Maybe I’m Amazed by John Harris review – a father and his autistic son bond through music

An honest and intensely moving book about the struggle of parenthood and the power of connection

Raw Content by Naomi Booth review – those difficult newborn days

This emotionally astute novel describes a woman’s descent into psychological distress, but some of its ideas remain embryonic

‘Something to believe in, even if it’s deeply silly’: why 15,000 people signed up to a letter-writing project

In a new book Rachel Syme extols the simple pleasure of connecting with friends and strangers through the mail

The big idea: should you dump your toxic friend?

Self-help pundits advise us to cut difficult people out of our lives, but it’s not the only option

Bath, balls and Darcy’s pile: where to celebrate Jane Austen’s 250th anniversary

It’s a truth universally acknowledged that a fan of Jane Austen must be in want of festivities to mark her big birthday. Here are some of the best

Romantasy, Bridgerton, audio porn apps: it’s a great time for horny ladies

For fans, sexy, female-centered entertainment is a welcome escape from reality

Maternity Service by Emma Barnett review – a tour of duty in early motherhood

In this valuable, brutally honest guide, the broadcaster argues that a supposedly joyful time is often steeped in drudgery and social isolation

Is This Working? by Charlie Colenutt review – labours of love in unexpected places

The author’s study of UK workers and their feelings about their jobs uncovers mushrooming red tape and an enduring sense of fatigue, but also a sense of pride

Noel Fitzpatrick: ‘We often put on the radio and TV for the animals’

The supervet talks about growing up on a farm in Ireland, learning the elusive language of elephants and his love of Led Zeppelin

Go outside, ditch the phone, get humble: my top 10 Scandi life lessons after a decade in Denmark

After 12 years, we’ve said goodbye to one of the happiest countries on Earth. From friluftsliv (the joy of the open air) to janteloven (realising you’re no better than others) here’s what I’ve learned

‘I’m like the TV Lorraine – just more sweary’: at home with the queen of the small screen

She’s the chatty daytime presenter with a nice line in withering putdowns. But as a judge once ruled, that’s just a role she performs. So who is the real Lorraine Kelly?

Salman Rushdie out, Dan Brown in: why it’s time to detoxify our middle-class bookshelves

Drop the pretence: instead of parading a love of highbrow literature, just enjoy the books you want to read

On my radar: Richard Russell’s cultural highlights

The producer and head of XL Recordings on a spicy YouTube series, London’s most fascinating street and the musician who’s ahead of his time

‘I was causing harm’: author Helen Jukes on motherhood and our polluted bodies

In her latest book, Mother Animal, the writer gives a personal account of the impact of ‘forever chemicals’ on her and her child during and after pregnancy

The one change that worked: I found an escape from online life by swapping my home office for the library

I can find essential and unusual facts for my arts journalism in the dusty old tomes – information not readily available on Google. And, as I did as a child, I lose myself in a world of books ...