The Cosmopolitics Summer Fun Edit

Your global guide to summer reads, shows, podcasts and other summer fun

Hello, Cosmopolitans! Did you miss me? After a blissful few weeks reconnecting with family and friends in sunny California, I’ve returned to a world that’s somehow even hotter and more chaotic! This weekend, we’ll have an editorial that recaps a whirlwind week, including the results of the UK and French elections, and looks ahead to next week’s NATO summit.

But for now, let the summer vacation plans commence! As we gear up for July 4th celebrations here in the U.S., I’ve curated a collection of internationally-themed books, films, shows, and podcasts to enrich your summer. Whether you’re lounging on the beach, finding yourself some downtime in transit during a flight or road trip, or simply seeking refuge from the heat indoors, there’s something here for everyone. Enjoy and let us know in the comments when you sample some of these offerings. And if you have any other suggestions for your fellow Cosmopolitans summer fun - share those in the comments as well!

📚 READ

FICTION:

The Bright Sword by Lev Grossman Lev Grossman breathes fresh life into well-worn myths and beloved characters in this epic fantasy. A young knight gallops into Camelot, eager to claim a seat at King Arthur’s Round Table, only to find he's tragically late to the party—Arthur and his finest knights have fallen. Left to a motley crew of second-stringers, our hero embarks on a quest to find Arthur's heir, crossing paths with fairies, witches, angels, giants, and a few unexpected surprises.

Godwin: A Novel by Joseph O'Neill Meet Mark, a Pittsburgh tech writer adrift after a work suspension, and his brother Geoff, a shady sports agent. Geoff ropes Mark into a global hunt for Godwin, a young African soccer prodigy with dazzling potential. Meanwhile, Mark’s boss Lakesha battles to keep her business afloat. O’Neill intertwines these tales, delivering a narrative on human connection, both in the ruthless world of commercial sports and the everyday grind of the workplace.

My Friends by Hisham Matar Matar’s novel is a poignant exploration of friendship and intimacy against the backdrop of geopolitics and exile. It’s a delicate dance of making new lives in foreign cities while grappling with the complexities of the world around them.

The Coast Road by Alan Murrin Journey to a bustling Donegal fishing port in 1994, where state-of-the-art boats set sail daily, yet the town’s women remain tethered to their roots. Told through the perspectives of three women, this debut novel captivates with its engrossing narrative. Sinéad Gleeson's modern classic, Hagstone, is set on a remote island where artist Nell’s commission ignites a chain of events that threaten her hard-earned stability.

Open Up by Thomas Morris Dive into five captivating stories that explore the inner lives of boys and men in locales as varied as Croatia, Wales, and even underwater. It's a rollercoaster of humor, heartbreak, and unsettling moments.

Shanghailanders by Juli Min Min presents a portrait of a privileged family in Shanghai, narrated in reverse. This experiment with time disrupts and delights, with prose so sharp it reflects every edge of familial cruelty.

NONFICTION:

Broken Threads: My Family from Empire to Independence by Mishal Husain Mishal Husain pieces together a vibrant tapestry of her grandparents' lives, forever altered in 1947 with the birth of India and Pakistan. Spurred by an old sari, Husain’s journey through letters, diaries, and memoirs illuminates the personal impacts of the Raj, World War II, independence, and partition. It's a saga of love, loss, and the forging of new identities amid shared heritage.

Code Dependent by Madhumita Murgia Murgia, the Financial Times' AI editor, takes readers on a global tour of AI's dark side. From predictive policing in Amsterdam to exploited data workers in Kenya and UberEats couriers in Pittsburgh, this book exposes tech's human cost. Yet, glimmers of hope shine through, particularly in rural India where AI aids doctors in the fight against tuberculosis.

The Other Olympians by Michael Waters On the eve of the Paris Olympics, Waters takes us back to the 1936 Berlin Games, shedding light on trans and gender-nonconforming athletes who fought for their right to compete. Facing Nazi officials and enduring sex-testing policies, these athletes’ stories resonate today amid ongoing culture wars and discrimination.

The Language of War by Oleksandr Mykhed When life is upended by invasion, the language of peace fails. Mykhed’s harrowing account of the Ukrainian invasion weaves his own experiences with those of family, friends, and fellow citizens. From bomb shelters to battlefronts, this narrative captures the indelible marks of war and the search for words to make sense of a shattered world.

An African History of Africa by Zeinab Badawi From humanity’s dawn to the triumphs and tribulations of ancient kingdoms and colonial legacies, Zeinab Badawi guides us through Africa’s spectacular history. It's a journey through time that celebrates resilience and the quest for independence.

The Center Must Hold: Why Centrism is the Answer to Extremism and Polarization, Edited by Yair Zivan Zivan, a longtime adviser to former Israeli Prime Minister and current Opposition Leader Yair Lapid, brings together 30 leading centrist politicians, thinkers, policymakers, and writers from across the globe. These include figures like his current boss, former British Prime Minister Tony Blair, Michael Bloomberg, and William Galston, a former adviser to President Bill Clinton. Set against the dramatic backdrop of Israeli politics, where a coalition once united the progressive left and nationalist right with the country's first Arab party, Zivan counters the sneers of critics who deride centrism as tepid and indecisive. He showcases centrism as a necessary bulwark against the perils of polarization and populism.

📺 WATCH

Of course the hottest show this summer is the Paris 2024 Olympics! Here is a guide to all of the events, dates and how to watch, courtesy of Time.

FILMS

Firebrand: Prepare for a historical rollercoaster following the formidable Katherine Parr, Henry VIII’s sixth and final wife, as she juggles regency, military maneuvers, and financial decisions while the not-so-jolly King Henry (played by Jude Law) battles the French. Adapted from the 2013 novel Queen’s Gambit, this film is a fiery dive into the last, turbulent months of Henry's reign.

Treasure: Imagine a road trip comedy mixed with the gravity of Holocaust trauma. Treasure stars Lena Dunham as a grumpy, divorced American journalist, dragging herself to Poland with her exuberant Holocaust-survivor father (Stephen Fry) to explore their roots. But Dad’s return is not just a sentimental journey; it’s a treasure hunt for long-lost family heirlooms, adding a twist to their poignant, yet hilarious adventure.

Green Border: The harrowing drama of Green Border takes you to the treacherous terrain between Poland and Belarus, where refugees desperately seek a new life in Europe. The film interweaves the fates of a Syrian family, a border guard, and a human rights advocate, all ensnared in the perilous complexities of migration when one such journey goes disastrously wrong.

Kneecap: Kneecap offers a blend of music and drama featuring a Belfast rap trio known for their Gaelic verses on drugs, sex, and Irish pride. Starring the real band members in a semi-fictionalized account of their rise, alongside Michael Fassbender, the film is not just a fun romp but a reflective piece on Ireland’s cultural and historical tapestry.

SHOWS:

Pachinko, Season 2 (Apple TV): Dive back into the epic saga of Pachinko, where season two catapults the resilient Korean family from the trenches of discrimination in Osaka to the chaos of World War II. Spanning nearly 75 years, this season continues to unravel their enduring struggle against Japanese oppression, poverty, and racism.

Those About to Die (Peacock, July 18): Gladiators, corruption, and ancient Rome’s bloodthirsty mob come alive in Those About to Die. Anthony Hopkins stars in this gripping drama set in the scandalous world of Roman gladiatorial combat, where glory, gore, and the machinations of power enthrall the masses.

Becoming Karl Lagerfeld (Hulu): The enigmatic Karl Lagerfeld finally gets his screen time in Becoming Karl Lagerfeld. This biographical series peels back the layers of the Chanel maestro’s rise in 1970s Paris. Expect a feast of fashion, drama, and behind-the-scenes rivalries that are anything but reserved for the tabloid pages.

Land of Women (Apple TV): When a New York socialite’s (Eva Longoria) life crumbles after her husband’s financial misdeeds, Land of Women whisks her, her mother, and her daughter back to their humble roots in Spain. Filmed in both English and Spanish, this family saga blends high society scandal with provincial charm and deep-seated family vows.

My Lady Jane (Prime Video): Move over, Bridgerton! My Lady Jane reimagines English royal history with a fantastical twist. Set centuries before the Ton’s escapades, it follows Lady Jane Grey, the brief, ill-fated queen whose nine-day reign ended in tragedy. Like Bridgerton, this hyperreal historical drama pushes the genre’s boundaries.

The Decameron (Netflix): Netflix’s The Decameron delivers a darkly comedic take on the Bubonic Plague. Set in 1348 Florence, the series follows a group of nobles who escape the chaos of the Black Death for a luxurious retreat in a grand villa, only to face societal collapse in hilarious and unexpected ways.

🎙️ LISTEN

Primer Ever wonder about those chill, nostalgic beats flooding YouTube? In Primer's inaugural season, Christian Dueñas and Yosuke Kitazawa dive into City Pop, the '80s Japanese genre that's the godparent of today's lo-fi craze. These two musical geeks serve up a delightfully accessible intro to the music without pretending to cover every detail. It’s the perfect starter kit to get your groove on.

Serial: Guantanamo America may have left Afghanistan, but the echoes of war remain. In its riveting fourth season, Serial, with Sarah Koenig and Dana Chivvis at the helm, turns its investigative lens on Guantánamo Bay. Through poignant testimonies from detainees, guards, and wardens, this series unpacks the complex, often harrowing reality of American justice.

Next Year in Moscow Journey with Arkady Ostrovsky as he traverses Europe and the Middle East, meeting Russians who fled their homeland when Ukraine was shelled in 2022. These exiles are rebuilding their lives and their dreams for a free Russia. Their stories offer insights into why this senseless war began and how it might end.

Flightless Bird Stranded in the U.S. due to Covid, New Zealand journalist David Farrier explores American quirks with a blend of curiosity and wit. From football to shower curtains, each episode unravels peculiar aspects of American life, often revealing unexpected conspiracies and government ties. It’s an outsider’s eye opening our eyes.

One Year A treasure trove by Slate for deep-divers, exploring forgotten moments from specific years in the 20th century. Each season uncovers quirky, jaw-dropping stories, from the Soviet Union's first Pizza Hut in 1990 to the wild events of 1977. It’s history with a twist, making you wish school was this intriguing.

Do We Get To Win This Time? The Ringer delves into Hollywood's Vietnam War obsession with this season. Relive the making of classics like "Platoon" and "Apocalypse Now," and the controversies of "The Deer Hunter." This series examines what these films reveal about America, blending insightful commentary with behind-the-scenes anecdotes.

The Rest is History Tom Holland and Dominic Sandbrook bring history to life with humor and wit in "The Rest is History." From the rise of the Nazis to the story of booze, they mix deep knowledge with entertaining banter and hilariously bad impressions. Never has history been this fun—or funny.

The Last Soviet What does the boy band NSYNC and the Russian Space Program have in common? Lance Bass. Bass recounts the tale of Sergei Krikalev, a cosmonaut stranded in space during the USSR's collapse. With firsthand space-training experience, Bass weaves geopolitics with pop anecdotes, even tackling the cosmic conundrum of astronaut bathroom breaks.

Wishing all who celebrate a Happy Fourth of July. I will be back later in the week with a weekend edit!