Books

Jane Austen is one of the UK's most celebrated authors. Born in 1775, today (December 16th) marks what would have been the iconic writer's 250th birthday. Despite two and a half centuries passing since her birth, her books are still read and held in high regard to this day.Austen penned six novels before her passing at the age of 41 in 1817, and she was known for using her novels to explore the dependence of women on marriage for the pursuit of better social standing and economic security. Her works are often considered to be critiques of the popular novels of the 18th century, and her use of realism, wit, and social commentary has earned her acclaim amongst critics and scholars over the past 250 years.Almost all of us will have read at least one Jane Austen book during our school days,...

Many incredible books have been turned into TV shows and films over the past few decades. Some adaptations struggle to meet expectations, but others manage to impress both readers and new viewers. One BBC detective drama did exactly that. It became a hit as soon as it aired and continues to attract viewers to this day.The show is based on a hugely successful crime book series and follows a private detective and his partner as they take on cases the police have failed to solve. It has strong reviews from fans and critics, and many viewers say it is one of the best British crime dramas available right now.It also has high scores on Rotten Tomatoes, with an 83% critic rating and an 88% audience score.The show in question is Strike, based on the best-selling Cormoran Strike novels by J. K. ...

This book has been crowned the Winner of the Edgar Award for Best Novel 2025. Set against the polished, yet poisonous backdrop of London's high society, the book blends the razor-sharp puzzle-making of classic whodunnits with the glossy, backstabbing world of modern elite culture where "Agatha Christie meets Made in Chelsea." Charlotte Vassell's second novel set in high society London, The In Crowd, was first published in April 2024 and is described as an "electrifying, whip-smart whodunit about the dastardly misbehaviour of London’s high society—where being 'in' or 'out' can be a life-and-death matter."The novel once again follows Detective Inspector Caius Beauchamp, who finds himself navigating the dangerous and dark undercurrents of London's wealthiest circles. At dawn, a men's rowin...

Jason Isaacs as Jackson Brodie in BBC adaptation of Kate Atkinson's novels (Image: BBC/Ruby Films)'World-class, cerebral entertainment' ... 'a series that appeals so strongly to generations of readers'Sir Ian Rankin, whose new standalone novel The Heights (Orion) will be published in October 2026, says: “Wild Thing by Sue Prideaux (Faber) is a brilliant biography of Paul Gauguin, packed with fascinating information and a helpful restoration of his personal reputation. He fought for the rights of Tahitians (at that time ruled by France) and limped for much of his adult life after taking a kicking by a gang who wore clogs. He once visited Aberdeen (as a seaman) and went on to help build the Panama Canal. Beat that, Cezanne! Kate Atkinson's Death At The Sign of The Rook (Transworld) is a s...

It has been a deeply sad end to the year for some of our most iconic and important female novelists and the millions of fans of their inimitable writing.Dame Jilly Cooper passed away aged 88 in October after a fall at home. Sophie Kinsella, author of the bestselling Shopaholic series, died earlier this week aged just 55 after battling a brain tumour for five years. And now Joanna Trollope, who wrote unerringly about the English shires and sold more than five million books, has died at the age of 82.Despite being a quintessentially English writer, Trollope never liked being known as the ‘Queen of the Aga Saga’, an affectionate label given early in her career by a particularly perceptive critic – branding it "patronising and dismissive" in 2020. But no one ever came up with a better one.F...

Steph McGovern whose debut psychological thriller, Deadline, was published earlier this year (Image: Carolyn Mendelsohn)'Truly disturbing, utterly gripping and brilliant' ... 'brilliant premise, expert execution'Bestseller Lisa Jewell, whose new book, Don’t Let Him In (Cornerstone) is out now, says: “The Death of Us by Abigail Dean (HarperCollins) is a chilling and unforgettable psychodrama told through the voices of a long-divorced, middle-aged couple forced to come together to navigate the trial of the man who invaded their home decades earlier and committed unthinkable atrocities. There is a surprising amount of dry humour in both characters’ voices, which offsets the horrific nature of the crimes. I also adored Helena Echlin’s Clever Little Thing (Headline). I’m a big fan of creepy ...

With December well underway already, it's peak Christmas shopping time. With a couple of weeks to go before the big day, there's still plenty of time to find everything you need for your loved ones this festive period.When buying for a book lover, the first thought for many people is to simply buy them another book. But between making sure you're getting a book they haven't already read and trying to work out what they might like, this route can be easier said than done. Luckily, there are lots of other options available. Here are the best bookish gifts perfect for any keen reader. A book subscriptionWhat's the only thing better than a new book? A new book delivered to your door every month. A book subscription box is the ultimate gift for any reader you'd love to treat this Christmas. ...

Following the Goodreads 2025 Choice Awards, one book is standing out among the rest when it comes to historical fiction.Taylor Jenkins Reid takes home the prize for Reader's Favourite Historical Fiction Book of the Year, with Atmosphere.Atmosphere is a historical fiction romance novel that follows Joan Goodwin, a fictional astronaut in NASA's Space Shuttle program in the early 1980s.The book's blurb reads: "Joan Goodwin has been obsessed with the stars for as long as she can remember. Thoughtful and reserved, Joan is content with her life as a professor of physics and astronomy at Rice University and as aunt to her precocious niece, Frances. That is, until she comes across an advertisement seeking the first women scientists to join NASA’s space shuttle program. Suddenly, Joan burns to b...

It has been an excellent year for books (Image: Getty)It's that time of year again – award season. With awards season comes celebration and recognition for the books that stood out beyond the rest. And the 2025 Goodreads Choice Awards are the perfect place to look if you are lacking inspiration for your next read, as these awards were voted on by readers themselves. Here are the winners of the 2025 Goodreads Choice Awards, listed by category in full below.My Friends by Fredrik Backman (Fiction)The book's synopsis states: "Most people don’t even notice them—three tiny figures sitting at the end of a long pier in the corner of one of the most famous paintings in the world. Most people think it’s just a depiction of the sea. But Louisa, an aspiring artist herself, knows otherwise, and she ...

Waterstones has selected some top modern fiction novels for your reading list (Image: Getty)I love a beach read just as much as the next person, but sometimes we need to delve a little deeper and look to the books that have shaped the world of literature. Without these books, we would likely not have the magical realism books that we all so adore, never mind non-fiction. Waterstones has listed some of the modern fiction novels that you've probably "always meant to read", but just haven't got round to, and here we have selected seven to get you started. Haruki Murakami is a bestselling author (Image: Getty)Norwegian Wood by Haruki MurakamiThe book's synopsis reads: "Toru, a quiet and preternaturally serious young college student in Tokyo, is devoted to Naoko, a beautiful and introspectiv...