Books

A book that came up time and time again, with different reactions and emotions, was The Last Letter by Rebecca Yarros. I decided to buy it, and I ended up reading it in just one day. It ended up being one of the best, but most heartbreaking, books I have ever read.It’s a contemporary romance with a deeply emotional, heart-wrenching story about love, loss, family and resilience.The story centres on two people brought together by a promise, one made in the wake of tragedy, and follows how their lives slowly intertwine as they navigate responsibility, heartbreak and hope.Set against a small-town backdrop, the novel explores what it means to show up for others when life is overwhelming.Yarros blends spicy romance scenes with themes of family, duty, and resilience, creating a story that’s as...

I regularly start reading a new book with a mix of excitement and trepidation. The prospect of getting lost in a whole new story or acquiring new knowledge and skills is always exciting. But what if it doesn't live up to expectations and I'm forced to abandon it after a few hours or days? It happens a lot and my book shelves are littered with half-read books I gave up on. Fortunately they are outnumbered by the excellent ones I devoured. I knew The Bee Sting by Paul Murray would fit easily into the latter category within minutes of opening it. It was immediately funny and tragic, it raced off at breakneck speed while also dealing with deep, thoughtful and emotional issues. It was called an "instant classic" by the Washington Post on release and "astute and remorselessly funny" by The Mi...

Mark Billingham pictured at home in north London for the Daily Express (Image: Adam Gerrard / Daily Express)Legendary thriller writer Mark Billingham has followed in the footsteps of literary luminaries including Colin Dexter, Ruth Rendell and John le Carré after being honoured with crime writing’s most prestigious award. The multi-million selling Tom Thorne creator has been named as the 2026 recipient of the Diamond Dagger by the Crime Writers’ Association.Sleepyhead, published 25 years ago, was an instant bestseller, introducing country music-loving cop, Detective Inspector Tom Thorne, and leading to a further 18 books in the series – which was adapted by Sky 1 in 2010 starring David Morrissey as Thorne. The latest Thorne book, What the Night Brings, Billingham’s 25th book, was publis...

Back in 2016, JK Rowling’s official canonical sequel to her magical novels hit London’s Palace Theatre.Harry Potter and the Cursed Child takes place where the Deathly Hallows final chapter, 19 Years Later, left off.The story follows the sons of Harry and Draco Malfoy, who have become best friends at Hogwarts, on a time-travelling adventure.What’s unique about the play is that it's in two parts, so you have to buy tickets to two plays that are performed in a matinee and evening show on the same day, four days a week.It’s well-known for being an extended piece of lore for fans to lap up, but now a major change has been announced today for the much-loved theatrical experience.Today, the official Instagram account for the Cursed Child London play announced: “This is your last chance to expe...

The Theakston Old Peculier Crime Writing Festival has announced a major star guest (Image: Harrogate International Festivals)​​Vera star Brenda Blethyn will be among the special guests at the world’s best-loved and most prestigious celebration of crime writing this summer. The actress, who played Chief Inspector Vera Stanhope from 2011 to 2025, will appear at the Theakston Old Peculier Crime Writing Festival alongside Ann Cleeves on whose books the Northumberland-set series is based.Other big names announced today include Foyles War and Alex Rider creator Anthony Horowitz, Holly Jackson, Chris Brookymyre, Chris Whitaker, Jane Harper and LJ Ross. They join previously announced headliners Nadine Matheson, Gillian McAllister, Steve Cavanagh, Alice Feeney and David Baldacci in a thrilling l...

The show went on to win seven Primetime Emmy Awards (Image: BBC)British TV has produced many acclaimed period dramas over the years, but every so often one stands out and leaves viewers completely spellbound. It’s the kind of series people still talk about long after it ends, and one that audiences describe as a “true masterpiece”. Reviewers say it has flawless acting, stunning writing and some of the most impressive production work ever seen on the BBC.The show is based on a classic novel, and fans say it captures every detail so well that it “feels like stepping straight into the pages of the book”. It also has perfect pacing, great characters and a story that gets better with every episode. Many viewers say they didn’t expect to be hooked so quickly, but were gripped within minutes. ...

John Grisham has shared his seven favourite books (Image: Getty)John Grisham has revealed his top seven favourite books. The American novelist is known for his best-selling legal thrillers. He has written 37 consecutive number-one fiction bestsellers and sold 300 million copies worldwide. His novels include The Rainmaker, The Firm, The Partner, The Guardians, The Testaments and The Client. Ten of his works have been adapted for TV and film. Along with Tom Clancy and J. K. Rowling, Grisham is one of only three Anglophone authors to have sold two million copies on the first printing.Here’s a look at the full list of John Grisham’s favourites, shared in a 2020 interview with Goodreads:7. A Private Cathedral by James Lee BurkeGrisham said that main character, David Robicheaux, is “one of th...

The writer seems sick of answering fans burning questions (Image: Getty)Acclaimed American author George R. R. Martin can hide all he likes, but fans will not stop asking about the cat he let out of the bag - the next in the Game of Thrones series.The writer has penned five main novels in the A Song of Ice and Fire series, which went on to be adapted into what many consider the greatest TV show of all time, Game of Thrones. Except, he shared there are set to be two more books to finally complete the series. The next one titled The Winds of Winter - but it has been a long, 15 year wait already for it to appear.It's the big question on everyone's lips - when will we be getting this book? And Martin has managed avoid giving many answers as over the years he's spoon-fed fans information ab...

The author had plans to 'kill more people' (Image: Getty)The adored American author George R. R. Martin has been in the spotlight recently following the launch of his book's TV adaptation, A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms.But all fans really want to know is what's happening with the next book in the Game of Thrones series.Despite the HBO series Game of Thrones long being wrapped, the original book series, A Song of Ice and Fire novels, which served as the basis for the show, is not yet complete with another two books left to go. In fact, fans have been waiting for over 10 years for the next book, The Winds of Winter, to be released and finish the never-ending story.Martin has managed to avoid giving many answers to questions surrounding the novel, spoon-feeding information to readers, unt...

The third Game of Thrones show has launched as A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms. And with it, fantasy series author George RR Martin has been doing the press rounds. Having appeared in an interview at the Oxford Union in England, the 77-year-old was asked if A Song of Ice and Fire – of which he still has two books to write, including The Winds of Winter – would end the same way as the Game of Thrones TV show. After all, the showrunners had to complete the small-screen story using Martin's bullet-pointed planned story arc.Martin interrupted the interviewer to shut down this fan theory, injecting: “The books are not going to end that way.” Here’s the thing, though, George, will they ever be finished? That’s when he admitted a fan recently asked what his main regret in life was.Martin confes...