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An ultimate guide to the best books of 2023 – as chosen by esteemed Big Issue critics
Illustration of a face and an eye shape
Books

An ultimate guide to the best books of 2023 – as chosen by esteemed Big Issue critics

Our books editor and regular critics choose their favourite books of the last 12 months
Time's Echo by Jeremy Eichler named book of the year 2023 by Big Issue
Times Echo by Jeremy Eichler
Books

Time's Echo by Jeremy Eichler named book of the year 2023 by Big Issue

The definitive guide to best children's and YA books of 2023
A Way to the Stars cover
Books

The definitive guide to best children's and YA books of 2023

Barbie, boygenius and King's Coronation: These are the best cultural moments of 2023
Best of the year

Barbie, boygenius and King's Coronation: These are the best cultural moments of 2023

Duran Duran pick the scariest movies to watch at Halloween – from Dracula to Silence of the Lambs
Halloween

Duran Duran pick the scariest movies to watch at Halloween – from Dracula to Silence of the Lambs

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Autumn reads: the best new books to light up the longer nights
Illustration of the word 'autumn'
Autumn reads

Autumn reads: the best new books to light up the longer nights

Top 5 books about Einstein, selected by Samuel Graydon
Albert Einstein in black and white
recommended

Top 5 books about Einstein, selected by Samuel Graydon

Top 5 books by women in translation, selected by Daniel Hahn
A book of translation, a daisy and a key
Women in translation

Top 5 books by women in translation, selected by Daniel Hahn

Top 5 unlikely fictional heroes, selected by David Jackson
Illustration of Bilbo Baggins leaning against a tree
Fiction

Top 5 unlikely fictional heroes, selected by David Jackson

Top 5 novels from Japan, chosen by Nick Bradley
Japanese pagoda
Fiction

Top 5 novels from Japan, chosen by Nick Bradley

Top 5 books on British women in sport, chosen by Suzanne Wrack
Alex Scott wearing yellow in front of Japanese neon signs
recommended

Top 5 books on British women in sport, chosen by Suzanne Wrack

Top 5 books by Jamaican writers, chosen by Kereen Getten
books

Top 5 books by Jamaican writers, chosen by Kereen Getten

The UK’s best independent bookshops
Best independent bookshops
shop local

The UK’s best independent bookshops

The essential guide to the UK's best book festivals 2023
Book festivals map
Book festivals 2023

The essential guide to the UK's best book festivals 2023

The best kids' books for summer 2023
Kids books: illustration of The Wall Between Us by Dan Smith.
Recommended

The best kids' books for summer 2023

Summer books: The hottest fiction to read in 2023
Summer books - the best of 2023
best reads

Summer books: The hottest fiction to read in 2023

Top 5 books set in Berlin, chosen by Emma Venables
Berlin television tower
Berlin

Top 5 books set in Berlin, chosen by Emma Venables

Top 5 Books featuring carnivorous plants, chosen by Natasha Calder
Venus fly trap plant
Horror plantlife

Top 5 Books featuring carnivorous plants, chosen by Natasha Calder

Best UK music festivals 2023: The essential month-by-month guide
Best UK festivals 2023
Festivals Guide 2023

Best UK music festivals 2023: The essential month-by-month guide

The best UK festivals to boost your wellness and wellbeing
One of our picks for the best wellness festivals - Timber Festival
Festivals Guide 2023

The best UK festivals to boost your wellness and wellbeing

The best UK music festivals for families 2023
Bluedot proves it's one of the best festivals for families with Jedi training. Photo: George Harrison / Bluedot
Festival Guide 2023

The best UK music festivals for families 2023

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Best UK city festivals for amazing music AND a real bed
Camilla George - among the acts at Glasgow Jazz Festival, one of the best city festivals in the UK
Festivals Guide 2023

Best UK city festivals for amazing music AND a real bed

The best UK music festivals for under £100
Cheap festival - Hidden Door
Festivals Guide 2023

The best UK music festivals for under £100

Find your next favourite band at the best new music festivals 2023
Pink Pirate is just one artist you could discover at the best new music festivals
Festivals Guide 2023

Find your next favourite band at the best new music festivals 2023

Eurovision: Seven weird moments that show why it’s the greatest song contest
Weird Eurovision star Verka
Strange

Eurovision: Seven weird moments that show why it’s the greatest song contest