Books
Top 5 comedy books, chosen by author and screenwriter James Alistair Henry 

Top 5 comedy books, chosen by author and screenwriter James Alistair Henry
H is for Hawk star Claire Foy: ‘I don’t know why we don’t talk about grief more’

H is for Hawk star Claire Foy: ‘I don’t know why we don’t talk about grief more’
Drifting North by Dominic Hinde review – intimately moving and expansive

Drifting North by Dominic Hinde review – intimately moving and expansive
Looking Down at the Stars by Christina Riley review – sumptuous and beautiful nature writing

Looking Down at the Stars by Christina Riley review – sumptuous and beautiful nature writing
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?
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
Top 5 graphic novels, chosen by author and illustrator Beccy Blake

Top 5 graphic novels, chosen by author and illustrator Beccy Blake
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
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 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’


