The Canadian author discusses her multilayered new novel, The Book of Records, and what compels her to speak out on political issues

The Irish writer on his timely debut novel, Fun and Games; the tenderness and competitiveness of young male friendship; and his friendship with Sally Rooney

‘Before’ and ‘After’ structure allows the narrative to deftly seesaw back and forth in time

Eliza’s marriage is already buckling when she receives a compromising photo of her husband with another woman

In the nine years since her debut novel, de Waal has amassed a considerable body of work. She’s also a literary activist

An uncomfortable read that builds to a tense climax

The debut novelist on her hotly tipped book, The Wardrobe Department and how she doesn’t know what she thinks about something until she starts writing about it

Protagonist Shauna is a middle-aged woman faced with the brutal weight of familial duty, lack of opportunity and lack of support

The stories are humorous but never cheerful, the characters often repellently fascinating

The author’s debut novel for adults, The Boy from the Sea, beautifully evokes the life of a fisherman in a small town and explores profound emotional truths

Dinan is also excellent on the often anti-erotic experience of modern dating

Now released in the UK and Ireland, Gornick’s memoir of city life, friendship and gender inequality explores the joy and challenges of living alone

A clever, enjoyable and sweeping dual-timeline love story featuring much ado about the possible real author of Shakespeare’s plays

The author discusses her new novel, Our London Lives, and explains how having children can help you write and why she is more celebrated in Germany and Italy than in Irelan

Francesca Segal explores how the bonds of community and friendship can be as strong as those of family