Must Read Non-Fiction For February 2025

Wealth. Stability. Freedom. Hard work is often not enough to achieve these universal goals. Rashad Bilal and Troy Millings know the systemic barriers that keep those who are hustling from achieving their dreams and it’s now their mission to level the playing field. For the first time since having built a multimillion following for their Earn Your Leisure platform, including legendary entrepreneurs from Tyler Perry to Patricia Bright, they reveal their game plan for financial freedom.

Laying out financial, investment and entrepreneurial lessons alongside tools for harnessing your ambition, this book breaks down the strategies for creating wealth and building a lasting legacy. From overcoming financial trauma and navigating familial expectations to earning enough to be in control, this is a first-of-its-kind guide to mastering the money game, whether you grew up knowing the rules or not.

Hailed as the Queen of Creativity, Julia Cameron is the authority on artistic wisdom and has transformed the lives of millions around the world. Guiding readers to the heart of their practice, here she presents her indispensable Artist’s Way toolkit of Morning Pages, Artist Dates, Walks and Guidance, along with never-before-seen insights and affirmations designed to spark purpose.

Laying out the Artist’s Way philosophy into a precise and accessible collection of ready-to-use steps, readers will access their inner voice, experience deeper intuition and ultimately meet themselves – and others – on the pathway to self-discovery. Used together as part of a spiritual practice, these tools form the bedrock of artistic expression and illuminate the way for any creative journey.

A compelling insight into how our imagination works, based on the latest scientific research

People often think of imagination as something used only in creative endeavours. In fact, we use imagination constantly as we reminisce, anticipate, plan, daydream, read, create imagined worlds. The truth is we live in the here and now much less than we tend to think. Imagination isn’t the exception in our daily lives; it’s our default setting. Yet only now are we beginning to understand exactly how it works.

From hallucination to sleepwalking, from REM sleep to delusions, neurologist Adam Zeman brilliantly guides us through the latest scientific studies in the world of the imagination. He draws on research in neuroscience, the study of human origins and child development to show how the human brain is above all else a creative, imaginative organ – and that we have evolved to share what we imagine.

Our brains behave in strikingly similar ways when we observe, remember, imagine or act. Imagine looking at a cube and your eye will trace the contours of the cube as if you were actually seeing it. Yet it turns out that people differ hugely in their imaginative experience. Some people lack sensory imagery altogether – they would be unable to picture their family if asked to – but still lead fulfilling, even highly creative, lives.

From how we visualise to how we understand the minds of others, from the benefits of play to mental disorders, The Shape of Things Unseen dazzles and delights. It is an essential guide to the latest discoveries about the workings of the human mind.

Coming February 2025

From bestselling author Martha Beck, a new path to overcoming anxiety by awakening the creativity within.

We live in an epidemic of anxiety. Most of us assume that the key to overcoming it is to think our way out. And for a while it works. But there is always something that sends us back into the anxious spiral we’ve been trying to climb out of.

In Beyond Anxiety, Dr Martha Beck explains why anxiety is skyrocketing around you, and likely within you. She also tells you how to not only reduce your anxiety but use it to propel you into a life filled with peace, meaning, and joy.

Using a combination of the latest neuroscience as well as her background in sociology and coaching, Beck explains how our brains tend to get stuck in an ‘anxiety spiral,’ a feedback system that can increase anxiety indefinitely. To climb out, we must engage different parts of our nervous system – the parts involved in creativity. Beck provides instructions for engaging the ‘creativity spiral,’ in a process that not only shuts down anxiety but leads to innovative problem solving, a sense of meaning and purpose, and joyful, intimate connection with others – and with the world.

The opposite of anxiety, it turns out, is a wonderful new way of life – one that can calm and inspire us as individuals and help us become a source of healing for everything around us.

Coming February 2025

Motherland is a ground-breaking exploration of African culture and identity, told via Luke Pepera’s journey through 500,000 years of history to connect with his extraordinary heritage. Pepera tackles the questions many people of African descent ask – Who are we? Where do we come from? What defines us? And how might knowledge of deep history affect our understanding of our identity?

With illuminating examples, Pepera explores aspects of African identity from nomadic culture to matriarchal society. We meet an array of intriguing characters including Mansa Musa, the wealthiest man who ever lived, and the Kandake Queen Amanirenas, who defeated the Romans in Nubia. We learn how the response to the actor Chadwick Boseman’s death demonstrated Yoruba beliefs about ancestral veneration, and how the rap battle evolved from earlier forms of African oral literature.

Interwoven with Luke’s own experiences of exploring his Ghanaian family history, this is a comprehensive, relevant and beautifully told account of the stories that have shaped Africa.

Optimism, irrational though it might be, is central to the human psyche: it seems to give us an advantage both in everyday life and in the evolutionary race.

What does Ernest Shackleton’s Antarctic expedition have in common with the chicken that crossed the road? Or James Baldwin’s campaign for civil rights with the development of AI? Or even Crossrail and George Bush’s ‘mission accomplished’?

The Bright Side makes a vital and transformative new argument: that optimism is not only the natural state of humanity, but an essential one. Without optimism we would never have survived the unpredictable – and often hostile – world we evolved into. Yet optimism is not reserved for times of extremity. Its benefits manifest throughout our everyday lives: our relationships, careers, bodies and minds. And it will play a critical role in overcoming the challenges of the twenty-first century.

In this book, astrophysicist-turned-journalist Sumit-Paul Choudhury offers practical suggestions on what it really takes to be an optimist today and, in doing so, provides a powerful manifesto for hope and a much-needed new perspective on our prospects. He shows how, by embracing action, imagination and possibility, we can find a path to the bright side, even – perhaps especially – when the future seems dark.

Both realistic and revolutionary, The Bright Side is a guidebook for troubled times that will make you re-evaluate your habits and outlook.

Coming Soon – February 2025

A collection of one-on-one discussions with 40 of the world’s greatest thought and action leaders and prominent philanthropic figures.

THE BUSINESS OF PHILANTHROPY features diverse insights into the power of strategic philanthropy to inform, inspire and mobilise the next generation of social innovators in their pursuit of positive social and environmental impact.

In conversation with social entrepreneur Badr Jafar, philanthropic leaders including Bill Gates, Baroness Valerie Amos, Kristalina Georgieva, David Miliband, Razan Al Mubarak and many more discuss their hopes and priorities for the world of today and tomorrow. Their insights shed new light on the increasingly important role that strategic philanthropy is playing in helping to address some of the world’s greatest challenges.

In a world that is confronting a host of grave interconnected risks, this book reveals fresh perspectives on old and new problems, and provides a much-needed infusion of hope and optimism in our collective capacity to meet this historic moment.

Life can feel overwhelming, but it doesn’t have to be.

Today’s fast-paced world leaves many of us struggling with extreme emotional highs and lows caused by chemical imbalances in our brains, brought on by the pressures of modern life and constant digital connectivity.

In The DOSE Effect, Neuroscientist TJ Power shares how you can reset and balance your brain chemistry with simple, everyday habits to lead a happier, healthier, and more productive life.

Unlock your brain’s four key chemicals and discover the powers of:

DOPAMINE to get motivated and stay driven

OXYTOCIN to build deeper connections with others

SEROTONIN to boost your energy and mood

ENDORPHINS to destress and find calm

TJ’s practical approach and straightforward solutions will guide you on an exciting, action-based journey to optimise your brain chemistry and transform your mental health.

In the #1 New York Times bestseller So You Want To Talk About Race, Ijeoma Oluo offered a vital guide for how to talk about important issues of race and racism in society. In Mediocre: The Dangerous Legacy of White Male America, she discussed the ways in which white male supremacy has had an impact on our systems, our culture, and our lives throughout American history. But now that we better understand these systems of oppression, the question is this: What can we do about them?

With Be A Revolution: How Everyday People are Fighting Oppression and Changing the World—and How You Can, Too, Oluo aims to show how people across America are working to create real positive change in our structures. Looking at many of our most powerful systems—like education, media, labor, health, housing, policing, and more—she highlights what people are doing to create change for intersectional racial equity. She also illustrates various ways in which the reader can find entryways into change in these same areas, or can bring some of this important work being done elsewhere to where they live.

This book aims to not only be educational, but to inspire action and change. Oluo wishes to take our conversations on race and racism out of a place of pure pain and trauma, and into a place of loving action. Be A Revolution is both an urgent chronicle of this important moment in history, as well as an inspiring and restorative call for action.

What you eat doesn’t just impact you – it shapes the world around you.

Wonderfully enlightening and engagingly written. Dr Idz

If you are looking at ways to combat the exploitation of the planet this book is for you. Rhiannon Lambert

Well Fed is a vital tool in the ongoing battle against nutrition misinformation. Robbie Lockie, Plant Based News

In this book, you’ll discover the root cause of all psychological and emotional suffering and how to achieve freedom of mind to effortlessly create the life you’ve always wanted to live.

Although pain is inevitable, suffering is optional.

This book offers a completely new paradigm and understanding of where our human experience comes from, allowing us to end our own suffering and create how we want to feel at any moment.

We all want to be happier, but our brains often get in the way. When we’re too stuck in our heads we obsess over our inadequacies, compare ourselves with others and fail to see the good in our lives.

In The Science of Happiness, world-leading psychologist and happiness expert Bruce Hood demonstrates that the key to happiness is not self-care but connection. He presents seven simple but life-changing lessons to break negative thought patterns and re-connect with the things that really matter.

Alter Your Ego
Avoid Isolation
Reject Negative Comparisons
Become More Optimistic
Control Your Attention
Connect With Others
Get Out of Your Own Head
 
Grounded in decades of studies in neuroscience and developmental psychology, this book tells a radical new story about the roots of wellbeing and the obstacles that lie in our path. With clear, practical takeaways throughout, Professor Hood demonstrates how we can all harness the findings of this science to re-wire our thinking and transform our lives.

The arts can deliver potent, accessible and proven solutions for the wellbeing of everyone.

In this book, Magsamen and Ross offer compelling research that shows how engaging in an art project for as little as forty-five minutes reduces the stress hormone cortisol and just one art experience per month can extend your life by ten years. This can be anything from painting and dancing to expressive writing, architecture and more – no matter your skill level.

Your Brain on Art is an authoritative guide to how neuroaesthetics can help us transform traditional healing, build healthier communities and mend an aching planet.

Demystify the world of artificial intelligence with this groundbreaking guide featuring over 100 innovative ways to incorporate AI into your daily life.

Every day, it seems like there’s a new AI tool on the market and a new, complicated way to use it. But what if you could use AI to make your life easier without the complications?

In AI for Life, AI expert and creator of @SmartWorkAI offers over 100 ideas and ready-to-use prompts to get AI beginners started using the technology to actually improve their lives. Beginning with a primer on the basics—including an overview of the popular and free AI tools—you will learn expert-tested tips and tricks to get the most out of your AI use, such as layering prompts to dive deeper into an initial response or asking for the output in different formats.

Packed with practical how-to information, AI for Life is the must-have guide for using generative AI to make life easier, more productive, more organized, and more fun!

From calls to arms to demands for peace, and from cries of freedom to words of inspiration, this stirring anthology captures the voices of prophets and politicians, rebels and tyrants, soldiers and statesman, placing them in historical context.

With over a million copies already sold, this completely revised and updated pocket edition includes speeches by those that have truly shaped the modern world: from Greta Thunberg to Donald Trump, and from Nadia Murad to Oprah Winfrey. A biography of each speaker reveals how they came to stand at the crossroads of history, and each speech is accompanied by an introduction explaining its historical context and how it influenced the momentous events of the day – as well as those that followed.

By turns moving and thought-provoking, this new edition reveals a modern world in which freedom of speech remains a powerful agent of change – and gives unique perspectives on key turning points in history.

arenting can be hard. Parenting a neurodivergent child in a neurotypical world can be even harder. But know you are not alone – all the reassurance, guidance and support you need is right here. Sarah Hayden, social worker, mother and neurodivergent human herself, helps you unlearn everything you thought you needed to know about parenting neurodivergent kids.

Covering everything from autism presentation, diagnosis, family life, siblings, schooling and puberty to therapy, food and everything in between, Sarah provides new ideas and practical tools on how to support your child to be their best and authentic self. She also shares the story of her daughter Chloé Hayden’s journey to receiving an autism diagnosis, how that transformed her own expectations and parenting, and how a family’s love ensured their child had a place in the world where the spotlight was on their strengths rather than their perceived ‘deficits’.

With warmth, humour and just a little bit of sparkle, Parenting Different shows you how to help your neurodivergent child not just survive but thrive in a neurotypical world.

Coming February 2025

A 28-day plan to help you achieve ketosis easily and enjoy the benefits of a keto lifestyle.

Embarking on a new diet can be daunting, especially if it means drastically changing what you eat and having to cook with ingredients that might be unfamiliar to you. 28 Days Keto takes the stress out of dieting, helping you to transition to ketosis and enjoy all the benefits that the keto diet brings.

An introduction to the keto diet, this book includes everything you need to know, from the science behind the diet and keto-friendly ingredients to meal plans, shopping lists and easy-to-follow advice.

To help make the transition easier, 28 Days Keto has 28 full days of recipes, from breakfast to dinner, and a shopping list for every week – healthier decisions don’t have to be difficult. With snacks, drinks, and basics included, everything is covered to make the transition to a keto diet achievable and effortless.

Best-selling author/illustrator Marion Deuchars now takes her beloved bird through a daily workout in the natural sequel to Yoga for Stiff Birds.

Marion Deuchars perfectly understands the difficult relationship some of us have with our daily fitness routine. In How to be a Fit Bird she raises a smile and brings levity to our workouts, using Bob the bird to see us through a number of routines: from holistic ten-minute workouts to more specific sessions focusing on particular parts of the body.

Breathe. Write. Plan. Take a mindful moment and reboot your wellbeing with this simple, guided journal.

Take just three minutes in the morning and in the evening to overhaul your mindset and reboot your wellbeing. This beautiful journal will show you how to create healthy and happy habits and help you to make time for yourself every day. You don’t need lots of experience or a complicated toolkit to kickstart a mindfulness routine – you just need to set aside a few minutes each day to commit to your own self-care, and the rest will follow.

Learn how to pause on the stuff of life and take a mindful moment to reflect on what’s important to you. With simple guided activities interwoven throughout, including mindfulness exercises, this thoughtfully crafted journal shows you that taking a few minutes each day to check in on yourself can have a lasting impact on your overall wellbeing, and help you to feel calm, relaxed and restored.

A stunning spiritual toolkit for Ramadan and beyond, to build healthy new habits and strengthen existing practices.

This stunning illustrated journal is an opportunity for you to (re)connect with your faith and help you explore themes and concepts such as compassion, self-awareness, mindfulness, acceptance and commitment.

Written by psychotherapist Humza Khan, this handy journal features an array of mindful activities and exercises to help you to prepare for Ramadan, as well as offering simple yet effective strategies to use throughout the holy month and beyond. This is your spiritual toolkit to help you to develop your discipline, build on what Ramadan entails, and work towards a more mindful approach to your faith.

Foolproof Microwave offers 60 innovative recipes to transform work lunches and student dinners.

Microwaves are a staple piece of kitchen kit at work home, and university. Better yet, they’re reliable, efficient and cheap to run, meaning that you can have lunch sorted in minutes. With 60 delicious, easy recipes, and all the tips and tricks you need to get the most out of this humble appliance, Foolproof Microwave is here to save you from sad lunches and transform meals on-the-go.

From breakfast mug muffins to noodle soups and even brownies, cookies and cakes, Foolproof Microwave delivers 60 mouth-watering recipes you won’t believe were cooked in a microwave.

Get more plants on your plate, with 60 veggie-friendly air fryer recipes.

Elevate your most-loved vegetables with this foolproof kitchen gadget. Whether you’re cooking for the family or need to easily cater for a vegetarian guest, Foolproof Veggie Air Fryer reveals just how simple it is to create satisfying dishes in little time and with zero fuss.

From snacks to light bites, sides to mains, and even sweet treats, within this book you’ll find a huge variety of quick and straightforward meals that make the most of this must-have appliance. With step-by-step instructions and a photo for every recipe, packing flavour and texture into these inventive vegetarian and vegan dishes is effortless.