Light reads, accessible history and gripping novels are championed by the people we asked to recommend their best reads of 2017, writes Richard Fitzpatrick.

Here's your morning news bulletin.

A grand total of £32,400 will be donated to name a teenage victim of the Grenfell Fire after a character in a new Philip Pullman book.

Where does the time go?

Two decades after the first Harry Potter book, the spell is unbroken, says Jonathan deBurca Butler.

Louise O'Neill sacrificed a lot while writing her first book. Here's her list of the the 14 things you should never say to a published author.

Our guide to the best TV to watch tonight.

The top 50 books for children to read have been released, and Roald Dahl remains at number one.

Walter de la Mare (with a new introduction by Philip Pullman)

A mix of the old and the new are among the books, plays, and films that young teens can study for the first Junior Cycle Student Award in 2017.

Billy O’Callaghan is enthralled by a bicentennial edition of the reworked fairy tales of the Grimm brothers

RJ Palacio

SARAH CROSSAN

JOHN STEPHENS, formerly a writer, director and producer on smash-hit TV shows The OC and Gilmore Girls says, “It really is a Golden Age of television right now.

Model Sophie Dahl has given birth to her first child, a daughter named

PHILIP PULLMAN and John le Carre are among the best-selling authors taking part in the launch of World Book Night in London. They will be joined by host Graham Norton at the event in Trafalgar Square on Friday, March 4.

PUPILS from Cork’s northside are enjoying the magic of reading books and some are even thinking about becoming authors themselves.

More than 50 public figures in the UK have signed a letter to the Guardian newspaper protesting against Pope Benedict's visit this week.

Plans for a sequel to fantasy film 'The Golden Compass' have reportedly been axed following a series of protests from the Catholic Church.

Philip Pullman’s book was lost in translation when Chris Weitz got his hands on The Golden Compass (EIV; €24.99).

Catholic Church officials at The Vatican have condemned Nicole Kidman and Daniel Craig's new family film 'The Golden Compass', stating the movie is anti-Christian.

The Yuletide blockbuster for the Potter-Narnia fans, a dazzling tale of action based on the controversial His Dark Materials books by Philip Pullman.

Actress Eva Green has dismissed criticism her new movie 'The Golden Compass' is an attack on Catholicism as a "fuss about nothing".

'James Bond' star Daniel Craig has launched a staunch defence of the British film industry - insisting it needs no special treatment.

Daniel Craig has dismissed claims his new film 'The Golden Compass' is anti-religious, suggesting the Vatican will one day sell the Philip Pullman books in its gift store.

CHILDHOOD is being lost to a dangerous combination of junk food, marketing and video games, experts have warned.

Billie Piper is to leave Doctor Who at the end of the current series, the BBC has confirmed.

Billie Piper has landed her first lead role, playing a feisty Victorian heroine in a new BBC drama.

A children’s literature centre will show off rare Harry Potter memorabilia when it opens to the public later this month, it announced today.

The popularity of JRR Tolkien’s epic novel The Lord of the Rings appeared stronger than ever today after it was named Britain’s best-loved book in the BBC’s The Big Read poll.

The only known recording of AA Milne reading his children’s classic Winnie The Pooh is being released on CD.

Football bosses are hoping to inspire the England squad to victory with Posh Spice CDs, it was disclosed today.

Former comedienne Pamela Stephenson and husband Billy Connolly are celebrating today after she won the Book Of The Year prize for her work about his life.

Bookmakers have suspended betting on the Whitbread Book Of The Year after a flood of bets for the children's entry - before anyone even knows which novel is in the running.