The Book You Wish Your Parents Had Read by Philippa Perry review – how to raise your kids

What’s the top priority when raising kids? A bestseller on good parent-child relationships

The Happiness Curve by Jonathan Rauch review – midlife need not be a crisis

An uplifting book argues that only society’s ageism prevents us from enjoying this transition period in life

Nimko Ali: ‘Orgasms and sexual pleasure are a human right. I guard these things with my life’

For her first book, the anti-FGM campaigner spoke to 150 women around the world about sex, periods and more. She shares what she learned, and why she supports Boris Johnson

Mescaline by Mike Jay review – a global history of the first psychedelic

From the ancient Andes to Aldous Huxley’s trousers – the uses and abuses of ‘fiendish cactus juice’

Unspeakable by Harriet Shawcross – a personal study of silence

As a teenager, Harriet Shawcross stopped speaking for a year. Her attempt to make sense of that experience investigates the essence of language itself

Why the sleep industry is keeping us awake at night

We’re told that getting eight unbroken hours of sleep will protect us from cancer and dementia, and make us happier. But are we being sold an impossible dream?

Four Words for Friend by Marek Kohn review – why language matters more than ever

Is the British reluctance to learn languages partly to blame for Brexit? The case for multilingualism

Making Evil by Julia Shaw review – the ‘science’ behind humanity’s dark side

Does evil exist? Are we all born killers, saved only by impulse control? A chattily written study of inexcusable acts

Want to transform your life? Stop chasing perfection

Give up the rat race, accept reality and have the courage to be disliked – the latest self-help trend is not about self-reinvention but finding contentment in the life you have

Nine Pints by Rose George review – all about blood

From leeches and quackery to scandal and superstition … an absorbing investigation into blood