‘A daily dose of joy and wisdom. Just what we need to chase the gloom away!’ OLIVIA COLMAN

Why is a heart not heart-shaped? Will I ever understand cryptocurrency? What am I doing when I apricate? And is everything getting worse?

Finding the time to appreciate the bounty of our world can be tricky amid the demands of work, family and scrolling our phones. Happily, E. Foley and B. Coates have curated A Year of Living Curiously, a book of daily shots of knowledge that will lift your spirits and expand your mind in a flash. In 365 joyfully random, utterly fascinating entries, you’ll learn what the Japanese mean by ‘kuchisabishii’ and how the Victorians communicate through flowers; you’ll start to get quantum computing and discover the secret history of the bobble hat. There are tales of footballing bees and Viking mice, the beginning of the thesaurus and the end of the library of Alexandria.

Spend just two minutes a day with this glorious almanac of curious treasure and you’ll end your year full of wonder and just that little bit wiser.