‘They’re trying to narrow the worldview of young people’: how book bans are on the rise in the US
Rising tide of censorship is spreading, reshaping what students are permitted to read, learn and think
The rise of the literary nepo baby? The children of famous novelists on following in their parents’ footsteps
From Naomi Ishiguro to Jess Atwood Gibson, more children of high profile writers are becoming authors themselves. Parents and their literary offspring discuss the pressures of measuring up
Amandaland to Olof Dreijer: the week in rave reviews
Lucy Punch’s middle-class antihero is back, and one half of the Knife presents an album of dazzlingly inventive psychedelia. Here’s the pick of the week’s culture, taken from the Guardian’s best-rated reviews
‘She made Mondays something to look forward to’: readers pay tribute to Carol Rumens, Guardian’s Poem of the week columnist
Rumens, whose column ran for nearly 20 years and developed a loyal readership, died this week aged 81
The best recent science fiction, fantasy and horror – review roundup
The Republic of Memory by Mahmud El Sayed; The Rainshadow Orphans by Naomi Ishiguro; No Ghosts by Max Lury; Palaces of the Crow by Ray Nayler; Moon Over Brendle by Jeff Noon
The Assassination of Margaret Thatcher review – Hilary Mantel tale is provocative, powerful theatre
Beginning as a culture clash comedy with cups of tea and deadly intent, this two-hander becomes boldly arresting
This Book May Cause Side Effects by Helen Pilcher review – can you think yourself sick?
Fearing the worst can lead to physical changes, according to this fascinating study of a strange medical phenomenon
‘Being human helps’: despite rise of AI is there still hope for Europe’s translators?
A booming tech sector has disrupted translation jobs in publishing – but they could be needed for a while longer yet
Goodbye, My Love by Yumna Kassab review – biting reflections on the dissolution of a marriage
This novel told in vignettes and poetic fragments follows a woman who discovers that choice does not always equate to agency
The Pretender by Jo Harkin audiobook review – sprightly historical political skulduggery
This 15th-century royal romp of intrigue and courtly conspiracy is given extra charismatic verve by John Hollingworth’s rambunctious narration
Report shows banned non-fiction books doubled over last school year in US
New PEN America report analysed 3,743 unique titles removed from libraries and classrooms and found books about activism and social movements were targeted
‘We’re remixing her library for a new medium’: the video games capturing the happy-sad spirit of Tove Jansson’s Moomins
Enchanting and a little eerie, Moomintroll: Winter’s Warmth is the second great game in as many years based on the classic children’s books
Solace House by Will Maclean review – immensely fun gothic horror with a psychedelic twist
A dead poet’s cluttered mansion is the setting for a heady brew of magic, mystery and mushrooms
JM Coetzee declines to attend Jerusalem writers festival over Israel’s ‘genocidal campaign in Gaza’
Nobel laureate says he previously considered himself a supporter of Israel, but ‘the campaign of annihilation in Gaza has changed all that’
Best Australian books out in May: Robert Forster’s crime caper, a ‘superb’ new novel and Periodic Bitch
Each month Guardian Australia editors and critics pick the upcoming titles they have devoured – or can’t wait to get their hands on