It was a year that started dramatically and just kept on delivering more shocks. The inauguration of President Trump; the continuing fallout of Brexit; tensions in Syria, North Korea and Afghanistan; a terror attack on Westminster; a surprise general election . It was a year in which fake news itself made the headlines, yet one in which cool, calm and perceptive analysis was more essential than ever.

Here, the Bedside Guardian rounds up the best journalism of 2017, in a collection that follows the main news events of the year but is also unafraid to meander into quirkier, more offbeat waters. Showcasing the intelligent wit and thought-provoking opinions for which the paper is famous, this is essential reading for those of us attempting to make sense of a fast-changing world.