While many high street shops are floundering, the number of independent bookstores in the UK has grown for the third consecutive year. An increasing desire among consumers for human connection and nostalgic escapism from the digital world have given indie bookshops a boost.

Despite the fact that streaming platforms are all the rage, cassettes have seen a surge in popularity – even among young people who were born after tapes largely died out. In an increasingly digital world, people are rediscovering analog as a way to connect emotionally with music and other media.

Rocked by high-profile scandals and still reliant on outdated fundraising tactics, Britain’s charities are under pressure to rethink the ways they engage the public. Disaster relief fund ShelterBox is resorting to a book club, aiming to drive regular donations while raising awareness of its efforts.

British literature is undergoing a renaissance, as the canon begins to include and champion a diverse range of writers. With modern readers – young ones, in particular – wanting improved representation in mass media, the publishing landscape is reshaping to prioritise nuanced narratives and a multiplicity of voices.