Sky City by Jacqueline Crooks review – an ambitious, lyrical portrait of trauma

A young woman is haunted by her childhood in this forcefully imaginative and unapologetically bleak novel from the author of Fire Rush

‘Getting old is no fun’: Game of Thrones author George RR Martin speaks out about depression amid further book delays

A new blog post by the fantasy writer has outlined his recent difficulties, as fans continue to speculate on the elusive sixth book in his A Song of Ice and Fire series

A Sense of Occasion by Brodie Crellin review – a surprising and darkly funny debut

A dysfunctional family comes together for a funeral in this heartfelt, keenly observed novel

AI-generated stories rated better quality than human-written ones, study finds

Researcher says simpler writing by AI is easier to read and digest, but this does not mean human authors are obsolete

Best Australian books out in August: new Meg Mason, musicians tell all and a time-travel tale by ‘a master storyteller’

Each month Guardian Australia editors and critics pick the upcoming titles they have devoured – or can’t wait to get their hands on

Children of the Wild by Kevin Powers review – gripping tale of a friendship forged in war

Written by a US army veteran, this novel of courage and cruelty during the first world war is filled with unsettlingly authoritative depictions of violence – but its characters are less believable

‘I want to be ripped to shreds’: writers flock to MFAs – but does it breed elitist literature?

Thousands of budding US novelists enlist in courses each year, hoping to gain credentials that often influence who gets published

Exhibition by Alex Hyde review – an elegiac love letter to the YBA era

London’s 90s art scene forms the backdrop to this tale of a complex relationship between two artists whose identities become entangled in their creative collaboration

‘Am I 68? 69?’ Irvine Welsh on growing old, getting clean, bashing out his new novel – and flirting with guns

Three decades after he channelled his heroin addiction into the cult classic Trainspotting, the Scottish author has discovered the joys of yoga, breathwork and standing desks. But is he quite as ‘Zen’ as he claims?

​What makes a good comic novel? Andrew Sean Greer on the joy of funny writing

The Pulitzer-winning author of Less and Villa Coco explores the art of writing humour – plus 10 of the best novels to make you laugh

What we’re reading: writers and readers on the books they enjoyed in July

Max Porter, Daisy Johnson, Avni Doshi and Guardian readers discuss the titles they have read over the last month. Join the conversation in the comments

Literary escapes: your favourite trips inspired by books

From Dervla Murphy’s Northern Ireland to Elena Ferrante’s Naples, readers share the stories that inspired them to travel

Jacaranda by Gaël Faye review – the limits of forgiveness after Rwanda

This bold family saga explores a search for healing and truth in the aftermath of the Rwanda genocide

Rite of Spring by Kris Kneen review – a woman’s sexual awakening lurks in the ocean’s depths

A couple sign up as lighthouse keepers on an isolated island off Tasmania. But Miranda is on the cusp of a transformation – and sex is everywhere

Helm by Sarah Hall audiobook review – a breath of fresh air from the Pennines

Louise Brealey teases out the playful and poetic moments of these shapeshifting stories, told from the perspective of the northeasterly wind and those it has wreaked chaos on through the ages