Stuart Evers

So it's Lazlo!

I also really love that the biggest announcement in world literature looks like it's a book talk at a provincial literary festival running in its first year.

We've had some really deserved Nobel Laureates over the last few years, so I really hope that streak continues.

Second Best - Callum Best

I only had two on there, but by goodness my claim went in like flyn.

Cheeky Monkey would never do that!

This book is, if it's possible, even bleaker than Dependency. That is a great fact about Gift - and perfect for the book.

Last night, I finished Vilhelm's Room by Tove Ditlevsen (trans Sophia Hersi Smith & Jennifer Russell) and its violent, defiant sadness is still lingering around this morning. There are moments of great beauty in the despair, and also humour, but still it feels like the aftermath of a slap.

Tony Harrison's death robs us of one of the most important voices of recent years. His poetry spoke to me like very few others. Rest in V signs, TH.

Silver Lady is immense.

It's an interesting Booker List, with a couple of curveballs in there (surprised not to see Universality make the cut, for example). I've read 4, and am looking forward to the Kieran Desai, but for me my big hope is that the wildly divisive Audition by Katie Kitamura wins.

Gordon's alive?

I loved the first one - just bought this one. Looking forward to it.

That is a bold, bold move.

Really???

Just come back from a run during which I listened to On the Corner. Perfect sunny running music.

An image of a young Elaine feinstein smoking a cigarette

This is the greatest author picture of all time. A great writer too.

An image of a young Elaine feinstein smoking a cigarette

This is the greatest author picture of all time. A great writer too.

Absolutely devastated to hear about the death of Jonathan Main, one of the most exceptional, joyful, knowledgeable and funny people in the literary world. He was the bookseller's bookseller, a friend to authors and books, and a passionate advocate for great writing. He will be missed beyond words.

They are so lovely x

This pair have brightened a darkening year. Meet Nico and Komi.

I have been writing this exact essay for about two years now, but it just keeps getting longer, and more tense.

Thanks, it was a joy to re-read.

It depends where you are, I think. In US gay clubs it was way more common in the early 80s, and Soft Cell certainly discovered it in the US prior to recording their first record in 1981.

That is a great pub.

I thought it might be on your list. Enjoy.

My favourite city that isn't London. Have you been to the Baltic Fleet yet? Jealous!

a swimming pool at night

I took this photograph and now want to write a novel that can use it on the cover.

This is so exciting - can't wait to explore these.

This was a nice thing to see this morning.