1. Unquiet Thoughts (New Yorker): Schubert and Beckett

Alex Ross on Samuel Beckett's love of Schubert.

2. Speakeasy (Wall Street Journal): Hard times for black literature

A warning from the poet, essayist and novelist Ishmael Reed.

3. We Make Money Not Art

Favourite images from the World Press Photo Exhibition.

4. Pitchfork: 2009 Readers Poll

Readers pick their favourite music of the past year.

5. Guardian Books Blog: New Year reading resolutions

Time to turn over a new leaf?