Over April 21 and 22, Mumbai hosted its first literary festival for children. Held in the sprawling grounds of St Anthony’s School in Chembur in the city’s eastern suburbs, it was a wonderful occasion, filled with writing workshops, storytelling sessions, panel discussions, and much more. It was very heartening to see so many children involved; it was just as encouraging to see the enthusiasm of the organizers. [Read more]

After the disappointment of his last book, The Possibility of an Island, Michel Houellebecq – called, among other things, “France’s greatest literary export” – returns to his audacious, sardonic self in his new novel, The Map and the Territory. [Read more]

I am not sure how well AA Gill is known as a food writer in India, but if you have not read him, you could do worse than to make his acquaintance. [Read more]

It isn’t that often that one reads two remarkable sport books within a week. When that does happen – as it did to me last week – it is a rare and genuine pleasure. [Read more]

Zadie Smith says that once she finishes a book, she feels like lying on her back in her garden and shouting out aloud. Alan Hollinghurst says finishing a book empties him out. Roddy Doyle wants to get on to a new one no sooner than he gets one done. [Read more]