The multi-award-winning British-Turkish author Elif Shafak has written 21 books of which 13 are novels. 10 Minutes 38 Seconds in this Strange World was shortlisted for the Booker Prize whilst The Forty Rules of Love was chosen by BBC among the ‘100 Novels that Shaped Our World’. She has a PhD in political science and in 2017 Politico picked her as one of the twelve people “who will give you a much-needed lift of the heart”. Her latest book There Are Rivers in the Sky was a finalist for this year’s Orwell Prize for Political Fiction.

Frankenstein

Frankenstein is a brilliant and passionate retelling of Mary Shelley’s remarkable Gothic novel. It is not easy to retell a classic story so well known universally, and Guillermo del Toro has done wonders. It feels like a labour of love, a project of passion. In this age of hyperinformation and over-reliance on the promise of AI the central theme of the story is all the more relevant, all the more urgent.

Rosalia: Lux

I loved and admired Rosalia’s new album Lux. Singing in 13 languages, across geographical and time boundaries, she does something very unique, sincere and unconventional. The sense of mysticism, the spiritual river that connects the pieces speaks to me deeply. It is both innovative and boldly avant-garde, and somehow feels timeless, almost ancient. It is an album made from the heart.

If This be Magic: The Unlikely Art of Shakespeare in Translation

I will wholeheartedly recommend If This be Magic: The Unlikely Art of Shakespeare in Translation by Daniel Hahn. Are Shakespeare’s jokes actually funny in French? Why might Hamlet be even longer in Japanese? You will find the answers to these and many more fascinating questions. Daniel Hahn is a remarkable translator, writer and editor, a dedicated supporter of literature and knowledge, and he has written this gem of a book which is clearly the outcome of decades of hard work and dedication, and passion, really, for the art of storytelling.

Yashin

Yashin in Kensington, London is a small, cosy and cute sushi place, ‘without soy sauce’ written in neon lights on the wall and the best fresh wasabi in town and a really kind, caring staff. I love this restaurant and its vibe.

In Our Time, Radio 4

I have always been a big fan of In Our Time, eloquently presented by Melvyn Bragg. He has done over 1000 episodes over the years and now the wonderful historian and public intellectual Misha Glenny is taking over, which is great news. He is the perfect person. This is one of the best podcasts in the world— thoughtful, insightful and always evergreen, you can listen to episodes, old and new. I love the format too, with guests discussing writers and themes so close to their hearts.