown Boy.

MEIKE BECK

Cookery director

READING I’m looking forward to reading Lucinda Riley’s The Seven Sisters series, which was recommended to me by my mum for romantic, historical fiction. Apparently, it has well-developed characters and is eloquently written.

PLUGGING IN Gastropod, as I love the scientific angle, or Off Menu by James Acaster and Ed Gamble for entertainment. They invite culinary guests to disclose their last suppers and what I’ve heard is hilarious.

LISTENING TO The Proms and hearing my brother play with the Aurora Orchestra, performing Berlioz’s Symphonie Fantastique.

CAROLYN BAILEY

Homes director

READING An American Marriage by Tayari Jones is about newlyweds whose lives are torn apart when the husband is sent to prison for a crime he didn’t commit.

PLUGGING IN The Great Indoors podcast is packed with useful tips about how to create a beautiful home. I’m a huge fan of Sophie Robinson’s colourful style. She and journalist Kate Watson-smyth make a great team and chat enthusiastically throughout.

LISTENING TO I love the way David Bowie constantly reinvented himself during his career. My favourite song is Starman.