What should I read next? Book recommendations from Tess

“Reading is essential for those who seek to rise above the ordinary.” -Jim Rohn

 

Building a healthier lifestyle is so much easier and more fun when you have the right tools in your wellness toolkit. One of my favorites is a simple daily reading habit. It’s become a ritual I genuinely love, and it’s done wonders for my mood, mindset, and motivation.

Below you’ll find some of the books I personally recommend. They are not just great reads; they are little nuggets of inspiration packed with ideas to support your health and well-being.

Explore the list, pick one to start with, and let’s stay inspired together on this wellness journey.

Disclosure: As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.

Confident You

Confident You curated by Julie DeLucca-Collins, is a collection of honest, heartfelt stories from women navigating confidence, identity, and growth through real-life transitions. Instead of offering polished answers or quick fixes, this book meets readers in the middle where change is often messy, uncomfortable, and deeply human. Each chapter explores how self-trust, daily habits, boundaries, and mindset play a powerful role in long-term wellbeing. Through shared experiences and practical reflection, the book reminds readers that confidence isn’t something you arrive at, but something you build over time. It’s a supportive companion for anyone seeking sustainable growth, emotional resilience, and a healthier relationship with themselves, especially during seasons of change.

 

Outlive by Peter Attia

Outlive by Dr Peter Attia stands out among the many health, fitness, and nutrition books available today. Drawing on his medical expertise, Dr Attia combines rigorous, up-to-date science with an accessible and motivating tone, steering clear of superficial trends and quick fixes. His research-based, practical advice offers a clear roadmap for living a longer, healthier, and more fulfilling life, with actionable guidance on exercise, nutrition, sleep, and emotional well-being. The result is a credible, engaging, and transformative resource for anyone seeking to improve their health and longevity.

 

Dopamine Nation by Anna Lembke

In an age of constant stimulation and instant gratification, Dr Anna Lembke offers a clear and unsettling look at how everyday pleasures can slide into addiction. In Dopamine Nation, she explains how the brain’s reward system drives us toward more, whether it’s social media, food, sex, work, or substances, often at the expense of our well-being. Blending compelling patient stories with accessible neuroscience, Dr Lembke shows how overconsumption creates cycles of craving and pain, and outlines practical strategies to restore balance through restraint, honesty, and intentional discomfort. The result is a sharp, compassionate, and highly readable guide for anyone seeking to understand and manage the hidden compulsions of modern life.

 

The Ageless Brain by Dr Dale Bredesen

In The Ageless Brain, Dr. Dale Bredesen challenges the idea that cognitive decline is inevitable, offering a science-backed blueprint for lifelong brain health. He explores ways to enhance focus, slow brain aging, and even prevent Alzheimer’s through targeted lifestyle changes and novel therapeutics. With practical strategies and cutting-edge insights, this book empowers readers of all ages to take control of their brain health and extend both lifespan and brainspan. A must-read for anyone invested in cognitive vitality!

 

Overloaded by Ginny Smith

For anyone interested in health and wellness beyond diet and exercise, Overloaded by Ginny Smith offers a fascinating tour of the brain chemicals that quietly shape how we feel, think, and behave. From adrenaline and cortisol to dopamine and other neurotransmitters, Smith shows how these molecules influence everything from stress, sleep, hunger, and memory to motivation and relationships. Blending clear explanations with insights from cutting‑edge researchers, she reveals how our inner chemistry drives habits, cravings, and emotional states. This book is an engaging, eye‑opening companion for readers who want a deeper understanding of the biology behind their wellbeing and the levers they can nudge to support a healthier mind and body.
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Blind Spots by Dr Marty Makary

Blind Spots is a gripping exposé that challenges the healthcare system to confront its hidden flaws. Through compelling stories and sharp analysis, Dr. Marty Makary reveals how systemic and human errors lead to misdiagnoses, over-treatment, and harm. Despite its critiques, the book offers hope by highlighting innovative solutions and advocating for a more transparent, patient-centered approach. An eye-opening read, it empowers readers to navigate their health journeys with greater awareness and confidence.

The Long Game by Dorie Clark

The Long Game by Dorie Clark offers strategies that, while aimed at business success, can also be effectively applied to adopting healthy lifestyle habits. Clark emphasizes long-term thinking and adapting to changes, crucial elements for sustained health. By being selective with your time, continuously developing yourself, and thinking in decades, you can implement lasting changes. Clark also identifies three keys to becoming a long-term thinker: independence, curiosity, and resilience. Staying true to your vision, exploring what fascinates you, and bouncing back from setbacks are essential for achieving lasting improvements in your health and overall well-being.

Why We Sleep by Matthew Walker

Why We Sleep imparts invaluable knowledge about the critical role of sleep, not just in memory and cognition but also in overall physical well-being. Dr. Walker substantiates his claims with global sleep studies, elucidating how insufficient sleep affects toxin elimination, impacts cellular health, and underscores the essential renewal processes during different sleep stages. The book highlights how neglecting adequate sleep significantly heightens susceptibility to mental illness, cancer, and illness. Reading this book years ago could have led to different lifestyle choices. It’s a must-read for anyone seeking a deeper understanding of the profound impact of sleep on health.

Tiny Habits by B J Fogg

Tiny Habits by B.J. Fogg presents a research-driven method to build lasting habits by starting small. Fogg, a behavior scientist from Stanford, advises linking tiny actions to existing routines and celebrating immediately after to reinforce the habit. This celebration, or “Shine,” helps make the habit stick.

Especially useful for those looking to improve their health, the book emphasizes that motivation is unreliable and consistent small actions are key to change. With practical tips on expanding and adjusting habits, as well as breaking bad ones, “Tiny Habits” is a concise guide to sustainable personal growth.

Solving the Procrastination Puzzle by Timothy Pychyl

Solving the Procrastination Puzzle by Timothy Pychyl is a concise, research-based guide that addresses why we often sabotage our best intentions and provides strategies to eliminate procrastination. Pychyl, a renowned psychologist, combines current psychological research with clear, actionable tips to help readers break free from self-destructive habits and achieve their goals.

For those looking to improve their health, this book offers numerous practical strategies to overcome procrastination and make lasting lifestyle changes. Pychyl’s insights bring clarity, supported by scientific studies and a touch of humor, making the quest to stop delaying and start living an inspired life accessible to all.

Scarcity Brain by Michael Easter

The author skillfully explores the mechanics of cravings in a book that’s both easy to understand and engaging. With short, cliffhanger-style chapters and relatable anecdotes, Scarcity Brain delivers its points effectively. In today’s world of plenty, many grapple with self-imposed limitations impacting well-being. The book navigates this landscape, recognizing primal drives without assigning blame. It offers hope by showcasing that most individuals aren’t destined for addictive behaviors and suggests simple environmental changes. This book could become essential reading for leaders, inspiring transformative changes. Personally drawn to it for its insights, I’ve already found actionable tips for reassessing habits, paving the way for positive changes.

Lifetime by Russell Foster

Russell Foster’s Life Time is a compelling exploration of the critical link between human-caused disasters and sleep deprivation. Delving into the intricate world of circadian rhythms, Foster illustrates how disruptions in sleep can lead to a myriad of health issues, from heart disease to cognitive performance. Despite some denser sections, the book offers valuable insights with anecdotes and humor, making it a must-read not only for night- shift workers but for anyone seeking to enhance their understanding of sleep and well-being.

The Power of Habit by Charles Duhigg

If you’re trying to reach a goal, like losing weight or becoming healthier, you’ll need to establish good habits to achieve them. In The Power of Habit, you’ll find advice on how to ditch your old habits and incorporate new ones that’ll transform your life. First, the author explains how and why habits exist, then teaches readers how to create and implement habits to reach whatever goals they’ve set for themselves.

The Compound Effect by Darren Hardy

Individuals that desire more success and are looking for key principles to build momentum should read The Compound Effect. In his book, Darren Hardy explains how every choice we make has a compound effect, even our eating choices. If you add The Compound Effect to your repertoire, it’ll motivate you to become the best version of yourself. After all, there’s always room for improvement!

Triggers by Marshall Goldsmith

Have you ever wondered why you react the way you do in certain situations? It turns out your reaction to things is based on your triggers, which the author explores in this book. If you don’t currently like how you respond in different situations and want to gain control of how you react, have better relationships, then Triggers is for you. The author explains how to change your behavior and hold yourself accountable. He even provides an example of how a young individual has been able to lose weight and transform her life based on his principles in one of the chapters!

Atomic Habits by James Clear

In Atomic Habits, James Clear shows readers how to make time for new habits and overcome a lack of motivation and willpower. If you’ve ever tried to achieve any goal before, you’re familiar with how much willpower is required to make it happen and last. The strategies in this book will reshape how you implement new habits and limit distractions.  You will also learn to focus on the system instead and design the environment to support your habits.

Mindset by Carol S. Dweck, Ph.D.

How you feel about your current skills and abilities may dictate how you accomplish your current goals. If you desire to become a better and healthier you, it requires a mindset that enables you to succeed. In Mindset, Dr. Dweck uncovers the power of mindset and how it shapes how we learn and achieve in life.