Books
Stormzy backs bid to get adults into books: ‘Reading really is a superpower’

Stormzy backs bid to get adults into books: ‘Reading really is a superpower’
Departure(s) by Julian Barnes review – a swan song of wit and grace

Departure(s) by Julian Barnes review – a swan song of wit and grace
Top 5 atmospheric thrillers, chosen by journalist, critic and novelist Thrity Umrigar

Top 5 atmospheric thrillers, chosen by journalist, critic and novelist Thrity Umrigar
Microchimerism: When the cells in your body are not your own

Microchimerism: When the cells in your body are not your own
Flat Earth by Anika Jade Levy review – the state we’re in

Flat Earth by Anika Jade Levy review – the state we’re in
Bad Language by So Mayer review – explorations of the ways words are used to control us 

Bad Language by So Mayer review – explorations of the ways words are used to control us
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




