Touch: The science of hand, heart and mind
David J Linden
Penguin, £16.99
David Linden acknowledges that he is not an expert in the field of touch, but a fan, which is perhaps why Touch reads so well. It is written with a light pace rather than as an in-depth analysis, which will appeal to a general readership.
One key theme throughout is the importance of touch for our health and wellbeing. Along the way, we learn of evolutionary adaptations as well as the differences and commonalities that we share with other animals. It's packed with after-dinner nuggets of wisdom (what makes us itch? Why can't you tickle yourself?) but also has one of the funniest, most surreal personal anecdotes you'll ever read to open the chapter on sexual touch.
