You’ve heard of The Old Curiosity Shop and Shakespeare’s Globe, but what about the statue of Dr Samuel Johnson’s cat or the inspiration behind Orwell’s Ministry of Truth? Author of London: A Travel Guide Through Time, Dr Matthew Green takes us on a tour of some of the capital’s less well known literary destinations.

Comedian Aziz Ansari reads an extract from his new book on the potential perils of dating in the digital age.

From despotic regimes to media manipulation, our authors lift the lid on those in power in this week’s Think Smarter month reading list. For a chance to win the whole set, sign up to the Think Smarter newsletter.

Gas, Edward Hopper (1882-1967)
1940, oil on canvas, 66.7 x 102.2 cm, Museum of Modern Art, New York, Mrs Simon Guggenheim Fund

The word mindfulness is everywhere but what does it actually mean? In his new book French Psychiatrist Christophe André explains and teaches how to use art to practise it in twenty five lessons, including this lesson from Edward Hopper’s 1940 work, Gas.

It’s that time of year when all the darling little ones are trudging back to school with their brand new blazers and latest smartphones on display. We’re sure it must have ignited a glimmer of jealousy and nostalgia within you.

But don’t despair as we are sending you back to the classroom in an attempt to get you Thinking Smarter and mastering a subject that piques your interest with our very own School of Penguin. Through our sensational selection of books, which cover a massive array of topics, we hope to cram some essential knowledge somewhere in your cerebellum by completely painless means.

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