Jane Graham

Arts journalist and columnist

Irvine Welsh says he's so consumed by David Bowie album The Next Day it's 'totally fucked up my work.'

Mark Perryman

Co-founder of the self-styled 'sporting outfitters of intellectual distinction' aka Philosophy Football

There may well never be another summer of sport quite like 2012. Yet every summer there is the potential for sport to excite and infuriate in near equal measure. The Lions down under, the Ashes over here, Murray seeking to match his victory in New York with a home Grand Slam at Wimbledon. All this and more are socially constructed, read these books not to distract from their entertainment but to inform and enrich.

Melanie Kendry

English Teacher, Tutor and Writer

A lot of boys struggle with reading. And yes, it usually is boys. They go from class readers and Horrid Henry to Diary of a Wimpy Kid straight onto Call of Duty, never to be seen again. Unlike great literature, shoot-em ups are easy.

Mark Perryman

Co-founder of the self-styled 'sporting outfitters of intellectual distinction' aka Philosophy Football

As the Thatcher funeral hoopla fades away and the focus shifts to the likely rout of the Con-Dems in the 2 May local elections the political landscape outside the Westminster bubble in the next few months is likely to be further shaped by the deepening impact of the cuts.

Sara Bran

Catching the Comet's Tail

Welcome to Catching the Comet's Tail, a series of interviews with writers, artists and musicians discussing creativity and their creative process. To launch the series, I am delighted to welcome English author Elizabeth Fremantle.