Books12 of the best books of the year so farFrom a Dickensian state-of-the-nation novel to a "wildly original summer thriller", these are BBC Culture's picks of the best fiction of the year so far.See moreMore headlinesCost of living-cancelled book festival returnsWords by the Water returns to Keswick after rising costs and falling income caused its cancellation.4 days agoCumbriaBookshop writing club to expand as demand growsOwner Cathy Hayward said places for the monthly 5am Writing Club have sold out consistently.7 days agoSussexSinger revives music of grandad silenced by warRoxanne de Bastion hopes a new book and album will bring Stephen de Bastion back into the limelight.7 days agoCoventry & WarwickshireUri Geller returns library book 47 years lateThe performer recently found a library book - about himself - that he had borrowed in the 1970s in California. 8 days agoUS & CanadaEruption: Steven Spielberg approached to adapt new Crichton-Patterson novel Michael Crichton's widow asked bestselling author James Patterson to finish his volcanic thriller.3 Jun 2024US & CanadaThe World War Two army that didn't existThe biggest deception operation of World War Two – the invention of an entirely fake Army group in England, with dummy tanks and aircraft that fooled the Nazis.1 Jun 2024CultureReviews33 of the best books of 2023From a reimagining of Orwell's 1984 to the story of Renaissance painter Artemisia Gentileschi, these are BBC Culture's picks of the best fiction of the year.See moreWatchStriking images of women in the Black Panther PartyStephen Shames' photography offers a radically new and candid picture of the militant black power organisation.23 Feb 2024BooksBraille: What is it like to read without sight?What happens to our brains when we learn to read Braille?29 Jan 2023BooksInside the abandoned city of ancient librariesThe African town of Chinguetti is home to a large collection of forgotten ancient books. 23 Feb 2022BooksHow paper is making a comebackAs the world goes digital, paper might seem increasingly obsolete – but it is anything but.23 Feb 2022BooksPreserving the ancient art of handcrafting booksIn the digital age, the beautiful and ancient art of hand-binding books is under threat.23 Feb 2022BooksElizabeth Day: 'I felt so understood in the pages'When Elizabeth Day had a miscarriage, it was the words in a book from 1936 that helped her through it.23 Feb 2022BooksHow reading can help us cope with deathLisa Appignanesi describes how reading fiction helped her deal with bereavement.23 Feb 2022BooksMichael Rosen: 'How poetry helped me to grieve'When author Michael Rosen lost his son, he found inspiration to write again in a poem by Raymond Carver.23 Feb 2022BooksThe fiction that helped Laura Freeman recover from anorexiaHow a love of reading helped one woman recover from anorexia.23 Feb 2022BooksIs this Italy’s smallest library?One retired teacher is spreading the joy of books using his tiny mobile library.23 Feb 2022BooksThe man who lives in a library with no rulesNanie Guanlao turned his home into a library for his community in Manila.23 Feb 2022BooksThe ancient library where the books are under lock and keyStep inside the world’s largest surviving chained library.23 Feb 2022BooksBiblioburro: The amazing donkey libraries of ColombiaOne man and his loyal donkeys spreading the joy of books in Colombia.23 Feb 2022BooksMore Books8 days agoExhibition to honour 'humble' actor and poetPortraits by Birmingham artist Pogus Caesar will feature in the outdoor city centre display.8 days agoBirmingham & Black Country31 May 2024Award-winning poet John Burnside dies aged 69Tributes are paid to the award-winning writer who died after a short illness. 31 May 202431 May 2024The radical 1970s roots of wellnessWellness is a global industry, associated with expensive products and some dubious scientific claims. But 50 years ago, it was born as a subversive project to combat the modern grind.31 May 2024Culture31 May 2024Daydreaming helps child anxiety, says Hay authorChildren's author Lauren Child says access to books and quiet time is vital for young people.31 May 2024Wales27 May 2024Marian Keyes: 'I would never have been a writer if I was still drinking'Marian Keyes talks about staying sober, managing depression and Irish storytelling at the Hay Festival.27 May 2024Culture26 May 2024Campaign to save bookshop after ceiling collapseMultiple ceiling collapses and a loss of power have forced Books and Banter to temporarily shut.26 May 2024Stoke & Staffordshire26 May 2024Sir Lenny Henry thanks teachers who inspired himThe comedian and author says teachers at Blue Coat School in Dudley inspired him to write.26 May 2024Birmingham & Black Country25 May 2024Clive Myrie: ‘Mass shootings undermined my love for the US’The BBC star also discussed his family, who came to the UK as part of the Windrush generation.25 May 2024Culture25 May 2024What you need to know about Hay Festival 2024This year's Hay Festival features a varied lineup, from Bonnie Tyler to Theresa May.25 May 2024Wales
