Erik Satie Three Piece Suite by Ian Penman review – the radical lord of light entertainment
This glorious biography of the whimsical, elusive French composer celebrates the depths of his seemingly sunny music and the impact he had on other forms
Patti Smith to publish ‘intimate’ new memoir, Bread of Angels
Published in November, it will cover everything from Smith’s childhood to her rise as a punk rock star and later retreat from public life
Love and Fury: The Extraordinary Life, Death and Legacy of Joe Meek by Darryl W Bullock – review
This richly detailed and exhaustive biography of the maverick 60s British music producer reveals a sonic visionary whose brilliance concealed a tragically violent temper
We Were There by Lanre Bakare review – the forgotten voices of black Britain
The author’s sharply intelligent history of how black British identity was forged beyond London in the cauldron of the Thatcherite 1970s and 80s is a necessary corrective
On my radar: Nell Zink’s cultural highlights
The Germany-based American novelist on being cheered up by a gulag memoir, the best Wagner around and how to encourage a nightingale into your garden
Yoko by David Sheff review – a queasily one-sided defence
The artist and musician is a brilliant subject for an epic, in-depth biography, but this is merely hagiography
‘Society SUCKS!’ The fanatical diary of a teen scribbler who threw herself into punk
Don’t live like everyone else! Angela Jaeger met every act going in punk, in New York and London – and had crushes on them all. Now 65, she talks us through her thrill-filled diaries
Maybe I’m Amazed by John Harris review – with a little help from John, Paul, George and Ringo
The Guardian journalist’s tender account of how music became a bridge between him and his autistic son, James, is full of wit and wisdom
Maybe I’m Amazed by John Harris review – a father and his autistic son bond through music
An honest and intensely moving book about the struggle of parenthood and the power of connection
With a little help from my friend: John, Paul and the ‘romance’ that transformed culture
The emotional bond between John and Paul was at the heart of the Beatles’ success – but it’s not the first time intense, creative male friendships have changed the world
John & Paul: A Love Story in Songs by Ian Leslie review – let it be the new gold standard in Beatles studies
The author’s brilliant account of Lennon and McCartney’s songwriting relationship challenges myths, finds new meanings in their music, and even throws up a few surprises
John & Paul: A Love Story in Songs by Ian Leslie review – a Beatles bromance
An intelligent, diligently researched look at the intense bond between Lennon and McCartney
On my radar: Georgia Ellery’s cultural highlights
The Black Country, New Road and Jockstrap musician on a YouTube philosopher, the power of Munch and her love of saunas and Japanese onsen
In brief: Bowieland; Deep Cuts; The Inalienable Right – review
A Bowie travelogue following in his footsteps; a charming debut novel for music lovers of a certain age; and a stirring snapshot of gay life in the 80s
Geraint Jarman obituary
Musician, actor and poet who drew on cultural influences from reggae to European poetry in his Welsh-language work