What's it about? Starry Messenger (2022) is about a way of looking at the world called the cosmic perspective. It’s the view that opens up when we think about human life in its largest possible context – that of the universe itself. This isn’t an exercise in making our worldly affairs seem small and trivial, though. It’s about unlocking insights that can help us live more happily and meaningfully on the cosmic anomaly we call Earth. People are fed up with experts. That was the recent verdict of the British politician Michael Gove. What people want, he implied, is more feeling. Less weighing of the evidence and more gut instinct. As a recipe for politics, that statement met with lots of opposition. As a description of what’s actually happening, though, it hit the nail on the head. We live in an age of hyperpartisanship and culture wars. Reasoned debate is out; emotive shouting matches are in. The backlash against experts has generated its own backlash: a pro-expert faction tha...

What's it about? Stolen Focus (2022) begins with author Johann Hari experiencing a common problem: his attention span is diminishing. He can’t seem to focus on much outside of Twitter and online news. Over three years, Hari tries to identify the root causes of this problem. He uncovers a collective attention crisis that’s affecting the entire globe. From social media to the culture of productivity, Hari identifies the culprits behind our stolen focus – and wonders if, and how, we can claim it back. We’ve all been there. You sit down, ready for work, and you get a text. As you're texting back, a news alert appears – so you shift over to read what’s happening. But as you’re halfway through reading the headline, you get another ping: someone’s liked the photo that you posted last night. And after checking who it was, you realize they’ve also posted new photos . . . is that a new partner?! As you start swiping through the images, a Slack notification chimes. Wait, what were you d...

What's it about? Once Upon a Stranger (2026) makes the case that brief, low-stakes exchanges with strangers are an antidote to the loneliness epidemic of modern life. Drawing on original research and personal anecdotes, it shows how even the smallest moments of connection –⁠ with a barista, a fellow commuter, a stranger in an elevator –⁠ can generate joy, curiosity, and a deeper sense of belonging. Narrated by…. You’re standing in line at a coffee shop. The person in front of you is wearing a t-shirt from a city you once visited. You notice it, feel a small flicker of curiosity –⁠ and then look back down at your phone. Sound familiar? Most of us have been there. And most of us have decided, without really thinking about it, that talking to that stranger just isn’t worth it. They probably don’t want to be bothered. It’ll be awkward. What would you even say? Better to keep to yourself. But what if that instinct is wrong –⁠ and what if it’s costing you more than you realize? Gillian...

What's it about? In a Good Place (2026) explores how the spaces around us quietly shape the people we become. Drawing on psychology, design, and everyday life, it reveals how homes, offices, streets, and public spaces can either nourish or frustrate our need for agency, connection, and a sense of belonging. Space matters more than we often think. Design details can have a huge impact on the course of our lives. If your kitchen drawers always stick and your countertop is too small, cooking never becomes more than a chore. Eventually, takeout wins. A few years later, your food bills are out of control and your jeans fit differently. It can go the other way too. A cool bedroom with blackout curtains can improve sleep for years, lowering stress and reducing the risk of heart disease and depression. The problem is that we rarely notice these effects while they’re happening. Modern life trains us to treat our surroundings as background scenery. We work in noisy offices while pretending...

What's it about? Breadwinners (2025) explores how shifting income patterns and gender roles reshape power dynamics in modern relationships, especially when women earn more than their partners. It draws on interviews and research to show how money, unpaid labour and social expectations intersect, and offers ideas for recognising and redressing those imbalances at home and at work. You’ve probably heard that women are catching up at work, smashing glass ceilings, closing pay gaps. But walk into most homes and it’s a different story: the kids’ appointments, the never-ending to-do list, the cleaning, the mental spreadsheet of who needs what and when? That’s still usually sitting in one head. And very often, it’s the same head that’s also paying most of the bills. In this lesson, you’ll see why the higher earner can still end up overloaded with care. You’ll also see what typically happens when a woman earns more. Some men feel threatened while others are quietly relieved. You’ll also ...

What's it about? It’s Complicated (2014) reveals that teenage social media use is far more sophisticated than adults assume, with young people developing complex strategies to manage identity, privacy, and social relationships in networked spaces where all their audiences collapse together. The real dangers aren't the ones dominating headlines – predators, addiction, cyberbullying – but rather how adult panic and protectionism prevent teenagers from developing the skills they need to navigate digital life thoughtfully and safely. For many parents and carers, their teen’s social media habits are equal parts mysterious and frustrating. What are they looking at online all day? What effect is it having on their brain? And why can’t they just log off? The answers to those questions may be surprising. While teens certainly need to be supported in healthy social media habits, their online lives are actually pretty fascinating. See, teenagers have figured out something adults still ...