Books

...and other literary recommendations, including an uproarious satire about modern China

“Meetings with Remarkable Manuscripts” will be the cultural bestseller of the season. Fiammetta Rocco meets the man who has examined more medieval manuscripts than anyone in history

Slash fiction – a branch of fan fiction that imagines straight heroes getting together – is strangely popular among straight women. Helen Joyce examines the light it sheds on female sexuality

...and other reading tips, including the latest hit by Mario Vargas Llosa

Our pick of the best new books, including Jonathan Safran Foer’s unflinching new novel

Reykjavik, 1918. A young man embarks on a journey of sexual self-discovery in the celluloid glow of the city’s new cinemas. An eerie new tale from Sjón, Iceland’s most famous novelist

Less sentimental than “Inspector Montalbano”, but just as flavoursome, the legal thrillers of Gianrico Carofiglio – a former gang-busting lawyer – have sold more than five million copies

Genes, lost fortunes and a power-crazy dynasty – family troubles unite our choice of books

The International Space Station is the greatest example of architecture beyond Earth – but would you want to live in it?