Girl in the Dark review – a powerful chronicle of a life without light
Anna Lyndsey’s sparkling biographical account of her strange and sudden illness steers clear of being a misery memoir
The woman who is allergic to light: ‘Walls were what I had to wear’
Ten years ago, Anna Lyndsey developed an extreme photosensitivity. At first, her skin would burn whenever she sat in front of a computer screen; soon, she was unable to leave a specially blacked-out room
Winners and How They Succeed by Alastair Campbell – digested read
John Crace reduces a high-achievers’ handbook by the former Labour party spin doctor to a triumphant 700 words
How do we know chilli is hot and mint cool?
Rubbed on the skin, chilli peppers feel hot and mint leaves cool. Why? The answers might surprise you
Five ways to improve your brainpower
It’s possible to radically improve mental agility. Norman Doige, psychiatrist and author of The Brain’s Way of Healing, suggests strategies to sharpen your mind
Curvology by David Bainbridge review – the female body, dissected and confused
A study that sets out to identify the factors that influence eating disorders, body image and clothing choices collapses in a welter of contradictions
Lesser spotted: Melanie’s Marvelous Measles wiped out online
An anti-vaccination book for children has received more than 800 one-star reviews on Amazon
Never tried BDSM? Go on, it’s good for you
Fifty Shades of Grey is opening people’s eyes to the joys of BDSM. And it isn’t just a bit of bedroom fun – it has serious benefits for you and your partner
Tips from widows – a guide to getting through the grief
Jan Robinson collected the advice from a network of widows after her husband died suddenly. The result is a funny, comforting and therapeutic handbook for bereavement
Oliver Burkeman: the art of taking action. Or not
There are widespread assumptions that the traditions of south-east Asia are all about slowing down and cultivating calm – but that’s only half the story