Which childhood book sparked your love of reading? The Shoe Shop Bears by Margaret J Baker, now sadly out of print. It was the first book I bought with my own money. I was bored by picture books and w

Our books editor Zoe West’s favourite picks for the month

The acclaimed American author and literary critic talks to Zoe West

COME on, Auntie Jo – your turn!” Seven-year-old Sophie pushed the little cubes of wood across the table towards her aunt. Jo glanced at the clock and sighed. Still another 10 minutes before her niece

Neither Daisy nor Lucinda had realised how swapping lives would change everything

Zoe West shares her picks for the week