BooksThe man who became one of India's greatest stage queensChapal Bhaduri was Bengal’s biggest stage queen - until women arrived and the spotlight moved on.See moreMore headlinesPupils see the Irish famine story that's 'more relevant than ever'The story of Eily, Michael and Peggy fending for themselves in the Irish famine of the mid 19th century will be brought to life in an interactive display.An Easter crime fiction wave is sweeping NorwayVisitors to Norway during Easter might find the streets emptier than usual, thanks to the nation's cherished Eastertime obsession: retreating to isolated cabins to binge crime novels.The centuries-old origins of current fairy fictionThe fairies in erotic "fae" romantasy are not cute or benevolent. They are dangerous, shape-shifting beings, exactly what they were in historic folklore, according to a new book.Camilla's love of books explored in BBC documentaryThe Queen will reflect on the childhood experiences that sparked her passion for reading and reflect on the comfort she still finds in books.WAtchJohn 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.BooksMore Books27 Mar 2026BBC launches Latitude children's poetry competition27 Mar 202623 Mar 2026Seven real places that inspired Agatha Christie's most famous mysteriesFrom Devon and London to the Nile and Petra, Agatha Christie's travels shaped some of the world's most famous mysteries – and travellers can still follow her trail today.23 Mar 202620 Mar 2026'Profit at an extraordinary cost': The ultimate saga of British privilege and powerAs a new adaptation of The Forsyte Saga is about to stream, how did this tale of an affluent family encapsulate the timeless themes of class, generational conflict and "new money"?20 Mar 202618 Mar 2026The ancient wisdom in Ovid's 2,000-year-old talesMetamorphoses, an ancient compendium of Greek myths, has surprising parallels with contemporary concerns, from climate change to gender-based violence.18 Mar 202612 Mar 2026Should Wuthering Heights have a content warning?A Cardiff University module featuring Wuthering Heights carries 'distressing content' warning.12 Mar 202622 Feb 2026Inside Germany's 600km Fairy Tale RouteFrom Rapunzel's tower to Hamelin's Piper, Grimm's stories are being retold for a modern audience.22 Feb 20268 Feb 2026Can TikTok get you to put your phone down? The joys of BookTokBBC Scotland News looks at how BookTok, a reading community on TikTok, can help people engage with the written word.8 Feb 20265 Feb 2026The climate change 'masterpiece' dividing readersVigil, the new novel from acclaimed writer and Booker Prize-winner George Saunders, centres on a dying oil tycoon and climate change denier. Why is it polarising critics so fiercely?5 Feb 20263 Feb 2026Why Wuthering Heights is so misunderstoodEver since it was published in the mid-19th Century, Emily Brontë's tale of passionate love and ruthless revenge has captivated fans and confounded critics in equal measure.3 Feb 202630 Jan 2026Celebrating 40 years of poetry on the UndergroundWe invited Londoners to put their own words to the city to celebrate 40 years of Tube poems.30 Jan 202623 Jan 2026Why this Robert Burns poem is a 'masterpiece'On Burns Night this week – and 235 years after Tam O'Shanter was published – Scots everywhere may well be treated to a masterwork with a unique appeal.23 Jan 202617 Jan 2026The 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?17 Jan 202612 Jan 2026A 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.12 Jan 20267 Jan 2026The 40 most exciting books coming up in 2026From big-name authors Colson Whitehead, George Saunders and Maggie O'Farrell to debuts and non-fiction, these are the titles you'll want to add to your reading pile this year.7 Jan 202627 Dec 2025Miranda Hart sees old Christmas trees very differentlyThe actor and writer explains the inspiration behind the talking Christmas tree in her new book.27 Dec 2025...
