There is a lot of pressure on the first line of a book. I imagine most authors want to be as quotable as Last night I dreamt I went to Manderley or It was the day my grandmother exploded. You may neve

MARIE peered out of the front room window, wondering if people would be on time. And not only that – what if nobody showed? She let the net curtain drop, listening to the kettle whistling in the kitch

From comforting cookbooks to inspiring celebrity reads, Zoe West shares her seasonal picks

COME on, Jo. You haven’t been out with us for ages,” Gemma chided me, when she phoned. “It’s not good for you sitting about in that poky flat all on your own.” “I’m not on my own. I have Simon,” I cor

CHRISTMAS AT THE SECOND CHANCE SUPPER CLUB By Caroline Roberts HQ, PB, £9.99 We return to the village’s Supper Club for a festive tale of friendship, community spirit, and the promise of second chance

Actor, presenter and now author Larry Lamb reveals why the written word – particularly verse – has always meant so much to him