Emerald Fennell: my six best books
The actress and writer chooses her favourite books, from Jane Austen to Nick Cave
The Hard Crowd, the first collection of essays by Rachel Kushner, is published by Jonathan Cape. She is speaking at the Edinburgh International Book Festival on 17 August (edbookfest.co.uk)
The Bikeriders by Danny Lyon (1967)
This masterpiece of “new photojournalism” portrays members of an outlaw motorcycle club from Chicago and gives a sense of their lives in a time of great upheaval. There’s an honesty and beauty in the moments Lyon captures, no doubt on account of his commitment to understand rather than judge. Also, the women in the Bikeriders are my attitude and fashion idols. Their hair is pretty good, too. Aperture £25.95
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.
Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
Angels by Denis Johnson (1983)
I write about Johnson in my latest book, and I say what I want to say about him and this dirty and perfect first novel, which continues to glow, outlasting its moment and joining the pantheon of “all time”. So I am hesitant to add much. Vintage £9.99
Practicalities by Marguerite Duras (1987)
This book of “life advice” by the queen of French letters was “told to” a friend of her son’s, then transcribed, edited and turned into a unique book. It includes bald confessions about her struggles with alcoholism and advice for other women: those who can’t do home repairs are “useless”. So, I’m useless, which leaves me more time to read Duras. Grove Press £14.47
Sign up for Today's Best Articles in your inbox
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
In the Shadow of Young Girls in Flower by Marcel Proust (1919)
Reading the recently re-discovered early drafts where the character Marcel first spies Albertine – strutting with golf clubs, a “moderne” and exciting and vulgarly middle-class co-ed – reminded me how much I love this volume of Proust. Penguin £9.99
Chronicles: Volume One by Bob Dylan (2004)
So, it’s pretty dumb that Dylan won a Nobel Prize, given that musicians get plenty of wealth and fame and it’s a prize for writers. But I really loved reading this and taking note of all the singers he admired. Word is he made a lot of it up. But that’s okay. When people lie they are telling you something. Simon & Schuster £10.99
-
When is an offensive social media post a crime?
The Explainer UK legal system walks a 'difficult tightrope' between defending free speech and prosecuting hate speech
By The Week UK Published
-
When will mortgage rates finally start coming down?
The Explainer Much to potential homebuyers' chagrin, mortgage rates are still elevated
By Becca Stanek, The Week US Published
-
Women are getting their own baseball league again
In the Spotlight The league is on track to debut in 2026
By Justin Klawans, The Week US Published
-
Ed Park's 6 favorite works about self reflection and human connection
Feature The Pulitzer Prize finalist recommends works by Jason Rekulak, Gillian Linden, and more
By The Week US Published
-
6 fantastic homes in Columbus, Ohio
Feature Featuring a 1915 redbrick Victorian in German Village and a modern farmhouse in Woodland Park
By The Week Staff Published
-
Drawing the Italian Renaissance: a 'relentlessly impressive' exhibition
The Week Recommends Show at the King's Gallery features an 'enormous cache' of works by the likes of Leonardo, Michelangelo and Raphael
By The Week UK Published
-
Niall Williams shares his favourite books
The Week Recommends The Irish novelist chooses works by Charles Dickens, Seamus Heaney and Wendell Berry
By The Week UK Published
-
Patriot: Alexei Navalny's memoir is as 'compelling as it is painful'
The Week Recommends The anti-corruption campaigner's harrowing book was published posthumously after his death in a remote Arctic prison
By The Week UK Published
-
The Curious Case of Benjamin Button: a 'magical' show with 'an electrifying emotional charge'
The Week Recommends The 'vivacious' Fitzgerald adaptation has a 'shimmering, soaring' score
By The Week UK Published
-
Bird: Andrea Arnold's 'strange, beguiling and quietly moving' drama
The Week Recommends Barry Keoghan stars in 'fearless' film combining social and magical realism
By The Week UK Published
-
Kate Summerscale's 6 favorite true crime books about real murder cases
Feature The best-selling author recommends works by Helen Garner, Gwen Adshead, and more
By The Week US Published