Rothwell’s speech, like his book, is a mood piece, the intervals between make as much of the music as do the notes. That is his unusual, Rilkean, gift. Read WH Chong’s recap of last night’s event with Nicolas Rothwell at Readings Hawthorn. (The beautiful portrait of Nicolas, above, was created by Chong at this event.) Belomor can be found at bookstores and eretailers now.

On the reading habits of teenage boys (with special mention of John Green and David Levithan’s Will Grayson, Will Grayson).

Ian McEwan: When I Stop Believing in Fiction. (Don’t panic, it has a happy ending.)