100 Must-Read Books Of 2017.
To reach your true potential, to be better than you were before, to be what you could be, that only comes from changing how you do things, and finding a better way forward. These books will help take you on that journey to ‘Future You.’
WELL-BEING
Option B
Sheryl Sandberg & Adam Grant
What happens when Option A is no longer available? How do you face adversity, build resilience, and, find joy? In short, how do you kick the shit out of Option B?
Why We Sleep
Matthew Walker
As UC Berkeley Professor Matthew Walker explains, sleep is one of the most important but least understood aspects of our life, wellness, and longevity.
Braving The Wilderness
Brene Brown
“True belonging doesn’t require us to change who we are. It requires us to be who we are.” Brene at her most insightful.
Kindness
Jaime Thurston
Who knew? Those tiny little things that you do, that you don’t think matter that much, actually matter far more than we can imagine.
The Calm Company
Jason Fried
Long hours. Working weekends. Always on. But, thankfully, there is a badge of honour in town. Who looks after humans best, wins.
Rest
Alex Soojung-Kim Pang
In our 24–7 global economy, rest feels like a luxury at best and a weakness at worst. Are work and rest competitors? Can we work less and get more done?
Ikigai
Héctor García
The people of Japan believe that everyone has an ikigai, finding it is the key to a longer, more fulfilled life. But what is it? And is it available on Amazon Prime?
The Telomere Effect
Dr. Elizabeth Blackburn and Dr. Elissa Epel
Nobel Prize winner and lead health psychologist explain how to go about lengthening life by slowing down the all-dreaded aging process.
The Keeper Of Lost Things
Ruth Hogan
A charming, clever, and quietly moving debut novel of endless possibilities and joyful discoveries exploring the promises we make and break.
The Little Book Of Tidying
Beth Penn
The Marmite book. Some love it. Some do not. In essence, you know that mess we put up with, it’s weighing us down. Free with every tidy desk: You.
TECH
Irresistible
Adam Alter
We look at our phones on average 221 times a day. But don’t worry, there are some very smart people working on improving that. Eek.
The Power Of Moments
Chip and Dan Heath
The best and most memorable moments are created when companies go off script. Most companies are too frightened to go off script. Yay. That’s the opportunity.
Homo Deus
Yuval Noah Harari
Explores the projects, dreams, and nightmares that will shape the twenty-first century, from overcoming death to creating artificial life.
The Industries Of The Future
Alec Ross
If you are at school right now, you should read this. It will tell you what your future job may well be. And in which country.
World Without Mind
Franklin Foer
We apologise for the delay of 1984, but it is now due to arrive a few decades later than scheduled. We hope this hasn’t been of any inconvenience.
Borne
Jeff VanderMeer
Part sci-fi, part family drama, Borne envisions a world shaped by both technology and the supernatural.
Life 3.0
Max Tegmark
How will Artificial Intelligence affect crime, war, justice, jobs, society and our very sense of being human?
The Startup Way
Eric Ries
This book, by the guru of start-ups, can be picked up for around $20. Approximately, $99,980 cheaper than doing an MBA.
Bitcoin The Future Of Money?
Dominic Frisby
Is crypto-currency the future of money? Well, remember all those ridiculed the internet? They won’t be reading this. Just saying.
How To Build A Car
Adrian Newey
How do you design a Formula 1 car that is so aerodynamic it can stick to your ceiling? Ask Adrian.
ENVIRONMENT
The Hidden Life Of Trees
Peter Wohlleben
Are trees social beings? Do they feel pain or have awareness of their surroundings? Peter Wohlleben makes the case that the forest is a social network.
On Eating Insects
Nordic Food Lab
Crunch. Crunch. Crunch. Protein. Protein. Protein. The answer to the future of food isn’t under our nose. It’s under our feet.
The Lost Words
Jackie Morris and Robert Macfarlane
The Lost Words is a celebration of wild childhood and the joy it invokes. A book celebrating the richness of both landscapes and imagination.
How To Be A Craftivist
Sarah Corbett
Sarah Corbett is taking steps towards making this world less divisive. Craftivism is activism in a slow, kind, beautiful way.
Other Minds
Peter Godfrey-Smith
Other Minds takes us through the evolution of intelligence and the similarities between the mind of an octopus and a human.
The Seabird’s Cry
Adam Nicolson
Looking at the pattern of the seabird’s lives, habitats, threats they face and the passions they inspire, beautifully illustrated by artist Kate Boxer.
A History Of The World In Seven Cheap Things
Jason W. Moore and Raj Patel
Nature, money, work, care, food, energy, and lives: these are the seven things that have made our world and will shape its future.
Here We Are
Oliver Jeffers
Oliver Jeffers explains the basic principles of humanity in this stunning tale.
We are all unique and we are all in this together.
The Running Hare
John Lewis-Stempel
The Running Hare is a true evaluation of agriculture’s fast moving impact on the places we and other creatures call home.
Global Discontents
Noam Chomsky
From escalating climate change to the devastation in Syria, pandemic state surveillance to looming nuclear war, Noam Chomsky takes stock of the world.
BUSINESS
Perennial Seller
Ryan Holiday
How can we create and market creative works that achieve longevity? Ryan Holiday calls such works and artists Perennial Sellers.
Finding My Virginity
Richard Branson
Fifty years ago, Sir Richard Branson started his first business. Now he shares personal, intimate thoughts on five decades as the world’s ultimate entrepreneur.
Talking To My Daughter About The Economy
Yanis Varoufakis
The world famous economist, Yanis Varoufakis sets out to answer his daughter Xenia’s deceptively simple question.
Tribe Of Mentors
Tim Ferris
When facing life’s questions, who do you turn to for advice? We all need mentors, particularly when the odds seem stacked against us.
Blue Ocean Shift
Chan Kim Renee Mauborgne
Leaders in diverse industries and organisations are making the Blue Ocean Shift and creating new markets by applying the process and tools outlined in the book.
Side Hustle
Chris Guillebeau
For some people, the thought of quitting their day job to pursue the entrepreneurial life is exhilarating. For many others, it’s terrifying.
Unshakable
Tony Robbins
Your financial freedom playbook from Tony Robbins. From simple action plans to mastering the mind-set that gives you peace in an ever-changing world.
Do Open
David Hieatt
He may be the Co-Founder of The Do Lectures, but this book is here on merit. For something that is so powerful, the newsletter has been ignored for far too long.
Hit Makers
Derek Thompson
A beautiful blend of Stories, Science, and business advice on how culture happens and why things become popular. The utmost truths of this new world.
One Mission
Chris Fussell
For leaders wanting to inspire their teams to look beyond narrow fields of vision to understand and effectively contribute to one true mission.
CREATIVITY
Sleeping By The Mississippi
Alec Soth
One of the defining publications of the photo book era. Alec Sloth has just released a new MACK edition including two never before seen photos.
Real Artists Don’t Starve
Jeff Goins
Starving Artist? Myth. Jeff Goins explains how the world’s most prominent artists capitalize on their creative strengths.
Things Are What You Make Of Them
Adam J Kurtz
From one working artist to another. Adam JK is back sharing his advice and wisdom on multiple topics pertaining to the creative life.
Graphic: 500 Designs That Matter
Phaidon Editors
From the 15th century through to today, Phaidon Editors introduce 500 iconic designs that deserve some celebration.
Upgrade
Gestalten
Through engaging anecdotes and inspiriting images, Upgrade provides vibrant exemplars and enthusiasm for revamping existing spaces.
Leonardo Da Vinci
Walter Isaacson
He was history’s most creative genius. What secrets can he teach us? Walter Isaacson brings Leonardo da Vinci to life in this exciting new biography.
Morning, Noon, Night
Soho House
A beautiful behind the scenes look at the Soho Houses that span the globe. All designed to help you take a little of the Soho House home.
David Bowie
Dylan Jones
One of the most fascinating humans of our time. One of the most iconic musicians in history. Drawn from over 180 interviews.
When They Go Low, We Go High
Philip Collins
A journey of speeches, a passionate defense of the power of good public speaking, and an urgent reminder of how words can change the world.
Design Is Storytelling
Ellen Lupton
Good design, like good storytelling, brings ideas to life. Whether crafting a digital app or a data-rich publication, designers invite people to explore the scene.
FUTURE YOU
Barking Up The Wrong Tree
Eric Barker
Much of the advice we’ve been told about achievement is wrong. Eric Barker reveals the extraordinary science behind what actually determines success.
The Asshole Survival Guide
Robert I Sutton
“Help, I’m dealing with an asshole! What can I do?”. How to avoid, outwit, and disarm assholes with this survival guide.
Discipline Equals Freedom
Jocko Willink
There is only one way to achieve true freedom. Within these pages discover the keys to becoming stronger, smarter, faster, and healthier.
The Way Of The Iceman
Wim Hoff
Science has now proved that the Wim Hof Method of breath control and cold-training can enhance energy levels, reduce stress, strengthen the body and more.
Generation Cherry
Tim Drake
A toolkit for a new generation. Many people find themselves in a position of forced unemployment, whether it be through redundancy or retirement.
Principles
Ray Dalio
Ray Dalio shares the unconventional principles that he’s developed, refined, and used over the past forty years to create unique results in both life and business.
Head Strong
Dave Asprey
If you’re already 100% happy with your current cognitive performance, or you’re set in your current daily routine… then Head Strong is probably not for you.
Psyched Up
Daniel McGinn
What do in the last few minutes before a major event. Daniel McGinn explains why mental preparation is the key to mastering any challenge.
Peak Performance
Brad Stulberg
From athletes to scientists to artists, stories of the world’s top performers and the cognitive and neurochemical factors that drive their performance.
Recovery
Russell Brand
With a rare mix of honesty, humour, and compassion, Russell Brand shares the advice and wisdom gained through his fourteen years of recovery.
CHANGEMAKERS
Not Impossible
Mick Ebeling
Mick Ebeling has found ways to create new, simple, do-it-yourself technologies to help people surmount seemingly impossible odds.
Selfie
Will Storr
How we became so self-obsessed and what it’s doing to us. Will Storr dives deep into the fascinating story of the people we know the best. Ourselves.
In Pursuit Of Memory
Joseph Jebelli
Alzheimer’s is a large global epidemic of our time, affecting millions worldwide. As our population ages, scientists are working against the clock to find a cure.
The Secret Life
Andrew O’Hagan
A journey through web’s darkest realms. Forcing us to question the relationship between individual, state, and society and how to define selfhood in a digital age.
Economics for the Common Good
Jean Tirole
Nobel prize-winning economist (2014) sets a bold new agenda for the role of economics in society. This economics manifesto is a tool for good.
Difficult Women
Roxane Gay
Award-winning author Roxanne Gay shares a collection of powerful and passionate stories on the beauty of human connection.
In A Different Key
John Donvan and Caren Zucker
We are all wired a little bit differently. Donavan and Zucker paint an intimate portrait of autism and society, showing us what’s truly worth fighting for.
How Not To Be A Boy
Robert Webb
Rules for being a man: Don’t Cry. Love Sport. Drink Beer. Don’t Talk About Feelings.But are those rules actually any use? To anyone?
Dare Not Linger
Nelson Mandela, Mandla Langa, Graca Machel
With a prologue by Mandela’s widow, Graça Machel, this hugely anticipated book tells the remarkable story of Nelson Mandela’s presidency from 1994–1999.
A World Of Three Zeros
Muhammad Yunus
Setting forth a vision to establish a new kind of capitalism, where altruism is valued as much as profit-making and individuals lift themselves out of poverty.
SPORT & ADVENTURE
Conscious Coaching
Brett Bartholomew
In the world of strength and conditioning, learning how to move others is paramount to getting the most out of them.
Koya Bound
Dan Rubin and Craig Mod
From a Kickstarter project to a stunning book of photography from Japan’s Kumano Kodo, world heritage pilgrimage walk.
Wildlife Photographer Of The Year
Rosamund Kidman Cox
From a flamingo courtship dance to Amazon river dolphins playing water polo, these images show extraordinary and deeply moving acts of animal behaviour.
Van Life
Foster Huntington
More people are taking a break from conventional life for the freedom and adventure of being on the road and living in a converted vintage van or camper.
An Odyssey
Daniel Mendelsohn
Undergraduate 81-year-old Jay Mendelsohn and his son Daniel, find themselves on an adventure as profoundly emotional as it is intellectual.
The TB12 Method
Tom Brady
Elite legends have changed the game, achieved the unthinkable, and pushed their bodies to unbelievable limits. Joining their exclusive ranks is Tom Brady.
The Mindful Art Of Wild Swimming
Tessa Wardley
A sparkling clarity on why our relationship with open water is so fundamental to pure wellbeing, and how wild swimming can be the ultimate Zen meditation.
Apollo
Zack Scott
An extraordinary visual history of the story of this iconic space programme, based on recently released NASA data about the various Apollo missions.
The Cubs Way
Tom Verducci
How did a team composed of unknown, young players and supposedly washed-up veterans come together to break the Curse of the Billy Goat?
How Running Makes Us Human
Vybarr Cregan-Reid
Running is not just a sport. It reconnects us to our bodies and the places in which we live, breaking down our increasingly structured and demanding lives.
FOOD
The Modern Cook’s Year
Anna Jones
An essential addition to every cook’s bookshelf. Make the most of seasonal produce, using simple, hugely inventive flavours and ingredients.
With Love
Rob Evans and Chris Roberts
Traveling the length and breadth of the United Kingdom, Rob Evans and Chris Roberts were on a mission, finding producers with a passion and a purpose.
Salt Fat Acid Heat
Samin Nosrat, Wendy MacNaughton and Michael Pollan
Amid the chaos of the kitchen, there are four key principles that chefs always fall back on for better food: Salt, Fat, Acid, and Heat.
Downtime
Nadine Levy Redzepi
Blurring the line between everyday and special occasion cooking, Nadine Levy Redzepi elevates simple comfort food flavors to elegant new heights.
The Art Of The Larder
Claire Thomson
Chef and food writer Claire Thomson shares 150 delicious Recipes with your Store Cupboard in mind.
5 Ingredients
Jamie Oliver
It’s all about making the journey to good food, super-simple. Using just five key ingredients we’re talking quality over quantity, and a dab of diligence.
Do Wild Baking
Tom Herbert
Yes, of course we are biased, but Tom Herbert’s book takes cooking outdoors, great recipes and has a bunch of fun while doing it. What’s not to love.
Caravan
Laura Harper-Hinton
From morning brews to after dinner cocktails, London based Caravan has you covered throughout the day with bold flavors and global influences.
The Almanac
Lia Leendertz
Reconnecting with seasons through gardening, eating seasonally, moon gazing, foraging, celebrating feast days, and picking bunches of seasonal flowers.
Fresh India
Meera Sodha
Whether you’re vegetarian, want to eat more vegetables or just want to make great, modern Indian food. Meera Sodha reveals a whole new side of Indian food.
EDUCATION
Teach Like Finland
Timothy D. Walker
Timothy Walker gathers all he has learned and reveals how any American teacher can implement these simple practices.
Science In The Soul
Richard Dawkins
Science is both wonderful and necessary. Wonderful for the soul but also necessary for society, for our well being, for our future.
Colour
Marion Deuchars
Be taken on a journey through colour, showing how its language is at the centre of how we think and feel about the world. Colour is everywhere.
The 2% Rule To Get You Debt Free Fast
Alex and Cassie Michael
If around 70% of worries and stress comes from money, educating ourselves on how to become debt free feels like a good investment of time.
How To Be Human
New Scientist
You belong to a unique, fascinating and often misunderstood species. How to be Human is your guide to making the most of it.
The Runaway Species
David Eagleman and Anthony Brandt
Inside the creative mind, celebrating the human spirit, and visualising how we can improve our future by understanding and embracing our ability to innovate.
Disrupting Thinking
Kylene Beers
Take teachers a step further and discuss an on-going problem. They explain that all too often too many students remain disengaged and reluctant readers.
Beyond Infinity
Eugenia Cheng
Maths can be the most amazing creative discipline there is, and this book goes to infinity to prove it.
From Bacteria To Bach And Back
Daniel Dennett
Understanding human creativity in all its applications, Daniel Dennett explores the deep interactions of evolution, brains and human culture.
Out of Our Minds
Ken Robinson
Organisations everywhere are trying to fix a problem that originates in schools and universities. Ken Robinson explains how to turn a key in two directions.
Phew.
Thank you for making it all the way to the bottom of the list. Our aim was to share useful and inspiring books that we have come across from 2017 so far. If you have any suggestions, we would love to hear them.
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