Here are some brilliant books and audiobooks that have enriched my life, spanning longevity, mindset, society, and physical training.
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- Why We Sleep – Matthew Walker
An exploration of sleep and dreaming, how they relate to memory, learning, and wellbeing, and the ways modern life can interfere with getting enough rest. - Sapiens: A Brief History of Humankind – Yuval Noah Harari
A broad account of human history, exploring how shared stories, agriculture, money, religion, and science helped shape the societies we live in. - Lifespan: Why We Age – and Why We Don’t Have To – David A. Sinclair with Matthew D. LaPlante
An introduction to Sinclair’s ideas about the biology of ageing and research into extending healthy life. It presents his perspective on how ageing might eventually be slowed or treated. - 21 Lessons for the 21st Century – Yuval Noah Harari
A collection of essays examining contemporary challenges, including technological disruption, politics, religion, education, and the search for meaning in a rapidly changing world. - Atomic Habits – James Clear
A practical approach to building useful habits and breaking unhelpful ones through small changes, supportive environments, and systems that make consistent action easier. - The Art of Happiness – The Dalai Lama and Howard C. Cutler
Conversations and reflections combining Buddhist perspectives with a psychiatrist’s observations to explore compassion, suffering, relationships, and the cultivation of a happier life. - Overcoming Gravity – Steven Low
A detailed guide to gymnastics and bodyweight strength training, covering exercise progressions, technique, and programme design for developing strength and skills. - Starting Strength: Basic Barbell Training – Mark Rippetoe
A technical introduction to barbell strength training, explaining the main lifts and how to structure a beginner’s programme around progressively increasing the load. - The Art of Impossible – Steven Kotler
An exploration of ambitious achievement through motivation, learning, creativity, and flow, with practical ideas for approaching goals that initially seem beyond your capabilities. - Thinking, Fast and Slow – Daniel Kahneman
An examination of intuitive and deliberate thinking, and how cognitive biases, uncertainty, and the framing of choices influence our judgements and decisions.