The Short List: five things worth your time this week

Every Tuesday, five things we think are worth your time. No sponsors pick these, and nobody pays to be on the list.

1. A library card, on your phone. Most public libraries in Canada and the U.S. now lend e-books and audiobooks for free through apps such as Libby. If you haven't looked in a while, you may be surprised how much is there. A card is usually free.

2. A 2,000-year-old self-help book. Meditations by Marcus Aurelius was a Roman emperor's private notes to himself about staying calm and doing his job well. It's short, it's free in the public domain, and it reads surprisingly modern.

3. A real university course, for nothing. Several big universities post full courses online for free, with lectures and notes. MIT OpenCourseWare is one of the oldest. Pick one subject you always wondered about.

4. A five-minute habit. Before bed, write down three things that went right today. That's it. It takes less time than brushing your teeth. More on small habits in why change feels hard.

5. One evening out. Look up what's on at your local theatre, gallery or community hall this week, and go to one thing. Our case for doing just that: culture on a budget.