Society and culture

Francis of Assisi came into the world in 1182. Francis' life, vision and example have been so powerful that they still speak strongly, and disconcertingly, to us in the 21st century.

In An Appetite for Wonder Richard Dawkins brought us his engaging memoir of his first 35 years.

Artist, soldier, politician, madman? We know the headlines, we know about the atrocities, but what do we really know of the man at the heart of it all?

Giving a father's insight into life with his daughter Maria, aged 12, who has autism, this comic tells the story of their week's holiday in the Canary Islands.

A life-affirming novel about broken but loving families, people making mistakes but doing their best, grief and getting stuck - for readers of ELEANOR OLIPHANT, THE TROUBLE WITH GOATS AND SHEEP and WHEN GOD WAS A RABBIT

Behind every great writer there is a beloved pet, providing inspiration in life and in death, and companionship in what is often a lonely working existence.

Josie only had the gun to frighten Curtis Rook, but his son disturbed her. One startled reflex and now he's dead. Josie flees to Poland leaving her boyfriend Snaz to take the rap.

"Please, Goddess, send me a friend who knows about the same things I know." "Please, God, send me a friend... a girl about my age who believes in angels too!"