Fearne Cotton selects 'A Year of Nothing' by Emma Gannon as February's read for the Happy Place Book Club

Recognising the physical and psychological tells is half the battle, says author Emma Gannon

'My book is like a ‘buddy’ now and is opening space for new opportunities ahead. I can do more talks, presentations and workshops with this new friend I have created!'

Jaime Dávila challenged Guardian readers to reinvent one of the basic ideas behind Corneliszoon’s mechanised sawmill for Alex Bellos's Monday puzzle. Jaime is the author of 'Forgotten: How One Man Unlocked the Modern World'.

When we consider a piece of music, a poem, a short story or a novel, the work is the thing. Title credits belong in the cinema, with a soundtrack (that’s a whole other story). But acknowledgements – if you really care about your reader’s feelings – have no right to force themselves upon our attention, even if (or especially if) you are looking for your own name: beware, it might not be there.

To mark the publication of this new, updated edition, Penlee House is hosting a special exhibition: 'Lamorna Birch: A Painter Laureate' until 10 January 2026. This one-room show features around 25 stunning paintings by Lamorna Birch, all from the collection of the late Austin Wormleighton, author of the biography and founding member (and long-time President) of The Lamorna Society.

The Financial Times spotlights 'Dying Days' by Les Hinton – a gripping debut that draws on the author’s decades in journalism to deliver a vivid, high-stakes portrait of the media world.

Les Hinton’s 'Dying Days' has been featured in the Irish Independent’s November crime and thriller roundup, praised alongside new releases from Lee Child and Michael Connelly.

When music biographer Lesley-Ann Jones was granted access to Freddie Mercury’s private diaries, she uncovered a side of the icon the world had never seen. In this Q&A, she reflects on her collaboration with 'B', the woman who calls Freddie her father, and how their unlikely friendship shaped 'Love, Freddie'. Jones discusses the emotional process behind the book, her choice to partner with Whitefox for creative freedom, and why Freddie’s private life continues to fascinate over thirty years after his death.

Substack has rapidly evolved from a simple newsletter tool into a platform reshaping how writers and readers connect. By offering a direct-to-subscriber model, it enables authors to publish fluidly, experiment creatively and build closer, more conversational relationships with their audiences. For some, it represents a new literary movement – one where subscription income offers financial stability in contrast to the uncertainty of traditional publishing. Yet, as with any venture-capital-backed platform, Substack’s rise raises questions about sustainability, ethics and the future of publishing itself.