Issue #279: Top 15 Books to Read in 2024
Good morning. It’s Saturday, December 16th.
Today’s Quick Win
Inspiration: Top Books to Read in 2024
Reminder: Give the Gift of Longevity - share Thrive25!
“People do not lack strength; they lack will.”
The number of books the average American reads in a given year (includes audiobooks). That’s down from 18.5 in 1999. (source)
This Week
This week we explored willpower, where it comes from and how to use it to shape your Health & Longevity journey.
Issue #277 - our willpower comes from our anterior mid-cingulate cortex. Fuel your brain with a healthy diet, zone 2 aerobic energy, consistent sleep, and challenging situations.
Issue #278 - a practical guide to harness your willpower into goals that you’ll stick with going into 2024 - focus on your top priorities (your why), conserve your energy (manage your stress), and don’t forget to reward yourself along the way.
Click HERE to check out previous issues in the Thrive25 archive.
Top Books to Read in 2024
Last week we gave you our top holiday gift guide (Issue #276). Today we’re going with our top book recommendations of the year.
We’ve got three (3) categories for our list of the Top 15 - some are hopefully new to you, and others we’ve mentioned before, but figured now’s the time - it’s easy to add to the Amazon shopping cart.
Of all the longevity books I’ve read in the last 2-3 years this one is unequivocally the best (we profiled it in Issue #168). It’s not about selling gimmicks for us to live past 120. It’s about real science of the diseases most likely to end our lives, with practical advice of what we can do today so that we don’t spend years living with chronic disease.
Dr. Attia presents a solution to transition our current healthcare system to “Medicine 3.0” with what we need to do as consumers to empower ourselves to become our own health advocates and better navigate the system so that we can identify and prevent any problems before they happen.
A great read from one of the most respected doctors in the field who gets personal too about his own mental health struggles - this one is truly with the time.
From respected trainers Kelly and Julie Starrett - this is the most practical guides I’ve read when it comes to maintaining our mobility and alignment (see Issue #178). We’re all spending too much at our desk in front of screens - this is the book to get rid of “tech neck” and to unlock our tight muscles or limited joints. The insights provide a whole new perspective on how we move.
Whether you can squat 200 lbs or are dealing with mobility issues (shoulder injury, back pain, tight hamstrings), this book can help all of us make sure we can stay active our entire life.
We’ve referenced more recipes from this book than any other source (Issues #7, #14, #26, #61, #81). I’ve even downloaded all the recipes into a spreadsheet and shared with dozens of friends and family. Dr. Kara Fitzgerald is one of the best longevity doctors out there and she’s created a plan that aligns with slowing down our aging. Get the science of how food affects our DNA methylation, see how you can plan out your meals to optimize longevity, and get real delicious recipes that you’ll actually want to eat.
Dr. Chris Palmer brings the science for what’s real and what’s not when it comes to the connection between mental illness and our metabolism. It is the strongest evidence yet of how what we feed our brain affects its health - just like our body. I’m not an expert on mental health - but the consensus for this book is extremely strong and highly recommended for anyone interested in addressing mental health concerns for themselves or someone they know.
There are few books that are just as impactful the second time you read them (see Issue #138). But that's the case with Breath by James Nestor. The book isn't new, but re-reading it again this month was just as inspiring as when I bought it back in 2020. The science on how our breath affects our health, combined with the tactical exercises we can all do (like chewing gum and humming) makes this a must-read for anyone that wants to live (and sleep) better.
I didn’t realize how often I didn’t engage in real conversations until I read this book. I’m a huge fan of The Second Mountain, but this latest book is even more eye-opening. The media talks so much about loneliness and how we need to better connect with each other - this books actually tells us how to do it. “Wise people don’t just possess information; they possess a compassionate understanding of other people.”
Empathy is essential to being human - to actually “see” other people and make them feel seen and heard. This book will take you out of your comfort zone socially (at least it did me) and that’s a good thing.
Many articles, blogs and podcasts attempt to summarize the findings from the Harvard Happiness study (including us). But headlines don't do justice to the many scientific findings and interesting stories of the hundreds of people who participated in the research for nearly 100 years. Get the real stories and detailed life lessons.
This book quickly became one of my favorites (profiled in Issue #128) that I highly recommend to just about everyone in my network. Trust the title - if you want to live The Good Life, check it out.
Arthur Brooks has become “the happiness expert” and his previous book “From Strength to Strength” was eye-opening for how to redefine your life as we hit mid-life and beyond. This new book goes back and defines how to forge a path of happiness for everyone.
Another book that stands the test of time - the current Surgeon General continues to create programs to combat loneliness across the U.S., which he sees as one of the greatest public health threats of this generation. You can’t help but figure out ways to better connect with your neighbors and community after reading this book.
This is the best book we've read when it comes to how to think about time, opportunity cost, and getting the most out of life every day. HINT: It's not about doing as much as possible or even traveling the world. I’ve made reading this book an annual tradition as I plan out my yearly goals. It’s just as important to remember what NOT to do and how we can’t fully control our time.
Can’t recommend this book enough. If you haven’t gotten it yet, add it to the list for 2024 - if you have, come back to it again.
So it’s not about innate intelligence it’s about grit and resilience, right? Or maybe it’s about HOW we learn. We all have potential and when something’s tough to master that’s ok - in fact, that’s part of the process. We need to believe that we have magic inside of us. A worthwhile read from Adam Grant to know that we (and our kids) have what we need to succeed.
This book has more highlights and earmarked pages than any I've read. Steve Magness presents a new way of thinking around toughness and resilience. This isn't just for Navy SEALs or Olympians. It's about how to better know yourself and includes endless practical tips to adjust your life to do hard things and thrive (profiled in Issue #62).
Can you slow the world down to create space between fatigue and freak-out? That's the magic and the control we all possess to become our best selves. There’s something to it when the Amazon reviews are from Serena Williams, Malcolm Gladwell, Mark Cuban, Yo-Yo Ma, and a Navy Admiral.
All of us will feel stuck at one time or another (hand raised) - it’s especially common in our 40’s, or mid-life. The key is about how we become “unstuck.” Deep research with engaging stories make this a great book to conquer whatever is in front of us (mentally or physically) to break on through to the other side. Don’t just accept mediocrity - go get the life you want.
Journalist Catherine Price delivers a quasi-spiritual sequel to How to Break Up With Your Phone. After cutting down on screen time, Price found she gained hours in her day, but wasn't sure how to spend them. Price goes on a mission to find the answers to what is..., why..., and how to have...FUN.
Honestly, I've read 50+ books that have been/will be profiled in Thrive25 and I can't recommend this book enough. It's a quick read, but it really makes you think about how to live your best life (see Issue #57).
TL;DR - do hard things to make yourself uncomfortable and reap the health benefits.
Michael Easter starts by connecting our 21st century comforts to the rise in mental health challenges. If you can re-wild yourself and be uncomfortable via acute stress, every day stress will be nothing.
But there’s a lot more to this book - it prescribes how to be more present in everyday life, how to reconnect with nature, fight loneliness with solitude, and even how to change our modern diet.
Two thumbs up recommendation from us at Thrive25! And Scarcity Brain is his new book that will probably be on our list next year.
Thrive25 Give the Gift of Longevity
December is already half over - don’t forget about our Referral Campaign that ends on December 31st! Everyone you refer to Thrive25 gets you a ticket into our end of year drawing with 5 winners who will get $50 at one of the best wellness brands in the world.
LOGIN HERE TO GIVE THE GIFT TO OF LONGEVITY!
Thanks for another great week!
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We’re 40-something dads that felt our bodies and minds start to slow down and we’re not ready for that. We found too much information on every subject. So we started Thrive25 to transform what we’ve learned into something useful for the rest of us to spend just 3-5 min a day to optimize our health & longevity.
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The information in this newsletter is for informational purposes only and may not be appropriate or applicable based on your individual circumstances. Thrive25 Labs, Inc. does not provide medical, professional, or licensed advice. Please connect with your healthcare professional for medical advice specific to your health needs.