Writing Top Five Regrets of the Dying has brought me to tears

Homa Khaleeli: When carer Bronnie Ware wrote a blog in 2009 listing the five things that most haunted her terminally ill patients, she had no idea it would become an internet sensation – and transform her life

Guardian first book award 2014 shortlist covers neurosurgery, China, rural Ireland and more

Judge Mary Beard acclaims ‘accomplished, clever, assured – and, of course, enjoyable’ cross-genre selection contending for £10,000 award

Andrew Motion: don’t hurry, be happy

The path to happiness is long and winding, says our former poet laureate, and it takes you through some very dark places

Being Mortal review – a surgeon’s view of how we should end our days

Doctor and New Yorker writer Atul Gawande argues that we should focus less on prolonging life and more on making it meaningful, writes Geraldine Bedell

In Your Prime: Older, Wiser, Happier by India Knight review – sharp, slanted and bracingly unbothered

All about me – yes, but these tips on ageing are also full of wit and style, writes Kathryn Hughes

In Your Prime review – India Knight tackles ageing with wit

The 48-year-old author’s guide to the joys and challenges of middle age is like a funny, informative conversation, writes Kate Kellaway

Efua Dorkenoo obituary

Determined campaigner against female genital mutilation

Atul Gawande: ‘If I haven’t succeeded in making you itchy, disgusted or cry I haven’t done my job’

The books interview: The surgeon-author talks to Sukhdev Sandhu about the limits of medicine, our view of death, and battles over taste with the editor of the New Yorker

The Marshmallow Test review – if you can resist, you will go far

Do you take your gratification instant or deferred? And why does it matter? American psychologist Walter Mischel tests your willpower. By Zoe Williams

A teenage guide to stress

Blame My Brain author Nicola Morgan's top tips on how to stop the pressure of a new school year getting to you