The books your friend keeps coming back to.
Not a must-read list. Just the books that changed something for one friend, each in a few minutes: what it's about, three ideas that stay and why it inspired. Plus the books by the voices your friend listens to. Read what speaks to you, skip the rest.
SelfBody and mind, first.
- James Nestor · 2020Breath: The New Science of a Lost ArtA journalist's journey into how we breathe, and why slower nose breathing matters.Why it inspired →
- Matthew Walker · 2017Why We SleepA sleep scientist on what sleep does for body and mind, and why we cut it short.Why it inspired →
- Jay Shetty · 2020Think Like a MonkWhat a few years as a monk taught a former business student about a calm, purposeful life.Why it inspired →
- Richard C. Schwartz · 2021No Bad PartsAn introduction to Internal Family Systems: the parts inside us, and the calm Self behind them.Why it inspired →
- Mark Hyman · 2023Young ForeverFood, habits and science on living longer and staying healthy.
- Mark Hyman · 2020Food FixHow our food system affects health, and what to change.
- Mark Hyman · 2018Food: What the Heck Should I Eat?A practical guide through confusing nutrition advice.
- David Sinclair · 2019Lifespan: Why We Age, and Why We Don't Have ToA longevity researcher on the science of ageing.
- Andrew Huberman · 2026Protocols: An Operating Manual for the Human BodyScience-based tools for sleep, focus, energy and health.
- James Nestor · 2014DeepFreediving and what the ocean tells us about ourselves.
- Rangan Chatterjee · 2017The 4 Pillar PlanRelax, eat, move, sleep: small changes in four areas.
- Rangan Chatterjee · 2018The Stress SolutionEveryday ways to lower stress and feel calmer.
- Rangan Chatterjee · 2019Feel Better in 5Five-minute habits for body and mind.
- Rangan Chatterjee · 2022Happy Mind, Happy LifeSimple ideas for a more contented everyday life.
- Rangan Chatterjee · 2024Make Change That LastsHow to build habits that stick, kindly.
- Gabrielle Lyon · 2023Forever StrongMuscle, protein and strength for a long, healthy life.
- Darin Olien · 2015SuperLifeNutrition and lifestyle basics for more energy.
- Darin Olien · 2023Fatal ConveniencesEveryday habits and products worth a second look.
- Mel Robbins · 2017The 5 Second RuleCount 5-4-3-2-1 and move before doubt kicks in.
- Mel Robbins · 2021The High 5 HabitCheering yourself on, starting in the mirror.
- Jay Earley · 2009Self-TherapyInternal Family Systems explained step by step for working with yourself.
- Richard C. Schwartz · 2001Introduction to the Internal Family Systems ModelA short, clear overview of the IFS model.
- Richard C. Schwartz and Martha Sweezy · 2020Internal Family Systems Therapy (2nd edition)The professional textbook on IFS, written for therapists.
- Frank Anderson · 2021Transcending TraumaA professional book on IFS and healing trauma.
- Tony Robbins · 1991Awaken the Giant WithinTaking charge of your emotions, habits and decisions.
- James Clear · 2018Atomic HabitsTiny changes that add up to big results.
- Eckhart Tolle · 1997The Power of NowLiving in the present moment instead of in your head.
WorkThe work that matters.
- John Strelecky · 2008The Big Five for LifeA business story about five things you want your life to be about, and work that fits them.Why it inspired →
- Gary Keller and Jay Papasan · 2012The One ThingResults come from doing one important thing first, not from doing everything at once.Why it inspired →
- John Strelecky (co-author)How to Be Rich and HappyA short guide on money and happiness that Strelecky co-wrote.
- Steven Bartlett · 2021Happy Sexy MillionaireWhy success alone didn't make him happy.
- Steven Bartlett · 2023The Diary of a CEO: The 33 Laws of Business and LifeLessons from building companies and a podcast.
- Lewis Howes · 2015The School of GreatnessHabits and lessons from high achievers.
- Lewis Howes · 2023The Greatness MindsetGetting past self-doubt to do what matters to you.
- Simon Sinek · 2014Leaders Eat LastWhy some teams feel safe and pull together.
- Simon Sinek · 2019The Infinite GamePlaying to keep playing, not to win once.
- Gary Vaynerchuk · 2018Crushing It!Building something of your own around what you love.
- Greg McKeown · 2014EssentialismDoing less, but better.
PurposeWhy any of it matters.
- John Strelecky · 2007Life SafariA story set in Africa about a very old, very wise woman and a young man searching for happiness.Why it inspired →
- Simon Sinek · 2009Start With WhyPeople and teams are moved by why you do something, not only by what you do.Why it inspired →
- Viktor E. Frankl · 1946Man's Search for MeaningA psychiatrist who survived the concentration camps on finding meaning in any situation.Why it inspired →
- Bronnie Ware · 2011The Top Five Regrets of the DyingA palliative carer on what people wished they had done differently.Why it inspired →
- John Strelecky · 2003The Why CaféA man gets lost on a night drive and finds a café whose menu asks why he is here.Why it inspired →
- John Strelecky · 2014Return to the Why CaféYears later, John finds his way back to the café, with new questions on the menu.Why it inspired →
- John Strelecky · 2019Reconnection: A Third Visit to the Why CaféA third visit, about finding your way back to yourself when life has pulled you away.Why it inspired →
- John Strelecky · 2022A New Visitor to the Café on the Edge of the WorldThe fourth café book, in which someone new finds the café and its questions.Why it inspired →
- John StreleckyAhas! Moments of Inspired ThoughtA small collection of the moments of insight first introduced in Return to the Why Café.
- Simon Sinek, David Mead, Peter Docker · 2017Find Your WhyA practical workbook for finding your why.
- Héctor García and Francesc Miralles · 2016Ikigai: The Japanese Secret to a Long and Happy LifePurpose, community and long life, inspired by Okinawa.
- Paulo Coelho · 1988The AlchemistA young shepherd follows his dream across the desert.
- John Strelecky · 2024Zeit für Fragen im Café am Rande der WeltReaders' questions about the café books, with Strelecky's answers. Published in German.
ifeelfive has no connection to the authors or publishers. Summaries are short and in our own words. No shop or affiliate links.
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SocialThe people you love.