Culture | Spine-tingling
The 40 best books published so far this year
When you lie down by the pool this summer, pick up one of these titles
Biography and memoir
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African architects have cool designs for a warming planet
They take inspiration from everything from the local terrain to termites
Would you pay $100,000 for an orchid?
When orchidomania swept Europe in the 19th century, people forked out for flowers
Hit songs are getting shorter
The trend is not as bad as it sounds
What to watch this weekend
Stories of assassins, detectives and singer-songwriters
The second world war changed Budapest for ever
How a city that once nurtured intellectuals and artists lost its lustre
Museums should open up their storerooms
The V&A is putting more of its collection on show. Others should follow suit
