Internationally recognised art and literary critic, writer and cultural producer. Published in ELLE, Glamour, Esquire and Cosmopolitan; member of the Union of Writers.
If you are looking for some insight and enlightenment in the new year, look no further than the nonfiction books that are coming your way. 2024 promises to be a year full of fascinating and compelling books, that will offer you a wide range of perspectives, stories, and ideas. Whether you are interested in the personal or the political, the historical or the contemporary, the scientific or the artistic, there is something for everyone. Here are some of the highlights that you need to read in 2024.
Salman Rushdie: The Golden House (Random House, January)
The celebrated and controversial author, Salman Rushdie, will publish his long-awaited memoir, The Golden House, that will chronicle his life and career, from his childhood in India and Pakistan, to his literary success and fame, to his ordeal under the fatwa and his exile in the US. The memoir will also reveal his thoughts and opinions on literature, politics, religion, and culture, as well as his personal relationships and struggles. The memoir will be a candid and captivating account of one of the most influential and divisive writers of our time.
Sathnam Sanghera: Empireworld: How British Imperialism Has Shaped the Globe (Viking, January)
The journalist and author, Sathnam Sanghera, will follow up his bestselling book, Empireland, with Empireworld, a global and historical exploration of the impact and legacy of British imperialism. The book will examine how the British empire shaped the world in various aspects, such as language, culture, religion, law, trade, and politics, and how its effects are still felt and contested today. The book will also challenge some of the myths and misconceptions about the empire, and offer a nuanced and balanced perspective on its history and consequences.
Lauren Oyler: Make It Scream, Make It Burn: Essays (4th Estate, February)
The critic and novelist, Lauren Oyler, will debut her first collection of essays, Make It Scream, Make It Burn, that will showcase her sharp and witty style, and her incisive and provocative analysis of contemporary culture and society. The essays will cover topics such as social media, feminism, literature, art, and politics, and will feature some of her acclaimed pieces, such as her takedown of Jia Tolentino, her defense of irony, and her critique of autofiction. The essays will also reveal some of her personal experiences and reflections, and her insights and opinions on various issues and debates.
Peter Pomerantsev: How to Win an Information War: The Propagandist Who Outwitted Hitler (Faber, March)
The journalist and expert on disinformation, Peter Pomerantsev, will tell the amazing true story of Sefton Delmer, a British journalist and spy who waged a secret and successful propaganda campaign against Nazi Germany during the second world war. The book will reveal how Delmer used radio broadcasts, leaflets, and fake news to deceive and demoralize the German public and military, and how he invented some of the techniques and tactics that are still used in information warfare today. The book will also explore the ethical and moral dilemmas of propaganda, and the lessons and implications for our current era of misinformation and manipulation.
Jonathan Haidt: The Anxious Generation: How the Great Rewiring of Childhood Is Causing an Epidemic of Mental Illness (Allen Lane, March)
The social psychologist and author, Jonathan Haidt, will address one of the most urgent and alarming issues of our time: the rise and spread of anxiety and depression among young people. The book will explain how the changes in childhood, such as the decline of free play, the increase of screen time, the pressure of academic achievement, and the lack of social connection, have contributed to the deterioration of mental health and well-being among children and adolescents. The book will also offer some solutions and suggestions on how to prevent and treat anxiety and depression, and how to foster resilience and happiness in the next generation.
Neneh Cherry: Neneh Cherry: A Memoir (Canongate, April)
The singer and songwriter, Neneh Cherry, will share her life and career in her memoir, Neneh Cherry: A Memoir, that will celebrate her musical and cultural legacy. The memoir will trace her journey from her birth in Stockholm, to her childhood in Sierra Leone and London, to her breakthrough in the 1980s and 1990s, with hits such as Buffalo Stance, Manchild, and 7 Seconds. The memoir will also reveal her influences and collaborations, such as her father, the jazz musician Don Cherry, her husband, the producer Cameron McVey, and her peers, such as Massive Attack, Björk, and Gorillaz.
Charles Spencer: A Very Private School: The Rise and Fall of the Tory Party (William Collins, May)
The historian and journalist, Charles Spencer, will present a riveting and revealing history of the Conservative party, from its origins in the 17th century, to its current state of crisis and decline. The book will explore how the party evolved and adapted to the changing times and circumstances, and how it dominated and shaped British politics and society for centuries. The book will also examine how the party faced and failed some of the major challenges and controversies of its history, such as the Irish question, the suffragette movement, the Suez crisis, the Brexit referendum, and the Covid-19 pandemic.
Rebel Wilson: Rebel (HarperCollins, June)
The actress and comedian, Rebel Wilson, will tell her story and secrets in her memoir, Rebel, that will be a hilarious and honest account of her life and career, from her humble beginnings in Australia, to her Hollywood success and fame, to her recent transformation and empowerment. The memoir will also reveal her struggles and achievements, such as her battles with weight, depression, and sexism, her breakthrough roles in Bridesmaids and Pitch Perfect, her legal victory against a media giant, and her remarkable weight loss and wellness journey.
The acclaimed and bestselling author, Zadie Smith, will publish her second collection of essays, Intimations, that will reflect on the events and experiences of the past few years, from the pandemic and the lockdown, to the protests and the elections, to the personal and the universal. The essays will showcase her brilliant and insightful style, and her ability to capture the mood and the moment of our times. The essays will also reveal some of her thoughts and feelings, and her observations and opinions on various subjects and issues.
RuPaul: Guru: The Art of Living Your Best Life (Sphere, October)
The drag superstar and cultural icon, RuPaul, will share his wisdom and advice in his book, Guru: The Art of Living Your Best Life, that will be a guide and a companion for anyone who wants to unleash their inner diva and achieve their dreams. The book will feature some of his best quotes and catchphrases, such as “If you can’t love yourself, how in the hell are you gonna love somebody else?” and “You’re born naked and the rest is drag”. The book will also include some of his tips and tricks, such as how to dress, how to walk, how to talk, and how to slay.
