American author Joy Williams: ‘The comfy story has got to change’

The novelist and short story writer on her new book about Azrael, the angel of death, her encounters with Raymond Carver and Richard Yates, and why fiction should be uncanny

‘Appreciate winter for what it is, without wishing it were something different’: psychologist Kari Leibowitz on beating the seasonal blues

The researcher spent 10 years studying how attitude affects mood and behaviour, and her new book shares ways in which we can learn to value the colder months

‘There was eye-watering fear’: John le Carré’s son on writing a new George Smiley novel

Nick Harkaway was a successful novelist in his own right when his brothers asked him to continue their late father’s spy series. Could he pull it off? Plus an exclusive extract from his novel, Karla’s Choice

Alison Steadman on the final Gavin & Stacey: ‘People say to me in the street: “Can’t wait for Christmas Day!”’

The actor on her formative years in Liverpool, her relationship with Mike Leigh – and why she was born to play Pamela in the much-loved TV comedy

Helen Castor: ‘I’d rather not live in such interesting times’

The British historian on the drama and resonance of the lives of Richard II and Henry VI, the writers she most admires and the book she wishes she had written

Trevor Noah: ‘I’ve met a few people where I’ve thought – yeah, you’re probably an alien’

On the publication of his first children’s book, the comedian and presenter answers pithy questions from Louis Theroux, Susie Dent and more on Trump, his mother and what makes a great rollercoaster

‘Elephants show immense interest in corpses’: Susana Monsó, the philosopher examining what animals know about death

Do other species understand that life ends? Do they mourn and even bury their dead? The Spanish academic and writer is looking for answers

‘Coal jobs were out, opiates were in’: how shame and pride explain Trump’s rural popularity

Sociologist Arlie Russell Hochschild spent years in America’s whitest and second-poorest district. She discusses what she found

‘I’ve dealt with anti-hillbilly bigotry all my life’: Barbara Kingsolver on JD Vance, the real Appalachia and why Demon Copperhead was such a hit

As the Pulitzer-winning author’s little-known first book is published in the UK, she discusses the roots of division in the US, her wild childhood, and putting the story straight about where she’s from

Nobel prize winner Olga Tokarczuk: ‘We live with violence and misogyny like some sort of constant illness’

The Polish author on her new horror novel, the genius of John Cheever and chasing the London of her dreams

Attica Locke on the US election: ‘It’s white Americans that have to fix this’

The Highway 59 author discusses the influence of politics on her crime novels, how Beyoncé caused a backlash, and why Trump’s re-election is not as likely as it seems

Tim Winton: ‘I lived in the worst possible space for seven years. It knocks some paint off you, I can tell you’

After years of wrestling with difficult subject matter in secrecy, the Australian novelist talks about the grim future he has imagined for his latest novel, and how it can be avoided

‘If we can’t tell the truth … we can’t run Attica’: Ben Shewry on the failings of fine dining

In his new memoir the acclaimed Melbourne chef calls out ‘incredibly problematic’ restaurant awards and toxic hospitality culture

‘Are you good in bed?’ Jilly Cooper on horses, lefties and which fictional character she would like to sleep with

As her much-loved story Rivals is turned into a lavish Disney+ production, the author answers questions from Observer readers and famous fans including David Tennant, Caitlin Moran and Gillian Anderson

Stuart Murdoch: ‘I feel like this book will be the Trainspotting of ME’

The Belle and Sebastian musician on his new novel, inspired by his years of illness, choirs and his love of Victorian authors