The Loudest Sound and Nothing, by Clare Wigfall

Read the title story from Clare Wigfall’s acclaimed short story collection, here on Bookhugger.

September non-fiction round-up

If fiction’s not your thing, September sees a wealth of fascinating new non-fiction hitting the shelves, including : biographies of characters as diverse as a novelist, a poker star, a movie mogul and a top tailor; and histories of the liberation of Europe and the fall of the Berlin Wall.

A Few Questions With Willy Vlautin…

Willy Vlautin grew up in Reno, Nevada USA. He studied writing with the great Nevadan author Randell Reed and has published short stories in magazines such as Story, Sun Dog Review, Cold Drill and Zembla. He is the author of two novels with Faber – The Motel Life and Northline.

Dr Nick Megoran, on Democratic Ideals and Reality

Halford Mackinder’s Democratic Ideals and Reality was one of the two major polemical works published in 1919 (the other was the much more famous The Economic Consequences of the Peace by John Maynard Keynes). Now it’s available again, thanks to the magic of print-on-demand imprint Faber Finds.

John le Carré on John le Carré

Internationally bestselling author John le Carré shares a little bit about his life and the experiences that have shaped his many novels.

The pleasures of Paris: eighteenth century prostitution

Newly released in August, The Nicolas Le Floch Affair is the fourth in Jean-François Parot’s Nicolas Le Floch murder investigations, set in eighteenth century pre-revolutionary Paris.

A poem a week from Faber

Discover a new poem every week. From great new voices to cherished classics, 52 Poems brings you a weekly dose of remarkable poetry.

How Lanark grew – in Alasdair Gray’s own words

Lanark, subtitled A Life in Four Books, was the first novel of Scottish writer Alasdair Gray. Written over a period of almost thirty years, it combines realist and dystopian fantasy depictions of his home city of Glasgow. Here are his thoughts on the epic process of its creation.

When Manson Met Murphy

John the Revelator author and music journalist Peter Murphy is interviewed by Garbage singer, solo artist incumbent, and actress in Fox’s Terminator: The Sarah Connor Chronicles, Shirley Manson, in a reversal of their usual relationship.

Independent Bookseller of the Month: The Bookcase, Lowdham, Nottingham

Every month we feature a different bookshop – we ask them to tell us what makes them special and what they like most about what they do. This month it’s the turn of The Bookcase, in Lowdham, near Nottingham.

Paul Theroux on Joyce Cary

The American travel writer and novelist Paul Theroux uncovers the works of a writer inspired by life in West Africa after World War One.

Who needs a free newspaper anyway?

On the first day that Londoners had to cope without the now defunct London Paper, Bookhugger’s Simon Appleby encountered an unusual new source of reading material on his way home.

Art on an envelope from big name authors

A host of literary figures, including John le Carré and Andrew Motion, are helping to raise thousands of pounds for the National Literacy Trust by customising envelopes to create unique works of art for the public to buy.

Roland Chambers on Arthur Ransome

Long before Swallows and Amazons was published, there had been another Arthur Ransome, famous for different reasons. MI6? Bolshevism? All is revealed in Roland Chambers’ new book, The Last Englishman. Here, he explains more…

Listen now

The September Competition [closed]

It’s competition time again – a chance for three lucky winners to scoop an armful of the latest titles from the Bookhugger publishers.

John Kampfner asks: is our freedom for sale?

Award-winning journalist John Kampfner surveys the state of democracy in the world, and considers the assaults on freedom of expression and individual liberties that have taken place in many countries in the name of prosperity and material wealth.

Focus on… Neil Cross

Novelist and screenwriter Neil Cross talks about what makes him tick as a writer, and about his two most recent books, Natural History and Burial, and the book that changed his life, Joseph Heller’s Catch 22.

Read an extract from Natural History, by Neil Cross

Enjoy an extract from Neil Cross’s Natural History, a thriller than blurs the line expertly between human and animal sympathies.

Read extracts from Burial, by Neil Cross

Can your guiltiest secret ever be buried? Nathan has never been able to forget the worst night of his life. Only he and Bob, an untrustworthy old acquaintance, know what really happened and they have resolved to keep it that way. But years later, Bob appears at Nathan’s door with terrifying news…

Read an extract from The Maze of Cadiz, by Aly Monroe

Franco’s Spain is the setting for Aly Monroe’s debut thriller, following the adventures of British intelligence officer Peter Cotton. You can read an extract of this historical mystery here on Bookhugger…

September poetry round-up

An immortal classic is given new voice, an award-winning poet returns with his new volume of verse, a novel is written from a poet’s perspective and a poet creates a surprising and delightful experimental novel in our occasional round-up of new poetry from the Bookhugger publishers.

James Yorkston reading his article from Loops, Issue 01

James Yorkston reads an extract from his piece ‘Perfect Button Drumming’, commissioned for new music journal Loops. Published by Faber and Faber & Domino Records, Loops is a bi-annual magazine of music writing from authors, musicians and journalists.