Books'I'm honoured my book is shortlisted for award'SF Williamson's debut novel A Language of Dragons is in the Books for Older Readers category.See moreMore headlinesThe retired Indian factory worker who built a library of two million booksAnke Gowda, whose library is open to everyone, recently received an Indian government award.Guernsey Literary Festival line-up announcedBarrister and author Rob Rinder and veteran broadcaster Edward Stourton make up the final line-up.The climate change 'masterpiece' dividing readersVigil, the new novel from acclaimed writer and Booker Prize-winner George Saunders, centres on a dying oil tycoon and climate change denier. Why is it polarising critics so fiercely?Scots authors among historical fiction prize contendersGraeme Macrae Burnet and Damian Barr are on the list of potential winners of the £25,000 Walter Scott Prize.'My family bullied me about my skin condition' Usha Singh-Das says she grew up in a house "marred by narcissism and unsupportive parental figures".Why Wuthering Heights is so misunderstoodEver since it was published in the mid-19th Century, Emily Brontë's tale of passionate love and ruthless revenge has captivated fans and confounded critics in equal measure.ReviewsThe 25 best books of 2025From a "richly atmospheric" novella to a "virtuosic" debut – this is the very best fiction of the year, as chosen by BBC journalists.See moreWatchJohn Grisham on why he still writes as trends shiftThe bestselling author on what new data reveals about America’s steep decline in reading for pleasure.BooksWhy Cher has waited until now to write her memoirCher explains why she has finally written her memoir and who it's for.BooksStriking images of women in the Black Panther PartyStephen Shames' photography offers a radically new and candid picture of the militant black power organisation.BooksBraille: What is it like to read without sight?What happens to our brains when we learn to read Braille?BooksInside the abandoned city of ancient librariesThe African town of Chinguetti is home to a large collection of forgotten ancient books. BooksHow paper is making a comebackAs the world goes digital, paper might seem increasingly obsolete – but it is anything but.BooksPreserving the ancient art of handcrafting booksIn the digital age, the beautiful and ancient art of hand-binding books is under threat.BooksElizabeth Day: 'I felt so understood in the pages'When Elizabeth Day had a miscarriage, it was the words in a book from 1936 that helped her through it.BooksHow reading can help us cope with deathLisa Appignanesi describes how reading fiction helped her deal with bereavement.BooksMichael Rosen: 'How poetry helped me to grieve'When author Michael Rosen lost his son, he found inspiration to write again in a poem by Raymond Carver.BooksThe fiction that helped Laura Freeman recover from anorexiaHow a love of reading helped one woman recover from anorexia.BooksIs this Italy’s smallest library?One retired teacher is spreading the joy of books using his tiny mobile library.BooksThe man who lives in a library with no rulesNanie Guanlao turned his home into a library for his community in Manila.BooksThe ancient library where the books are under lock and keyStep inside the world’s largest surviving chained library.BooksBiblioburro: The amazing donkey libraries of ColombiaOne man and his loyal donkeys spreading the joy of books in Colombia.BooksMore Books5 days agoKPop Demon Hunters and childrens' authors - fun for all at literature festivalAll children's events will be held on Saturday, taking place at libraries across Wolverhampton.5 days ago6 days ago'I'm annoyed I'd never heard of Elizabeth Gaskell'Works from writers-in-residence inspired by the Victorian novelist are published in a new book.6 days ago8 days agoDame Joanna Lumley and Queen Camilla among guests at memorial for author Jilly CooperRoyalty and acting stars were at the London service to pay their tributes to the writer. 8 days ago30 Jan 2026Cheltenham Festivals looks to widen participation The four festivals have announced plans to widen participation in future years.30 Jan 202630 Jan 2026Celebrating 40 years of poetry on the UndergroundWe invited Londoners to put their own words to the city to celebrate 40 years of Tube poems.30 Jan 202629 Jan 2026Crime novelist wins Diamond Dagger awardMark Billingham, who was born in Birmingham, says he is thrilled and honoured.29 Jan 202628 Jan 2026'He's Tigger and I'm Eeyore' - Poet Len Pennie on an unlikely team-upLen Pennie and the film composer Paul Leonard-Morgan have collaborated on a new album called Delusions.28 Jan 202628 Jan 2026Cancer patients inspire new work by Poet LaureateThe poem was commissioned by Yorkshire Cancer Research to mark its centenary year.28 Jan 202625 Jan 2026Traitors crime writer in literary festival line-upThe festival is set to coincide with International Women's Day and will also feature local authors.25 Jan 2026...