The Labours of Love; The Courage to Care; The Care Manifesto review – our compassion crisis in focus
Madeleine Bunting and Christie Watson bring personal experience to bear on heartbreaking studies of the UK’s ailing care system
When comfort reading won’t cut it: books to restore hope in humanity
From Man’s Search for Meaning to a celebration of life in the face of death, Cathy Rentzenbrink picks the books that confirm her faith in people
The wellness realm has fallen into conspiritualism – I have a sense why
There is a reason behind the collision of new age ‘light and love’ and the conspiratorial world of QAnon, writes Sarah Wilson
The best books to inspire compassion
From Hanya Yanagihara’s A Little Life to a manifesto by Elif Shafak … Christie Watson explores kindness and courage in the face of suffering
No Fixed Abode by Maeve McClenaghan review – how rough sleepers die
A meticulous investigation exposes the shameful truths surrounding the UK’s homeless population
The Shift by Sam Baker review – funny, frank and empowering
Although this ‘menopause memoir’ doesn’t break new ground it is still vital reading
The best books about medical breakthroughs
Amid the rush to find a Covid-19 vaccine, Mark Honigsbaum picks his favourites, including a novel that has inspired generations of medical students and the story of Henrietta Lacks
The Wild Silence by Raynor Winn review – in search of healing and home
In this unflinching sequel to The Salt Path, nature provides solace against forebodings of mortality
James Partridge obituary
International campaigner who helped transform attitudes to people with facial disfigurements
How to Stay Sane in an Age of Division by Elif Shafak review – a poignant look back at another age
What has happened to the belief that social media can create a new and better world?