Now that we're into September, two things are true when it comes to music: First, the eligibility window for the 2027 Grammy Awards is now closed, and second, we can officially reflect on the question of what was the 'Song of the Summer'. So I thought it would be fun to check in on both … Continue reading Culture Roundup (September 5, 2026): Thoughts on the Album of the Year and Song of the Summer
There has been a recent bookish social media trend in which content creators have been putting out a personal long list of thirteen titles from all of the Booker long lists this century, and identifying a 'winner' from that list. I thought it would be fun to play along here, so that will be the … Continue reading Culture Roundup (August 22, 2026): Best 21st-Century Booker Books?
The Booker Prize longlist is almost two weeks old now, so I thought I'd provide some early thoughts on the list in today's deep dive. But first, the roundup. Roundup Music Last week was all about too highly anticipated new albums, by Shaboozey and Ariana Grande. And I think they both delivered what their fans … Continue reading Culture Roundup (August 8, 2026): Early Thoughts on the Booker Longlist
The Booker Prize longlist will be released this Tuesday, and while I'd never be so bold as to make predictions about a notoriously hard-to-predict award, today I'll share some books I think are worthy of the honour. But first, the roundup. Roundup Music Last week saw the release of three great albums, from artists at … Continue reading Culture Roundup (July 25, 2026): A Booker Longlist Wish List
Last time, I did my mid-year music check-in. Today it's time to look back at the first six months of my bookish life. But first, the roundup for the past two weeks: Roundup Music Last week's new releases were quiet since they fell over a long weekend in the US. The biggest release by far … Continue reading Culture Roundup (July 11, 2026): My Bookish Mid-Year Check in
Matthew Root 