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Children's booksChildren's booksSharp Objects by Gillian Flynn – review‘You’re in for a journey like no other – icy, eye-opening and unforgettable’ Gillian Flynn is known to many as the “Gone Girl author”. This is hardly surprising, considering the immense global success of both the novel and the movie, which was released in 2014 and swept that year’s awards ceremonies clean. With the exception of Gillian Flynn’s die–hard fans, and murder mystery fanatics, the author’s debut novel – Sharp Objects – seems to have faded into insignificance in comparison to Gone Girl, which is still widely talked about and praised, even after being on the shelves for over three years.

Sweden This article is more than 4 months oldSwitching off: Sweden says back-to-basics schooling works on paperThis article is more than 4 months oldSchools minister Lotta Edholm moves students off digital devices and on to books and handwriting, with teachers and experts debating the pros and cons Since young children went back to school across Sweden recently, many of their teachers have been putting a new emphasis on printed books, quiet reading time and handwriting practice, and devoting less time to tablets, independent online research and keyboarding skills.

World libraryGlobal developmentReviewA literary tour of Syria illuminates the dark side of religion and politics that lurks behind the current crisis, as well as the fearlessness of ordinary people The Dark Side of Love by Rafik Schami, translated by Anthea BellThis monumental novel of forbidden love is an opulent, intricately assembled mosaic of stories. With its myriad digressions and vast array of characters, it isn’t always an easy read – but persistence is richly rewarded.

ArchaeologyA comet plunging into the sea could have triggered a tidal wave that devastated bronze age settlements on the island, say scientistsHomer talks of Poseidon lashing out, Plato refers to a massive marine disaster. What happened on Sardinia in the second millennium BC? What dramatic event swept away the Tyrrhenian civilisation and the “tower builders” cited by Strabo and the poet Hesiod in antiquity? Was it an earthquake or a tidal wave?

Manuscripts and letters This article is more than 5 years old'I haven't achieved much recently': Albert Einstein's private fears revealed in sister's archiveThis article is more than 5 years oldThe celebrated scientist frets about fame and his brain ‘going off with age’ in candid, soon to be auctioned correspondence with his sister, Maja A glimpse at the “private, hidden face” of Albert Einstein, including the celebrated scientist’s thoughts on everything from his fears that his best work was behind him to his equivocal feelings about his fame, has been revealed in a cache of letters he wrote to his beloved younger sister, Maja.

Health & wellbeingAndy Mayer has been clear of alcohol for 10 years, and it keeps getting better. Here, he writes about the paradox of addiction: that getting clean is something no one can do for you - and yet you can't do it alone'For 40 years I've planned booze into my diary, making sure it would be there before, after and usually during any significant event. Only very rarely have I excluded it.

OpinionParents and parenting This article is more than 1 year oldChild-centred parenting may be in vogue – but does it work when your child kicks off? This article is more than 1 year oldEmma BrockesThe concept of less shouting and more validation sounds delightful until a minute before we have to leave for school A consequence of socialising with family and friend groups at Christmas is the front-row seat we all get to other people’s parenting, or the “ew, is that how you’re going to do it?

Hunter BidenHunter Biden pleads not guilty to federal tax charges in Los AngelesThe president’s son is accused of nine felony and misdemeanor tax offenses and could face up to 17 years in prison if found guilty Hunter Biden pleaded not guilty on Thursday to federal tax charges in a Los Angeles courthouse. Hunter Biden makes appearance at his own contempt of Congress hearingRead moreBiden, who has a home in Malibu, is accused of nine felony and misdemeanor tax offenses.

The ObserverBoris Johnson This article is more than 8 months old‘I am the führer. I’m the king’: new book lifts lid on life inside Boris Johnson’s chaotic No 10This article is more than 8 months oldPM blamed both Dominic Cummings and his wife to disguise his own reluctance to take difficult decisions, author claims Boris Johnson fell out with his former chief adviser Dominic Cummings after growing tired of being treated like a “young and inexperienced king” who needed to be kept in order, Michael Gove has revealed.