Features & interviews

<p>Beale paints an enthralling portrait of what ‘life and work’ in the theatre might entail</p>

McCrum on Books

Simon Russell Beale triumphs in a treacherous genre: thespian memoirs

He’s one of the greatest actors of his generation, and this elegant love letter to Shakespeare is a precious glimpse into a free-spirited life – and it touches on some heartfelt universal truths, writes Robert McCrum

<p>September is a packed month in the world of publishing </p>

The best new books to read this September

<p>Manchester United’s ‘Busby Babes’ prepare to board the 1958 flight from Munich that will end in tragedy</p>

interview

David Peace on how Man Utd triumphed after the tragedy of Munich

<p>Clare Chambers’s 10th novel, ‘Shy Creatures’, is released this month </p>

writers on reading

Clare Chambers: Best and worst compliment? ‘My mum loves your books’

Reviews

<p>Tom Bower’s new book fails to shed much new light on the power couple </p>

Tom Bower’s Posh and Becks exposé won’t spice up your life

<p>Alba Arikha’s 2017 memoir, ‘Major/Minor’, was widely acclaimed</p>

Two Hours by Alba Arikha is a lesson in forging a life without regret

<p>Salman Rushdie pictured in 2023</p>

Salman Rushdie’s Knife is moving, sardonic and not for the squeamish

<p>Liz Truss recounts her brief time in office in her new book </p>

Liz Truss’s ludicrous memoir self-pityingly recaps 49 days of disaster

Lists

<p>July’s best books include novels by Camille Bordas and Austin Duffy and non-fiction about trees and parks</p>

The best new books to read this July

<p>Fiction highlights for the year ahead including Gabriel Garcia Marquez’s ‘lost’ novel and new titles from Stephen King and Emily Henry </p>

The best fiction to read in 2024

The best non-fiction to read in 2024

News