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
Wow! I'm pretty sure it was just the start of April, but here we are at the end of June, and therefore the midway point of the year. Already! This week I'll go over my thoughts and feelings and preliminary rankings for this year in music, so far. In two weeks, I'll return with my bookish … Continue reading Culture Roundup (June 27, 2026): My Musical Mid-Year Check in
No preliminaries today; let's just jump in. Roundup Music With the most interesting new album last week being by '00s indie act Death Cab for Cutie, the week was all about the singles. This was led by the new Taylor Swift single, "I Knew It I Knew You," from the soundtrack of Toy Story 5. After … Continue reading Culture Roundup (June 12, 2026): Initial Thoughts on ‘You seem pretty sad for a girl so in love’
Matthew Root 