The Picador Book of 40

Will Eaves' third novel, This is Paradise, is an exquisite story about an apparently ordinary family in 1970s Bath. It follows Don and Emily Allden and their four children through the highs and lows of raising a family. Thirty years later and living their own lives, the children meet at their mother's deathbed. In the end, even down-to-earth families like this one are never what they seem.

Here, Will Eaves talks to his editor Paul Baggaley about the novel's structure, its seventh main character after the family members, and his own experience of writing.

Writing a book to deliver in forty weeks is one thing; being pregnant at the same time turns it into even more of a challenge. Suzette Field, author of A Curious Invitation, found herself in just that situation . . .

Over the past month, many a giggle has been heard coming from the lift in the Picador offices. Why? Well, in honour of Picador's 40th birthday, Jon Ronson's fantastically funny contribution to The Picador Book of 40, 40 Things To Do Before I Die: A Bucket List, was stuck up on one of its walls. Since we've all had such a good laugh, we thought we'd share it with you. Happy reading.

Shalom Auslander, author of Hope: A Tragedy, on the newest list of the world's most promising young writers, Three Under Three. This piece is published in The Picador Book of 40.

What would you like to receive for your fortieth birthday? Picador author and recent tricenarian Emma Straub lists the ten things she would love to receive.