Roll On: The Slap, The Swim & The Self-Myth (+ 'The Rollies'!)

In 'The Awakened Brain,' Dr. Lisa Miller combines cutting-edge science, including MRI studies, genetic research, and epidemiology, with practical advice to show how humans are universally equipped with a capacity for spirituality. The book demonstrates that an engaged spiritual life enhances grit, optimism, and resilience, while providing protection against addiction, trauma, and depression. It offers insights and tools for people of all ages and backgrounds to tap into their innate spirituality and build a life of meaning and contribution.

This book delves into the purpose and power of sleep, explaining how it affects every aspect of our physical and mental well-being. Walker discusses how sleep enriches our ability to learn, memorize, and make logical decisions, recalibrates our emotions, restocks our immune system, fine-tunes our metabolism, and regulates our appetite. He also explores the consequences of sleep deprivation and provides actionable steps to improve sleep quality, including ways to prevent cancer, Alzheimer’s, and diabetes, slow the effects of aging, and increase longevity.

In 'Stolen Focus', Johann Hari delves into the reasons behind the collapse of our ability to pay attention. He discusses various factors contributing to this issue and provides strategies on how to think deeply again and reclaim our focus in a world filled with distractions.

In 'Your Turn: How to Be an Adult', Julie Lythcott-Haims provides a groundbreakingly frank guide to adulthood. The book focuses on the process of becoming an adult, rather than adhering to traditional markers such as finishing education, getting a job, leaving home, marrying, and having children. Lythcott-Haims offers compassion, personal experience, and practical strategies for living a more authentic adulthood. She includes interviews with diverse individuals who have successfully launched their adult lives, emphasizing the importance of personal integrity, moral behavior, self-compassion, and self-love. The book encourages readers to take an active role in shaping their lives, learn to fend for themselves, and build meaningful relationships and careers.

In 'Dopamine Nation,' Dr. Anna Lembke delves into the scientific discoveries that explain why overindulgence in high-reward, high-dopamine stimuli leads to pain. The book combines personal narratives from her clinical practice with the latest psychology research to illustrate how to find contentment and connectedness by keeping dopamine in check. Lembke discusses the impact of modern addictions, such as those related to smartphones, food, and other behaviors, and provides strategies for managing consumption and transforming lives. The book emphasizes the importance of balancing the science of desire with the wisdom of recovery.

Set in 1917 at Craiglockhart War Hospital in Scotland, 'Regeneration' follows the story of army psychiatrist William Rivers as he treats shell-shocked soldiers, including the poets Siegfried Sassoon and Wilfred Owen, and the fictional character Billy Prior. The novel delves into the psychological and emotional traumas inflicted by the war, highlighting the complexities of identity, masculinity, and social structure. It contrasts humane and inhumane treatments of war trauma, reflecting on the broader impact of the war on individuals and society.

In 'Think Again', Adam Grant argues that the ability to rethink at personal, interpersonal, and collective levels is crucial in today's polarized world. He uses scientific research, personal anecdotes, and engaging stories to illustrate how people can find joy in being wrong, leverage the benefits of impostor syndrome, and cultivate environments of lifelong learning. Grant emphasizes the need to challenge our convictions, adopt a scientific mindset, and foster curiosity and humility. He provides examples of individuals who have successfully rethought their approaches, from firefighters to business leaders, and offers practical exercises for improving rethinking skills.

In 'Bravey,' Alexi Pappas shares her experiences as an Olympic athlete, actress, and filmmaker. The book is a memoir-in-essays that delves into her life, including her childhood, her Olympic debut in 2016, and her battle with post-Olympic depression. Pappas discusses the importance of embracing pain, celebrating victories, and finding joy and loyalty in teammates. She offers practical advice on how to be brave, overcome hardships, and achieve one's dreams through hard work and determination.