Clive James: ‘In my condition, you have to go on throwing a double six just to stay in the game’
I’ve been making plans for yet another in the string of springs that I never expected to see
Last night a diva saved my life – home therapy from opera singers
Anxious? Stressed? A new art project sends singers to people’s homes to ease their worries. Would an intimate performance help our writer deal with his fears about impending fatherhood?
Adventures in Human Being by Gavin Francis review – a tour round our bodies
A beautifully written guide to our wonders and weaknesses
Luke McGregor on Luke Warm Sex: ‘I’m not getting any sex now, so I’ve got nothing to lose’
Scared of sex and ashamed of his lack of experience, comedian Luke McGregor decided to boldly confront his fears in a new six-part ABC documentary
From Rosemary’s Baby to Bridget Jones: a quick scan of pregnancy on film
For years, pregnant women on film have either been neurotic, placid or walking grossout gags. Alice Lowe, who directed and starred in her own horror film at seven months, says we should expect more
Reading from Behind: A Cultural Analysis of the Anus review – getting to the bottom of ‘anal theory’
It might be shortlisted for the oddest title of the year award, but Jonathan Allen’s book is a serious work of theory, exploring the backside as a site of humiliation and disgust
States of Mind edited by Anna Faherty review – ‘a compelling collection’
Mark Haddon introduces this fascinating book, which looks at the nature of consciousness through literature, science, art and case studies
The Life Project by Helen Pearson review – scientific marvel of the everyman
A spellbinding account of Britain’s pioneering cohort studies underlines their importance to all our lives
10 ways to beat loneliness
People of all ages are discovering new and old ways to connect – from co-housing schemes to friendship apps and chicken care…
On the pulse: a chef, a football manager and a TV star track their heart rates
What does a stressful job do to you? We asked people including Sam Allardyce, Kirsty Wark and Angela Hartnett to wear a heart rate monitor for a day to find out