8 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

8 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

30 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

32 h. ago Revealed: The easiest university courses to get into prestigious Oxford and Cambridge

Modern languages, classics, and music are among the subjects where more than half of the students who applied were offered a place into Oxbridge.

Politics

3 d. ago Homeware shoppers 'obsessed' with £29 lamp that 'looks much more expensive'

"Lovely modern lamp, goes really well in any room because of its classic design and colour"

Economics

3 d. ago Scotland's stars line up to celebrate Burns Night with a modern take on the Bard's best

From Ae Fond Kiss to Coming Through the Rye, Burns songs are as powerful as ever for a new generation of performers on the BBC’s Burns Night celebration

Events

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

4 d. ago Havergal Brian: The Gothic album review – Ole Schmidt tames a vast, eccentric score

LSO/Schmidt(Heritage)A 1980 live recording reveals the Danish conductor’s assured handling of a colossal symphony – a balance of architectural clarity and gothic extravaganceHavergal Brian has often been looked at askance, his vast gothic symphony approached like climbing Everest – merely because it’s there – rather than taken seriously as a milestone in 20th-century British music. For the 150th anniversary of the composer’s birth, the Heritage label has brushed off this 1980 BBC live broadcast from the Royal Albert Hall under Danish conductor Ole Schmidt, the fourth recording of the complete work to enter the catalogue.Written over eight years and completed in 1927, the work was inspired by the magnificence and eccentricities of the gothic age, Brian’s idiosyncratic response ranging from guileless melody to wickedly complex polyphony. The 35-minute part one is a persuasive three-movement symphony all on its own, but it’s the challenging, hour-long setting of the Te Deum that demand...

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

6 d. ago Modern classic Ferrari prices go into overdrive after five 'halo' cars from the 1980s

The rare Prancing Horses each drew landmark multi-million-pound winning bids, with one selling for nearly three times the previous highest figure to leave a US auction room in disbelief.

Transport

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 Corrie star confirms new 'challenging' TV role 3 years after exit

Former Coronation Street star Ellie Leach has landed her first on-screen acting role in hit Channel 5 drama

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