To the Limit

John Geiger explores encounters with a mysterious presence, The Third Man…

He then felt a sudden, strange sensation of an invisible being very close at hand. The presence communicated mentally, and its message was clear: ‘You can’t give up, you have to try.’

The Bookhugger Author Panel: Crime

We asked three very different crime writers to share their thoughts on the modern crime, and give us their responses to each other’s answers, with some intriguing results.

Video interview: John le Carré

As BBC Radio 4 embarks on an extensive programme of dramatising John le Carré’s famous George Smiley novels, we have an extended interview with the master about his latest book, A Most Wanted Man, recently released in paperback, which focuses on the challenges confronting the intelligence services post-9/11.

Read an extract of Checkout – A Life on the Tills

Anna Sam spent 8 years as a checkout girl. Checkout – A Life on the Tills is a witty look at what it’s really like to work in a supermarket: the relentless grind and less-than-perfect working conditions, along with people-watching and encounters with every kind of customer from the bizarre to the downright rude.

The Booklist: Wilderness Rules

The planet’s wild environments inspire and illuminate the minds of writers and readers alike. We offer up some suggested reading for all tastes, and all weathers…

The Faber Podcast: New British Crime

In their latest podcast, Faber discuss Britain in the 1970s – was it really that bad? – with Andy Beckett, and Adam Creed introduces DI Will ‘Staffe’ Wagstaffe, in a brand new crime series.

Listen now

A new life for Pi

Seven years, seven million copies and one Man Booker Prize-win later, Life of Pi is getting a makeover. In July, Canongate are bringing out a new edition of this modern classic, complete with a new cover, a new reading guide and a new life ahead of it – they tell us all about it.

When the Lights Went Out: A Q&A with Andy Beckett

The 1970s are probably the most important and fascinating years in modern British political history. In When the Lights Went Out Andy Beckett looks at the decade afresh, and shows an era full of new possibilities as well as disasters and dead ends. In certain respects, things haven’t changed too much – as the author explains in this Q & A.

June crime round-up

If you’re addicted to crime, you’ve come to the right place – here’s a round-up of recently released crime titles to get those synapses firing, so dig in for some fresh criminal capers.

As this is our first round-up, we’re delving back in the last few months of crime releases as well…

Q&A with Robert Dinsdale

Robert Dinsdale’s debut novel is The Harrowing, a stunning novel of love, betrayal and redemption set amid the turmoil of the First World War. The book is published in June 2009.

June reading-group round-up

If you’re looking for inspiration for new titles to read with your reading circle or book group, let us help. Here are some titles which have reading guides ready and waiting.

It’s Independent Booksellers Week

The 15th to the 22nd of June is Independent Booksellers Week – so find out what’s going on at an independent bookshop near you.

The Book Doctor will see you now

Your reading wrangles solved by our mystery medic (with some help from the Bookhugger publishers!).

Kazuo Ishiguro: Nocturnes trailer

A beautiful animated trailer by George Wu for Kazuo Ishiguro’s new book Nocturnes: Five Stories of Music and Nightfall.

Read chapter one of Glen David Gold’s Sunnyside

Sunnyside, Glen David Gold’s long-awaited second book, is published on June 25th 2009. If you can’t wait until then you can read the first chapter here on Bookhugger today.

Q&A: Barney Hoskyns on Lowside of the Road: A Life of Tom Waits

Spanning Tom Waits’ extraordinary 40-year career, from Closing Time to Orphans, Lowside of the Road is Barney Hoskyns’ unique take on one of rock’s great enigmas.

Read an extract of Martyr by Rory Clements

England is close to war. Within days the axe could fall on the neck of Mary Queen of Scots, and Spain is already gathering a battle fleet to avenge her. Tensions in Elizabeth I’s government are at breaking point.

We have an extract of Rory Clements’ thrilling 16th century adventure…

Audio interview: Paul Auster

New York novelist Paul Auster’s most recent work is Man in the Dark, a novel of our time, a book that forces us to confront the blackness of night whilst also celebrating the existence of ordinary joys in a brutal world. Here he talks to George Miller about it.

Listen now

The June Competition [closed]

A knockout set of prizes to commemorate the launch of Bookhugger in our inaugural competition – from famous first novels to lots of author-signed works.

New social network for The Book of English Magic

The Book of English Magic explores the curious and little-known fact that of all the countries in the world, England has the richest history of magical lore and practice. Join the world of magic in the authors’ specialist social networking site…

Andrew Sean Greer on The Story of a Marriage

Set in 1950s San Francisco, The Story of a Marriage is Andrew Sean Greer’s sensual, heartbreaking love story about how you can never truly know the ones you love.

Listen now

Congratulations to Canongate

Bookhugger publishers Canongate have just won the Publisher of the Year at the British Book Awards, topping off a great year.