Books
Top 5 inventive, speculative fiction books – chosen by poet and playwright Joelle Taylor

Top 5 inventive, speculative fiction books – chosen by poet and playwright Joelle Taylor
I wouldn’t exist if not for a gruesome mass murder in 1905 – we owe our lives to chance and chaos

I wouldn’t exist if not for a gruesome mass murder in 1905 – we owe our lives to chance and chaos
Where have all the rural voices gone from English fiction?

Where have all the rural voices gone from English fiction?
Headshot by Rita Bullwinkel review – a depth of feeling like a punch to the guts

Headshot by Rita Bullwinkel review – a depth of feeling like a punch to the guts
Clear by Carys Davies review – a wonderful, poetic reminder that no man is an island

Clear by Carys Davies review – a wonderful, poetic reminder that no man is an island
Why walking is such a great way to see, sense and stake a claim in the world

Why walking is such a great way to see, sense and stake a claim in the world
The Blues Brothers by Daniel de Visé review – behind the scenes of a musical comedy classic

The Blues Brothers by Daniel de Visé review – behind the scenes of a musical comedy classic
Top 5 books inspired by folklore, chosen by Scottish novelist LA MacRae

Top 5 books inspired by folklore, chosen by Scottish novelist LA MacRae
Did you know the Irish language has at least 20 words for ‘hole’?

Did you know the Irish language has at least 20 words for ‘hole’?
To the Salvation Army, I am now a porn purchaser – but it was a case of mistaken identity

To the Salvation Army, I am now a porn purchaser – but it was a case of mistaken identity
Family Politics by John O’Farrell review – a plea to engage with those whose views we abhor

Family Politics by John O’Farrell review – a plea to engage with those whose views we abhor
The Life and Times of Little Richard review – eye-popping anecdotes of a pornographic nature

The Life and Times of Little Richard review – eye-popping anecdotes of a pornographic nature
Top 5 books on understanding the real China, chosen by Wish Lanterns author Alec Ash

Top 5 books on understanding the real China, chosen by Wish Lanterns author Alec Ash
‘Small is beautiful’: How independent bookshops plan to survive – and thrive – in ‘volatile’ times

‘Small is beautiful’: How independent bookshops plan to survive – and thrive – in ‘volatile’ times
5 books to read about women confronting racism, selected by author and comedian Njambi McGrath

5 books to read about women confronting racism, selected by author and comedian Njambi McGrath
War Horse author Michael Morpurgo warns cost of living crisis is denying kids the ‘right to read’

War Horse author Michael Morpurgo warns cost of living crisis is denying kids the ‘right to read’
An ultimate guide to the best books of 2023 – as chosen by esteemed Big Issue critics

An ultimate guide to the best books of 2023 – as chosen by esteemed Big Issue critics
Artist and poet Chris Bird: My art is an attempt to create hope and beauty in the everyday

Artist and poet Chris Bird: My art is an attempt to create hope and beauty in the everyday
Illustrator Oliver Jeffers shares advice for Big Issue’s Christmas Kids Cover Competition: ‘We’re all artists’
