Why do diamonds sparkle? Why is the shower the best place to sing? Where is the 4th dimension in Dali's paintings? If you don't know the answers to these questions, or perhaps didn't even know you didn't know these interesting facts, then John D. Barrow's book will help. Its title, 100 essential things you didn't know you didn't know about maths and the arts, explains what's in it and you can a taster for Barrow's writing in this Plus article. You can be sure it's good though, after all this is Barrow's 22nd book!

If you like your science and maths visual, then we also recommend Barrow's book Cosmic imagery, which explores some key images in the history of science (find out more in our visual podcast). If, on the other hand, you like your arts and crafts to be mathematical, then check out Crafting by concepts and Origami polyhedra design.

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