Books newsletter: a preview of tomorrow’s pages and wrap of the latest news

Debutant Djamel White, whose literary crime thriller was longlisted for the Booker Prize, is up for two awards

Cultural figures back Irish novelist after publisher decides to stop distribution of her books in the UK due to anti-terrorism legislation

Theatre and opera director on his new book, Side Stage: Theatre Writing 1984-2025; his wariness of celebrity actors; and his admiration for John Cleese

Books newsletter: a wrap of the latest news and preview of tomorrow’s pages

Rooney’s Normal People has sold one million copies in UK while her first and third novels have each sold over 500,000 copies

The QI star hits comedy pay dirt when he asks the audience which decade they are from

Faber blames UK antiterrorism legislation for decision to stop distributing bestselling author’s works

The author on new short story collection The Comets, the plight of refugees, and his admiration for Gavin Bazunu

Books newsletter: a wrap of the latest news and preview of tomorrow’s pages

There have been 122 literature laureates to date, of whom only 18 have been women

Author describes how he arrived ‘fictionally home’ in the imaginary village of Faha and how he celebrates the generosity, dignity and humour of his community

The author of historical fantasy on the latest book in her Gael Song: Era II series, the importance of research, and reasserting women’s perspectives

Books newsletter: a wrap of the latest news and preview of tomorrow’s pages

The author on new novel Doom Painting, the parts of English history that are ‘intentionally minimised’, and her memories of 2005 bombings of London