THE INSTANT SUNDAY TIMES BESTSELLERA RADIO 4 BOOK OF THE WEEK A BEST BOOK OF 2025 IN THE TIMES, GUARDIAN, LONDON STANDARD, NEW STATESMAN AND IRISH TIMES 'Covers so many topics that have been troubling me but I hadn't been able to resolve myself - as a parent and a clinician. An absolutely absorbing read' - CHRIS VAN TULLEKEN'A brilliant study of the dangers of overdiagnosis' - GUARDIAN'Compassionate and bracingly independent thinking' - THE TIMESFrom autism to allergies, ADHD to long Covid, more people are being labelled with medical conditions than ever before. But can a diagnosis do us more harm than good? The boundaries between sickness and health are being redrawn. Mental health categories are shifting and expanding all the time, radically altering what we consider to be 'normal'. Genetic tests can now detect pathologies decades before people experience symptoms, and sometimes before they're even born. And increased health screening draws more and more people into believing they are unwell.An accurate diagnosis can bring greater understanding and of course improved treatment. But many diagnoses aren't as definitive as we think. And in some cases they risk turning healthy people into patients.Drawing on the stories of real people, as well as decades of clinical practice and the latest medical research, Dr Suzanne O'Sullivan overturns long held assumptions and reframes how we think about illness and health.*As heard on Good Morning Britain, Sky News, Radio 4 Today and more.* Read more

A transformative guide to rethinking our approach to goals, creativity and life itself from a neuroscientist and entrepreneur'A compelling new take on a timeless concern' - CAL NEWPORT'I loved this profound, practical and generous book' - OLIVER BURKEMAN'Perfect for anyone seeking more freedom in how they design their life' - ALI ABDAAL'One of the best productivity books that I've read' - RYDER CARROLL'This book will change the way you design your goals and live your life' - NIR EYALWe're told productivity is all about single-minded focus, hard grind and big goals. Deviating from the linear path means failure. The problem: it's not true.In this transformative book, neuroscientist and entrepreneur Anne-Laure Le Cunff reveals the easier, proven method to achieve our ambitions: an experimental mindset. Ditching out-dated notions of chasing success, she demonstrates the joyful power of 'tiny experiments' in which goals are discovered, pursued and adapted on your own terms. Rooted in science and real-world success stories, Tiny Experiments is packed with tools to help you break free from limiting beliefs, harness the power of imperfection and apply your curiosity - to create a meaningful, productive life in an ever-changing world. Read more

I read it in 2 days and it's now in my top 3 most valued books EVER – STEVEN BARTLETT:DIARY OF A CEO HOST & Dragons Den"20+ years in professional football, you get to meet some incredible people!! I was lucky enough to spend time with Prof Peters with England. If you've not read 'A Path through the Jungle' I'd highly recommend it!" BEN FOSTER: EX ENGLAND GOALKEEPEREver wanted to succeed but not sacrifice your health, relationships and values to get there? This is possibly the most important book you will ever read!!! Professor Michael Coleman, Professor of Neuroscience, University of CambridgeProfessor Steve Peters is a Consultant Psychiatrist and author of the bestselling self-help book, The Chimp Paradox. He has years of experience as a clinician, an educator and has worked with some of the world’s most successful athletes.His new book 'Path through the Jungle' will help you to become robust and resilient. Professor Peters explains complex neuroscience in straightforward terms with his Chimp Management Mind Model.Robust: Becoming robust means having plans in place to manage your own mind and whatever situations you meet in life.Resilient: is being able to bounce back and manage the challenges of life. Resilience is a skill.A Path through the Jungle offers a structured programme with exercises and practical real-life examples. This book will help you to improve in areas such as:Managing stress and anxietyImproved relationshipsEmotional managementGrief and lossSelf-confidencePeace of mindHappinessManaging stress Read more

'Truly eye-opening' The TimesDiscover what your dog is thinking in this groundbreaking book by a world-renowned neuroscientist and a highly respected dog trainer.Combining cutting-edge neuroscience with expert practical advice, this book answers the questions every dog owner has wondered: Does your dog love you? Can dogs feel guilt? How do they learn, and what do they think when you talk?Drawing on the latest research in animal learning and behaviour, this book unravels the mysteries of your dog's mind and helps you interpret their behaviour from their perspective. Understanding your dog's world makes it easier to address problems and build a stronger bond with your canine companion.Packed with fascinating insights and actionable tips, What Your Dog Is Thinking goes beyond myth-busting to provide a comprehensive guide for enhancing your relationship with your dog. Whether you're curious about what makes you important to your dog or how to train effectively, this is the ultimate resource for any dog owner who wants to better understand and connect with their furry friend. Read more

**THE MILLION COPY BESTSELLER**'Rattling. Heartbreaking. Beautiful,' Atul Gawande, bestselling author of Being MortalWhat makes life worth living in the face of death?At the age of thirty-six, on the verge of completing a decade's training as a neurosurgeon, Paul Kalanithi was diagnosed with inoperable lung cancer. One day he was a doctor treating the dying, the next he was a patient struggling to live.When Breath Becomes Air chronicles Kalanithi's transformation from a medical student asking what makes a virtuous and meaningful life into a neurosurgeon working in the core of human identity - the brain - and finally into a patient and a new father.Paul Kalanithi died while working on this profoundly moving book, yet his words live on as a guide to us all. When Breath Becomes Air is a life-affirming reflection on facing our mortality and on the relationship between doctor and patient, from a gifted writer who became both.'A vital book about dying. Awe-inspiring and exquisite. Obligatory reading for the living' Nigella Lawson Read more

'A definitive guide for a generation navigating the murky waters of modern love' Esther Perel 'A "must read" for hopeless and hopeful romantics alike' Daniel GilbertA funny and practical guide to help you find, build, and keep the relationship of your dreams.Have you ever looked around and wondered, "Why has everyone found love except me?" You're not the only one. Great relationships don't just appear in our lives - they're the culmination of a series of decisions, including who to date, how to end it with the wrong person, and when to commit to the right one. But our brains often get in the way. We make poor decisions, which thwart us on our quest to find lasting love.Drawing from years of research, behavioral scientist turned dating coach Logan Ury reveals the hidden forces that cause those mistakes. But awareness on its own doesn't lead to results. You have to actually change your behavior. Ury shows you how.This book focuses on a different decision in each chapter, incorporating insights from behavioral science, original research, and real-life stories. You'll learn:- What's holding you back in dating (and how to break the pattern)- What really matters in a long-term partner (and what really doesn't)- How to overcome the perils of online dating (and make the apps work for you)- How to meet more people in real life (while doing activities you love)- How to make dates fun again (so they stop feeling like job interviews)- Why "the spark" is a myth (but you'll find love anyway)This data-driven, step-by-step guide to relationships, complete with hands-on exercises, is designed to transform your life. How to Not Die Alone will help you find, build, and keep the relationship of your dreams. Read more

Why do human beings behave as they do? 'Awe-inspiring... You will learn more about human nature than in any other book I can think of' Henry Marsh, bestselling author of And Finally.We are capable of savage acts of violence but also spectacular feats of kindness: is one side of our nature destined to win out over the other?Every act of human behaviour has multiple layers of causation, spiralling back seconds, minutes, hours, days, months, years, even centuries, right back to the dawn of time and the origins of our species.In the epic sweep of history, how does our biology affect the arc of war and peace, justice and persecution? How have our brains evolved alongside our cultures?This is the exhilarating story of human morality and the science underpinning the biggest question of all: what makes us human?'One of the best scientist-writers of our time' Oliver Sacks Read more

Want to read just one book about autism? Read this. Written by Temple Grandin, one of the world's most accomplished and well-known adults with autism, this thought-provoking, insightful and inspirational book - with illustrative diagrams and key points pulled out for emphasis - will assist not only fellow autistics and families with affected members, but also researchers and physicians seeking to better understand the condition.'An extraordinary source of inspiration for autistic children, their parents - and all people' -- Time'The Autistic Brain can both enlighten readers with little exposure to autism and offer hope and compassion to those who live with the condition' -- Scientific American'Grandin has helped us understand autism not just as a phenomenon, but as a different but coherent mode of existence that otherwise confounds us...' -- New York Times'Enjoyable, insightful read' -- ***** Reader review'This book is a delight from start to finish' -- ***** Reader review'Superb, readable book' -- ***** Reader review'Great book. Very insightful and easy to follow' -- ***** Reader review********************************************************************************************It's estimated that one in almost a hundred people are diagnosed as being on the autistic spectrum but there is far more hope for them today than ever before thanks to ground-breaking new research.In this fascinating and highly readable book, Temple Grandin offers her own experience as an autistic person alongside remarkable new discoveries about the autistic brain, as well as genetic research.She highlights long-ignored sensory problems as well as the need to treat autism symptom by symptom, rather than with an umbrella diagnosis. Most exciting of all, she argues that raising and educating children on the autistic spectrum needs to be less about focusing on their weaknesses, and more about fostering their unique contributions.Written in a clear, concise and accessible way, with illustrative diagrams and key points pulled out for emphasis, this is an all-encompassing guide that will change the perception of autism. Read more

'Science writing at its absolute best' Guy Claxton, author of Intelligence in the FleshInteroception is one of our most important - and most mysterious - senses. It's how our bodies tell our brains what we're feeling - when we're hungry, when we're cold, how we should respond to stress and panic.In Inner Sense, Caroline Williams uncovers a field that's poised to revolutionise health, and explores groundbreaking new techniques that can improve our mental and physical wellbeing. She meets brain scientists mapping the nervous system, neurodivergent researchers working to hone their interoception skills and health practitioners investigating how this inner sense can aid mindfulness, and even disordered eating.Combining science, medicine, mindfulness and physical therapy, Inner Sense is the first book to bring this exciting new field of medicine to a general readership. Read more

The polyvagal theory presented in client-friendly language. Written for all therapists who want to understand this groundbreaking theory as it might actually show up in their day-to-day practice, this book offers a comprehensive approach to polyvagal-informed intervention. Worksheets and experiential exercises designed to map and shape autonomic response provide therapists with a road map for bringing polyvagal theory into their clinical practice. Read more

From the bestselling author of A More Beautiful Question, hundreds of questions that harness the magic of inquiry to tackle challenges we all face-at work, in our relationships, and beyond.When we're confronted with almost any demanding situation, the act of questioning can help guide us to smart decisions in the face of uncertainty. But the questions must be the right ones; the ones that cut to the heart of complexity or enable us to see an old problem in a fresh way.In The Book of Beautiful Questions, expert "questionologist" Warren Berger shares illuminating stories and compelling research on the power of inquiry. Drawing from the insights and expertise of psychologists, innovators, effective leaders, and some of the world's foremost creative thinkers, he presents the essential questions readers need to make the best choices when it truly counts, with a particular focus in four key areas: decision-making, creativity, leadership, and relationships.The powerful questions in this book can help you: - Identify opportunities in your career or industry - Generate fresh ideas in business or in your own creative pursuits - Check your biases so you can make better judgments and decisions - Do a better job of communicating and connecting with the people around youThoughtful, provocative, and actionable, these beautiful questions can be applied immediately to bring about change in your work or your everyday life. Read more

THE NO. 1 NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER, NOW A MAJOR NEW NETFLIX SERIES'Reminds us that the mind is the greatest mystery in the universe' Yuval Noah Harari, Guardian, Books of the YearCould psychedelic drugs change our worldview? Join Michael Pollan on a journey to the frontiers of the human mind.Diving deep into an extraordinary world - from shamans and magic mushroom hunts to the pioneering labs mapping our brains - and putting himself forward as a guinea-pig, Michael Pollan has written a remarkable history of psychedelics and a compelling portrait of the new generation of scientists fascinated by the implications of these drugs. How to Change Your Mind is a report from what could very well be the future of consciousness.'A sweeping and often thrilling chronicle of the history of psychedelics, all interwoven with Pollan's adventures as a psychedelic novice. This is a serious work of history and science, but also one in which the author, under the influence of toad venom, becomes convinced he's giving birth to himself' Oliver Burkeman, Guardian'A mind-altering book ... full of transformations' Richard Godwin, Evening Standard'An irresistible blend of history, research and personal experience. In terms of the psychedelic wave, the book is the big kahuna, the Big Bang moment for a movement that is gathering force' John McKenna, Irish Times'Entertaining and engrossing' Paul Laity, Financial Times'Deeply absorbing, wise and beautifully written' Mick Brown, Literary Review'An astounding book' Andrew Sullivan, New York Magazine Read more

LEARN HOW TO REST BETTER WITH THIS ESSENTIAL BOOKDo you regularly find yourself too tired after a long day to do anything other than binge TV?Do you go on holiday and still compulsively check your email?Do you work through your lunch-break, often not even leaving your desk and getting some fresh air?For most of us, overwork is the new norm, and we never truly take the time to rest and recharge. But as Silicon Valley consultant Alex Soojung-Kim Pang explains in this groundbreaking book, rest needs to be taken seriously and to be done properly, because when you rest better you work better. Drawing on emerging neuroscience, Rest is packed full of practical and easy tips for incorporating rest into our everyday:- Stopping work on a task when you know exactly what the next step is will make it easier to get started the next day- Take a long walk when you're stuck on a task; it will help stimulate new ideas and creativity- Have deliberate rest periods - scheduled into your diary - and use this time on trying a new activityWhen you rest better you'll find that it won't just be your work which improves - you'll have more time for hobbies, stronger relationships and you'll sleep better, too."An incredibly timely read for my own increasingly rest-starved life. This might be the book to finally persuade us that downtime isn't in conflict with good work; rather, it's an essential ingredient of it" Oliver Burkeman, Guardian"Take a break and read Rest: you'll make smarter decisions, have better relationships, and be happier and more creative" James Wallman, author of Stuffocation Read more

THE INSTANT SUNDAY TIMES BESTSELLERFrom the bestselling author of This Is Your Brain on Music and The Organized Mind, a surprising and inspiring exploration of the healing power of music.'Fascinating' Observer'Fun and thoughtful' Financial Times'Eye-opening' Rolling StoneWe are only just beginning to appreciate the healing power of music. In recent years, a wave of scientific research has upended everything we once knew about its effects on our brains: not only in reducing stress, but also in enhancing cognitive function, slowing the spread of neurodegenerative diseases like Parkinson’s and Alzheimer’s, even strengthening our immune systems.Here, a neuroscientist and celebrated musician introduces a bold new paradigm for medical treatment, rooted in the unexpected influence of music on our minds and bodies. From explaining how ‘rhythmic auditory stimulation’ can fight multiple sclerosis, to examining why Tracy Chapman’s songs might just help cure PTSD, Professor Daniel Levitin offers surprising insights into the new science of music as medicine.Along the way, he explores how each of us can use music to calm our thoughts, repair our memories and heal our deepest psychological wounds. The result is both a surprising tour through the science of music, and a joyful celebration of humanity’s oldest obsession._'For many years I have wondered why a bunch of frequencies organised into a piece of music has the ability, even without words, to make the listener cry and become emotional. Although I know this happens to me and many people, I have often wondered how this can be. Dr Levitin, in this latest book, Music as Medicine, has some fascinating insights into this great phenomenon.' Paul McCartney'It's impossible to read this book without thinking of the music that has meant a lot to you in your own life.' Daily Mail'A natural communicator - warm, friendly, and geekily enthused about his subject.' Guardian Read more

SHORTLISTED FOR THE 2016 BMA MEDICAL BOOK AWARDS One of the world's leading neurologists reveals the extraordinary stories behind some of the brain disorders that he and his staff at the Harvard Medical School endeavour to treat.What is it like to try to heal the body when the mind is under attack? In this gripping and illuminating book, Dr Allan Ropper reveals the extraordinary stories behind some of the life-altering afflictions that he and his staff are confronted with at the Neurology Unit of Harvard's Brigham and Women's Hospital. Like Alice in Wonderland, Dr Ropper inhabits a place where absurdities abound: a sportsman who starts spouting gibberish; an undergraduate who suddenly becomes psychotic; a mother who has to decide whether a life locked inside her own head is worth living. How does one begin to treat such cases, to counsel people whose lives may be changed forever? Dr Ropper answers these questions by taking the reader into a world where lives and minds hang in the balance. Read more

The comprehensive guide to preventing Alzheimer's and other thinking disorders, from the leading authority and bestselling author of The Complete Guide to Memory, Dr Richard Restak.According to the WHO, Alzheimer’s ranks as the seventh leading cause of death globally. By 2050, or earlier in the absence of a breakthrough, the number of people aged 65 and older with Alzheimer’s is projected to reach 12.7 million people.But the more you know about dementia, the more tools you’ll have to prevent or delay its onset – and the more thoughtfully you’ll be able to understand and interact with loved ones living with the condition.In How to Prevent Dementia, top neurologist Dr Richard Restak arms us with practical advice for how to reduce the risk factors - from better sleep, diet, regular exercise and physical activity to the importance of maintaining social networks and intellectual stimulation, as well as the advantages and disadvantages of new medicines.Dementias exist on a continuum and by understanding the steps we can take to lessen the odds of developing disease, the illness becomes less anxiety-inducing to comprehend, and we change our understanding of thinking, forever. Read more

'Nobody bewitched by these mysteries can afford to ignore the solution proposed by Mark Solms' - Oliver Burkeman, Guardian'A remarkable book. It changes everything' - Brian EnoHow does the mind connect to the body? Why does it feel like something to be us? For one of the boldest thinkers in neuroscience, solving this puzzle has been a lifetime's quest. Now at last, the man who discovered the brain mechanism for dreaming appears to have made a breakthrough. The very idea that a solution is at hand may seem outrageous. Isn't consciousness intangible, beyond the reach of science? Yet Mark Solms shows how misguided fears and suppositions have concealed its true nature. Stick to the medical facts, pay close attention to the eerie testimony of hundreds of neurosurgery patients, and a way past our obstacles reveals itself.Join Solms on a voyage into the extraordinary realms beyond. More than just a philosophical argument, The Hidden Spring will forever alter how you understand your own experience. There is a secret buried in the brain's ancient foundations: bring it into the light and we fathom all the depths of our being. Read more

Why is it that the behaviour of teenagers can be so odd? As they grow older, young children steadily improve their sense of how to behave, and then all of a sudden, they can become totally uncommunicative, wildly emotional and completely unpredictable.We used to think that erratic teenage behaviour was due to a sudden surge in hormones, but modern neuroscience shows us that this isn’t true. The Teenage Brain is a journey through the new discoveries that show us exactly what happens to the brain in this crucial period, how it dictates teenagers’ behaviour, and how the experiences of our teenage years are what shape our attitudes, and often our happiness in later life.Many of our ideas about our growing brains are completely re-written. They don’t stop developing at the end of our teens – they keep adapting until we are in our mid-twenties. They are wired back to front, with the most important parts, the parts that we associate with good judgement, concentration, organization and emotional and behavioural control being connected last of all.The Teenage brain is a powerful animal primed for learning, but this creates problems. Addiction is a form of learning, and Frances Jensen, Professor of Pediatric Neurology at the teaching hospital of Harvard Medical School reveals exactly what lies behind all aspects of teenage behaviour and its lasting effects – from drugs, lack of sleep and smoking to multi-tasking and stress.As a mother and a scientist, Professor Jensen offers both exciting science and practical suggestions for how parents, teens and schools can help teenagers weather the storms of adolescence, and get the most out of their incredible brains. Read more

A grand new vision of cognitive science that explains how our minds build our worlds‘One of the most important books yet published this century’ SpectatorFor as long as we've studied the mind, we've believed that information flowing from our senses determines what our mind perceives. But as our understanding has advanced in the last few decades, a hugely powerful new view has flipped this assumption on its head. The brain is not a passive receiver, but an ever-active predictor.At the forefront of this cognitive revolution is widely acclaimed philosopher and cognitive scientist Andy Clark, who has synthesized his ground-breaking work on the predictive brain to explore its fascinating mechanics and implications. Among the most stunning of these is the realization that experience itself, because it is guided by prior expectation, is a kind of controlled hallucination. We don't passively take in the world around us; instead our mind is constantly making and refining predictions about what we expect to see. This even applies to our bodies, as the way we experience pain and other states is shaped by our expectations, and this has broader implications for the understanding and treatment of conditions from PTSD to schizophrenia to medically unexplained symptoms. From the most mundane experiences to the most sublime, it is our predictions that sculpt our experience.A landmark study of cognitive science, The Experience Machine lays out the extraordinary explanatory power of the predictive brain for our lives, mental health and society. Read more

An updated edition of the parenting classicHave you ever thought: ‘I can’t believe I just said to my child the very thing my parents used to say to me! Am I destined to repeat the mistakes of my parents?’ In Parenting from the Inside Out, child psychiatrist Daniel J. Siegel and early-childhood expert Mary Hartzell explore how our childhood experiences shape the way we parent. Drawing on stunning new findings in neurobiology and attachment research, they explain how interpersonal relationships affect the development of the brain, and offer a step-by-step approach to forming a deeper understanding of our life stories, which will help us raise compassionate and resilient children. Combining Siegel’s cutting-edge neuroscience research with Hartzell’s 30 years of experience as a child-development specialist and parent educator, Parenting from the Inside Out guides us through creating the necessary foundations for secure and loving relationships with our children. This tenth-anniversary edition includes a new preface by the authors and incorporates the latest research from the field. Read more