‘Thirsty, wet, desolate. The dream’: One Day author David Nicholls on the peculiar pleasure of long, soggy solo walks

The bestselling author has always hated being on his own, so why does he spend a few days every year hiking alone in the wind and rain? Just don’t call it a midlife crisis …

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

‘I didn’t want to hurt that girl. I just felt this pressure building … ’ The sociopath who learned to behave – and found happiness

Patric Gagne has spent most of her life fighting terrible urges. She is also a loving sister, daughter, mother and wife. She talks about her remarkable journey

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

Life after a traumatic brain injury: ‘It took me over a year to find out I had an accident’

Caroline Laner Breure always wanted to be perfect. Then an accident left her in a coma. As she pieced her brain and body back together, her idea of perfection was transformed

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