As the world mourns the passing of author Sue Townsend, I remember her most famous and beloved creation...
The government's decision to stop prisoners receiving books is a predictably short-sighted and counter-productive one, but what do they care when it's within their interests for prisoners to return to jail?
About to submit that great British novel to the publishers? Stop. Lock it in a drawer and read this...
Is the Hemingway legend of booze, bull-fighting and bravado really an accurate portrayal of America's greatest ever writer?
Next week, Arimstead Maupin releases the ninth and final book in the Tales of the City series, meaning that fans must prepare to say their final goodbyes to some of literature’s most beloved characters...
They say you’re only as old as you feel, but there are some novels you really need to read in your 20s.
The incumbent ward of the great American novel, Denis Johnson follows in the footsteps of Bukowski and Kerouac, refusing to be stupefied by the m...
With a new book 'Watching War Films With My Dad' on the shelves, the comedian goes from Waterloo to Burma with his favourite ever war books...
From bleak northern towns, to high rise blocks, via Britain’s finest spy...
It might have been the only weekend in Rotherham when drainpiped hipsters wearing berets would be safe in numbers.
It's not always easy being a writer. When you're down to your last few pennies and that book deal is still in the d...
The bestselling author of 'Man and Boy' gives his verdict on the GQ Norman Mailer Award Winner's debut effort...
Think life drawing is only for artists? Wrong, join me in a basement in Shoreditch for the first event where writer...
Literature is full of strong female characters, here are the ones we'd love to have a pint with.
Sex is always a catalyst for a good story, but just how horny are the creators of some of literature's most promiscuous characters?
Infinite Jest (the clue's in the title) took me the best part of a year to get through – one-third the length of time it apparently took its au...
Author Tom Gillespie’s novel ‘Painting by Numbers’ has been nominated for The People’s Book Prize, but he'd rather be known as 'the next ...
Some writers seem to spend all day gazing out at the world through dreary, rain-smeared windows. It can’t do much to perk them up, but it has m...
'A Departure' is the first novel from GQ Norman Mailer Award Winner, Tom Ward. 'A Departure' is a 'horror story, road story, love story – a shockingly good debut novel about what happens when one world brutally ends and a new world begins...A cracking good read that has at its black heart hope, humanity and a dream of escape.' - Tony Parsons.
The human soul needs travel to grow and be happy. Resisting this urge is like tethering a balloon in a gale. If you...
Check out this extract from my second novel and win one of five copies while you're at it...
With the new cover from Lana Del Ray sweeping the internet; the magic, the folklore and the locker-room whispers su...
You've got 20 minutes to write a story. Grammar snobs need not apply....
Don't be fooled by his buffoonish air. Boris Johnson is a seriously canny politi...
New offerings from SOPHIE and xxxy aswell as a melodic future classic by John Ta...
The egocentricity of 'Gen Y' has reached almost absurd levels.
Fair play to the lads for the effort.
Does the current conflict signal an end to traditional news reporting?
Until the oil runs out and we end up in a radioactive wasteland wrestling with g...
They never ask how your day's been, they think all their work is shit, and they ...
Want to win a cool prize just for taking a picture on Twitter? Sure you do.
With Ben Wheatley having just being confirmed to adapt Ballard' High Rise, we ta...
He romanced Hollywood, was lauded as the "best actor on the planet" by Steven Sp...
As a grizzled, old boxing reporter shuffles his way up to the suite of yet anoth...
Is Wayne Rooney really the right man to be England captain? Here are 4 other cho...
Whether you savour it or down it one, this book is essential reading for any com...
If you're talking about authorities, this guy is it. A list to get purists remi...
Remember when penny sweets were actually a penny? Take a trip down memory lane a...
Too funny
Shot over the past 12 years, everyone has been talking about Boyhood, but is it ...
Free festival tickets and a load of new gear to wear. Bloody right...