This week's selection of compelling long reads from Guardian Australia offers a fascinating journey through human experience, sporting history, and the modern world captured through a lens. The curated list, published on 9th January 2026, delves into the neurological phenomenon of synaesthesia, celebrates the life of a cricketing centenarian, and reflects on the defining images of our time.
The Flavour of Words: Living with Synaesthesia
One of the featured articles explores the rare and captivating condition known as synaesthesia. For individuals with this neurological trait, the senses are intertwined in extraordinary ways. The piece details how some people can literally taste words or see colours when they hear music. It moves beyond a simple explanation to provide a deeply personal insight into what daily life is like when your perceptual boundaries are fluid. The narrative helps demystify the science while highlighting the unique, and sometimes challenging, perspective it grants those who experience it.
A Century at the Crease: The World's Oldest Test Cricketer
Another standout read pays tribute to a true sporting legend, recognised as the world's oldest Test cricketer. The article chronicles the remarkable life and career of this centenarian, reflecting on how the game has transformed over a lifetime. It's not just a tale of sporting statistics but a poignant human story of resilience, memory, and the enduring spirit of an athlete who witnessed the evolution of cricket from a different era. His recollections provide a living bridge to the historical roots of the international sport.
Capturing an Era: The 21st Century in Photographs
The third major feature takes a visual and analytical look at our recent past through the powerful medium of photography. It presents a curated collection of images that have come to define the 21st century, from seismic political events and social movements to breakthroughs in technology and intimate human stories. The accompanying commentary examines what these photographs tell us about the complexities, conflicts, and connections that have shaped the modern world. It serves as a powerful reminder of photography's role in documenting history as it unfolds.
Together, these five great reads from Guardian Australia's weekly series offer a rich tapestry of stories. They connect the intricate wiring of the human brain with the enduring narratives of sporting heritage and the collective memory of a society documented frame by frame. This curation exemplifies the depth and diversity of long-form journalism, providing readers with material that informs, surprises, and prompts deeper reflection on the world around them.
