American novelist and author known for Olive Kitteridge
A 19-year-old Norwegian footballer, Johannes Kongsnes Natland, has been found guilty of conspiracy to murder in London after being recruited by the Foxtrot Network, a Swedish crime group linked to the Iranian regime. Two guns and ammunition were seized in Huddersfield when he was arrested en route to the UK last year. The case involves money for an alleged murder plot that prompted UK sanctions against the group.
Independent, author-owned bookstores have expanded in the U.S., with a surge in ABA membership and ventures from Patchett, Erdrich, Groff and Straub. Stores range from Birchbark in Minneapolis to An Unlikely Story in Plainville, reflecting a broader mission beyond selling books.
A wave of author-owned bookstores across the U.S. is reshaping independent bookselling. Notable spaces founded by Judy Blume, Louise Erdrich, Lauren Groff, Jeff Kinney and George R.R. Martin are expanding in Brooklyn, Minnesota, Florida, Massachusetts and New Mexico, offering community hubs beyond Amazon-dominated retail.
The Booker Prize longlist has been announced. The 13 titles span seven countries and three continents, with established authors and debut writers in the mix. Mary Beard chairs the panel, which aims to reward risk-taking and expand boundaries in long-form fiction published in the UK and Ireland between Oct 2025 and Sept 2026.