I Could Read the Sky by Timothy O’Grady audiobook review – tender tale of an Irish expat The author narrates his spare, poetic novel about a man recalling his past, with music from fiddler Martin Hayes The Guardian - UK · Sep 1, 2023
How J.R.R. Tolkien's novels were inspired by Medieval poems of 'northern bravery' In a moment of distraction from the laborious work of marking an “enormous pile of examination papers”, J.R.R. Tolkien flipped to a blank page on a student essay and scribbled, “in a hole in the ground there lived a hobbit”. The Conversation · Sep 1, 2023
Lynda La Plante: ‘Raymond Chandler’s books make me laugh out loud’ The novelist and screenwriter on learning to read with dyslexia, being inspired by the great playwrights, and why she could never read Little Women again The Guardian - UK · Sep 1, 2023
Lazy City by Rachel Connolly review – sex, drugs and ennui in Belfast Melancholy permeates a sardonic tragicomedy in which the hangover of the Troubles is never far from the surface The Guardian - UK · Sep 1, 2023
Politicians, not curators, are to blame for the British Museum’s woes The scandal over alleged thefts is a terrible blow for a museum Conservatives have starved of funding and respect, says the Guardian’s chief culture writer Charlotte Higgins The Guardian - UK · Sep 1, 2023
What Went Wrong With Brexit by Peter Foster review – state of denial A book that lays bare the absurd claims Brexit would reduce red tape – but leaves austerity out of the analysis The Guardian - UK · Sep 1, 2023
Society of Authors calls use of bad reviews for book blurbs ‘morally questionable’ After several critics complained of being quoted out of context on the covers of Jordan Peterson’s new book, the industry body has spoken out against the practice The Guardian - UK · Sep 1, 2023
Using psychedelics to treat mental illnesses ‘not hippy movement,’ expert says Professor David Nutt will appear before Scottish Parliament to discuss drug policies The Independent UK · Sep 1, 2023
Federal judge bars Texas from enforcing book rating law House Bill 900 requires book vendors to rate all their materials based on their depictions or references to sex before selling them to schools. Vendors say the law aims to regulate protected speech with “vague and over broad” terms. The Texas Tribune · Aug 31, 2023
Mom gives her daughter accidentally ‘hilarious’ wedding gift ‘I think I may have messed up a little bit,’ the bride’s mother admits The Independent UK · Aug 31, 2023
Earl Spencer pays tribute to sister Princess Diana on the anniversary of her death ‘Some bonds go back a very long way,’ Earl Spencer once captioned his post for Diana The Independent UK · Aug 31, 2023
Nadine Dorries’ book on Boris Johnson’s downfall delayed due to legal issues Ex-MP claims her account will lay bare ‘a corruption of democracy deep at the heart of the Conservative party and in Downing Street’ The Guardian - UK · Aug 31, 2023
The pull of words Why literary festivals are often the closest connect between the reader and writer The Hindu · Aug 31, 2023
Using psychedelics in mental health treatment ‘not hippy movement’, says expert Professor David Nutt will appear before the Scottish Parliament next month to discuss drug policies. The Independent UK · Aug 31, 2023
The National (Scotland) · Aug 31, 2023 First Minister backs next phase in 'transformative' school reading scheme First Minister Humza Yousaf has backed the next chapter of a reading scheme which is having a “transformative effect” in Scotland’s schools.
The Independent UK · Aug 31, 2023 Barbara Walters biographer reveals pioneering journalist’s final words Trailblazing broadcaster died aged 93 on 31 December 2022
Newslaundry · Aug 31, 2023 ‘Prepare for death’: In Karnataka, a string of letters targeting progressive writers and liberals Several prominent Kannada writers have been receiving threats via post since April last year. The letters are handwritten, and the writing seems similar, according to writers who spoke to this reporter.
The Conversation · Aug 31, 2023 Winnie and Mandela biography: a masterful tale of South Africa's troubled, iconic power couple A new book on South African liberation struggle icons Nelson and Winnie Mandela is a masterful biography of the pair. It’s a work of scholarship involving an immense body of primary and secondary research, written with flair and panache but in an easy and compelling style, making it accessible to…
The Guardian - UK · Aug 31, 2023 ‘It’s equal parts exciting and terrifying’: how authors are being influenced by their fans In the internet age, writers have more interaction with readers than ever before, and superfans aren’t afraid to share their opinions online. Here, three writers look at how this relationship has influenced their work
The Guardian - UK · Aug 31, 2023 All the Little Bird-Hearts by Viktoria Lloyd-Barlow review – a mesmerising debut Longlisted for the Booker prize, this is a darkly vivacious tale of family, fraught friendship and neurodivergence
The Guardian - UK · Aug 31, 2023 Prophet Song by Paul Lynch review – Ireland under fascism This Booker-longlisted dystopia with shades of Cormac McCarthy is nightmarish yet horribly convincing
Cinemablend · Aug 31, 2023 As A Fire And Blood Reader, One House Of The Dragon Change For Daemon Still Bugs Me A Year Later TV adaptations always have to make changes from the source material, but one House of the Dragon change from Fire & Blood still annoys me for Daemon.
The Independent UK · Aug 30, 2023 White House hits back at claim Biden is too ‘tired’ to attend events before 10am: ‘Ridiculous assumption’ At 80, Mr Biden is the oldest person to ever serve as the US chief executive
WhatToWatch · Aug 30, 2023 Mel Giedroyc and Martin Clunes Explore Britain by the Book: release date, interview and everything we know Mel Giedroyc and Martin Clunes Explore Britain by the Book sees the actors showcase Dorset’s literary heritage.
The Conversation · Aug 30, 2023 Jewish creators are a fundamental part of comic book history, from Superman to Maus – expert explains Jewish writers and artists have been a fundamental part of comic book creation since the early days of the industry.