A Body Made of Glass by Caroline Crampton review – anatomy of hypochondria
Memoir, cultural history and bleak humour characterise this brilliant personal exploration of health anxiety
The Ritual Effect by Michael Norton review – standing on ceremony
From Rafael Nadal’s ball-bouncing to families’ Christmas traditions, what purpose does ritualistic behaviour serve?
A Body Made of Glass by Caroline Crampton review – an intelligent and engaging history of hypochondria
In this fascinating book, a survivor of a life-threatening illness chronicles the history of health anxiety and ponders whether it is a rational response to our flawed bodies
The Price of Life by Jenny Kleeman review – what’s it worth?
A riveting examination of the value we place on human life – from healthcare to hitmen
The big idea: why am I so forgetful?
A failing memory can be frustrating, but it may be a sign your brain is working exactly as it should
The Anxious Generation by Jonathan Haidt – a pocket full of poison
An urgent and persuasive warning about the toll of ‘phone-based childhoods’
The big idea: should you blame yourself for your bad habits?
Our ability to resist temptation is increasingly shaped by forces beyond our control
Wendy Mitchell obituary
Writer and dementia campaigner who believed that people should have the right to choose their own death
The big idea: this simple behavioural trick can help you get more out of life
Habituation is a key component of human nature, and knowing how to manipulate it can make the things you enjoy even better
The big idea: is compassion fatigue real?
Can we really maintain our levels of empathy in the face of an increasingly brutal news cycle?