TikTok meets Tolkien: how the Folio Society attracted gen Z readers The publishing house is booming thanks to sci-fi and fantasy novels – and a love of artisanal editions The Guardian - UK · Sep 8, 2024
‘Talent is classless’: bold project launched to create centre for writing in north-east England Refurbishing Newcastle’s Bolbec Hall could be first step in a mission to build up region’s creative industries The Guardian - UK · Sep 8, 2024
Stopgap Dance Company: Lived Fiction review – a thrillingly inclusive celebration Disabled and non-disabled, deaf and neurodivergent dancers create and perform a joyful show combining movement, words and sheer invention The Guardian - UK · Sep 8, 2024
Annihilation by Michel Houellebecq review – deepfakes, sex acts and cyber-attacks In his sometimes enjoyable longest novel yet, the author’s obsession with sex and desire competes for attention with his usual grandstanding and an intricate, Dan Brown-like pulp mystery The Guardian - UK · Sep 8, 2024
Elizabeth Strout: ‘All ordinary people are extraordinary’ The Pulitzer prize winner on uniting Olive Kitteridge and Lucy Barton in her new novel, her unfathomable dreams, and how she went from ‘blabbermouth’ to writer The Guardian - UK · Sep 7, 2024
Fred Trump, who voted for Hillary Clinton, explains why he wrote about his uncle’s ‘deep, horrible cruelty’ Fred Trump has had a front seat since childhood to the bombastic antics of his Uncle Donald and the ‘cruel’ eccentricities of the wider Trump clan. A disability advocate since the birth of his son 25 years ago, Fred’s now airing family secrets in a new book. He speaks to… The Independent UK · Sep 7, 2024
Anne Fine: children should be allowed to learn online instead of going to school Former children’s laureate says rather than punishing absenteeism the UK’s education system should change The Guardian - UK · Sep 7, 2024
Stephen King says new book adaptation is ‘one of the good ones’ with fans hailing it ’best one yet It’s being called ‘a contender for best King adaptation ever’ The Independent UK · Sep 7, 2024
What to know about Mr Loverman, the new BBC show set to be an autumn hit Hold onto your handkerchiefs Evening Standard · Sep 7, 2024
Nicole Kidman’s new Netflix series changed key detail to avoid Big Little Lies ‘confusion’ Eve Hewson’s character in ‘The Perfect Couple’ shares the same name as Kidman’s character in ‘Big Little Lies’ The Independent UK · Sep 6, 2024
70 Years Later, Lord of the Rings' Most Overlooked Monsters Just Broke Tolkien Canon Cold be hand and heart and bone. In its latest episode, 'The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power' gives Tolkien fans something they've been waiting to see for 23 years or more. Inverse · Sep 6, 2024
5 Years Ago, Stephen King's Most Iconic Horror Story Became an Epic Disappointment Sometimes, it's better to just stick with what's on the page. Five years ago, one of Hollywood's most high-profile Stephen King adaptations ignored its source material's biggest lesson. Inverse · Sep 6, 2024
Richard Leeson obituary Other lives: Linguist who became deputy director of Ealing College of Technology and was known affectionately as ‘Mr Liberal Arts’ The Guardian - UK · Sep 6, 2024
The Haunted Wood: A History of Childhood Reading by Sam Leith review: fair-minded and terrific A book about children’s books is, of course, one for the grown-ups, but it is a subject that holds us long after we’ve joined the readers-aloud rather than the read-to classes. CS Lewis, who was perceptive about the allure of children’s books (he would be, wouldn’t he), observed that he… Evening Standard · Sep 6, 2024
The Independent UK · Sep 6, 2024 'Demon Copperhead' author Barbara Kingsolver to receive National Book Award for lifetime achievement The National Book Foundation has awarded Barbara Kingsolver a medal for Distinguished Contribution to American Letters (DCAL), which has previously been given to Toni Morrison, Philip Roth and Joan Didion among others
The Guardian - UK · Sep 6, 2024 Survey showing UK’s loss of pride in its past is encouraging, says historian Public choosing ‘Shakespeare over invasion’ and becoming more discerning about Britain’s history, says Alan Lester
The National (Scotland) · Sep 6, 2024 Rare first edition of Robert Burns' poetry could fetch £60,000 at auction A RARE first edition of Robert Burns’ poetry could fetch as much as £60,000 when it goes up auction.
The Guardian - UK · Sep 6, 2024 The best recent poetry – review roundup The Wickedest by Caleb Femi; Signs, Music by Raymond Antrobus; The Keelie Hawk by Kathleen Jamie; Scattered Snows, to the North by Carl Phillips
The Independent UK · Sep 6, 2024 Queen Camilla reunites with ex Andrew Parker Bowles for launch Of Tom Parker Bowles’s Cooking & The Crown Attendees at The Audley pub in Mayfair ate Scotch eggs and Coronation chicken sandwiches, and ditched pints of lager in favour of chilled negronis and glasses of crisp white wine
The Walrus · Sep 6, 2024 Who Knew What about Alice Munro? An interview with editor Deborah Dundas on breaking the story
The Conversation · Sep 6, 2024 Madwoman by Chelsea Bieker: a tumultuous examination of the impact of domestic abuse on motherhood Clove is a young woman with a seemingly good life. She has an adoring husband, two healthy, happy children and a comfortable home in Portland, a pleasant US city. She is a perfectionist with an obsession with clean eating and super-health who has spent years building such “perfection”.
The Conversation · Sep 6, 2024 Steve Biko, the South African struggle hero who was prepared to sacrifice his life for black liberation What happens when death becomes the ultimate marker of one’s commitment to one’s freedom? Jacob Dlamini explores this and other questions in his new book, Dying for Freedom: Political Martyrdom in South Africa. This edited extract, from the chapter Dead and Proud, focuses on Steve Biko’s attitude to martyrdom and…
The Conversation · Sep 6, 2024 Opera Eucalyptus is a lush adaptation of Murray Bail’s novel – with a modern twist My first curiosities about the new opera Eucalyptus, an adaptation of Murray Bail’s multi-award-winning 1998 novel, were regarding how Ellen and the many stories told to her by her ultimately successful suitor would be portrayed.
The Guardian - UK · Sep 6, 2024 ‘A shell of the place it used to be’: readers on the importance of libraries - and their fragile future As sources of inspiration, havens from noise or social support service, council-run libraries have had a positive impact on lives all over the UK
GamesRadar · Sep 5, 2024 Star Wars #50 ends the current era of Marvel's Star Wars comics with a confrontation between Luke Skywalker and Ben Solo Star Wars #50 marks the end of an era for Marvel's Star Wars line