Books
-
Director Julie Taymor tells how her new film depicts women’s rights pioneer Gloria Steinem, minus the stereotypes -
There is too much messianic passion and not enough enlightening psychology in Peterson’s follow-up to the bestselling 12 Rules for Life -
The Pulitzer-winning author on difficult second novel syndrome, and the return to a ‘more efficient version of American imperialism’
-
Robots on coral reefs, vast barriers to hold back the glaciers, simulated volcanic eruptions to offset global heating ... Can technology repair the mess we have made? Elizabeth Kolbert is not convinced -
Famous for her study of fairytales, what happened when Warner decided to tell her own story? She talks about the remarkable family legends behind her ‘unreliable’ memoir -
Whether you are after a novel or informative non-fiction, hope and renewal are in the air at last, writes Lia Leendertz
2021 in books
-
Kazuo Ishiguro returns with a novel about an artificial friend, Zadie Smith brings the Wife of Bath bang up to date, Bill Gates takes on the climate crisis ... a literary calendar for the year ahead
-
An illustrated record begun in the ‘strangest spring’ of 2020 celebrates the enduring beauty and culture of birdlife -
Is it possible to have more than five very close friends? A miscellany of modern research reveals the life-saving power of our relationships -
The former judge’s views on everything from Magna Carta to cancel culture reflect the changing reputation of an eminent historian and notorious lockdown sceptic
-
Three lighthouse keepers disappear in a whodunnit, horror novel, ghost story and fantastically gripping psychological investigation rolled into one -
A young Irish woman looks back on a toxic relationship in an impressive first novel with a niggling strand of moralism -
The Booker winner’s brilliant eighth novel expands on his theme of what it means to be not-quite-human, exploring love and loyalty through the eyes of an android
-
Three lighthouse keepers in 70s Cornwall vanish in an elegant update of an early 20th-century mystery -
A neuroscientist tries to make sense of the loss of her father and brother in Gyasi’s shrewd follow-up to her award-wining debut, Homegoing -
The Nobel prize-winning writer turns the Ring cycle drama into a grim dialogue about capitalism’s perils
-
A hilarious spy mission; a maritime adventure; a lipstick rampage; a celebration of black youth and more -
Author Namina Forna loved JRR Tolkien and CS Lewis’ books as a child, but saw little that resembled the magic and rich mythology she saw in Africa -
Brian Jacques’ tale of valiant mice and no-good rats introduced me to fantasy fiction. My daughters love it too, and here are some reasons why everyone should
-
The bestselling author on their memoir about growing up gay and black in the US, helping others to find healing, and the power of non-binary young adults -
France’s response to #MeToo was unenthusiastic but its attitude towards sex is coming under increasing scrutiny in a wave of memoirs alleging abuse -
The novelist talks about the heartache and hedonism that inspired her debut – and how writing helped her find a way out of the chaos of young adult life
-
In her highly anticipated new book, the author of The Trauma Cleaner meditates on what it means to believe -
Her duplicitous love triangle story is a hit – but some viewers are calling its mind-boggling twist ‘preposterous’. The horror and sci-fi veteran turned thriller-writer hits back -
Kazuo Ishiguro AI, gene-editing, big data ... I worry we are not in control of these things any more
The Nobel-winning author talks about scaring Harold Pinter, life after death – and his new novel about an ‘artificial friend’
What to read
-
Robert McCrum has reached a verdict on his selection of the 100 greatest novels written in English. Take a look at his list -
After two years of careful consideration, Robert McCrum has concluded his selection of the 100 greatest nonfiction books of all time. Take a quick look back at five centuries of great writing -
Regulars
-
The poet on the Bernardine Evaristo book he wishes he wrote, the influence of Kwame Dawes and his love for Banana Yoshimoto -
The ghostly traces of song in the first sound recording inspire a haunting reflection on historical loss
-
From American giants such as Toni Morrison and James Baldwin to memoirs by Xiaolu Guo and Vladimir Nabokov, Nadia Owusu picks the best works that explore notions of home
You may have missed
-
The end may now be in sight, but there are still frustrating months ahead. From new recipes to letter writing and Lego, writers including Matt Haig and Philippa Perry share their strategies -
Susan Taubes’s only novel was panned when it was published in 1969. Deborah Levy re-examines the witty story of one woman’s epic quest for freedom -
Lockdown has triggered a boom in the exchange of intimate shots – and now a new book called Sending Nudes is celebrating the pleasures and perils of baring all to the camera -
The co-founder of the City Lights Bookstore had global stature but remained a neighborhood fixture
Most viewed
Comics and graphic novels Parenthesis by Élodie Durand – gripping graphic memoir about the joy of recovery