Elizabeth Wurtzel has died aged 52. She wrote with searing honesty and narcissism, starting with the eradefining ‘Prozac Nation’, spotlighting her depression, says Suzanne Harrington.

Did you know that Sophia Tolstaya, wife of Leo Tolstoy, copied and edited War and Peace seven times before the author felt it was ready to be printed?

AT FIRST glance, no attorney would have been a better choice to defend James Joyce’s masterpiece, Ulysses, from the charge of obscenity in 1921 than Irish-American John Quinn. 

Switzerland: It was built to help uncover the building blocks of our universe — but scientists have found that Cern’s Large Hadron Collider particle accelerator can write beautiful music too.

THEY’VE all gone back to their respective countries now but it was such a buzz to have so many diverse top chefs from all over the world with us here at Ballymaloe for the Litfest.

Kya deLongchamps reviews a range of publications that would make ideal gifts for those with an interest in interiors, food and other home-related topics.

At work are you a sociable networker or a goal-focused performer? A simple test will tell you, says Helen Rumbelow.

This is one of those things you will either think is a pretty good idea, or it will make you unreasonably angry with the world.

One Thousand Things by Anna Koveceses

Get your weekend sorted with everything that’s happening in thw world of entertainment

YouTube blogger Zoella has become the fastest selling debut novelist since records began — outselling the likes of JK Rowling and Dan Brown.

Zoella has become the fastest selling debut novelist on record.

Alfie in the Garden by Debi Gliori (Bloomsbury; €15.10 HB). 

How Are You Feeling Today,

The Irish whistleblower central to the downfall of Lance Armstrong has written a new book with a foreword by none other than the disgraced former cycling professional himself.

Be still our beating hearts.

Random House and Penguin Group have completed a planned merger which creates the world’s largest publisher of consumer books.

Inferno

Mark O’Sullivan is the latest crime writer to produce an accomplished piece set against the background of the property market implosion. He spoke to Liam Heylin

Booksellers are expecting major sales as Dan Brown unleashes his code breaker Robert Langdon back into the literary world today.

The proposed merger of Penguin and Random House that will create the world’s largest book publisher has been given the green light by the EU’s competition watchdog.

The proposed merger of Penguin and Random House that will create the world’s largest book publisher has been given the green light by the EU’s competition watchdog.

Britain’s Pearson and Germany’s Bertelsmann are to merge their publishing units, Penguin and Random House, to recover ground lost to technology groups.

HarperCollins owner News Corporation is reportedly readying a £1bn (€1.24bn) offer for Penguin in an attempt to scupper plans for a new publishing giant.

'Monty Python' star John Cleese has signed a deal to publish his first memoir, half a century after launching his entertainment career.

The Daylight Gate Jeanette Winterson

HHhH

RJ Palacio

LITLE NELLIE’S BIG BOOK, by Pippa Goodheart, illustrated by Andy Rowland, (Bloomsbury, €7.10).

WITH Lots of Love at Bedtime is a collection of stories by well-known authors and illustrators (Little Tiger €15,40 HB).

FOLLOWING the release of the film, Random House have followed up with Tintin, The Sticker Book (€4.50), for ages 4-6, which will amuse and create a new generation of fans.

Helen Parry Jones

GOOD Little Wolf by Nadia Shireen (Random House; €7.10) tells of good overcoming bad — maybe! Little grey Rolf loves Mrs Biggins.

Snuff

Rod Stewart will “hold nothing back” in his autobiography.

When Betsy came to Babysit by Elizabeth Dale, illustrated by Zoe Waring.

HOP, Skip and Jump! By Lia Foa and Katie Saunders (Caterpillar Books; €7.10) is a clever mix of bouncy rhymes and busy activities.

Scruffy Bear and the Six White Mice, by Chris Wormell (Random House €13.03).

My Ireland Counting Book by Eoin Ryan (O’Brien €7.99) is an interesting way of introducing numbers to the very young.

The Piano Man is deciding to stay silent: Billy Joel is cancelling his planned autobiography.

BLACKOUT by Robert Swindells (Random House; €7.10). The beginning of World War 2 hasn’t proved interesting for youngsters Tom, Mary, Gary and Dil who live in the small Welsh town of Golfodd.

WHEN the World Was Waiting for You by Gillian Shields (Bloomsbury; €13.03 HB) is just the children’s book to have when a new baby is imminent.

American giant bookseller Borders filed for bankruptcy protection today.

THE FIRST SNOW by M Christina Butler and Frank Endersby (Little Tiger; €13.03) is a big, colourful book that tells of a young deer’s first encounter with snow.

GEORGE BUSH joined Bill Clinton and Barack Obama in an exclusive club — presidential authors who have sold at least a million copies of their books.

George Bush joined Bill Clinton and Barack Obama today in an exclusive club - presidential authors who have sold at least a million copies of their books.

BOYS DON’T CRY by Malorie Blackman (A&C Black; €15.40). On the very day when Dante is waiting for his A-Level results, he has a surprise visitor from his past – his former girlfriend Melanie, complete with a baby, which she dumps on Dante before scarpering to start a new life.