River Town is a travel memoir that follows Peter Hessler’s two years as a Peace Corps volunteer in Fuling, China. Balancing observations of daily life with reflections on history, culture, and society, this book is ideal for readers who want travel writing that is reflective, immersive, and more than just anecdotal storytelling.
Why We Sleep is a deep dive into the science of sleep, showing just how vital it is for our physical and mental health. Walker makes complex research accessible, explaining everything from circadian rhythms to memory consolidation. Even if some claims feel overstated, the book makes one thing undeniably clear: prioritizing sleep is essential.
On Writing blends Stephen King’s personal history with hard-earned lessons about the writing process. King’s journey, from rejection letters and financial struggle to literary success, reveals the persistence, discipline, and sheer work behind mastery. More than advice, the book offers a rare window into how a true professional lives their craft.
The Art of Spending Money explores how understanding your values and making intentional choices matters more than income. With approachable writing, short chapters, and relatable stories, the book encourages readers to consciously design their lives rather than defaulting to societal expectations.
In the Shadow of Man is a groundbreaking work that transformed how we understand humanity itself. Goodall documented chimpanzee social behaviors, tool use, and complex societies, while reflecting on the wonders of life on Earth. A mix between field notebook and personal narrative, this book continues to cement Goodall’s legacy.
The 5 Types of Wealth challenges the conventional measures of success, showing that fulfillment comes from balancing Time, Social, Mental, Physical, and Financial wealth rather than chasing income or titles alone. Bloom offers tools to help readers rethink their “scoreboard” and align daily choices with long-term happiness.
Polyglot is the memoir of Kató Lomb, who mastered 16 languages at a time when linguistics was largely confined to diplomats. Her stories, from secretly studying Russian to navigating postwar diplomacy, capture the adventure of bridging cultures in a turbulent era. While some of her advice feels dated, the book is a fascinating glimpse into language before modern tools and theory.
Can’t Hurt Me is a raw, no-holds-barred memoir. Through extreme challenges from Navy SEAL Hell Week to ultramarathons, Goggins shows that real growth comes from embracing discomfort. It’s intense and unapologetic, but its core message is timeless: don’t make excuses, push yourself, and face life head-on.
Travel as Transformation is a reflective exploration of how travel can break the autopilot of daily life and challenge the cultural assumptions we inherit. Short and idea-driven, the book is less about narrative and more about sparking self-reflection around identity and conscious life design.
The Heart That Bleeds by Alma Guillermoprieto
The Heart That Bleeds is a series of investigative portraits of Latin America. Guillermoprieto, an award-winning journalist for The New Yorker, travels through Colombia, Mexico, Peru, Argentina, and beyond, capturing the lives and struggles of the people she meets. Both journalistic and lyrical, the book offers insight into a pivotal period in the region’s history.
Man’s Search for Meaning by Viktor Frankl
Man’s Search for Meaning is a profound reflection on surviving extreme suffering and discovering purpose in life. Frankl draws on his experiences in Nazi concentration camps to explore the psychology of hope, responsibility, and the human capacity to find meaning even under the harshest conditions.
The Stoic Virtues Series by Ryan Holiday
The Stoic Virtues Series is a modern exploration of ancient wisdom. Each book focuses on a single virtue — courage, temperance, justice, or wisdom — and makes philosophy tangible, showing that principles are not just abstract ideas but actionable ways to live.