Not far from Bristol, there is a village. This village belongs to the people who live in it and to those who lived in it hundreds of years ago. It belongs to England's mysterious past and its confounding present.It belongs to families dead for generations, and to those who have only recently moved here, such as the boy Lanny, and his mum and dad.But it also belongs to Dead Papa Toothwort, who has woken from his slumber in the woods. Dead Papa Toothwort, who is listening to ...

Meet Lynette - actor, writer, director, showrunner.It's her birthday. She's waking up in a hotel room, hungover, in a dreary English seaside town. Outside are grey skies, crazy golf, a row of Border Defense huts.She hasn't worked in a while (she hasn't been very well). But maybe you recognize her from that television drama that ran and ran?She is about to star in her final movie in her head. But is it a farce, a comedy, a tragedy - or just her life? Knowing Lynette, she won...

A SUNDAY TIMES TOP 100 NOVEL OF THE TWENTY-FIRST CENTURYWinner of the 2016 International Dylan Thomas Prize and the Sunday Times/Peter, Fraser + Dunlop Young Writer of the Year award and shortlisted for the Guardian First Book Award and the Goldsmiths Prize.'Amazing and unforgettable.' THE TIMES'Dazzlingly good.'

In The Curious Elf and the Lost Toy, join Ellie, the tiniest elf in Santa’s workshop, as she embarks on a daring adventure to find a lost toy that’s meant for a very special child. When the toy goes missing, Ellie seizes the opportunity to prove herself and solve the mystery. Following glitter trails and solving riddles, Ellie discovers that the toy wandered off to brighten the life of a lonely child in a nearby village. Through her journey, Ellie learns that the true magic of toy...

In The Christmas Cookies That Brought Friendship, Max, a lonely boy, helps his grandmother bake for the town’s annual Christmas fair. When a pinch of magic spice accidentally turns their cookies into living, dancing treats, they spread joy everywhere they go. With their help, Max makes new friends, learns the value of sharing, and discovers the true meaning of community. This playful, heartwarming tale reminds children that the best gifts are the ones shared with others—friendship...

Alastair and the Ocean's Forgotten Secrets follows a young boy named Alastair, a budding marine biologist, on an adventure beneath the waves. Guided by Orla, a wise and enigmatic sea creature, Alastair uncovers the ocean’s hidden wonders—from the mysteries of underwater currents to the creatures that thrive in its depths. Along the way, he learns about ecosystems, marine life, and the importance of preserving the ocean for future generations. With humor, heart, and a touch of magi...

The nation's favourite annual guide to the short story, now in its twelfth year.Best British Short Stories invites you to judge a book by its cover – or, more accurately, by its title. This critically acclaimed series aims to reprint the best short stories published in the previous calendar year by British writers, whether based in the UK or elsewhere. The editor's brief is wide ranging, covering anthologies, collections, magazines, newspapers and web site...

THE #1 SUNDAY TIMES BESTSELLERTHE INSPIRATION FOR THE MAJOR NETFLIX FILM 'STEVE' STARRING CILLIAN MURPHY'Max Porter is one of my favourite writers in the world.' GEORGE SAUNDERS'Beautiful and haunting.' KEVIN BARRY'The strangest, most beguiling and affecting of all his books.' IAN RANKIN'A miracle of language.' IRISH TIMES

Soon to be adapted as the major motion picture THE THING WITH FEATHERS, starring Benedict CumberbatchHere he is, husband and father, scruffy romantic, a shambolic scholar--a man adrift in the wake of his wife's sudden, accidental death. And there are his two sons who like him struggle in their London apartment to face the unbearable sadness that has engulfed them. The father imagines a future of well-meaning visitors and emptiness, while the boys wander, savage and...

Author and illustrator Edward Carey presents a paean to connection at a time of isolation: a year of daily lockdown drawings posted on social media from his home in Texas.In March 2020, as lockdowns were imposed around the world, author and illustrator Edward Carey published a sketch on social media with a plan to keep posting a drawing a day from his family home in Austin, Texas, until life returned to normal. One hundred and fifty pencil stubs later, he was still...

It's Going to be a Bright New Day: Would You Rather, with Bonnie 'Prince' Billy is Max Porter asking Will Oldham questions. Will Oldham has to say whether he would rather one thing, or another. Many topics are covered, including music, sex, cuisine, literature and travel. Some people believe that the Would You Rather format is better suited to a long car journey than a pamphlet, but we disagree. It works just fine on the page. More than that, it's very interesting and occasionally...

This third brawl just happened. Nobody knew why . . .The dogs and the bears have been brawling for a while. No one knows quite how it started. Was it the jackets, cloaks and bandanas the dogs were wearing? Or the smell of the sickly sweets that the dogs were making? But today is the day of the third deciding brawl. The stage is set. NO snack breaks and no biscuits.But halfway through the world is interrupted by an unexpected airborne event - raining squid! This wil...