Books
Read Michael Rosen and Helen Oxenbury’s new Christmas story, created especially for Big Issue

Read Michael Rosen and Helen Oxenbury’s new Christmas story, created especially for Big Issue
Michael Rosen has written a stirring and timely festive story of a family struggling at Christmas
The ultimate guide to the best books of 2025 – as chosen by Big Issue critics

The ultimate guide to the best books of 2025 – as chosen by Big Issue critics
Big Issue literary critics’ books of the year
Quartet for the End of Time by Michael Symmons Roberts named Big Issue’s book of the year for 2025

Quartet for the End of Time by Michael Symmons Roberts named Big Issue’s book of the year for 2025
Big Issue’s book of the year is a moving and thought-provoking examination of the relationship of music and grief
From rowdy forest animals to wig-loving goths: These are the best children’s books of 2025
From rowdy forest animals to wig-loving goths: These are the best children’s books of 2025
We’re Going on a Bear Hunt author Michael Rosen: ‘Life is harder for kids now than it was in 1989’
We’re Going on a Bear Hunt author Michael Rosen: ‘Life is harder for kids now than it was in 1989’
Top 5 books featuring animals, chosen by author and illustrator Andrea Cáceres 

Top 5 books featuring animals, chosen by author and illustrator Andrea Cáceres
We’re Going on a Bear Hunt creators reunite to tell new, exclusive Christmas tale for Big Issue

We’re Going on a Bear Hunt creators reunite to tell new, exclusive Christmas tale for Big Issue
The Wax Child by Olga Ravn review – a portrait of women on the outskirts

The Wax Child by Olga Ravn review – a portrait of women on the outskirts
Nymph by Stephanie LaCava review – hollowing out the espionage genre

Nymph by Stephanie LaCava review – hollowing out the espionage genre
Top 5 Books for under-13s, chosen by children’s author Sophie Kirtley

Top 5 Books for under-13s, chosen by children’s author Sophie Kirtley
Science writer Alex Riley: ‘Even if humans cause mass extinction, life will still endure’

Science writer Alex Riley: ‘Even if humans cause mass extinction, life will still endure’
Men in the Sun and Other Palestinian Stories by Ghassan Kanafani review – diaspora, flight and exile

Men in the Sun and Other Palestinian Stories by Ghassan Kanafani review – diaspora, flight and exile
The Tower by Thea Lenarduzzi review – a strange, engrossing literary hall of mirrors

The Tower by Thea Lenarduzzi review – a strange, engrossing literary hall of mirrors
Top 5 books about the struggle of man in nature, chosen by author Cynan Jones

Top 5 books about the struggle of man in nature, chosen by author Cynan Jones
A Long Winter by Colm Toíbín review – a short but brilliant piece of fiction

A Long Winter by Colm Toíbín review – a short but brilliant piece of fiction
Cockmakers, eye-punchers and blubbermen: A deep dive into ancient British crafts

Cockmakers, eye-punchers and blubbermen: A deep dive into ancient British crafts
Artist Oliver Jeffers: ‘I want to be able to look my kids in the eye and say that I tried’

Artist Oliver Jeffers: ‘I want to be able to look my kids in the eye and say that I tried’
Top 5 queer love stories, chosen by poet, playwright and novelist Kiran Millwood Hargrave

Top 5 queer love stories, chosen by poet, playwright and novelist Kiran Millwood Hargrave
Philanthropist and banker John Studzinski: ‘I have never forgotten what Mother Teresa told me…’

Philanthropist and banker John Studzinski: ‘I have never forgotten what Mother Teresa told me…’
The Expansion Project by Ben Pester review – a surreal dismantling of corporate culture

The Expansion Project by Ben Pester review – a surreal dismantling of corporate culture
Blood Book by Kim de l’Horizon review – extended meditations on non-binary identity

Blood Book by Kim de l’Horizon review – extended meditations on non-binary identity
A Fine Line Between Stupid and Clever: The Story of Spinal Tap review – give them some money

A Fine Line Between Stupid and Clever: The Story of Spinal Tap review – give them some money
Top 5 locked room mysteries, chosen by fantasy writer Tim Major

Top 5 locked room mysteries, chosen by fantasy writer Tim Major
This book proves the margins of society are not silent – they’re full of voices bursting to be heard

This book proves the margins of society are not silent – they’re full of voices bursting to be heard
Relearning to Read by Ann Morgan review – eye-opening and revelatory
