Claire Handscombe

Claire Handscombe moved from Europe to DC in 2012, ostensibly to study for an MFA in Creative Writing, but actually – let’s be honest – because of an obsession with The West Wing. She is the author of Unscripted, a novel about a young woman with a celebrity crush and a determined plan, and the editor of Walk With Us: How The West Wing Changed Our Lives. She also hosts the Brit Lit Podcast, a fortnightly show of news and views from British books and publishing. Blog: the Brit Lit Blog. Twitter: @BookishClaire

The 10 Best Indie Publishing Companies To Follow To Find Your Next Read

What are some of the best indie publishing companies to follow to find your next excellent read? One reader investigates.

Riot Roundup: The Best Books We Read: July-September 2023

Rioters share the best books they read last quarter, from a nonbinary shifter romance to a locked-door murder mystery in space.

Book Recommendations for Every Toxic Trait (Sort Of)

There's a book recommendation out there for every toxic trait. We've got recommendations for both fiction and nonfiction.

If You Want to Work in Publishing, Consider an Indie Press

If you want to get into publishing, one industry insider advises that you might want to consider an indie press.

How to Survive and Thrive at a Book Fair

Going to a book fair? You’re going to need snacks. And maybe one or two extra things too. Here are one reader’s tips on being prepared.

8 of the Best Children’s Books Coming Out in Summer 2023

School's out for summer, but reading is still very much in! These are some of the best children's books summer 2023 has to offer, including Barely Floating by Lilliam Rivera.

A Ranking of Fictional Cats

What's better than a book? A cat and a book. Let's take stock of some of our favorite felines in fiction.

Why the Brits Love Up Lit

Why do the British love up lit? A look at the category of books, why they do well in the UK, and reflecting on why Americans connect with them less.

Things (Some) Readers Find Annoying About Books and the Book World

Even the most passionate bibliophile gets annoyed by aspects of books and the book world sometimes. Here are some examples.

An Immersive Experience: How I Read With All My Senses

One reader reflects on the sensory experiences which take reading from a great hobby to an all-encompassing experience.