It's early in 2021 and already a number of new psychology books are out with many more in the pipeline. We've selected those that have come to our attention below. When Brains Dream is an eyeopening account of what to make of your dreams, based on the latest scientific research. (If you're interested in sleep the authors, both sleep research scientists—one at the University of Montreal and the other at Harvard Medical School—also recommend Why We Sleep, the bestselling 2017 book by Professor Matthew Walker, a neuroscientist and psychologist at UC Berkeley).
Some books—like Daniel Kahneman's Thinking, Fast and Slow—have a big impact because of the quirks of the human brain they reveal that make us think about our own thinking. Neuroscientist Stephen Fleming's book on metacognition (thinking about thinking), may be in that league.
We are lucky to live in an age when talking about mental health struggles is no longer taboo, and a book by Horatio Clare, a wonderful British travel writer, out in March, is all about his struggle with manic depression. It's called Heavy Light: A Journey Through Madness, Mania and Healing. Also worth reading is a book from late last year by American philosopher John Kaag. It's about pioneering psychologist William James and his struggle to find meaning in life.
7½ Lessons About the Brain
by Lisa Feldman Barrett
7½ Lessons About the Brain falls into that most wonderful of modern book genres, the 'neuroscience beach read.' Published in the US in 2020, the beautiful UK edition is not out until March, 2021. Lisa Feldman Barrett, a leading psychologist and neuroscientist, spoke to us about books about emotions. Lisa Feldman Barrett narrates the audiobook of 7½ Lessons About the Brain herself and immediately had us hooked.
Hard to Break: Why Our Brains Make Habits Stick
by Russell Poldrack
In Hard to Break: Why Our Brains Make Habits Stick, Stanford psychologist Russell Poldrack explains the science that makes us unable to give up bad habits even when we really want to. He also offers some possible solutions.
Heavy Light: A Journey Through Madness, Mania and Healing
by Horatio Clare
Memoirist and bestselling travel writer Horatio Clare tells his story of what it was like to go mad, in what looks to be a heartbreaking, funny and invaluable look at what it's like to live with manic depression.
When Brains Dream: Exploring the Science and Mystery of Sleep
by Antonio Zadra & Robert Stickgold
In When Brains Dream Tony Zadra, a professor at the University of Montreal, and Bob Stickgold, a professor at Harvard Medical School, bring us up to date on what the latest scientific research says about dream and dreaming. It's written in a very friendly style—almost as if you had met them at a drinks party and they were telling you all about their research—and it's a real eyeopener.
Sick Souls, Healthy Minds: How William James Can Save Your Life
by John Kaag
William James, one of the founders of pragmatism and empirical psychology, struggled with the question of what made life worth living. In this book, philosopher John Kaag—who spoke to us about the best books of American philosophy—explains how James's ideas can help those of us who struggle with the same question.
Know Thyself: The Science of Self-Awareness
by Stephen Fleming
Know Thyself: The Science of Self-Awareness by cognitive neuroscientist Stephen Fleming looks set to be one of the must-reads of 2021. Scientific, philosophical, and practical, it sheds lights on 'metacognition'—our thoughts about thoughts and the importance of self-awareness to almost anything we embark on.
