The Latest Breaking News from Marian Keyes

Judi Dench talking Shakespeare, conversations with bestsellers Marian Keyes and David Nicholls, and a deep dive into the day’s news with Independent journalists and leading thinkers – this year’s Hay Festival programme is fit to burst with unmissable events. Jessie Thompson picks the highlights

In the bestselling novelist’s latest, Anna Walsh moves back to Dublin and falls for an old flame in a comical tale of grit, growth and self-acceptance

From the surreal return of Boris Johnson at the Covid inquiry to sex etiquette at the theatre, it’s been a strange old week

Celebrities from across the globe are making tributes to the late Sinéad O'Connor as her passing at the age of 56 shocks fans

Self-help shelves are filled with guides to surviving midlife, but where is the fiction? Lisa Allardice talks to Marian Keyes, Joanne Harris and others about ‘hot-flush lit’

As musicians prepare for the Eurovision song contest on Saturday, entries for its literary counterpart have been announced

The American and Irish novelists discuss the joys of writing romantic comedy, standing up to the critics and why we’re in a ‘golden age’ for the menopause

Pat and his wife Kathy had plenty of kind words for the Indian restaurant they have been visiting for 20 years

In this week’s newsletter: The giant of British journalism starts his post-Channel 4 career with his new interview show. Plus: five of the best podcasts for women in midlife

Celebrities frequently attend the restaurant, with Miriam O'Callaghan, Rosanna Davison and Marian Keyes among those hailing Rasam as one of their favourite places to eat.

The Pointless presenter took to social media to announce that the pair wed over the weekend