BooksBookshop opens at 5am for local writersKemptown Bookshop in Brighton opens its doors at 05:00 BST once a month for a silent writing session.See moreMore headlinesFestival forced to move events after hotel fireOrganisers announce a new venue for its events following a fire at The Crowne Plaza hotel on Monday.Coventry & WarwickshireUS author Paul Auster dies aged 77The writer was best known for The New York Trilogy and gained cult status in the 1980s and 90s.CultureEx-hostel filled with 120,000 books put on saleRichard Axe, 73, has filled 30 rooms and corridors with books at the property in Aysgarth.York & North YorkshireIt is never too late to learn how to read - charityA TV presenter who funds a university scholarship helps to unveil a new literacy drive.NorfolkYoung people no longer have hope, says Hanif KureishiThe award-winning novelist's book, The Buddha of Suburbia, has been adapted for the stage.Entertainment & ArtsAlmost one million books not left back on timeWith fines no longer applied, the head of Libraries NI is appealing for people to bring books back.Northern IrelandReviews33 of the best books of 2023From a reimagining of Orwell's 1984 to the story of Renaissance painter Artemisia Gentileschi, these are BBC Culture's picks of the best fiction of the year.See moreWatchStriking images of women in the Black Panther PartyStephen Shames' photography offers a radically new and candid picture of the militant black power organisation.BooksBraille: What is it like to read without sight?What happens to our brains when we learn to read Braille?BooksInside the abandoned city of ancient librariesThe African town of Chinguetti is home to a large collection of forgotten ancient books. BooksHow paper is making a comebackAs the world goes digital, paper might seem increasingly obsolete – but it is anything but.BooksPreserving the ancient art of handcrafting booksIn the digital age, the beautiful and ancient art of hand-binding books is under threat.BooksElizabeth Day: 'I felt so understood in the pages'When Elizabeth Day had a miscarriage, it was the words in a book from 1936 that helped her through it.BooksHow reading can help us cope with deathLisa Appignanesi describes how reading fiction helped her deal with bereavement.BooksMichael Rosen: 'How poetry helped me to grieve'When author Michael Rosen lost his son, he found inspiration to write again in a poem by Raymond Carver.BooksThe fiction that helped Laura Freeman recover from anorexiaHow a love of reading helped one woman recover from anorexia.BooksIs this Italy’s smallest library?One retired teacher is spreading the joy of books using his tiny mobile library.BooksThe man who lives in a library with no rulesNanie Guanlao turned his home into a library for his community in Manila.BooksThe ancient library where the books are under lock and keyStep inside the world’s largest surviving chained library.BooksBiblioburro: The amazing donkey libraries of ColombiaOne man and his loyal donkeys spreading the joy of books in Colombia.BooksFeatures The 2,600-year-old history of 'tortured' poetsWith her latest album, The Tortured Poets Department, Taylor Swift joins in a tradition that goes back to the writers of ancient Greece.See moreThe links between Taylor Swift and Emily DickinsonAs it's revealed that Taylor Swift and Emily Dickinson might be related, what's the truth behind the myth of the 'tortured poet'?CultureThe Shakespeare play lost since 1603To celebrate the 400th anniversary of Shakespeare's First Folio, BBC Future investigates a mysterious vanishing – a play that has been missing for centuries.FutureThe dark side of Roald DahlRoald Dahl was an unpleasant man who wrote macabre books – and yet children around the world adore them. Perhaps this shouldn’t surprise us, writes Hephzibah Anderson.CultureNYC's eight best literary venuesFrom The Chelsea Hotel to The Algonquin to Albertine, NYC is full of famous literary hubs that have shaped the city's culture. Follow this guide to experience eight of the very best.TravelThe most beloved French writer everAn icon in her native France, Colette's scandalous life and works still captivate readers 150 years on from her birth, writes John Self.CultureThe greatest novel of the 20th Century?In Search of Lost Time broke with conventions when it was published in 1922. Considered daunting by many, it is actually universally appealing, writes Cath Pound.CultureWatchWhat happens when Nana moves into a care home?The book aims to help children understand what happens when elderly relatives move into a care home.LondonChildren 'excited' to have reached 500 Words finalThe young Londoners share the short stories that helped them receive an invite to Buckingham Palace.LondonI've received support from single mums - Towie starThe former Towie star has written a book about an elephant who is a single parent.EssexWATCH: Jason Allen-Paisant reads Self-Portrait as OthelloJamaican poet Jason Allen-Paisant reads from his TS Eliot Prize-winning book Self-Portrait as OthelloEntertainment & Arts'I love reading and writing with Braille'Two hundred years since the invention of Braille, Eryn Kirkpatrick says it gives her independence.Northern IrelandThe power of Benjamin Zephaniah's wordsAs tributes are paid to a "titan of literature", watch him perform some of his poetic works.UKWatch: The moment Paul Lynch wins 2023 Booker PrizeThe dystopian novel depicting an Ireland slipping into totalitarianism wins the prestigious award for the author.Entertainment & Arts'It's like I'm on an adventure'Libraries across London are offering an escape for children in the form of a summer reading challenge.LondonPublished schoolgirl, 9, inspiring classmates to writeA Walworth girl who wrote and published her first book last year is inspiring others to follow their dreams.LondonIan McEwan remembers 'tender, sweet' Martin AmisMcEwan pays tribute to his longtime friend and fellow author, following his death at the age of 73.Entertainment & Arts'I wrote my book in secret on the bus'Author Chris Carse Wilson tells how he wrote his first book in secret on his daily commute.ScotlandBook swap vending machine a hit with readersMore than 600 books have been swapped so far in the new scheme in Manchester.ManchesterShould Roald Dahl's books be changed?People in Roald Dahl Plass in Cardiff Bay gave their views on the changes to the author's works.WalesHow 10-year-old's book is fighting water pollutionHenry Newman said he wrote his book after being inspired by a school project about water pollution.LondonThe books making African history accessible to kidsKunda Kids is a series of African history books for children which focus on real-life African historical figures.AfricaRoald Dahl fan, six, traces his steps in villageCarrie looks at the buildings and streets that influenced the writer of her favourite book, Matilda.Beds, Herts & BucksBooks, not snacks - new vending machine for schoolA primary school in Somerset brought in the machine to encourage its pupils to read.SomersetThis video has been removed for rights reasonsThis video has been removed for rights reasons.Entertainment & Arts'We want to help children see themselves in books'Two teenage sisters are trying to highlight a wider diversity of characters in children's books.NorthamptonMeet Book Bunk, the people restoring history in KenyaThe Book Bunk Trust is restoring library archives to help teach a new generation about Kenyan history.AfricaMore BooksDeath of poet at festival accidental - coronerGboyega Odubanjo's family say they remain "heartbroken" by his "tragic loss".NorthamptonStroke patients learning poetry to aid recoveryPoetry workshops are helping people with communication difficulties explore creative writing.BristolArtists challenged to create heritage projectThree artists are each handed £25,000 to create work that celebrates Cumbria as a creative place.CumbriaRebel Wilson book published in the UK with blacked out textSome sections of the UK edition of the book, released on Thursday, have been redacted.CultureReaders wanted for Jane Austen brother's biographyAdmiral Sir Francis William Austen had a distinguished career in the Royal Navy.Hampshire & Isle of WightPEN America awards called off after Gaza boycottThe prominent literary and free expression group cancelled its awards after a backlash from nominees.US & CanadaStephen Mangan to bring dad jokes to Hay FestivalThe actor, comedian, presenter and writer is among the stars at this year's Hay's festival.WalesWhy is Taylor Swift singing about Dylan Thomas?Taylor Swift's new album name drops Welsh poet Dylan Thomas alongside Patti SmithWalesBusiness booming for silent book clubOrganisers of a silent book club in Hull say it has become so popular they are looking to expand.Humberside