This year shows mindfulness’s ever-increasing influence, particularly as applied to the workplace. The organic, all-natural movement also continues to grow, and breathing (which might seem intuitive) receives numerous treatments as well.
Top 10
Cosy: The British Art of Comfort
Laura Weir. HarperOne, Nov. 5, $19.99, ISBN 978-0-06-294816-8
The editor-in-chief of the London Evening Standard’s weekly ES Magazine introduces American readers to British coziness by celebrating socks, open fires, and the virtues of quiet walks.
The Crying Book
Heather Christle. Catapult, Nov. 5, $23, ISBN 978-1-948226-44-8
Poet Christle meditates on crying—including the history of tear-catching gadgets, the science behind animal tears, and the fraught role of tears as a response to violence.
Everything I Need to Know I Learned from Mister Rogers’ Neighborhood: Wonderful Wisdom from Everyone’s Favorite Neighbor
Melissa Wagner and Fred Rogers Productions, illus. by Max Dalton. Clarkson Potter, Sept. 17, trade paper, $15, ISBN 978-1-984826-44-2
Wagner, a friend of and coauthor with the late Rogers, pulls wisdom from Rogers’s popular TV show on such topics as kindness, empathy, self-care, respect, and love.
Finding Meaning: The Sixth Stage of Grief
David Kessler. Scribner, Nov. 5, $26, ISBN 978-1-5011-9273-9
Grief counselor Kessler follows up 2004’s On Grief and Grieving (cowritten with Elisabeth Kübler-Ross) with a book proposing a sixth stage to the classic five stages of grief: meaning.
Good Habits, Bad Habits: The Science of Making Positive Changes That Stick
Wendy Wood. Farrar, Straus and Giroux, Oct. 1, $27, ISBN 978-1-250-15907-6
Wood, a USC psychology professor, draws on current neuroscience research and her own experiments to dissect habit formation and demonstrate how to form better habits.
Grit & Grace: Train the Mind, Train the Body, Own Your Life
Tim McGraw. Harper Wave, Nov. 5, $29.99, ISBN 978-0-06-291593-1
The Grammy Award–winning singer melds his personal fitness transformation story with practical advice about staying fit—both in mind and body.
Metahuman: Unleashing Your Infinite Potential
Deepak Chopra. Harmony, Oct. 1, $27, ISBN 978-0-307-33833-4
Chopra argues that great artists, scientists, and writers, as well as so-called ordinary people, have attained higher states of consciousness and outlines ways readers can liberate themselves.
The Moves That Matter: A Chess Grandmaster on the Game of Life
Jonathan Rowson. Bloomsbury, Nov. 5, $26, ISBN 978-1-63557-332-9
Chess grandmaster Rowson looks at chess’s arcane rules and complex logic as a microcosm of life, mining the psychologically charged world of chess’s global elite to reveal insights into sustaining focus, making tough decisions, and overcoming failure.
The Power of Nunchi: The Korean Secret to Happiness and Success
Euny Hong. Penguin Books, Nov. 5, $22, ISBN 978-0-14-313446-6
Journalist Hong explains nunchi, the Korean sixth sense for winning friends and influencing people. She explores how understanding this particular ability can help readers connect with others, succeed in business, and find love.
Respect: Everything a Guy Needs to Know About Sex, Love, and Consent
Inti Chavez Perez. Penguin Books, Aug. 27, trade paper, $16, ISBN 978-0-14-313425-1
Chavez Perez, a Swedish sex educator and advisory council member of the Swedish Agency for Youth and Civil Society, helps men navigate sex, relationships, and consent in the 21st century.
Listings: Body, Mind & Spirit
Bear & Co.
Mysteries of the Tayos Caves: The Lost Civilizations Where the Andes Meet the Amazon by Alex Chionetti (Dec. 10, trade paper, $20, ISBN 978-1-59143-356-9) examines the legends and mysteries associated with this cavern complex in the Ecuadorian Amazon rain forest, exploring architectural details, claims of curses, and the indigenous people, the Shuar, for whom the caves are sacred.
DK
Dreams: Unlock Inner Wisdom, Discover Meaning, and Refocus Your Life by Rosie March-Smith (Oct. 15, $25, ISBN 978-1-4654-8241-9) teaches readers how to interpret dreams and use the unconscious mind as a tool for self-help.
Dutton
Awakening in the Dream: Contact with the Divine by David Wilcock (Aug. 20, $29.95, ISBN 978-1-5247-4202-7). Filmmaker Wilcock explores extraterrestrials and UFOs using messages he believes are channeled from angelic sources.
Leaping Hare
Mindfulness at Work: Flourishing in the Workplace by Maria Arpa (Oct. 1, trade paper, $11.99, ISBN 978-1-78240-934-2). Mediator and counselor Arpa shares professional and personal insights into the ways mindfulness can be incorporated into the workplace to reduce conflict, find contentment, and develop an environment where harmony and clarity rule.
Llewellyn
Morbid Magic: Death Spirituality and Culture from Around the World by Tomas Prower (Sept. 8, trade paper, $19.99, ISBN 978-0-7387-6061-2). Mortician Prower combines personal anecdotes with stories, spells, and prayers associated with death from a variety of cultures and religions.
O-Books
Ancient Teachings for Modern Times: The Way to a Rich and Deeply Satisfying Life by Peta Morton (Dec. 1, trade paper, $18.95, ISBN 978-1-78904-083-8) shares spiritual wisdom from a diverse array of timeless traditions for personal development and well-being.
Diary of a Death Doula: 25 Lessons the Dying Teach Us about the Afterlife by Debra Diamond (Oct. 25, trade paper, $18.95, ISBN 978-1-78904-184-2). A psychic medium and near-death experience researcher presents the story of her work in hospice care, revealing 25 life lessons from those at the threshold of death.
Running Press
Buddha’s Office: The Ancient Art of Waking Up While Working Well by Dan Zigmond (Dec. 3, $18, ISBN 978-0-7624-9458-3). The author of Buddha’s Diet shows how the wisdom of the Buddha can apply to work life.
Sounds True
Rewilding: Meditations, Practices, and Skills for Awakening in Nature by Micah Mortali (Dec. 3, trade paper, $17.95, ISBN 978-1-68364-325-8). The director of the Kripalu schools combines elements from yoga and Buddhist traditions with outdoors skills to help readers reconnect with their primal energy and awaken bonds with the natural world.
Tarcherperigee
Nightmareland: Travels at the Borders of Sleep, Dreams, and Wakefulness by Lex “Lonehood” Nover (Oct. 8, trade paper, $18, ISBN 978-0-14-313284-4). The former web producer for the late night radio show Coast to Coast AM delves into sleep disorders and unusual dream states, exploring both scientific explanations (paralysis, parasomnias) and paranormal possibilities (visits by an incubus, alien abduction, and psychic attacks).
Weiser
Astrology for Real Life: A Workbook for Beginners (a No B.S. Guide for the Astro-Curious) by Theresa Reed (Oct. 1, trade paper, $16.95, ISBN 978-1-57863-656-3) presents in workbook format each part of astrological chart interpretation—signs, planets, houses, and aspects. Exercises and lessons aim to equip readers with skills to interpret their chart and use astrology in proactive ways.
Health & Fitness
American Academy of Pediatrics
Family Fit Plan: A 30-Day Wellness Transformation by Natalie Digate Muth (Jan. 14, trade paper, $16.95, ISBN 978-1-61002-338-2). The pediatrician and obesity medicine physician helps families kick-start a health and wellness plan to create lasting improvements in nutrition, fitness, sleep, stress, and screen-use habits.
Benbella
The Joyful Vegan: Staying Vegan in a World That Wants You to Eat Meat, Dairy, and Eggs by Colleen Patrick-Goudreau (Nov. 12, trade paper, $16.95, ISBN 978-1-948836-46-3). The host of the podcast Food for Thought addresses social, cultural, and emotional aspects of veganism: defending one’s eating choices, being aware of animal suffering, and feeling pressure to be perfect.
Chelsea Green
The Power of Fastercise: Using the New Science of Signaling Exercise to Get Surprisingly Fit in Just a Few Minutes a Day by Denis Wilson
(Oct. 29, trade paper, $20, ISBN 978-1-60358-899-7) explains Wilson’s technique of using brief, strategically timed bursts of exercise to cancel hunger pangs.
Citadel
The Vagina Bible by Jen Gunter (Aug. 27, trade paper, $18.95, ISBN 978-0-8065-3931-7). An ob-gyn and New York Times columnist offers facts about the vagina and vulva to combat misinformation.
Flatiron
How Not to Diet: The Groundbreaking Science of Healthy, Permanent Weight Loss by Michael Greger (Dec. 10, $32.50, ISBN 978-1-250-19922-5). Nutritionist and physician Greger explicates how understanding calorie density, the insulin index, and the impact of foods on the gut microbiome can revitalize one’s health and help readers lose weight.
Gaia
The Little Book of Breathing: Breathe Your Way to a Happier and Healthier Life by Una L. Tudor (Sept. 3, trade paper, $8.99, ISBN 978-1-85675-396-8) combines techniques, exercises, and advice for eliminating stress and bringing peace through the power of breathing.
Grand Central
The Align Method: 5 Easy Steps to Transform Your Posture, Age-Proof Your Body, and Sharpen Your Mind by Aaron Alexander (Nov. 19, $28, ISBN 978-1-5387-1614-4).The host of The Align podcast explains movement techniques inspired by yoga, martial arts, and chiropractics to help readers tone muscles, increase metabolism, and reduce anxiety.
Morrow
Bosh! How to Live Vegan by Ian Theasby and Henry David Firth (Sept. 17, $22.99, ISBN 978-0-06-296990-3) elucidates veganism and how to live a vegan lifestyle, describing plant-based food, clothing, and toiletry options.
Square One
Take a Deep Breath: A Simple Exercise Guide to Increasing Your Oxygen Intake by Meera Patricia Kerr and Sandra A. McLanahan (Oct. 8, trade paper, $16.95, ISBN 978-0-7570-0481-0). Health writer Kerr and physician McLanahan team up in this work of breathing exercises meant to help readers overcome stress and increase mental clarity.
St. Martin’s Essentials
Breathing for Warriors: Rediscover the Lost Art of Breathing to Unlock the True Potential of Your Body and Mind by Belisa Vranich (Jan. 7, trade paper, $18.99, ISBN 978-1-250-30822-1). A clinical psychologist, Vranich surveys how breathing has helped martial artists, spearfishermen, and Navy SEALs perform elite physical tasks, and offers ways for readers to incorporate their techniques.
Viking
The Nature Cure: A Doctor’s Guide to the Science of Natural Medicine by Andreas Michalsen (Aug. 6, $28, ISBN 978-0-525-56127-9). A professor of clinical complementary medicine at the Charité University Medical Center Berlin explores the power and potential of natural medicine.
Home & Hobbies
Clarkson Potter
Bibliostyle: How We Live at Home with Books by Nina Freudenberger and Sadie Stein, photos by Shade Degges (Oct. 22, $35, ISBN 978-0-525-57544-3). Interior designer Freudenberger, writer Stein, and photographer Degges peek into the private libraries and bookshelves of passionate readers, including Larry McMurtry, Gay and Nan Talese, and Emma Straub.
Hardie Grant
Less Stuff: Simple Zero-Waste Steps to a Joyful and Clutter-Free Life by Lindsay Miles (Aug. 6, trade paper, $19.99, ISBN 978-1-74379-544-6) instructs readers to repurpose and recycle in order to free existing resources and reclaim homes with less guilt.
Laurence King
Dorodango: The Japanese Art of Making Mud Balls by Bruce Gardner (Sept. 24, $16.99, ISBN 978-1-78627-498-4) covers how to make and finish Japanese shiny mud balls, created by rolling earth by hand into a perfect sphere and polishing it, from a master dorodango maker.
Rizzoli
In Comfort and Style: Rooms with Casual Elegance by Estee Stanley (Sept. 17, $45, ISBN 978-0-8478-6533-8). The Los Angeles celebrity-home interior designer debuts with a guide explaining her decorating style, which mixes tailored, lived-in pieces with airy spaces.
Schiffer
What Makes a Potter: Functional Pottery in America Today by Janet Koplos (Oct. 28, $34.99, ISBN 978-0-7643-5811-1). Art critic Koplos profiles 50 individuals or pairs of potters working in ceramics to offer a portrait of contemporary American pottery.
Yale Univ.
The Country House Library by Mark Purcell (Sept. 3, trade paper, $35, ISBN 978-0-300-24868-5) surveys British and Irish country house libraries.
Self-Help
Abrams Image
Small Doses: Potent Truths for Everyday Use by Amanda Seales (Oct. 22, $26, ISBN 978-1-4197-3450-2). The comedian, writer, and actor blends academic intellectualism, African-American colloquialisms, and pop culture fanaticism in this volume of essays, axioms, illustrations, and photos.
Algonquin
Our Wild Calling: How Connecting with Animals Can Transform Our Lives—And Save Theirs by Richard Louv (Nov. 5, $27.95, ISBN 978-1-61620-560-7) explores how humans’ encounters and relationships with other animals influence mental and physical health and strengthen resolve to protect other species.
Andrews McMeel
Believe in Yourself and Do What You Love by Kate James (Sept. 24, $21, ISBN 978-1-5248-5090-6) guides readers through a series of 50 simple steps meant to aid in realizing goals and discovering one’s purpose in life.
Chicken Soup for the Soul
Chicken Soup for the Soul: The Forgiveness Fix: 101 Stories about Putting the Past in the Past by Amy Newmark (Nov. 5, trade paper, $14.95, ISBN 978-1-61159-994-7) tells stories of those who have changed their life through forgiveness.
Conari
20 Things I Know for Sure: Principles for Cultivating a Peaceful Life by Karen Casey (Sept. 1, trade paper, $14.95, ISBN 978-1-57324-744-3) explores loss, unconditional love, security, surrender, powerlessness, peace, strength, and fear through personal stories.
The Experiment
The More or Less Definitive Guide to Self-Care: From A to Z by Anna Borges (Oct. 15, trade paper, $16.95, ISBN 978-1-61519-610-4). A former BuzzFeed health and wellness writer picks the best ideas from her time covering self-help, presenting 200 tips based on physical, mental, social, and spiritual health.
Gallery
Gracefully You by Jenna Dewan (Oct. 22, $29.99, ISBN 978-1-5011-9151-0) shares the actor and dancer’s life experiences and advice on connecting with one’s deeper self and cultivating happiness through hiking, dancing, chanting mantras, and creating a home sanctuary.
Hachette
Everything Isn’t Terrible: Conquer Your Insecurities, Interrupt Your Anxiety, and Finally Calm Down by Kathleen Smith (Dec. 31, $19.99, ISBN 978-0-316-49253-9). The therapist and mental health writer aims to help readers confront anxiety by sharing personal anecdotes and exercises for calming down.
HarperOne
Do the Work: The Unfu*k Yourself Companion for Getting Out of Your Head and into Your Life by Gary John Bishop (Oct. 22, trade paper, $19.99, ISBN 978-0-06-295223-3) expands upon the lessons of the bestselling Unfu*k Yourself to provide readers the tools to identify, explore, and understand self-deprecation and negativity.
Hci
Lead Like Walt: Discover Walt Disney’s Magical Approach to Building Successful Organizations by Pat Williams with Jim Denney (Sept. 3, trade paper, $15.95, ISBN 978-0-7573-2196-2). Williams, cofounder of the Orlando Magic, presents seven virtues he learned from Walt Disney’s example of leadership: vision, communication, emotional intelligence, character, competence, coldness, and servitude.
Houghton Mifflin Harcourt
Tiny Habits: The Small Changes That Change Everything by BJ Fogg (Jan. 7, $28, ISBN 978-0-358-00332-8). Behavioral scientist Fogg reveals how small changes can reform one’s life and that transformation happens when one feels good about successes rather than feeling bad about one’s failures.
Little, Brown Spark
When You Kant Figure It Out, Ask a Philosopher: Timeless Wisdom for Modern Dilemmas by Marie Robert (Nov. 12, $20, ISBN 978-0-316-49252-2) includes advice from Western philosophers, including Epicurus on disconnecting, Nietzsche on getting in shape, and John Stuart Mill on handling bad birthday presents.
New World Library
I Wanted Fries with That: How to Ask for What You Want and Get What You Need by Amy Fish (Oct. 1, trade paper, $15.95, ISBN 978-1-60868-619-3). A former university ombudsman encourages readers to stand up for themselves by complaining effectively.
Plume
The Conscious Closet: The Revolutionary Guide to Looking Good While Doing Good by Elizabeth L. Cline (Aug. 20, trade paper, $16, ISBN 978-1-5247-4430-4). Fashion and environmental journalist Cline shares how readers can pare down their closet by swapping, reselling, and recycling.
Putnam
Failure to Launch: Why Your Twentysomething Hasn’t Grown Up... and What to Do About It by Mark McConville (Jan. 7, $27, ISBN 978-0-525-54218-6). An adolescent psychologist addresses parents of the 2.2 million young adults in America who neither work nor attend school, providing strategies that will help children to find a sense of direction, develop administrative responsibility, and cultivate interdependence.
Rowman & Littlefield
Mindfulness for Chocolate Lovers: A Lighthearted Way to Stress Less and Savor More Each Day by Diane R. Gehart (Sept. 15, trade paper, $19.95, ISBN 978-1-5381-2906-7). Drawing on positive psychology and Eastern wisdom, psychotherapist Gehart identifies efficient, fun ways to increase daily joy.
Running Press
Own Your Weird: An Oddly Effective Way for Finding Happiness in Work, Life, and Love by Jason Zook (Sept. 10, $24, ISBN 978-0-7624-6717-4) explains the entrepreneur’s curious methods—wearing company T-shirts, auctioning his last name (twice), and selling his future—and advises readers to chase big ideas and take big risks.
Simon & Schuster
To Dance with Time: Lessons for the Rest of Your Life by Twyla Tharp (Oct. 8, $27, ISBN 978-1-982101-30-5). The dancer and choreographer provides no-nonsense meditations on how to live with purpose, specifying how she stays motivated to stick to her evolving fitness routine. Exercises aimed at helping readers bring more energy into their everyday lives are included.
Sourcebooks
The Extremely Busy Woman’s Guide to Self-Care: Do Less, Achieve More, and Live the Life You Want by Suzanne Falter (Dec. 3, trade paper, $15.99, ISBN 978-1-4926-9853-1) shares simple suggestions to help women who are struggling to chase career goals while balancing the commitment of raising a family.
Ten Speed
Instant Calm: 2-Minute Meditations to Create a Lifetime of Happy by Karen Salmansohn (Aug. 27, $12.99, ISBN 978-0-399-58289-9) offers two-minute meditations and mindfulness tips to help reduce stress and improve focus, clarity, productivity, and sleep.
Wisdom
The Death of You: A Book for Anyone Who Might Not Live Forever by Miguel Chen, with Rod Meade Sperry (Sept. 17, trade paper, $17.95, ISBN 978-1-61429-574-7). Yoga teacher Chen asks readers to transform their relationship with death by doing away with fear.
Workman
How to Raise a Reader by Pamela Paul and Maria Russo (Sept. 3, $19.95, ISBN 978-1-5235-0530-2). Two New York Times Book Review editors look at ways to develop rituals around reading, build a family library, and engage reluctant readers.
This article has been updated with new bibliographic information.