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WordPlay
The English language is full of surprises. Here are my three favourites
English, I thought I knew you.
- by David Astle
Latest
A murder most foul and the impact it has on everyone connected
Fiona McFarlane’s linked short stories focus on how a killer and his crimes affect various lives over time.
- by Jo Case
How Kari Gislason fell into the clutches of the Pirate - and survived
As an 18-year-old the writer had an adventure in Corfu that has coloured the rest of his life.
- by Susan Johnson
Three museums for book lovers to visit
Among the literary museums in the UK is one where the fictional detective Sherlock Holmes lived in the books by Arthur Conan Doyle.
- by Jane Sullivan
The nanny and the billionaire – steamy, and that’s not the ironing
Lauren Asher follows two wounded souls who make beautiful music – together.
- by Jessie Tu
A black parable and fine nature writing: Eight books to read next
Our reviewers consider the merits of recently released fiction and non-fiction.
- by Cameron Woodhead and Fiona Capp
Emotional grenades in a novel about mothers, daughters and identity
Jessie Tu’s follow up to her award-winning first novel is driven by three emotionally charged characters.
- by Frances Atkinson
Social media has made us more psychopathic, says author Jon Ronson
The journalist, author and screenwriter says he “got drunk” on the power of his psychopath-spotting skills after writing his 2011 bestselling novel he Psychopath Test: A Journey Through the Madness Industry,
- by Lenny Ann Low
Keanu Reeves had a vision. Then things got really weird
The Hollywood nice guy was on set as John Wick when he saw the beginnings of his first novel. Author China Mieville couldn’t resist.
- by Kylie Northover
Joni Mitchell’s life has been over-examined. But this is not your typical biography
Ann Powers was uneasy about taking on the life of one of the great figures from American music. The biographer’s work is a dazzling and discerning appraisal of the singer.
- by Nathan Smith
Opinion
WordPlay
You might not know it, but you’re probably a ‘citizen scientist’
The term might be controversial, but the practice has become vital to most research fields.
- by David Astle