Books'Having my debut novel published at 22 is insane'Grace Murray says she feels "lucky and grateful" to have taken part in the WriteNow scheme.See moreMore headlinesIt started as fan-fiction smut. Now everyone is talking about TV drama Heated RivalryRachel Reid thought her books, about an illicit relationship between two star hockey players, were "unadaptable".The 600-year-old origins of the word 'hello'It's 200 years since the word "hello" was first used in print - though its roots date back to the 15th Century. How has the language of greetings evolved - and what does it tell us?Concerns over future of scheme giving free books to babiesParents say the scheme helps them bond with their babies and establish early literacy skills.Tragic death of Adichie's young son pushes Nigeria to act on health sector failingsNovelist Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie says her child's death was caused by medical negligence, which the hospital denies.Julian Barnes on his last novel: 'I hope it's a good one to go out on' The award-winning author discusses his "final" novel, living with cancer, and the future of fiction.Colleen Hoover reveals 'successful' cancer surgeryThe best-selling author says she has also been undergoing radiotherapy and is "doing much better".ReviewsThe 25 best books of 2025From a "richly atmospheric" novella to a "virtuosic" debut – this is the very best fiction of the year, as chosen by BBC journalists.See moreWatchJohn Grisham on why he still writes as trends shiftThe bestselling author on what new data reveals about America’s steep decline in reading for pleasure.BooksWhy Cher has waited until now to write her memoirCher explains why she has finally written her memoir and who it's for.BooksStriking images of women in the Black Panther PartyStephen Shames' photography offers a radically new and candid picture of the militant black power organisation.BooksBraille: What is it like to read without sight?What happens to our brains when we learn to read Braille?BooksInside the abandoned city of ancient librariesThe African town of Chinguetti is home to a large collection of forgotten ancient books. BooksHow paper is making a comebackAs the world goes digital, paper might seem increasingly obsolete – but it is anything but.BooksPreserving the ancient art of handcrafting booksIn the digital age, the beautiful and ancient art of hand-binding books is under threat.BooksElizabeth 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.BooksHow reading can help us cope with deathLisa Appignanesi describes how reading fiction helped her deal with bereavement.BooksMichael 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.BooksThe fiction that helped Laura Freeman recover from anorexiaHow a love of reading helped one woman recover from anorexia.BooksIs this Italy’s smallest library?One retired teacher is spreading the joy of books using his tiny mobile library.BooksThe man who lives in a library with no rulesNanie Guanlao turned his home into a library for his community in Manila.BooksThe ancient library where the books are under lock and keyStep inside the world’s largest surviving chained library.BooksBiblioburro: The amazing donkey libraries of ColombiaOne man and his loyal donkeys spreading the joy of books in Colombia.BooksMore Books6 days agoControversial Dilbert cartoonist Scott Adams dies aged 68His ex-wife announced his death on Tuesday during a live stream of his podcast.6 days ago6 days agoRegion hosts literary residency for the first timeApplications are open for the Dr Gavin Wallace Fellowship, being hosted in Dumfries and Galloway.6 days ago6 days agoHow Australian festival imploded after axeing Palestinian authorSome 180 writers, including former New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern, have withdrawn from the event.6 days ago6 days agoAustralian novelist Craig Silvey charged with child exploitation offencesSilvey, best known for his novel Jasper Jones, was arrested after police raided his Perth home.6 days ago7 days agoA rare interview with the elusive Agatha ChristieHer murder mysteries have captivated audiences for more than a century, but, 50 years after her death, she remains an enigma. A BBC profile from 1955 reveals some of her secrets.7 days ago7 days agoRevisiting Agatha Christie 50 years after her deathThe BBC revisits the life of the crime author and her resting place in Cholsey as her appeal endures.7 days ago10 Jan 2026Author Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie's family accuse hospital of negligence over son's deathA hospital in Lagos denies medical negligence over the death of Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie's 21-month-old.10 Jan 20269 Jan 2026Dylan Thomas 'plagiarised other poets' repeatedly as schoolboyHe became a literary legend but as a schoolboy the young Dylan Thomas has been found to have copied poems.9 Jan 20268 Jan 2026Nigerian author Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie 'devastated' by death of young sonThe Half of a Yellow Sun and We Should All Be Feminists writer's twin boys were born in 2024.8 Jan 2026...