Staying In

Read Uprising By Tahmima Anam

Inspired by the real women of Banishanta, Bangladesh, Uprising tells the story of a community of sex workers trapped on a desolate and sinking island. A cruel reality witnessed through the eyes of their children, the women have all but accepted their fate – that is until the arrival of Kusum Khan. An educated young woman from the city, she refuses to yield to the sadistic madame who controls them. Stoking the fire of resistance amongst the islanders, together they plan a rebellion that will upend their island, their world, and the very order of things as they know it. A devastating drama of resistance and female power, Uprising gives voice to the silenced through the story of a revolution no one saw coming. Out today, uk.bookshop.org

Going Out

Go To Hay Festival

Since its humble beginnings in 1988, Wales’s Hay Festival has grown into one of the nation’s best known (and best loved) festivals. As CEO Julie Finch puts it, ‘It’s part Glastonbury, part Davos’. Kicking off today, it is the linchpin in a global Hay offering that now reaches from Kenya to Mexico, Ukraine and Peru. Originally taking place across a smattering of venues in Hay-on-Wye, since 2005 there has been a dedicated site just south of the Town of Books. ‘Hay-on-Wye is a book-lover’s paradise and our location feeds into the programme,’ Finch says. ‘Half our events offer classic literary talks and conversations, while the other half might be music, comedy, performance and immersive experiences. It is free to enter too, so you can enjoy pop-up sessions without spending a penny.’ This year’s line up promises a gaggle of ‘writers, readers, thinkers and dreamers,’ says Finch. ‘Where else would you find Emma Thompson, Malala Yousafzai, Gisèle Pelicot, Maggie O’Farrell, David Miliband, Dawn French, Tom Allen, Emerald Fennell, Jamie Laing, and Prue Leith all in the same tent?’ Never visited before? ‘Leave space in your day to book something random and in the moment,’ Finch suggests. ‘Often it’s these sessions – the debut novelist, the thrilling new poet, the just-added space scientist – that stick with you the longest.’ 21–31 May, hayfestival.com 

Property Of The Day

Set to go under the hammer for the price of a small home, Mullagrach is a private island just off the Scottish coast. Teeming with seals, dolphins and marine birds, this remote haven comes with its very own eco cabin – self-sustained via solar panels, rain water harvesting and a compostable loo. 

Coming to auction with Savills on 9 June with a guide price of £350,000, auctions.savills.co.uk

Little Luxury

GANNI’s latest collab is with footwear brand Melissa, designed to evoke the carefree spirit of Copenhagen summers. The collection sees Melissa’s jelly shoes reimagined with a GANNI lens, featuring two styles: the Melissa Thong Kitten Heel is an elevated take on the classic flip flop, while the Melissa Flip Flop Slim is flat, with a ruffle strap detail. Both come in an array of colours (red, yellow, black and blue) as well as a statement leopard print version. £95, ganni.com

Competition Time

In celebration of National Wine Day this May, escape to the breathtaking coastline of southern Portugal with an unforgettable three-night stay at Wine & Books by the Sea in the Algarve. Enter now for your chance to win. 

Psssst…

The Sainsbury Centre at the University of East Anglia has received a £91.2 million gift to revive its Norman Foster architectural masterpiece – one of the largest donations ever given to a UK museum.

Whatever You Do, Don’t

Miss the pop-up from luxury resale platform Sellier taking place this Saturday (23 May) at 10am. There will be over 100 designer bags up for grabs, all under £2,500 – with some pieces available for under £1,000 – featuring names like Chanel, Hermès, Louis Vuitton, Dior and Fendi. Sellier, 155 Brompton Rd, London SW3 1QP