Whether you’re after a laugh, romance or an alternate world, our literary experts round up the summer’s best reads. Robert Bound chats with author Chris Power and ‘The Sunday Times’ deputy editor of culture, Susannah Butter.

Whether you&rsquo;re after a laugh, romance or an alternate world, our literary experts round up the summer&rsquo;s best reads. Robert Bound chats with author Chris Power and &lsquo;The Sunday Times&rsquo; deputy editor of culture, Susannah Butter.

Robert Bound and his guests discuss what has piqued their interest in our one-stop shop for lively reports and in-depth interviews on the newest and finest in art, film, books and the media business.

Monocle on Culture

The best beach reads for 2026

Ahead of releasing their new album, ‘No Bad Memories’, Robbie Chater and Toni di Blasi of The Avalanches join Robert Bound to talk about the sounds of obsolete technology that have influenced the record, and to look back over their career since their seminal 2000 album, ‘Since I Left You’.

Ahead of releasing their new album, &lsquo;No Bad Memories&rsquo;, Robbie Chater and Toni di Blasi of The Avalanches join Robert Bound to talk about the sounds of obsolete technology that have influenced the record, and to look back over their career since their seminal 2000 album, &lsquo;Since I Left You&rsquo;.

The Avalanches’ new album, ‘No Bad Memories’

We visit a studio in the German countryside to learn about the craft that goes into the art of foley (making sound effects for film). We also meet photographer Sunil Gupta ahead of his new show at Kettle’s Yard in Cambridge.

We visit a studio in the German countryside to learn about the craft that goes into the art of foley (making sound effects for film). We also meet photographer Sunil Gupta ahead of his new show at Kettle&rsquo;s Yard in Cambridge.

The Foley Farm and Sunil Gupta

As the season changes, critics Mia Levitin, Kate Hutchinson and Francesca Gavin recommend the books to read, albums to listen to and exhibitions to visit.  

As the season changes, critics Mia Levitin, Kate Hutchinson and Francesca Gavin recommend the books to read, albums to listen to and exhibitions to visit.&nbsp;&nbsp;

The best beach reads for 2026

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Monocle on Culture

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