FT readers’ best books of 2019 so far

I absolutely loved this superb retelling of Jane Austen’s Pride and Prejudice, set in modern-day Pakistan. Not only is Kamal’s narrative effortless and peppered with humour, but it’s also incredibly eye-opening about Pakistan today. The novel transports the reader into the world of burgers and chapattis (locals who speak better English or better Urdu), family traditions, extravagant meals and the national obsession to marry well – yes, in the 21st century. It’s a great summer read: light and thought-provoking at the same time.

– Jana Bakunina

The biographer of US President Lyndon Johnson. I never would have thought the memoirs of a historian could be such an adventure, but Caro is a non-fiction writer in a class of his own. Knowing now his style, dedication and ability to unearth revelatory material, I’ve just bought The Path to Power, volume one of his mammoth LBJ series. Can’t wait.

– Evan de Barra

A book that reminds us that Greece is not just the Byronic birthplace of European civilisation but a culture that has looked east as well. Also that a country which is among Europe’s most socially homogenous was once a multicultural part of a heterogenous empire. A good read.

– Harvey Morris

An engaging memoir about growing up in China from a young Chinese journalist. Too many headlines and news stories about China concern geopolitics and economics; they are the top-down, big-picture view; this memoir offers a necessary corrective: an individual perspective on the contemporary nation.

– CWC

A sweeping critique of American foreign policy from Vietnam to Afghanistan that reveals the institutional blindness of the foreign policy establishment and its penchant for ‘groupthink’, shaky assumptions, and Washington-centric policy making. There are also solid evaluations of military operations in service of these policies.

– Paul A Myers

A great overview and introduction to the role of emotion and non-conscious desires in making choices. Rory is an ‘ad-man’ and an entertaining populiser of these ideas as they apply to consumer choice. Most of the concepts he covers are now very familiar to those of us who work in marketing and advertising. However, he also demonstrates how the same approaches can help in public policy (e.g. new narratives around taxation) so the book will interest a broader audience. Highly recommended and a fun, easy read.

– Sandra Pickering

A brilliant book which shows how lifting women improves the economy and relationships and this world. Interwoven with data and personal anecdotes that really put things in perspective. A must-read.

– Curious Nightingale

This is a very readable narrative on the excesses of the American criminal justice system, such as bail, plea bargaining, and mass incarceration, with optimistic notes about a nascent trend toward reform and a laundry list of policy proscriptions.

– FTfan1

I am a total sucker for Sansom’s Shardlake historical (Tudor) mysteries. I am also a huge fan of Norwich. When the two came together in a doorstopper [published this year in paperback], I got myself a copy. It’s difficult to beat the history of Kett’s Rebellion in a city where you can still see today the historical sites in the book. I recommend it!

– M-T-E

Steven Pinker argues for a liberal-cosmopolitan-enlightenment-humanistic world view, addressing four ideals of 18th-century Enlightenment: science, reason, humanism and progress, and defending those ideals with data. He also looks at our inner demons (such as biases, illusions, tribalism, vengeance) and offers an alternative system of beliefs and values. Well worth a read despite the criticism this book has attracted.

– Diana Platgalve

This has echoes of Berger [Ways of Seeing] and [Canadian philosopher] Marshall McLuhan in its approach. I think it will be seen as an important book one day, in terms of distilling how the change from analogue to digital has changed our way of experiencing the world.

– Andrew Stokes

As someone who’s spent more than half their life in the EU, I found this book about European politics rewarding and informative. Its English translation was published this year.

– Shoot the Messenger