Culture
Books
Opinion
WordPlay
Hundreds of words have been added to the dictionary this year. Which ones will last?
Enshittification, this is your moment.
- by David Astle
Latest
‘I hope it sticks to them like a tick’: A writer’s gift to her stalker
Author Ella Baxter has an unusual request for the person who sent her violent and sexual letters.
- by Melanie Kembrey
Opinion
Opinion
We desperately need to improve our concentration. Here’s a novel idea
In a world of fleeting social media grabs and instant gratification, how can we learn to focus?
- by Richard Glover
A girl in flight for sanctuary and to find out who she is
In Courtney Collins’ Bird the main character wakes up in hospital, unsure of where she comes from or who she is.
- by Jessie Tu
‘I write about sports; it’s what my head is filled with’
Two of Joseph O’Neill’s novels have been shortlisted for the Booker. His latest has echoes of Heart of Darkness in its quest for a brilliant teenage African footballer.
- by Jason Steger
At the heart of a love story, an urge to understand Country
Anita Heiss’ second historical novel is an act of remembering, educative about sorry business and the need for empathy.
- by Lucy Sussex
It may be a miniature, but this story of music strikes the right note
Andrew Ford speculates that music might predate speech. But in his informative “shortest history”, he insists that music is not a universal language.
- by Barney Zwartz
What to read next: The brilliant Rachel Cusk and a striking memoir
Our reviewers cast their eyes over recent fiction and non-fiction releases.
- by Cameron Woodhead and Fiona Capp
Good people use exclamation marks! The rest of you are jerks
We’re all just trying to get through our days. Exclamation marks make it nicer!
- by Robert Moran
Queer lovers doubling up in the face of society’s hostility
In Dylin Hardcastle’s second novel, the two main characters face pressure not to be their true selves.
- by Declan Fry
Twelve books to keep you busy in August
There are plenty of books coming out this month. Here is just a selection of the titles that could keep you out of the chill for the next few weeks.
- by Jason Steger