Books

It’s not as loud as It or as infamous as The Shining, but some Stephen King fans think his best screen adaptation is a slow-burn suspense from 1983.The Dead Zone was directed by David Cronenberg and blends psychic mystery with and political dread – all supported by a haunting performance from Christopher Walken.Based on King’s 1979 novel, it follows schoolteacher Johnny Smith, who awakens from a five-year coma with a terrifying new ability: he can see into the future - and the past - with just a touch.What starts as a gift soon becomes a curse, especially when Johnny discovers a future too horrifying to ignore.As Johnny has a disturbing vision while shaking hands with a rising politician in a snowy campaign rally, the moment leads him to utter one of the film’s most pivotal lines - and ...

I woke to a detective story. Maybe I had left the radio on, in our pebbledashed family home in Cheam, the storm black and loud outside; I must have fallen asleep while Capital Radio jukeboxed tunes at my bedside. When I woke it was to a particular line, and I’ll never forget it. “She’s filing her nails while they’re dragging the lake.” The voice was nasal, a little like Bob Dylan. There was a rasping guitar. I was 11. I didn't even know what filing nails was.There was no rewind on the radio, so the haunting words drifted away like smoke rings from a cigarette as I fell back to sleep. I would have to listen out to hear them again, find out whose voice that was and whose guitar. It turned out to be my introduction to Elvis Costello. The song, Watching the Detectives, was not only his firs...

Hercule Poirot (David Suchet) enjoys his favourite tipple (Image: ITV/Shutterstock)We're all familiar with the stereotypes of crime fiction: the hard-bitten, increasingly world-weary detective searching for the bottle of something strong in the bottom drawer of their desk; or the haggard, haunted street cop sitting at the bar, staring at the bottom of an empty beer glass at the end of another exhausting shift. Drinking to remember the ones they lost. Drinking to forget the things they’ve seen.Given what writers put their creations through – death, murder and general mayhem – it’s no surprise some of them need a drink. From Inspector Maigret’s frequent cafe stops for a beer or calvados in Georges Simenon’s Paris-set series, to Philip Marlowe’s gin gimlets (lime juice and gin) in The Long...

Tom Holland is an acclaimed British author, podcaster and broadcaster (Image: Getty)Tom Holland has built a reputation as one of Britain’s most popular historians - known for turning ancient history into gripping, accessible narratives. From Rome’s fall to Christianity’s rise, his books offer sweeping views of the ancient world through a modern lens.Beyond historical works, Holland has also written fiction, including novels like Attis and Deliver Us From Evil, which often incorporate supernatural or horror elements. He also presents the BBC Radio 4 series Making History and co-hosts the popular history podcast The Rest is History with Dominic Sandbrook.Based on the number of ratings on Goodreads, here are Tom Holland's ten most-read books, or enlightening journeys into empires, revoluti...

The first-ever Gaelic translation of The Hobbit has been released by Moray Watson, Professor of Gaelic and Translation at the University of Aberdeen and a lifelong Tolkien enthusiast.The university lecturer started working on 'A' Hobat' several years ago, and now, after numerous rounds of editing, the book is ready for purchase - complete with an afterword explaining why Professor Watson chose the word hobat to translate 'hobbit' and why it has a' instead of the more 'expected' an."Enjoyment of reading is of tremendous importance on many levels when it comes to the esteem and status of a language," he said."Being able to select from a wide range of engaging texts is also extremely important when learning a language or when making the decision to dig in and make that long, sustained extr...

Jeffrey Archer has published 42 works that have been translated into 33 languages (Image: Getty)Jeffrey Archer’s career has been as colourful as the plots of his bestselling novels. From the House of Commons to the criminal courts and then the bestseller list, Archer has remained one of Britain’s most recognisable literary exports.Since publishing Not a Penny More, Not a Penny Less in 1976, the former MP has sold over 275 million books worldwide, building a dedicated fanbase with his blend of politics, revenge, family feuds, and good old-fashioned twists.His work spans everything from early one-off thrillers to long-running series like The Clifton Chronicles and William Warwick. But which Jeffrey Archer books are the most popular among readers?According to reviews on Goodreads, where re...

Suzanne Collins’ new book has already gained an incredible reputation despite only being released on March 18. The book has been long-awaited and has already been met with thousands of positive reviews. On Amazon, the novel has received 28,776 five-star reviews, suggesting it's hugely popular among its readers.Serving as the fifth installment in the Hunger Games series, this prequel delves into the harrowing journey of Haymitch Abernathy during the 50th Hunger Games, also known as the Second Quarter Quell. The novel is set 24 years prior to the original trilogy which was a huge success.It offers a poignant exploration of survival, trauma, and resistance within the dystopian confines of Panem.One reader on Amazon said: “The book is relentlessly engaging. Collins has such a tight grip on ...

Four of William Shakespeare's folios published over 350 years ago could fetch a staggering £4.5 million when they go under the hammer next month. The books, which compile Shakespeare’s plays, will go on sale at Sotheby’s in London on May 23rd - a month after the English Bard’s birthday on April 23rd.Experts say the first folio, which contains 36 of Shakespeare’s plays, is "the most significant publication in the history of English literature". While they add that without it up to half of the writer’s plays would have been lost, including Macbeth, Twelfth Night and Julius Caesar. Alongside the King James Bible, the auctioneers say the book has had "the greatest impact on the development of the English language itself".The first book’s initial print run is thought to have been around 750 ...

Emily Henry is known for her popular books which have flown off the shelves in recent years. The author has established herself as a key writer in contemporary romance, captivating readers with her emotionally resonant storytelling and relatable characters. Her latest novel, Great Big Beautiful Life, is set to be released on April 24, and it promises to be a must-read for fans seeking the perfect holiday escape.Known for her bestselling novels like Beach Read, People We Meet on Vacation, and Happy Place, Henry has consistently delivered heartwarming tales that blend humor, romance, and personal growth. In Great Big Beautiful Life, the story follows Alice Scott and Hayden Anderson, two writers competing to write the biography of the enigmatic heiress Margaret Ives.Set on a picturesque fi...

Martin Lewis has shared his favourite book and it’s a popular title many are familiar with. The well-known financial expert and founder of MoneySavingExpert.com, is known for his advice on money matters and helping people make informed decisions.But beyond his financial knowledge, Martin has spoken about his love for the fantasy genre and once named Game of Thrones as one of his favourite reads. Game of Thrones by George R.R. Martin is a book that became even more popular after it was adapted into a hit television series. Despite being set in a fantastical world filled with dragons, magic, and ancient lore, the novel is rooted in human behaviour - greed, ambition, loyalty and betrayal.Martin Lewis’s appreciation for the novel shows that even the most rational minds can enjoy stories of ...