Breath: The New Science of a Lost Art
James Nestor
"Breath" is a fascinating scientific adventure that upends everything we thought we knew about our most basic biological function. Science journalist James Nestor argues that while we eat and exercise with obsession, we have largely forgotten how to breathe correctly, with disastrous consequences for our physical and mental health. Nestor travels from ancient burial sites to the murky fringes of pulmonology to investigate the history of breathing. He reveals that modern humans are suffering from a "dysevolution"—our shrinking jaws and chronic mouth breathing are behind a host of maladies, including asthma, sleep apnea, and even autoimmune diseases. The book is anchored by a gritty self-experiment in which Nestor plugs his nose for ten days to breathe only through his mouth, documenting the rapid deterioration of his health. He then reverses the damage by mastering the ancient art of nasal breathing. Combining cutting-edge studies with lost wisdom, Breath offers a simple but radical prescription: shut your mouth. It convinces readers that changing how we inhale and exhale can rejuvenate our internal organs, straighten our spines, and profoundly improve our lives.
The Mindful Day
Laurie Cameron
A practical guide to integrating mindfulness into your daily routine, offering inspiring guidance, compelling science, and illuminating stories to transform your life. Learn how to bring awareness, compassion, and joy to your work, relationships, and personal life.
The Extended Mind
Annie Murphy Paul
"The Extended Mind" is a transformative guide to cognition that shatters the age-old assumption that thinking happens only within the confines of our skulls. Science writer Annie Murphy Paul draws on cutting-edge research in neuroscience and psychology to argue that the brain is not an isolated computer, but a biological organ evolved to think with the world around it. Paul introduces the concept of "thinking outside the brain" through three key pillars: embodied cognition (thinking with our bodies, sensations, and gestures), situated cognition (thinking with the spaces and environments we inhabit), and distributed cognition (thinking through our relationships and social networks). The book critiques our modern obsession with "brainbound" productivity—forcing ourselves to sit still and stare at screens—and offers a liberating alternative. By intentionally managing our physical movements, workspaces, and social interactions, Paul shows how we can offload mental processing to the world around us. The Extended Mind provides a practical framework for anyone looking to harness these external resources to become smarter, more creative, and more resilient.
Incognito
David Eagleman
A fascinating exploration into the inner workings of the human brain, revealing the complex neural processes that shape our perceptions, decisions, and sense of self. Journey into the depths of the mind and discover the hidden influences that govern our thoughts and behaviors.
Psych: The Story of the Brain
Paul Bloom
Explore the fascinating world of psychology with a renowned Yale professor. This book delves into the mysteries of the human mind, from the biological basis of thought to the complexities of consciousness, morality, and mental illness. Discover the latest research and theories about what makes us human and how our brains shape our experiences.
The Psychology of Money
Morgan Housel
"The Psychology of Money" is a collection of nineteen short stories exploring the strange ways people think about money. Written by Morgan Housel, a partner at The Collaborative Fund, the book departs from the standard investment advice that treats finance as a math-based field. Housel argues that financial success is not a hard science. It is a soft skill, where how you behave is more important than what you know. The central premise is that we do not make financial decisions on a spreadsheet. We make them at the dinner table, where personal history, unique worldviews, ego, pride, marketing, and odd incentives are scrambled together. Housel illustrates that two people can see the exact same world yet draw completely different conclusions based on when and where they were born. A key theme in the book is the distinction between getting rich and staying rich. Getting rich requires taking risks, being optimistic, and putting yourself out there. Staying rich requires the exact opposite. It requires fear that what you have made can be taken away from you. It requires frugality and an acceptance that at least some of your success is attributable to luck rather than skill. Housel ultimately posits that the highest dividend money pays is not luxury goods, but control over your time.
Pursuing the Good Life
Christopher Peterson
A collection of 100 reflections on positive psychology, exploring what makes life worth living. It delves into positive emotions, traits, relationships, and institutions, offering insights into how to pursue a fulfilling psychological life.
Overworked and Overwhelmed
Scott Eblin
Feeling overworked and overwhelmed? Discover the mindfulness alternative. This book provides practical routines and habits to help you align your work and life, reduce stress, and improve effectiveness. Learn how to be more present, manage your workload, and achieve a better balance in all areas of your life.