Damon Ashworth Psychology

Tag: non-fiction

  • Part Six of the Top 100 Non-fiction Books: Understanding Human Nature for Personal Growth (50-41)

    Part Six of the Top 100 Non-fiction Books: Understanding Human Nature for Personal Growth (50-41)

    For the earlier titles in the countdown: 100 – 91, 90 – 81, 80 – 71, 70 – 61, 60 – 51

    Here’s the next ten…

    50. The One Thing: The Surprisingly Simple Truth Behind Extraordinary Results by Gary Keller and Jay Papasan

    Goodreads.com star rating = 4.13/5

    In a world of endless distractions, Keller argues that extraordinary results come from identifying your most important task. Focusing on this task above all else can lead to great achievements. Success is built sequentially, not simultaneously—like dominoes, small focused efforts compound into extraordinary outcomes.

    What makes it special: This book challenges the modern myth of multitasking. It questions work-life balance. Instead, it advocates for intentional imbalance and extreme focus during crucial periods. The “focusing question” provides a daily compass for decision-making.

    Perfect for: Entrepreneurs, professionals, creatives, or students who feel overwhelmed, distracted, or busy but unproductive. It is also ideal for anyone looking to achieve extraordinary success by simplifying their focus. Readers of Atomic Habits, Deep Work, or Essentialism will find this beneficial.

    Key takeaway: Ask daily: “What’s the ONE Thing I can do right now, such that by doing it, everything else becomes easier or unnecessary?” Time-block your first 4-5 hours for this priority.

    49. Transcend: The New Science of Self-Actualization by Scott Barry Kaufman

    Goodreads.com star rating = 4.13/5

    Kaufman updates Maslow’s hierarchy of needs with modern research, revealing that human needs aren’t linear but fluid. Self-actualization isn’t a destination but a continual unfolding of your authentic potential, balancing security needs with growth aspirations.

    What makes it special: This book corrects decades of misunderstanding about Maslow’s work while integrating cutting-edge positive psychology research. It shows how trauma blocks growth but can be healed, and how transcendence serves something greater while including the self.

    Perfect for: Psychologists, therapists, and coaches interested in positive psychology and human potential. It is also ideal for anyone seeking personal growth, healing, and purpose beyond material success. Fans of Maslow, Carl Rogers, The Road to Character, or Man’s Search for Meaning should like it.

    Key takeaway: Self-actualization requires balancing security (safety, connection, self-esteem) with growth (exploration, love, purpose, creativity). Peak experiences can be cultivated through mindfulness, art, nature, and helping others.

    48. The Hero With a Thousand Faces by Joseph Campbell

    Goodreads.com star rating = 4.13/5

    Campbell’s groundbreaking work reveals that myths from every culture share the same basic structure—the Hero’s Journey. This monomyth of Departure, Initiation, and Return is not just a story formula. It is a map of psychological and spiritual growth that we can all experience in our lives.

    What makes it special: This book fundamentally influenced modern storytelling (Star Wars, Harry Potter, The Matrix). It also provides a profound framework for understanding personal transformation. It connects ancient wisdom to modern psychology through the lens of mythology.

    Perfect for: Writers, creators, and filmmakers who want to understand story structure and mythology. Thinkers, seekers, and therapists interested in personal transformation. Anyone on a journey of healing, growth, or purpose who wants a map for the inner quest.

    Key takeaway: We are all the hero of our own journey. Every challenge signifies a “threshold” to cross. Transformation requires facing our fears. We must let old versions of ourselves “die” to be reborn into a fuller life.

    47. The Status Game: On Social Position and How We Use It by Will Storr

    Goodreads.com star rating = 4.13/5

    Storr claims that status—being respected and valued by others—is a fundamental human drive. It shapes everything from social media behaviour to political tribalism. We play three types of status games: dominance (power-based), prestige (skill-based), and virtue (morality-based).

    What makes it special: This book explains seemingly irrational human behaviours through the lens of status competition. It offers insights into online outrage, cancel culture and political polarisation. It’s social psychology that makes sense of our current cultural moment.

    Perfect for: Anyone interested in psychology, social behaviour, or culture wars. It is ideal for leaders, educators, and creators who want to understand group dynamics and motivation. You might also like it if you have enjoyed reading Sapiens, The Righteous Mind, or The Elephant in the Brain.

    Key takeaway: You can’t opt out of status games, but you can choose wisely. Focus on prestige games that help others rise with you, rather than dominance or virtue games that keep others down.

    46. No Bad Parts: Healing Trauma and Restoring Wholeness with the Internal Family Systems Model by Richard C. Schwartz and Alanis Morrisette

    Goodreads.com star rating = 4.14/5

    Schwartz shows that our minds contain different “parts” using the Internal Family Systems model. These parts include the Inner Critic, Worrier, and Protector. They often conflict but try to help us. Healing happens when our Compassionate Self befriends and leads these parts rather than fighting them.

    What makes it special: This revolutionary therapeutic approach treats internal conflict with curiosity instead of judgment. It recognises that every part was formed with a positive intention initially. It makes complex psychology accessible and practical.

    Perfect for: Trauma survivors, therapists, and anyone interested in self-compassion and inner healing. It is also suitable for people who struggle with internal conflict, self-criticism, or emotional overwhelm. Fans of mindfulness, psychotherapy, and integrative approaches to mental health will also find it appealing.

    Key takeaway: No part of you is “bad”—each has a role and positive intent. Healing requires gentle dialogue with your parts, acknowledging their fears and allowing them to relax and cooperate.

    45. Self Compassion: The Proven Power of Being Kind to Yourself by Kristin Neff

    Goodreads.com star rating = 4.14/5

    Neff’s research-backed approach to self-compassion involves three core elements. The first is self-kindness instead of self-criticism. The second is common humanity, recognizing that suffering is universal. The third is mindfulness, which is balanced awareness of painful experiences.

    What makes it special: Unlike self-esteem, which depends on success and comparison, self-compassion is unconditional. It actually encourages growth rather than complacency. Neff debunks myths while providing practical tools backed by rigorous research.

    Perfect for: Anyone struggling with self-criticism, perfectionism, anxiety, or depression. It is also suitable for people seeking greater emotional resilience and well-being. Therapists and coaches wanting practical tools to help clients cultivate kindness could benefit too.

    Key takeaway: Self-compassion reduces anxiety and depression while fostering resilience and motivation. Treat yourself with the same kindness you’d show a good friend facing difficulties.

    44. Tiny Habits: The Small Changes That Change Everything by BJ Fogg

    Goodreads.com star rating = 4.14/5

    Fogg’s behaviour change method focuses on starting tiny. It recommends two push-ups, not a workout. You should anchor new habits to existing routines. Celebrate right after you have successfully done what you said you would do. This approach reduces resistance and allows habits to grow naturally over time.

    What makes it special: This method is based on decades of Stanford research. It works because it aligns with how the brain actually forms habits. It’s sustainable because it doesn’t rely on willpower but on smart design and environmental cues.

    Perfect for: This is ideal for anyone struggling to build new habits. It also suits those trying to sustain behaviour change. People overwhelmed by big goals will find it offers a simple, effective approach. It’s also perfect for coaches, therapists, and productivity seekers who are looking for practical habit strategies.

    Key takeaway: Start so small you can’t fail, anchor to existing routines, and celebrate immediately. Focus on the behaviour, not the outcome—habits will grow naturally as confidence increases.

    43. The Imp of the Mind: Exploring the Silent Epidemic of Obsessive Bad Thoughts by Lee Baer

    Goodreads.com star rating = 4.15/5

    Baer normalizes the universal experience of unwanted, disturbing thoughts—the mind’s mischievous “imp.” These intrusive thoughts don’t show our desires or intentions. They’re just mental events that become problematic when we try to suppress or fight them.

    What makes it special: This book addresses a “silent epidemic” that most people suffer with in shame and isolation. Baer explains why thought suppression backfires and provides hope through evidence-based treatment approaches like Exposure and Response Prevention.

    Perfect for: People suffering from OCD, intrusive thoughts, or anxiety. It is also ideal for therapists and clinicians treating obsessive-compulsive and related disorders. Finally, it suits anyone wanting to understand why unwanted thoughts happen and how to reduce their power.

    Key takeaway: You are not your thoughts. Intrusive thoughts are normal mental events, not reflections of your character or desires. Acceptance and mindfulness reduce their emotional impact more effectively than suppression.

    42. Triumphs of Experience: The Men of the Harvard Grant Study by George E. Vaillant

    Goodreads.com star rating = 4.15/5

    Vaillant draws from the Harvard Grant Study, which followed men for over 75 years. He reveals what actually predicts happiness and health. These predictors include close relationships and emotional intelligence. Healthy coping mechanisms, continued learning, and adaptability are also important.

    What makes it special: This is one of the most comprehensive longitudinal studies ever conducted. It provides unprecedented insights into what makes life worth living. The findings often contradict popular assumptions about success and happiness.

    Perfect for: This book is ideal for anyone interested in psychology, aging, relationships, and well-being. It suits therapists and researchers focused on long-term mental health. It also appeals to readers seeking evidence-based insights on what leads to a meaningful, happy life.

    Key takeaway: Good relationships are the strongest predictor of happiness and health. Career success, wealth, and fame don’t strongly correlate with life satisfaction—purpose, meaning, and emotional maturity do.

    41. The Obstacle is the Way: The Timeless Art of Turning Trials Into Triumph by Ryan Holiday

    Goodreads.com star rating = 4.15/5

    Drawing from ancient Stoic philosophy, Holiday shows how to transform obstacles into opportunities. This is achieved through three disciplines. The first one is Perception, which is about controlling your mindset. The second is Action, which involves taking persistent steps. The last one is Will, which means cultivating inner strength and accepting what you can’t control.

    What makes it special: This book makes ancient Stoic wisdom applicable to modern challenges. It uses historical examples to show how great leaders turned adversity into advantage. It’s philosophy that works in practice.

    Perfect for: This is ideal for anyone facing challenges or setbacks. It’s suitable for leaders, entrepreneurs, athletes, and creatives looking for mental toughness. It will also appeal to fans of Stoic philosophy or books like Meditations by Marcus Aurelius.

    Key takeaway: Practice “amor fati” (love of fate)—embrace obstacles as opportunities to build character. Focus only on what you can control: your attitude, actions, and responses to circumstances.

    These books reveal several powerful patterns for advanced personal development:

    • Focus creates extraordinary results – Concentrating effort leads to success. The One Thing emphasises singular focus. Tiny Habits highlights the power of small changes.
    • Integration beats suppression – From self-compassion to internal parts work, healing comes through acceptance and integration, not fighting or denial.
    • Ancient wisdom applies to modern challenges – Stoic philosophy, mythological patterns, and humanistic psychology offer timeless frameworks for contemporary struggles.
    • Understanding human nature enables better choices. Awareness of status games, intrusive thoughts, or relationship patterns improves decision-making. Understanding how we function (not just how we think we function) leads to wiser decisions.

    Remember: personal transformation isn’t about perfection. It’s about understanding yourself and others more deeply. Then, applying that understanding with patience, compassion, and persistent action.

    Stay tuned for the next ten books…

    Dr Damon Ashworth

    Clinical Psychologist

  • Part Four of My Top 100 Non Fiction Books Countdown: 70-61

    Part Four of My Top 100 Non Fiction Books Countdown: 70-61

    Here are the next ten books in my top 100 non-fiction books countdown. I have read all of these over the last nine years.

    These ten titles cover a wide range of topics. Including creativity and flow, effortless achievement, system optimisation and authentic confidence. They also cover identity and healing, longevity and resilience, and prediction and human potential.

    Feel free to check out the prior parts of the countdown first if you haven’t yet: 100-91, 90-81, and 80-71.

    Here’s 70 to 61.

    70. The Creative Act: A Way of Being by Rick Rubin

    Goodreads.com star rating = 4.01/5

    Legendary music producer Rick Rubin presents creativity as a way of being, not just making art. He emphasises organic, non-linear creative processes that need patience, trust, and surrender to uncertainty rather than forcing outcomes.

    What makes it special: It treats creativity as accessible to everyone. The focus is on mindset and presence over technical skills. It incorporates wisdom from decades of working with top artists.

    Perfect for: Artists, musicians, creatives of all kinds, anyone feeling blocked, and people interested in mindfulness and personal growth.

    Key takeaway: Creativity is not a talent reserved for artists. It is a natural way of being accessible to everyone. It emerges organically when you approach life with openness, presence, and trust in the process. Do not force outcomes or seek external validation.

    69. Effortless: Make It Easier to Do What Matters Most by Greg McKeown

    Goodreads.com star rating = 4.04/5

    McKeown shows how to make success feel natural and sustainable by working smarter, not harder. He advocates for simplifying complex tasks, building routines that need less willpower, and aligning work with natural energy rhythms.

    What makes it special: It challenges the “hard work equals success” myth. The book offers practical strategies. These strategies reduce friction and psychological burden while achieving better results.

    Perfect for: Busy professionals, perfectionists, overachievers, and anyone struggling with motivation or seeking work-life balance.

    Key takeaway: “Effortless” doesn’t mean lazy or without any work at all. Instead, it’s about being strategic in how you apply your energy so you can sustain high performance without burning out. Stop glorifying struggle and instead ask: “What if this could be easy?” This mindset shift helps you find simpler, more sustainable ways to achieve what truly matters.

    68. The Checklist Manifesto: How to Get Things Right by Atul Gawande

    Goodreads.com star rating = 4.04/5

    Gawande reveals how simple checklists dramatically improve performance in complex, high-stakes situations. From operating rooms to cockpits, he shows how checklists manage cognitive load and prevent critical errors.

    What makes it special: This demonstrates how basic tools can profoundly impact safety and quality. It includes compelling real-world examples from medicine and aviation.

    Perfect for: Healthcare professionals, managers, project teams, entrepreneurs, and anyone in high-stakes fields where mistakes have serious consequences.

    Key takeaway: Using checklists can dramatically reduce errors and improve performance, even among highly skilled professionals dealing with complex tasks. In our complex world, we need to embrace tools that help us manage complexity. We can’t pretend to handle everything through individual brilliance alone. Checklists represent a simple but powerful way to improve reliability and save lives across many fields.

    67. The Confidence Gap: From Fear to Freedom by Russ Harris

    Goodreads star rating = 4.05/5

    Harris argues that real confidence comes from taking action despite fear, not from feeling fearless. Using acceptance and commitment therapy principles, he shows how to build confidence through values-driven action and self-compassion.

    What makes it special: It reframes confidence as a skill you can develop rather than a fixed trait. It emphasises mindfulness and acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT) skills for helping people to become more confident in their lives.

    Perfect for: People who avoid action due to fear, professionals with imposter syndrome, and anyone dealing with anxiety or perfectionism.

    Key takeaway: Waiting to feel confident before taking action is a trap. This trap prevents us from living the life we want. Stop waiting for confidence to show up and start taking small, values-driven actions. Confidence often follows action, not the other way around.

    66. The Velvet Rage: Overcoming the Pain of Growing Up Gay in a Straight Man’s World by Alan Downs

    Goodreads.com star rating = 4.06/5

    Downs explores the hidden shame many gay men carry from growing up in a hetero-normative world. This shame drives compensatory behaviours like perfectionism and achievement-seeking. He offers a path toward authentic self-acceptance.

    What makes it special: It offers an honest, compassionate examination of internalised shame and its effects. It also provides practical guidance for healing and building genuine self-worth.

    Perfect for: Gay men struggling with shame. Mental health professionals and LGBTQIA+ allies will find it beneficial. It’s also suitable for anyone on a journey of personal growth and authenticity.

    Key takeaway: Many gay men experience a deep psychological wound. It is often hidden. This wound comes from growing up in a hetero-normative society. The society teaches them that their authentic selves are unacceptable. This leads to lifelong patterns of shame, perfectionism, and emotional numbing. Healing requires recognising these patterns. It involves understanding their origins. The process includes doing the difficult work of building genuine self-acceptance. This is instead of continuing to seek validation through external achievements or approval from others.

    65. The Identity Trap: A Story of Ideas and Power in Our Time by Yascha Mounk

    Goodreads.com star rating = 4.06/5

    Mounk examines how politics has shifted from class-based to identity-based divisions. He explores the paradox between celebrating individualism and grouping people into fixed identity categories. He argues for balancing identity affirmation with social cohesion.

    What makes it special: Thoughtful analysis of contemporary political and social dynamics. It avoids partisan talking points. It addresses real challenges of identity politics.

    Perfect for: Students of politics and sociology, policymakers, activists, journalists, and general readers curious about culture wars and social fragmentation.

    Key takeaway: Well-intentioned identity-focused approaches to social justice have become counterproductive. They create political and personal traps. These traps ultimately undermine the goal of achieving equality and justice. The path to justice lies not in abandoning liberal democratic principles. It lies in more fully realising them. We should keep free speech, individual dignity, and cross-cultural exchange.

    64. Waking the Tiger: Healing Trauma by Peter A. Levine and Ann Frederick

    Goodreads.com star rating = 4.07/5

    Levine presents trauma as trapped energy in the body rather than just a mental condition. He shows how somatic approaches can help finish interrupted fight, flight, or freeze responses, allowing natural healing to occur.

    What makes it special: This approach to trauma healing is revolutionary. It engages the body’s wisdom. It offers hope for those whom traditional talk therapy hasn’t fully helped.

    Perfect for: Trauma survivors and therapists. It also suits people who do bodywork. Anyone interested in the mind-body connection could find it useful.

    Key takeaway: Trauma is fundamentally a physiological disorder, not just a psychological one. Healing occurs through the body’s natural ability to finish its interrupted stress response rather than through talking therapy alone. Healing trauma requires working with the body’s wisdom. It is important to complete the natural stress cycle, which Levine says was interrupted during the original traumatic event.

    63. The Blue Zones: Lessons for Living Longer From the People Who’ve Lived the Longest by Dan Buettner

    Goodreads.com star rating = 4.07/5

    Buettner identifies regions where people live exceptionally long, healthy lives. He reveals their common practices, including natural movement and a sense of purpose. Other practices are stress management and plant-based diets. They also include moderate alcohol consumption, strong communities, family priority, and spiritual engagement.

    What makes it special: Evidence-based longevity secrets from real-world populations, offering practical lifestyle guidance backed by demographic research.

    Perfect for: Health enthusiasts, caregivers, families, community leaders, public health professionals, and anyone interested in ageing well.

    Key takeaway: The world’s longest-lived populations share specific lifestyle patterns. Anyone can adopt these patterns to increase their lifespan. These habits can also improve their quality of life. Longevity isn’t primarily about genetics. Genetics accounts for only about 20% of lifespan. It’s about creating an environment and lifestyle that naturally promotes health and longevity.

    62. Superforecasting: The Art and Science of Prediction by Phillip E. Tetlock and Dan Gardner

    Goodreads.com star rating = 4.08/5

    Tetlock reveals what makes some people exceptionally good at predicting future events. Superforecasters are curious, open-minded, think in probabilities, regularly update their views, and break complex problems into manageable parts.

    What makes it special: It shows that forecasting is a learnable skill. It is not an innate talent. The book offers practical techniques for improving prediction accuracy in any field.

    Perfect for: Strategy professionals, data scientists, critical thinkers, teams making decisions under uncertainty, and students of psychology or economics.

    Key takeaway: Some people are remarkably better at predicting future events than others. These superforecasters use specific thinking techniques. These techniques can be learned and applied by anyone to make better predictions and decisions. In an uncertain world, we can still make significantly better predictions by adopting the disciplined thinking habits of superforecasters.

    61. What Doesn’t Kill Us: How Freezing Water, Extreme Altitude, and Environmental Conditioning Will Renew Our Lost Evolutionary Strength by Scott Carney

    Goodreads.com star rating = 4.09/5

    Carney explores how modern comfort has weakened our evolutionary resilience and how we can reclaim ancient abilities through environmental conditioning. He investigates cold exposure, breathwork, and extreme challenges that build physiological and mental strength.

    What makes it special: This is a science-backed exploration of human potential. It challenges assumptions about our physical and mental limits. It includes practical applications for building resilience.

    Perfect for: Biohackers, health optimisers, adventure seekers, wellness practitioners, and fans of self-experimentation backed by research.

    Key takeaway: Modern humans have become dangerously disconnected from environmental stressors. Our bodies evolved to handle these stressors. Deliberately reintroducing controlled stressors, particularly cold exposure, can dramatically improve our health, resilience, and performance. Avoiding all stress and discomfort doesn’t make us healthier – it makes us fragile.

    Stay tuned for books 60-51 next week…

    Dr Damon Ashworth

    Clinical Psychologist

  • Top 100 Non-Fiction Books Countdown: 80-71

    Top 100 Non-Fiction Books Countdown: 80-71

    This is the third part in my top 100 non-fiction books countdown. Feel free to check out part one and part two if you haven’t yet.

    Hopefully they can give you some good ideas if you are looking for a good non-fiction book to check out.

    All books have been personally read over the past eight years. Here’s books 80 to 71…

    80. So You’ve Been Publicly Shamed by Jon Ronson

    Goodreads.com star rating = 3.93/5

    Ronson explores how online mobs can destroy lives over mistakes or misunderstandings, revealing the dark side of digital justice. He shows how social media amplifies traditional shaming exponentially, often without due process or path to redemption.

    What makes it special: It is a compassionate examination of modern mob justice. It balances accountability with mercy. It highlights the lasting psychological harm of viral shaming.

    Perfect for: Anyone navigating social media, psychologists studying modern social dynamics, and readers interested in technology’s impact on human behaviour.

    Key takeaway: While the internet was supposed to democratize voice and justice, it has failed in this mission. It has created a new form of mob justice. This new form often lacks mercy, proportionality, or the possibility of redemption.

    79. This Is Marketing: You Can’t Be Seen Until You Learn to See by Seth Godin

    Goodreads.com star rating = 3.93/5

    Godin reframes marketing as creating meaningful change rather than just selling. He emphasizes serving your smallest viable audience, building trust through empathy, and telling authentic stories that resonate with people’s values.

    What makes it special: Ethical marketing treats customers as humans. It does not view them as targets. This approach focuses on long-term relationship building over quick wins.

    Perfect for: Entrepreneurs, small business owners, creatives, and anyone interested in how psychology shapes buying decisions.

    Key takeaway: Marketing has evolved from a game of attention-grabbing. It is now a practice of building trust. It focuses on creating value and serving communities of people who share common values and aspirations.

    78. From Strength to Strength: Finding Success, Happiness and Deep Purpose in the Second Half of Life by Arthur C Brooks

    Goodreads.com star rating = 3.94/5

    Brooks explores how success evolves from fluid intelligence (quick thinking) in youth to crystallized intelligence (wisdom) in later life. He shows how embracing this transition leads to deeper fulfillment through relationships, mentorship, and purpose.

    What makes it special: A hopeful guide to thriving beyond traditional career achievements. It emphasizes the “second curve” of life focused on meaning over status.

    Perfect for: Midlife adults navigating transitions, professionals facing burnout, and anyone redefining success beyond achievements.

    Key takeaway: The second half of life can be the most fulfilling. This is possible if we’re willing to redefine success. We should embrace our changing strengths. It’s important to focus on contribution over achievement.

    77. The Courage to Be Disliked by Fumitake Koga and Ichiro Kishimi

    Goodreads.com star rating = 3.94/5

    This dialogue-style book is based on Adlerian psychology. It argues that happiness comes from choosing your own life. It suggests you find happiness rather than being controlled by past experiences. It emphasises taking responsibility, separating your tasks from others’, and having the courage to live authentically.

    What makes it special: A philosophical approach to self-help that challenges victim mentality while promoting personal responsibility and authentic living.

    Perfect for: People seeking freedom from past burdens, those interested in philosophical psychology, and readers wanting practical wisdom about relationships.

    Key takeaway: Happiness and freedom come from taking responsibility for your own life. Avoid taking responsibility for others’ lives. Have the courage to live authentically, regardless of others’ approval.

    76. The Artist’s Way: A Spiritual Path to Higher Creativity by Julia Cameron

    Goodreads.com star rating = 3.95/5

    Cameron presents creativity as a spiritual practice, introducing tools like Morning Pages (stream-of-consciousness writing) and Artist Dates (solo creative outings). She helps readers recover from creative blocks and criticism to reconnect with their artistic selves.

    What makes it special: It offers a secular yet spiritual approach to creativity. This approach treats artistic expression as essential to human well-being. It is not just a professional pursuit.

    Perfect for: Anyone feeling creatively blocked, artists struggling with perfectionism, and people seeking to reconnect with play and purpose.

    Key takeaway: Everyone is creative by birthright. However, most people have been disconnected from this creativity through criticism, practicality, or neglect. Through consistent spiritual and creative practices, anyone can recover their creative voice and live a more authentic, fulfilling life.

    75. The Rational Optimist: How Prosperity Evolves by Matt Ridley

    Goodreads.com star rating = 3.97/5

    Ridley argues that human progress is real and accelerating, driven by exchange and specialization. He challenges pessimistic narratives by showing how trade, innovation, and human cooperation have consistently improved living standards throughout history.

    What makes it special: Evidence-based optimism that counters doomsday thinking while acknowledging real problems, emphasizing human ingenuity and market solutions.

    Perfect for: Sceptics of progress, economists, entrepreneurs, and anyone overwhelmed by negative media coverage who wants a data-driven counter-narrative.

    Key takeaway: Human progress is not accidental but stems from our unique capacity for exchange and specialisation. We must maintain free trade and open communication for things to keep improving. If we do so, the future will be better than the past. This improvement will occur not despite problems, but because problems create opportunities for innovation and improvement.

    74. Bittersweet: How Sorrow and Longing Make Us Whole by Susan Cain

    Goodreads.com star rating = 3.97/5

    Cain explores how sorrow and longing contribute to human wholeness, challenging Western culture’s obsession with positivity. She shows how embracing the bittersweet in life—the mix of joy and sadness—leads to deeper creativity, connection, and meaning.

    What makes it special: It beautifully defends emotional depth. It validates melancholy and sensitivity as sources of strength. These are seen as strengths rather than weaknesses.

    Perfect for: Sensitive people who feel “too emotional.” It’s great for creatives drawing from personal struggles. Anyone grieving will find it helpful. Those sceptical of toxic positivity will also benefit.

    Key takeaway: Life’s most profound experiences and greatest achievements often come from our capacity to feel deeply. We must embrace complexity and transform our longing and pain into something meaningful and beautiful. The goal isn’t constant happiness but rather a rich, authentic engagement with the full spectrum of human experience.

    73. Talking to Strangers: What We Should Know About the People We Don’t Know by Malcolm Gladwell

    Goodreads.com star rating = 3.99/5

    Gladwell reveals why we’re bad at understanding people we don’t know. He explores our “default to truth” bias and the myth of transparency. Through cases like Sandra Bland and Amanda Knox, he shows how misreading strangers can have tragic consequences.

    What makes it special: It challenges assumptions about reading people. It emphasizes the importance of context over character judgments. This has profound implications for law enforcement and cross-cultural communication.

    Perfect for: Psychology enthusiasts, professionals in law enforcement or criminal justice, people working across cultures, and fans of true crime.

    Key takeaway: Our evolved psychological mechanisms for dealing with strangers are poorly adapted to modern life. As a result, we systematically misunderstand others. Recognising these limitations can help us make better decisions and avoid tragic mistakes when encountering people we don’t know.

    72. At Home: A Short History of Private Life by Bill Bryson

    Goodreads.com star rating = 3.99/5

    Bryson takes readers on a room-by-room journey through domestic life, revealing the extraordinary histories behind ordinary things. He examines everything from beds to salt to staircases. He shows how our homes reflect broader social, technological, and economic changes throughout history. This is all delivered with his signature wit and humour.

    What makes it special: It makes history accessible and entertaining by focusing on the familiar. It reveals how recent many “basic” comforts really are. Bryson’s engaging, ironic tone transforms learning about mundane topics like dust, sewage, and wallpaper into an oddly addictive experience.

    Perfect for: Curious learners who enjoy witty nonfiction. History buffs interested in domestic life. Teachers and trivia fans seeking memorable anecdotes. Anyone renovating or obsessed with homes who wants historical context for their spaces.

    Key takeaway: We take for granted the comfort and privacy in modern homes. These conveniences are incredibly recent innovations. For most of human history, even the wealthy lived in conditions we’d consider uncomfortable, unsafe, and unsanitary.

    71. The Year I Met My Brain: A Travel Companion for Adults Who Have Just Found Out They Have ADHD by Matilda Boseley

    Goodreads.com star rating = 4.00/5

    Boseley’s memoir explores adult ADHD diagnosis, particularly in high-functioning women who often mask their struggles. She shows how getting diagnosed provided relief and self-understanding rather than defeat, challenging stereotypes about neurodivergence.

    What makes it special: It provides an honest and relatable account of late ADHD diagnosis. This reduces stigma and offers hope for adults who’ve struggled with shame and self-criticism.

    Perfect for: Adults suspecting they have ADHD, recently diagnosed individuals, high-achievers feeling perpetually unsettled, and mental health professionals.

    Key takeaway: Receiving an adult ADHD diagnosis can be overwhelming and life-changing. However, with research, understanding, and practical strategies, it can also be empowering. It can lead to better self-awareness and life management. The book combines personal experience with practical advice for others on similar journeys.

    Stay tuned for the next installment in the countdown next week…

    Dr Damon Ashworth

    Clinical Psychologist