Let the spirit move you

Miranda France found Duende: A Journey in Search of Flamenco by Jason Webster so engrossing that she ignored her children's screams to finish a chapter

‘You have only so many jokes’

He's always having a go at fat Americans. Now he's written a book about people starving in Africa. Bill Bryson tells Simon Hattenstone that for once the humour is hard to come by.

Bed, breakfast and beer

British Bed and Breakfast: This revamped seventh edition of the Alastair Sawday B&B guide is more comprehensive, user-friendly and swish than ever.

On the road

A doughnut ring of diesel fug, an endless procession of cars and Eddie Stobart lorries, a Tarmac tourniquet. The M25 is many things - and now it's a work of art, says Iain Sinclair

Food, glorious food

Nicholas Lezard tucks into A Cook's Tour, Anthony Bourdain's love-letter to the culinary arts

Epiphany under the sun

Almost 40 years ago, Paul Theroux was an idealistic young teacher in Malawi. In this exclusive extract from his new book, he returns to find his former school in ruins and the country in crisis

Car-Free Cumbria, Jon Sparks (John Gillham Green £5.95)

A nephew and his girlfriend this week walked around 50 miles across Cumbria, from Ravenglass on the west coast to Caldbeck, a lovely village just south of Carlisle. They camped out on three nights - in Eskdale, Borrowdale and Mosedale.

French farce

Julian Barnes: Jean-Marie Le Pen's surprise success in the first round of France's presidential election sent the country into a spasm of anguished self-examination. Was the left to blame? Was politics itself bankrupt? Only one thing is clear, reports Julian Barnes from Paris - the extremist cannot lose.

Book of the week

Where would we be without Spartacus? Lost and lonely probably. If you want to find a gay bar in Ulaan Baatar, a sex shop in St Petersburg or a men-only guest house in Capetown, Spartacus lists them all, and in four languages.