9 h. ago The books to read before they hit the screen in 2026: From gothic classics to modern thrillers

Whether it's falling in love at a Bridgerton masquerade or surviving a deadly Hunger Games, reading the book first lets you savour every twist, turn and forbidden romance.

Events

10 h. ago The Unfragile Mind: Making Sense of Mental Health by Gavin Francis review: 'sits on the fence'

By taking a “mibbes aye, mibbes naw” approach to some of the big questions around mental health, Gavin Francis’s new book can read as if the author desperately trying to avoid causing offence, writes Stuart Kelly

Science

31 h. ago Parents, please don’t stop reading to your children – a great picture book could change their life | Sally Rippin

Picture books help children to develop their imaginations, find empathy for others and take pride in what makes them unique – all of which make for good adultsVote now for the best Australian children’s picture bookChildren are made readers on the laps of their parents.” – Emilie BuchwaldI can’t think of a better way to start the year than having one of my books chosen in the Guardian’s readers’ poll for the best Australian picture books of all time. Come Over to My House, co-written with musician Eliza Hull and illustrated by Daniel Gray-Barnett, is a rhyming picture book that explores the home lives of children and parents who are d/Deaf or disabled. I am so proud to have been a part of creating this book, and so thrilled to see it on this list among so many extraordinary titles.Sally Rippin is an award-winning children’s author and the outgoing Australian children’s laureate for 2024-25. The next laureate will be announced on 10 February Continue reading...

Society

4 d. ago Ali Smith: ‘Henry James had me running down the garden path shouting out loud’

The Scottish author on a masterclass from Toni Morrison, the brilliance of Simone de Beauvoir and the trim novel by Tove Jansson containing everything that really mattersMy earliest reading memory Apparently I taught myself to read when I was three via the labels on the Beatles 45s we had: I remember the moment of recognising the words “I” and “Feel” and “Fine”. It took a bit longer to work out the word “Parlophone”.My favourite book growing up Sister Vincent taught primary six in St Joseph’s, Inverness, and was a discerning reader with very good taste, plus the kind of literary moral rectitude that meant she removed Enid Blyton from the class library because she believed Blyton’s books were written by a factory of writers. In 1972 she and I had a passionate argument when the class was choosing a book to be read out loud to us and I championed Charlotte’s Web by EB White, with which I was in love. Sister Vincent put her foot down. “No. Because animals speak in it, and in reality ani...

Politics

5 d. ago Read these books before they take over our screens this year

Want to feel smug? Here’s all the books to read before they’re turned into hit films and shows this year, compiled by Annabel Nugent

Politics

1 week ago BBC The Traitors' Harriet sees sales of crime novels skyrocket

Crime novel author Harriet Tyce has seen sales of her books soar since appearing on The Traitors, here's how to read one for free

Events

1 week ago 16 best new books to read this winter, from Jennette McCurdy to David Szalay

Discover debut novelists and immersive page-turners from acclaimed authors

Politics

1 week ago 5 easy everyday habits that can regulate your nervous system

The secret to feeling calmer and happier is right in front of you, according to a new book, Glimmers. Read an extract here

Politics

1 week ago The easy everyday habit that can regulate your nervous system

The secret to feeling calmer and happier is right in front of you, according to a new book, Glimmers. Read an extract here

Politics

1 week ago Karen Read reveals she’s working on a book as she gives first interview since acquittal

The Massachusetts woman was cleared of killing police officer boyfriend with car

Politics

2 w. ago Women are feral for Heated Rivalry. What does that say about men?

The explosive popularity of the gay hockey TV drama reveals women’s desire for sex and romance without violence or hierarchyThe first time gay hockey romance crossed Mary’s radar, she was warned off it. A 64-year-old non-profit executive from Toronto, Mary recalled mentioning the Canadian author Rachel Reid’s Game Changers series to her son, a twentysomething queer writer and fellow hockey-obsessive, a few years ago.“I said: ‘Have you heard of these books?’ and he said: ‘Yeah.’ I said: ‘Should I read these books?’ And he said: ‘No. They’re not for you.’” Continue reading...

Politics

2 w. ago Looking to read more books in 2026? Here are 27 titles coming out this year

If you’ve made a resolution to read more books in 2026, here are 27 exciting titles worth reading including The Ending Writes Itself.

Politics

2 w. ago I read 51 books last year, but this was my standout favourite

The novel was nominated in the Goodreads Choice Awards

Politics

3 w. ago 19 best new books to read this winter, from Florence Knapp to David Szalay

Discover debut novelists and immersive page-turners from acclaimed authors

Politics

3 w. ago Many schools don’t think students can read full novels any more. That’s a tragedy | Margaret Sullivan

Increasingly, teens are given only parts of books, and they often read not in print but on school-issued laptopsReading fiction has been such a joy for me that my heart broke a little to learn recently that many schools no longer assign full books to high school students.Rather, teens are given excerpts of books, and they often read them not in print but on school-issued laptops, according to a survey of 2,000 teachers, students and parents by the New York Times.Margaret Sullivan is a Guardian US columnist writing on media, politics and culture Continue reading...

Culture

3 w. ago Five hotel booking red flags in January that could ruin your winter holiday

Booking a holiday in January? There are some potential pitfalls to be wary of while booking a hotel, experts warn. Read on to find out what to look out for.

Politics

3 w. ago I’ve already read some of 2026’s biggest book releases – these are the 4 to look out for

Bookmark these titles for your 2026 reading pile

Politics

3 w. ago I read books every day — these are the 10 books to look out for in January

If you're looking for some good reads to ease you into your New Year's resolution to read more, look no further than this list of the best new releases

Politics

3 w. ago I've read 240 books this year and here are top 5 you need to read in 2026

Senior Social News reporter Danielle Kate Wroe has managed to make her way through a whopping 240 books this year, and she's shared her top five in the hopes of inspiring you in 2026

Politics

3 w. ago The Master of Contradictions by Morten Høi Jensen review – how Thomas Mann wrote The Magic Mountain

A vivid account of the creation of one of literary modernism’s greatest achievementsIn a 1924 letter to André Gide, Thomas Mann said he would soon be sending along a copy of his new novel, The Magic Mountain. “But I assure you that I do not in the least expect you to read it,” he wrote. “It is a highly problematical and ‘German’ work, and of such monstrous dimensions that I know perfectly well it won’t do for the rest of Europe.”Morten Høi Jensen’s approachable and informative study of The Magic Mountain positions Mann as a writer who was contradictory to his core: an artist who dressed and behaved like a businessman; a homosexual in a conventional marriage with six children; an upstanding burgher obsessed with death and corruption. Very much the kind of man who would send someone a book and tell them not to read it. Continue reading...

Politics