If your ipod is in recovery mode you have no choice but to restore it. All the data on it is already lost if it is in recovery mode, you will have to restore it and when setting it up again at the end of the restore process your ipod will restart and you will have to set it up again as you did when it was new. In the process you will be given the option to restore it from and iTunes or iCloud backup. If you have been backing up to iCloud choose that (be sure to plug your ipod in to a wall charger as this will take hours to complete). If you haven't been backing up to iCloud choose restore from iTunes backup, then restore from the backup you created the last time you synced your
ipod. If it won't restore in recovery mode by connecting it to iTunes you will have to try putting it in DFU mode to restore it, as described here: http://www.ipadconverter-mac.com/ipod-touch-stuck-in-recovery-mode/