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The Whistle Library features engaging and important reports, discussions, articles and videos that I select from the Web every month for the exclusive reading and listening pleasure of subscribers.
Read on to know what subscribers to The Whistle are enjoying in June 2026 at The Whistle Library, when we are reading about the Trump-Xi Summit, China’s industrial policy, Europe’s AI compute gap, a new economics book launch at PIIE, and how certain products became hits. Plus articles on books, music, cinema and so much more!
June… No Change in Tune
Hello subscribers! Welcome back to The Whistle Library for another month’s selection of reading and listening. If we were expecting the Iran war to end soon, we have to think again. The world economy is suffering, oil prices are still high, and supply shortages causing inflation to also stay high are what we can expect for the next couple of quarters at least.
Anyway, this month, I have for you reading that is not about the Iran war, but about other aspects of the world economy and of course, about books, cinema and music.
We begin with a discussion from the Centre for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS) on the Trump- Xi meetings and what it meant.
https://www.csis.org/events/what-did-trump-xi-summit-achieve-state-play
For more analysis on this summit from CSIS, check the link below.
https://www.csis.org/programs/trump-xi-2026-summit
Next, I have for you an opinion piece from Bruegel on China’s industrial policy and what lessons it might have for other countries.
https://www.bruegel.org/opinion-piece/what-world-can-and-cant-learn-chinas-industrial-policy
Also from Bruegel is another piece analysing Europe’s need for a strategy to close the AI compute gap. I have recently written a blog post on Europe’s deep dependencies on the US – technology being one of them – and how it ought to overcome them. This piece from Bruegel goes deeper into Europe’s AI compute problem.
https://www.bruegel.org/analysis/europe-needs-strategy-close-artificial-intelligence-compute-gap
Then, I have for you a discussion from PIIE on a new book, How to Win a Trade War, with the authors, Soumaya Keynes and Chad Bown.
https://www.piie.com/events/2026/how-win-trade-war-book-launch-and-discussion-bown-and-keynes
Next, on the subject of brands and marketing, an article from HBR on how some products and brands became great hits.
https://hbr.org/2026/04/how-the-walkman-gameboy-liquid-death-and-pokemon-became-surprise-hits
The New Yorker featured an article in which writer and internet critic, Cory Doctorow, discusses the world that is run by the wealthy.
The Guardian reviews the recently concluded Cannes Film Festival 2026 and thinks the jury got it wrong.
And in books, I have for you reviews of Ali Smith’s new book, The Glyph via LitHub.
Also reviews of Mary Beard’s new book, Talking Classics: The Shock of the Old from The LitHub.
In music, The Guardian reviews a recent 50th anniversary tour concert by renowned violinist, Anne Sophie-Mutter in London.
https://www.theguardian.com/music/2026/may/17/anne-sophie-mutter-review-barbican-star-violinist
Speaking of anniversaries, Wigmore Hall in London is celebrating its 125th year, with a two-week festival starting May25, 2026, and you can read all about it, as well as listen to some of the music at Gramophone Magazine.
Glyndebourne’s 2026 Opera Festival has begun and you can take a look at their summer programme here.
https://www.glyndebourne.com/festival
No matter what June 2026 has in store for us, you can be sure there won’t be a dull moment! Escape from the searing heat this summer, and enjoy good reading, listening and viewing at The Whistle Library.
Peripatetic Perch 