Five great reads: optimism in the climate fight, surviving a plane crash and how to kiss

After five decades of environmental campaigning, Bob Brown is still ‘ready to go’ to protest against drilling in the Tarkine. ‘We’re not going to simply concede and leave the field,’ he says. ‘We’re going to defend that rainforest.’ Photograph: Madman Entertainment

I’ve been thinking a lot about luck this week. A child placed a black cat on the footpath in front of my friend. I seem to be seeing a lot of ladders. On the other hand, I found a dollar. I wish on eyelashes, stars, chicken bones, and if I happen to be accidentally looking at my phone right as it hits midnight. And I’m very conscientious about picking up any pins.

Questions of luck come up in several of this week’s reads. Can you make your own? The jury’s out – but see if that piece about Poland swings you either way.