Touchy, Feely, Squeezy: Musings of a Masseuse by Mandy Urena is not my usual type of book to read as a non-fiction book. However, this book really appealed to me as someone who loves to go to a masseuse myself.

This book is about Mandy and how she started to become a masseuse as well as all of the adventures she has had due to being a massage therapist. Also going into loads of different styles of massage and how she ended up massaging rockstars, those with cancer and so much more.

This is a great non-fiction which did make me laugh at times throughout the novel and left me feeling happy, however there is parts which is more heartfelt and has a great pace to the book. I loved also how at the start of every chapter there was quotes from various people which was a really good way to get into the chapter. Also with the chapters all having names such as: What do you do if a guy gets a woody? (and other unusual questions), The penis monologues, Energy massage and the uninvited poltergeist and many more I thought was a great touch for the novel.

I would highly recommend this book to people who like massages, the masseuse themselves and those who are looking for something a little different to read. This is one of the best non-fiction books I have ever personally read!! I only wish there was more for me to read!!

Mandy Urena and I must be about the same age, incredibly I too had a Thai massage on a beach while vacationing from teaching english in Japan in the 1980's. I'm glad that in Urena's case it set her on a vaunted career path, one which has brought comfort and relaxation to many worldwide, and has yielded this entertaining chronicle of her experiences to boot.

I laughed aloud at her crazy anecdotes about massages and spa treatments, and cultural follies. At times Urena comes across as so real and naive it's endearing, and at other times she veers into unprofessionalism. I'm sure to a large extent the un-PC-ness is intended as schtick, but her quasi-health-related field seems at odds with the inability to remember anatomy when tasked with teaching it, failing to educate a massage student about the importance of personal hygiene, marveling at the need to sanitize door knobs, and her passion for junk consumption: frozen cheesecake, cheap candy, chocolate, etc.

Most importantly, Urena achieves her set upon goal of educating ignoramuses that "a good bodyworker has the knowledge, skills and the power to heal, to improve a client's posture, stress levels and well-being... and about massage not being about sex or a non-legitimate area of study".

Funny and such a good light hearted read. What a fun journey this author takes you on. It is interesting to see how an event under a tree could change one persons life. It was fascinating to read about all the interesting people she met along the way.