Refrigerators, TVs, toasters—heck, even chairs from IKEA all come with user’s manuals. And if we struggle to grasp the inner workings of a toaster, how are we supposed to understand the human brain without a guide?
Fortunately, we don’t have to go it alone. Below you’ll find ten excellent books written by experts on everything from sleep to memory to mental health—and each of them makes for a first-rate user’s manual for your brain. (Some assembly required.)
Download the Next Big Idea App for “Book Bite” summaries of hundreds of new nonfiction books like these.
Brainscapes: The Warped, Wondrous Maps Written in Your Brain―and How They Guide You
By Rebecca Schwarzlose
A path-breaking journey into the brain, showing how perception, thought, and action are products of maps etched into your gray matter—and how technology can use them to read your mind. Listen to our Book Bite summary, read by author Rebecca Schwarzlose, in the Next Big Idea App
When Brains Dream: Exploring the Science and Mystery of Sleep
By Antonio Zadra and Robert Stickgold
Two sleep researchers reveal recent discoveries about why dreams are psychologically and neurologically meaningful experiences. They also explore a host of dream-related disorders, and explain how dreams can facilitate creativity and be a source of personal insight. Listen to our Book Bite summary, read by authors Antonio Zadra and Robert Stickgold, in the Next Big Idea App
Remember: The Science of Memory and the Art of Forgetting
By Lisa Genova
A fascinating exploration of the intricacies of how we remember, why we forget, and what we can do to protect our memories, from the Harvard-trained neuroscientist and bestselling author of Still Alice. Listen to our Book Bite summary, read by author Lisa Genova, in the Next Big Idea App
Seven and a Half Lessons About the Brain
By Lisa Feldman Barrett
A renowned neuroscientist reveals where brains came from, how they’re structured, and how yours works in tandem with other brains to create everything you experience. Listen to our Book Bite summary, read by author Lisa Feldman Barrett, in the Next Big Idea App
A Cure for Darkness: The Story of Depression and How We Treat It
By Alex Riley
Reporting on the field of global mental health from its colonial past to the present day, an award-winning science writer highlights a range of scalable therapies, including how a group of grandmothers stands on the frontline of a mental health revolution. Listen to our Book Bite summary, read by author Alex Riley, in the Next Big Idea App
Feeling & Knowing: Making Minds Conscious
By Antonio Damasio
From one of the world’s leading neuroscientists comes a succinct, illuminating, wholly engaging investigation of how biology, neuroscience, psychology, and artificial intelligence have given us the tools to unlock the mysteries of human consciousness. Listen to our podcast episode featuring author Antonio Damasio
Smarter Tomorrow: How 15 Minutes of Neurohacking a Day Can Help You Work Better, Think Faster, and Get More Done
By Elizabeth Ricker
Join an MIT and Harvard-trained brain researcher as she tests various neurohacking techniques, ultimately allowing her to sharpen her memory, increase her attention span, boost her mood, and clear her brain fog. Listen to our Book Bite summary, read by author Elizabeth Ricker, in the Next Big Idea App
The Oracle of Night: The History and Science of Dreams
By Sidarta Ribeiro
A groundbreaking history of the human mind told through our experience of dreams—from the earliest accounts to current scientific findings—and their essential role in the formation of who we are and the world we have made. Listen to our Book Bite summary, read by author Sidarta Ribeiro, in the Next Big Idea App
The Awakened Brain: The New Science of Spirituality and Our Quest for an Inspired Life
By Lisa Miller
Absorbing, uplifting, and ultimately enlightening, The Awakened Brain is a conversation-starting saga of scientific discovery packed with counterintuitive findings and practical advice on concrete ways to access your innate spirituality and build a life of meaning and contribution. Listen to our Book Bite summary, read by author Lisa Miller, in the Next Big Idea App
The Hidden Spring: A Journey to the Source of Consciousness
By Mark Solms
A renowned neuropsychologist proposes a revelatory new theory of consciousness. In The Hidden Spring, he helps readers recognize the workings of their own minds for what they really are, including every stray thought, pulse of emotion, and shift of attention. Listen to our Book Bite summary, read by author Mark Solms, in the Next Big Idea App
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