In order to promote the New York Subway’s new Wi-Fi service, the city's Metropolitan Transit Authority has teamed up with Penguin Random House to launch Subway Reads – an eight-week programme that lets commuters download specially curated short stories or novel excerpts for free.

There are endless business, psychology and self-help titles that claim to make you smarter, more productive and happier. But who has time to read them all? Berlin-based start-up Blinkist wants to ‘serve curious minds’ by letting busy people read more in less time.

Pocket-book publisher L&PM has devised a novel way of celebrating National Book Day in Brazil. The brand distributed 10,000 Ticket Books – pocket-sized books that work as tickets on the subway – all for free at subway stations across São Paulo. But could they get Brazilians reading?

With the average UK commute lasting 38 minutes, communications that provide convenience, entertainment or a simple distraction can make the time spent travelling feel shorter. But what do people read, play or buy going from A to B? And how are brands engaging this captive audience?