Pulse Weekly
Stories that matter, told well

Independent bookshops are returning to high streets, driven by readers who want recommendations from real people and a place to linger. Owners say events and community matter as much as sales: reading groups, children's story hours and evenings with local authors. For many shoppers, a bookshop has become the town's living room.

From a tender coming-of-age story to a sweeping historical drama, this season's releases reward patient viewers. Our critics picked the titles that linger in the memory after the credits roll, including two debut features and a documentary shot over a decade. Read on for a spoiler-free guide to each recommendation.