HomeworkBorn in 1958, the only child of a dinner lady and a sheet metal worker, Geoff Dyer grew up in a world shaped by the Second World War. It was a time of Airfix models and wargames, conkers and frugality: having splurged on a mono record player, Geoff's dad discovers it's a portal to endless expenditure and funding for records is abruptly withdrawn. But far from being a story of hardship overcome, Homework is a celebration of opportunities afforded to

when Phoebe Stone arrives at a grand beachside hotel wearing her best dress and least comfortable shoes

and cake is often the answer

To many Indigenous peoples

and is key reading for students and general readers alike

encounter real and fabled heroes

The Bank of England is Britain's most important financial institution

Sarah offers a complete and transporting account of a garden crafted over decades

shot through with Tom Allen's trademark humour

Wormold's daughter had reached an expensive age - so he accepted a mysterious Englishman's offer of extra income

There is just one rule: they must never be seen

Out of the thrilling and tempestuous eighteenth century comes the sweeping family saga of beautiful Maria Theresa

From raw politics to religious divisions