Mark Vernon is an author and journalist. He's written books on friendship, wellbeing, belief, science and the philosophy of the everyday. His articles and reviews on religious, philosophical and ethical themes have appeared in many newspapers and magazines, including the Guardian, Evening Standard and TLS. He has a degree in physics, theology and philosophy, regularly contributes to debates and festivals, and is a founding member of The School of Life in London. He played on the left wing for Socrates Wanderers in the 2010 Philosophers' Football Match.

• : 1. Anger, the discomforting opportunity: 2. Art, beyond consumption: 3. Beauty, as a guide in life: 4. Community, or the ties that free us: 5. Earth, our island home: 6. Forgiveness, and having a future: 7. Freedom, by giving stuff up: 8. Friendship, its perils and promise: 9. Gratitude, and the surprise called life: 10. Hope, and the courage to be: 11. Humour, its humanity and humility: 12. Individuality, not individualism: 13. Love, or how to be seriously promiscuous: 14. Me, being true to yourself: 15. Meaning, or why it's good to talk: 16. Money, our frozen desire: 17. Mourning, and avoiding depression: 18. Music, and learning from mistakes: 19. Pets, and the value of strangers: 20. Religion, or filling the God-shaped hole: 21. Responsibility, and what's true for you: 22. Seeing, a lesson in looking at the world: 23. Sex, and what makes it good: 24. Stillness, its intensification of life: 25. Stories, and expanding your moral imagination: 26. Tolerance, or the wisdom of others: 27. Uncertainty, and the value of doubt: 28. Wisdom, also called love's knowledge: 29. Wonder, in the ordinary: 30. Work, and becoming what you are