On my radar: Bolu Babalola’s cultural highlights

The novelist and comedy writer on her song of the summer, her new favourite sitcom and the brilliance of director Lynette Linton

Summer reading: the 30 best holiday reads – chosen by authors and critics

Novelists including Johny Pitts, Monica Ali and Nina Stibbe – plus Observer critics – on their essential holiday books

The author of My Year of Rest and Relaxation talks to fellow US writer about memoir v fiction, depicting tyrants and the power of fairytales

An investigation into sibling dynamics, mental illness and intergenerational trauma, written with unusual clarity and wit

The ‘sprawling and ambitious’ debut centres on the author’s relationship with her mother, who died of cancer in 2010

Sinéad Gleeson, Gurnaik Johal and Guardian readers discuss the titles they’ve read over the last month. Join the conversation in the comments

Embarrassing video footage goes viral in this fresh Indian comedy about generation gaps, gossip and the power of the internet

A fabulously funny and heart-rendingly sad tale of childhood in the ‘dysfunctional utopia’ of a rackety smallholding

A wistful, witty meditation on a gay man’s twilight years and the twilight of America

Anastasia Steele actor describes constant disagreements on the set of the hit erotic thriller due to disagreements with Fifty Shades author EL James

Sexual assault survivor Winnie M Li delivers a visceral and timely novel about the men – and women – who turn a blind eye to systemic exploitation

Admirers pay tribute to writer best known for the Edith trilogy after death in Sydney hospital

A lyrical, witty novel of the US south, a great Italian writer’s mountain detective story, and the history of a controversial cycling champion

Anie’s skilful debut novel follows the development of an unlikely bond between a shopkeeper and a young boy in a hostile inner-city environment