26 December 2025
About this episode
Episode 336
Looking for something great to read or watch on TV over the festive period? We’ve got you covered. In a special edition of the podcast, we share our favourite books, TV and films of 2025 - for those moments when you need a break from the festivities.
From pure science fiction to books exploring climate change and the history of our early ancestors, we have something for everyone. Below is a list of our top picks.
Films and TV
Ocean with David Attenborough
Andor Season 2
The White House Effect
Human with Ella al-Shamahi
Pluribus
My Husband the Cyborg
Severance Season 2
Books
Every Version of You by Grace Chan
The Story of CO2 is the Story of Everything by Peter Brannen
Clearing the Air by Hannah Ritchie
Positive Tipping Points by Tim Lenton
The Last Neanderthal by Ludovic Slimak
Hello Cruel World by Melinda Moyer
Hosted by Rowan Hooper with guests Bethan Ackerley and Alison Flood.
Sign up to our book club for more recommendations, discussion and author interviews https://www.newscientist.com/bookclub/
To read more about these stories, visit https://www.newscientist.com/
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