I Will Crash by Rebecca Watson review – a unique take on sibling torment
A woman is haunted by her abusive relationship with her brother in this experimental novel of family trauma and memory
‘Reading’s in danger’: Frank Cottrell-Boyce on books, kids – and the explosive power of Heidi
He has written hit films like 24 Hour Party People and cooked up the Queen’s Olympic skydive. But now, having been crowned Children’s Laureate, he’s on a mission to show kids that books will change their lives
Bonding by Mariel Franklin review – a comprehensive vision of a devastated society
Populated by tech and pharma hustlers, this bold and highly impressive debut novel has its thumb right over the sore spots of modern life
Miles Franklin award 2024: Alexis Wright continues dream run as shortlist announced
Much-lauded Praiseworthy joins works by Gregory Day, André Dao, Sanya Rushdi, Jen Craig and Hossein Asgari competing for Australia’s highest literary honour
‘An ancient shadow permeates his work’: Alberto Manguel on the genius of Ismail Kadare
The writer pays tribute to the late author, reflecting on how Kadare’s use of the ancient past to make sense of the present renders him essential reading
Ismail Kadare obituary
One of Albania’s greatest writers who explored the ugliness and dignity of this ancient and long-oppressed nation
Ismail Kadare, giant of Albanian literature, dies aged 88
His allegorical stories, informed by life under state communism, drew international praise but he insisted that he was not a political writer
Long Island Compromise by Taffy Brodesser-Akner review – an old-fashioned maximalist rush of storytelling
Inspired by the real-life abduction of a wealthy businessman, the second novel from the Fleishman Is in Trouble author is a lip-smacking tale of family, wealth and self-destruction told with relish
Monumenta by Lara Haworth review – Serbian house of horrors
A deeply political debut novel, fizzing with ideas, examines the difficulties of memorialising the past in a region riven by conflict
In brief: Storm Pegs; Beautiful Days; A Travel Guide to the Middle Ages – review
An engrossing memoir of life on Shetland; a varied set of short stories about all-American antiheroes; and how medieval tourists got their kicks
Beach books at the ready: authors pick their essential summer reads
From newly published novels to timeless classics, Elizabeth Strout, Caleb Azumah Nelson, Irvine Welsh, Tessa Hadley and other writers choose their holiday favourites
Following in the footsteps of David Nicholls’ characters turned out to be good for our soles
A trip to a local, well-known outdoors outlet proved that the spirit of Michael and Marnie is alive and well in Penrith
Anita Desai: ‘After I left India, I had to train myself to express my opinions’
At 87, the Indian author has been shortlisted for the Booker prize three times, and has written her first novel in a decade. She talks about leaving India to teach and write around the world – and feeling like a stranger everywhere
Yorùbá Boy Running by Biyi Bándélé review – a historic hero
The Nigerian writer and film-maker’s last work explores the life story of the enslaved Samuel Àjàyí Crowther, in a novel of triumph over adversity
Orlando by Virginia Woolf audiobook review – a superb reading by Juliet Stevenson
The actor expertly navigates the detours of Virginia Woolf’s adventure – a feminist fantasy that speaks to our times