BooksIrish writer Edna O'Brien dies aged 93President Michael D Higgins has led tributes to the acclaimed Irish author. See moreMore headlinesObituary: Edna O'Brien, the controversial Irish novelistEdna O'Brien will always be known as the controversial Irish novelist who scandalised Catholic Ireland.3 hrs agoCulturePolice officer draws on experiences for debut novelA former family liaison officer says his experiences inspired his first crime novel.15 hrs agoJewell and Yarros among winners at 2024 TikTok Book AwardsMore than 80,000 TikTok users voted for their favourite authors, books and #BookTok creators.3 days agoCultureThese 'eye-popping' medieval tales pushed sexual boundariesWritten by Giovanni Boccaccio in the 1350s, The Decameron deals with sexuality in a way that can still make readers blush – and it has now inspired a Netflix comedy.3 days agoCultureLibrary book returned more than 47 years lateCanoe Building in Glass-Reinforced Plastic was due to be returned in Orkney in March 1977.4 days agoNE, Orkney & ShetlandKeanu Reeves: I think about death all the timeThe Matrix star's new novel, The Book of Elsewhere, explores the theme of mortality.6 days agoCultureReviews12 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 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 Books19 Jul 2024Working with Roald Dahl helped me find Harry PotterBarry Cunningham says working with Roald Dahl helped him realise how children connect with books.19 Jul 2024Wales15 Jul 2024Billie Eilish to read CBeebies bedtime storyThe American singer, 22, said she "loved" bedtime stories herself when she was a child.15 Jul 2024Culture15 Jul 2024Latitude to be opened by young competition poetAnna, 11, will perform her piece that portrays an evocative journey into woodland. 15 Jul 2024Suffolk15 Jul 2024Town's library set to move to former Wilko shopWork on Banbury Library in Marlborough Road could cost £2m so is likely to move to a new unit.15 Jul 2024Oxford14 Jul 2024Festival aims to create literature-based communityManx Litfest aims to inspire people to "engage with literature in all of its forms", organisers say.14 Jul 2024Isle of Man12 Jul 2024Record ticket sales for city's literature festivalThe 2024 Bradford Literature Festival had "record ticket sales" after decade of events in the city.12 Jul 2024Bradford10 Jul 2024Trainspotting author launches book set in BrightonThe best-selling author will appear at St George's Church to discuss his new book Resolution.10 Jul 2024Sussex9 Jul 2024Book festival 'not going anywhere' despite funding blowNine literary festivals, including Cheltenham, have called for extra support after losing funding.9 Jul 2024Gloucestershire6 Jul 2024Benjamin Zephaniah exhibition opens in cityA family spokesperson says the exhibition is "an amazing, iconic and beautiful tribute to Benjamin".6 Jul 2024Birmingham & Black Country