From imagined futures to midlife stories and the return of the erotic – here are our recommendations for the best offerings of the season...

The poet laureate promotes poetry in the city and is an ambassador for the arts community.

The former Pointless presenter tells how the Thursday Murder Club got it wrong in Tunbridge Wells.

George MacDonald, whose fantasy stories were read by a young Tolkien, was born 200 years ago in Huntly.

Figures reveal Essex County Council was also paid almost £59,000 from late fines this year.

Please Do Not Touch, by Casey Bailey, explores themes of colonialism and the criminal justice system.

Gillian Anderson's new book, Want, is a collection of women's sexual fantasies.

A prolific writer and filmmaker, MT Vasudevan was the doyen of Malayalam-language literature.

Cosmic Cats, partially written by Kennington primary school students, will help towards setting up the first public library in West Kenya.