Culture
An ultimate guide to the best books of 2023 – as chosen by esteemed Big Issue critics
![Illustration of a face and an eye shape](https://www.bigissue.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/1595_books-roundup_-wifedom_1v2.jpg?w=768)
An ultimate guide to the best books of 2023 – as chosen by esteemed Big Issue critics
The Big Issue Christmas quiz: Who said it – Donald Trump or Suella Braverman?
![Donald Trump and Suella Braverman](https://www.bigissue.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/trump-braverman-2.png?w=768)
The Big Issue Christmas quiz: Who said it – Donald Trump or Suella Braverman?
The true story of Christmas you probably never knew – told by The Rest is History podcast hosts
![Tom Holland and Dominic Sandbrook](https://www.bigissue.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/1592_HistoryatXmas_Tom-Holland-and-Dominic-Sandbrook-credit-Chris-Floyd.jpg?w=768)
The true story of Christmas you probably never knew – told by The Rest is History podcast hosts
Ncuti Gatwa on 'feeling seen' by Doctor Who, being a Ken and why his Time Lord is 'very human'
![Ncuti Gatwa as The Doctor](https://www.bigissue.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/1593_DoctorWho_455297.jpg?w=768)
Ncuti Gatwa on 'feeling seen' by Doctor Who, being a Ken and why his Time Lord is 'very human'
We asked AI to create images of Santa and the results were... disturbing
![](https://www.bigissue.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/1595_AI-Santa-hero.jpg?w=768)
We asked AI to create images of Santa and the results were... disturbing
Christopher Eccleston: Scrooge could be any one of those Tory ministers round the cabinet table
![Christopher Eccleston as Ebenezer Scrooge](https://www.bigissue.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/1595_Eccleston_-Christopher-Eccleston-as-Ebenezer-Scrooge-in-A-Christmas-Carol-at-The-Old-Vic-2023-photo-by-Manuel-Harlan-1.jpg?w=768)
Christopher Eccleston: Scrooge could be any one of those Tory ministers round the cabinet table
Mog's Christmas: Behind the scenes of this year's must-watch festive animation
![Mog the cat in Mog's Christmas](https://www.bigissue.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/Mogs-Christmas1.jpg?w=768)
Mog's Christmas: Behind the scenes of this year's must-watch festive animation
Ghosts star Ben Willbond on show's devastating Christmas finale: 'As with life, you’ve got to move on'
![Ghosts Christmas Special People: Kitty (LOLLY ADEFOPE), Pat (JIM HOWICK), The Captain (BEN WILLBOND), Mike (KIELL SMITH-BYNOE), Julian (SIMON FARNABY), Alison (CHARLOTTE RITCHIE), Robin (LARRY RICKARD), Thomas Thorne (MAT BAYNTON), Lady Button (MARTHA HOWE-DOUGLAS), Humphrey (LARRY RICKARD)](https://www.bigissue.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/Ghosts-Christmas-Hero.jpg?w=768)
Ghosts star Ben Willbond on show's devastating Christmas finale: 'As with life, you’ve got to move on'
The Lost Boys director explains why his prison romance is a 'metaphor' for life as a queer person
![The Lost Boys](https://www.bigissue.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/The-Lost-Boys_Julien-and-Khalil_Tattoo_Copyright-KRIS-DE-WITTE.jpg?w=768)
The Lost Boys director explains why his prison romance is a 'metaphor' for life as a queer person
Five Star's Deniece Pearson: 'I kissed Smokey Robinson's lips off'
![Deniece Pearson Five Star in a bright feather outfit](https://www.bigissue.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/Deniece-Pearson-HERO-2.jpg?w=768)
Five Star's Deniece Pearson: 'I kissed Smokey Robinson's lips off'
Alan Partridge on teen years, getting older and why, in a way, he's always been a chat show host
![Alan Partridge](https://www.bigissue.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/1592_AlanPartridge_Partridge-author-photo.jpg?w=768)
Alan Partridge on teen years, getting older and why, in a way, he's always been a chat show host
Tabby McTat: Julia Donaldson, Axel Scheffler and Jodie Whittaker on their new Christmas treat
![Tabby McTat and Fred the busker](https://www.bigissue.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/1595_TV_cats-457048.jpg?w=768)
Tabby McTat: Julia Donaldson, Axel Scheffler and Jodie Whittaker on their new Christmas treat
10 best Christmas films that aren't all about family
![Bruce Willis in Christmas film Die Hard](https://www.bigissue.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/shutterstock_editorial_5695281g.jpg?w=768)
10 best Christmas films that aren't all about family
The unusual story of how one Lancashire venue rose like a phoenix: 'It's a place for everybody'
![Two women on guitars - Hot Wax play Sunbird Records in Darwen](https://www.bigissue.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/Sunbird-hero.jpg?w=768)
The unusual story of how one Lancashire venue rose like a phoenix: 'It's a place for everybody'
Romcoms, elves... and Batman: Here's the best Christmas movies to stream in 2023
![A selection of the best Christmas movies to stream 2023](https://www.bigissue.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/Christmas-movies-hero.jpg?w=768)
Romcoms, elves... and Batman: Here's the best Christmas movies to stream in 2023
Late Scottish artist's powerful sketches of homeless people discovered in attic after 30 years
![Robert McKee homelessness art in Dundee](https://www.bigissue.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/image-6.png?w=768)
Late Scottish artist's powerful sketches of homeless people discovered in attic after 30 years
Time's Echo by Jeremy Eichler named book of the year 2023 by Big Issue
![Times Echo by Jeremy Eichler](https://www.bigissue.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/1595-and-1594-Presentation-1.png?w=768)
Time's Echo by Jeremy Eichler named book of the year 2023 by Big Issue
Russell T Davies on Nolly, It's a Sin and bringing Kate Winslet back for Dark Season reunion
![](https://www.bigissue.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/1593_DoctorWho_448118-ROUGH-CUT.jpg?w=768)
Russell T Davies on Nolly, It's a Sin and bringing Kate Winslet back for Dark Season reunion
The definitive guide to best children's and YA books of 2023
![A Way to the Stars cover](https://www.bigissue.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/1594_Kids-books_a-way-to-the-stars-3.jpg?w=768)
The definitive guide to best children's and YA books of 2023
Barbie, boygenius and King's Coronation: These are the best cultural moments of 2023
![Cultural highlight sof 2023: Barbie](https://www.bigissue.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/1595_cultural-moment_barbie-HERO.jpg?w=768)