The ObserverBret Easton EllisInterviewBret Easton Ellis: ‘My ability to trigger millennials is insane’ Rachel CookeThe former enfant terrible of 80s literature is now a self-appointed scourge of victimhood and outrage. He talks about his first book for a decade Poor Bret Easton Ellis. For someone I imagine to be rather fastidious – years ago, a friend of mine visited his New York apartment, where he was a little surprised to be told not to touch any of its owner’s CDs – this can hardly be the easiest of Monday mornings.

Money blogFamily financesIs 35 really the best age to be?A survey claims that by 35 people have reached certain milestones but have good years ahead of them. Do you agree?What's the best age to be? Carefree 16 or a young-enough-to-have-fun but old-enough-to-leave-home 21? Or maybe a wise and stately 65? No – it's 35, according to research by insurer Aviva. It asked more than 2,000 adults from across the age ranges what they thought the best age was to be, and the average came out as 35.

Higher educationReviewJohn Mullan reads David Stevenson's The Beggar's Benison: Sex Clubs of Enlightenment Scotland and Their Rituals and finds a lot of masturbation amongst the intellectuals The Beggar's Benison: Sex Clubs of Enlightenment Scotland and Their Rituals David Stevenson 265pp, Tuckwell Press, £18.99 Clubs were one of the 18th century's great inventions. "Clubbable", a word invented by Dr Johnson, was a coinage for the age. For men, the club promised a new form of sociability.

London 2012 Olympics: the pain Games – in pictures Share on Facebook Share on Twitter Share via Email China's Liu Xiang falls while competing in the men's 110m hurdles heats. For some competitors, the Olympics end in painful disappointment Tue 7 Aug 2012 09.15 EDT First published on Tue 7 Aug 2012 09.15 EDT China's Liu Xiang sits up after falling while competing in the men's 110m hurdles heats Photograph: Olivier Morin/AFP/Getty Images

Susan Collins has a ‘B’ rating from the National Rifle Association and has received $18,000 in funding from the group. Photograph: J Scott Applewhite/APSusan Collins has a ‘B’ rating from the National Rifle Association and has received $18,000 in funding from the group. Photograph: J Scott Applewhite/APMaine shootings This article is more than 2 months oldMaine shootings highlight Republican senator’s voting record on gun controlThis article is more than 2 months oldAs her state mourns 18 dead in latest shooting spree, Susan Collins is now facing criticism for her votes against gun control laws