Books
40 years on, was Live Aid all for nothing? Or can we still be heroes?

40 years on, was Live Aid all for nothing? Or can we still be heroes?
When Bob Geldof launched his plea for a new generosity, he found that millions of ordinary people rallied behind him. It can happen again
Paddington’s enduring appeal speaks to the nostalgia he brings out in all of us

Paddington’s enduring appeal speaks to the nostalgia he brings out in all of us
Reading your old, much-loved books to your own children is a trip to a rose-tinted past
Top 5 graphic novels, chosen by author and illustrator Beccy Blake

Top 5 graphic novels, chosen by author and illustrator Beccy Blake
Illustration and novelistic storytelling combine in these must-read books
Ringo: A Fab Life by Tom Doyle review – Starr treatment
Ringo: A Fab Life by Tom Doyle review – Starr treatment
A Mind of My Own by Kathy Burke review – frank, funny and wise
A Mind of My Own by Kathy Burke review – frank, funny and wise
David Bowie’s late revival was heroic, in a very English way

David Bowie’s late revival was heroic, in a very English way
Music in 2026: The year ahead in reading, raving and post-rocking

Music in 2026: The year ahead in reading, raving and post-rocking
Borderline Fiction by Derek Owusu review – the wintering of a soul

Borderline Fiction by Derek Owusu review – the wintering of a soul
Bad Bad Girl by Gish Jen review – a redemptive portrait of motherhood

Bad Bad Girl by Gish Jen review – a redemptive portrait of motherhood
The Trump administration has declared war on homelessness – the fightback starts now 

The Trump administration has declared war on homelessness – the fightback starts now
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
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
We humans love to anthropomorphise our stuff. There’s a good reason for that

We humans love to anthropomorphise our stuff. There’s a good reason for that
Top 5 books featuring animals, chosen by author and illustrator Andrea Cáceres 

Top 5 books featuring animals, chosen by author and illustrator Andrea Cáceres
EastEnders star Cheryl Fergison: ‘People think you’ve got loads of money when you’re on TV’

EastEnders star Cheryl Fergison: ‘People think you’ve got loads of money when you’re on TV’
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’
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
I’ve written a Jane Austen spinoff for my 80th birthday. Help me sell a million copies

I’ve written a Jane Austen spinoff for my 80th birthday. Help me sell a million copies
A Long Winter by Colm Toíbín review – a short but brilliant piece of fiction


