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Addicted to Drama: Find out what it means to be called a 'drama queen'

17 May 2023

Is whipping up drama from everyday life down to personality? Or could it be caused by something deeper that warrants investigation? Scott Lyons's new book explores what might fuel those who thrive on the dramatic

Death of an Author review: Murder mystery generated by AI isn't awful

15 May 2023

Stephen Marche worked with ChatGPT and other AI tools to craft this thriller. The prose is plodding and the final twist leans heavily on a Sherlock Holmes story – but this is an interesting experiment

The Human Mind review: Ambitious, up-to-the-minute guide to the mind

11 May 2023

From perception and behaviour to choice and morality, psychologist Paul Bloom’s book on the mind takes us on a comprehensive journey of what it means to be human

FHKTG9 Catholic Cathedral Church, Jakarta, Indonesia. Image shot 2015. Exact date unknown.

The Experience Machine review: How our brains predict the daily world

10 May 2023

Predictive processing is sometimes called a grand unifying theory of the brain. An important guide to the field from Andy Clark shows the idea’s strength – but also how far it has to go to fulfil that

UNSPECIFIED - CIRCA 1900: Giovanni Grewembroch - XVIII century. Manuscript: Doctor in Venice at the time of the plague. Watercolor. (Photo By DEA PICTURE LIBRARY/De Agostini via Getty Images)

Pathogenesis review: How infectious diseases have moulded civilisation

26 April 2023

From the development of agriculture to the global rise of religions, Jonathan Kennedy's book describes how infectious diseases have been a decisive force in shaping human history

A kelp forest, dominated by giant kelp (Macrocystis pyrifera), grows off the coast of northern California. This is an important habitat for a diverse array of eastern Pacific marine life.; Shutterstock ID 179694674; purchase_order: -; job: -; client: -; other: -

The Seaweed Revolution review: How to save the world with seaweed

19 April 2023

Marine algae could replace plastic, massively cut our carbon emissions and help feed billions of people healthily, according to an excellent new book by Vincent Doumeizel

Big data. Information concept. 3D render

The Battle for Your Brain review: A guide to neuro nightmares ahead

19 April 2023

How will we find a way through the new minefield of brain tracking and hacking? Ethicist and lawyer Nita Farahany's book is an excellent, if troubling, look at neurotechnology

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The Power of Language review: What speaking many languages can do

12 April 2023

Through staving off dementia symptoms, boosting brainpower and even being a different version of yourself, speaking many languages is a great strategy for life, argues a new book from Viorica Marian

Alien Worlds review: Celebrating Earth's insects – as they disappear

5 April 2023

From diving ants to jewel beetles, there are millions of insect species on Earth. A wonderful new guide from entomologist Steve Nicholls celebrates some of the smallest lives and details the strain they are under