, longlisted for the International Booker, has a disabled child at its centre and squares up to dangerous subjects. It is a heartening novel, because though it asks the reader to think hard, it puts its faith in simplicity and love. Neurologist Suzanne OâSullivan offers
The Sleeping Beauties: And Other Stories of Mystery Illness to put you wise about Havana syndrome and other puzzles: itâs not cheerful, but it is current and it is bracing.
David Nicholls
Something new: I very much enjoyed Meg Masonâs witty, affecting
Sorrow and Bliss. Something old: I love John Cheeverâs stories and am curious to know which have made it into Julian Barnesâs new selection,
Richard Osman was born in 1970 and grew up in Haywards Heath, West Sussex. He started his career as an executive producer on TV shows such as Deal Or No Deal and 8 Out of 10 Cats. He pitched the gameshow Pointless to the BBC in 2009 and has now been the show’s cohost for 12 years, alongside his university friend Alexander Armstrong. Last year Osman’s novel The Thursday Murder Club (Penguin) became the first debut to take the Christmas No 1 slot.
Tracey is a great rapper, a great writer, and he puts big melodic hooks in all of his songs. I love a big hook, and this new album is just absolutely full of them. There are five or six tracks that you cannot get out of your head after the first listen. The grime and rap coming out of Britain at the moment is extraordinary. To people who say thereâs nothing like punk these days, I say you havenât listened to grime. Itâs the music of energy and disaffection.
2. Film
Cristin Milioti and Andy Samberg in Palm Springs. Photograph: Alamy
Two journalists have asked the High Court for orders requiring social media giant Twitter to provide them with information about account holders they allege have defamed them.