If you’re anything like us, the summer is a great time to tackle that gigantic ‘to read’ pile you seem to have accumulated. If you want some ideas of what book to pick up this summer, bear in mind that no-one is better at telling stories than journalists.
This week, we feature some of our favourites (old and new) from the very best ‘How to’ guides to the page-turning thrillers you won’t want to put down.
We have provided links to Bookshop.org and Hive.co.uk which are a great way to support independent bookshops who would love your business right now if you can’t make it to them in person.
How to build a girl - Caitlin Moran (fiction/semi-autobiographical)
Times columnist Caitlin Moran based the story of Johanna Morrigan and her journey from a council estate in Wolverhampton to a rock and roll life in music journalism on her own life. In 2019, it was made into a film starring Beanie Feldstein. Get your copy here.
For those who have already read this and the hilarious sort of follow up How to be a woman, in 2020, last year Moran produced another great read in More than a woman which has just come out in paperback.
The Khan - Saima Mir (fiction)
We cannot recommend the brilliant debut novel from journalist and writer, Saima Mir, highly enough. Successful London lawyer Jia Khan returns to her roots in Bradford and becomes enmeshed once more in the family business of organised crime and new power struggles. So so good. Get your copy here.
The universal journalist - David Randall (non-fiction)
The ultimate ‘how to’ guide to good journalism, covering all the essential and ‘universal’ skills needed to succeed in the industry. A long-time favourite of journalism course reading lists, it’s recently been updated including a new chapter on social media. Find it here.
The lesson - Lisa Bradley (fiction)
Full confession, the FFJ founders have known Lisa since their student days. She somehow found the time to write her second novel in and amongst her job teaching journalism at the University of Sheffield. We’re saving this gripping psychological thriller for our holidays so we’re not going to give away any secrets but the reviews have been fantastic. Pick yours up here.
We can say that we loved her debut novel, Paper dolls, having raced through the story of regional newspaper editor Leah Wallace and her role covering the disappearance of two local school girls. You won't want to put it down.
Flat earth news + Hack attack - Nick Davies (non-fiction)
Published in 2008, award-winning journalist Nick Davies exposes the structural flaws of Fleet Street and a culture of media malpractice in the fantastic Flat earth news. You can follow up that up with Hack attack, his 2014 tale of how he uncovered the News International Phone Hacking Scandal as recently retold by the British Scandal podcast series.
Airhead - Emily Maitlis (non-fiction)
Top BBC journalist Emily Maitlis gives you the inside track on some of her biggest stories and interviews during her time as presenter of Newsnight. Get the inside scoop on meeting Donald Trump, covering President Bill Clinton’s affairs, Grenfell and of course that interview with Prince Andrew. A funny and smart take on what happens to get a story on air.
On the front line - Marie Colvin (non-fiction)
On the Front Line is a winner of the Orwell Special Prize and celebrates the work and values of Marie Colvin, the distinguished Sunday Times war correspondent who was killed in 2012 when covering the uprising in Syria.
The journalist and the murderer - Janet Malcolm (non-fiction)
A really interesting read, focusing on the ethics of journalism and the often complex relationship between journalist and subject through the true story of a lawsuit between a convicted murderer and the author of a book about the crime.
She said - Jodi Kantor and Megan Twohey (non-fiction)
The Harvey Weinstein scandal of sexual harassment and abuse, by the women who broke the story at the New York Times winning the Pulitzer Prize in the process. Now in paperback.
Scoop - Evelyn Waugh (fiction)
Many a true word is spoken in jest (or something along those lines). This hilarious satire of Fleet Street, published in 1938, still manages to resonate today. An absolute journo classic.
Karachi Vice - Samira Shackle (non-fiction)
Freelance journalist Samira Shackle takes us on a fast-paced journey around Karachi through the stories of those who know the city best from the ambulance driver to the journalist. Their experiences help Shackle to tell the story of political turmoil and inequality in Pakistan’s largest city over the past decade.
A Curious Career - Lynn Barber (non-fiction)
This book is a fascinating insight into the art of the interview through anecdotes from Lynn Barber’s long career interviewing everyone from Salvador Dali to Shane MacGowan.
Freelancing for Journalists - Lily Canter and Emma Wilkinson (non-fiction)
OK this is some shameless self-promotion but let’s just take this chance to mention our own guide for freelance journalists. Get in-depth practical advice and tips on working for yourself covering everything from finding work, how to pitch a story, networking, setting up your brand, managing your finances and navigating your laws and rights. You can also get 20% off at the link above with the code FLR40.
Thank you to our intern Freddie Hall who has helped put together our summer newsletters. He did such a great job!
Looking back over our most popular podcast episodes
This summer we’re going to delve into the archives and have a look at our most popular podcast episodes to date. This week it’s one that is always guaranteed to start a heated debate - Should you work for free. We chatted to Dr Kathleen Kuehn, senior lecturer in media studies, about ‘hope-labour’ and Beth Kirkbride, a freelance journalist, and editor at The Indiependent about how it might be more nuanced than you think.
What’s coming up
Our next lunchtime webinar on Wednesday 8th September will be on Developing ideas and pitching. You can grab your ticket or find our more information by clicking on the link below.
Triumph of the week
Turning down some shift work because the rate was too low. Might seem like a strange triumph but it’s important to know your worth.
That feeling when…
A feature you did weeks and weeks ago finally makes it onto the page…
Do keep sending in your Listener Dilemmas for us to answer in series 6 of the podcast which we are starting to record very soon.
Either post a message in our Facebook Community or contact us at freelancingforjournalists@gmail.com.
Bye for now!