Cheaper than therapy: 12 new self-help books for 2025
If you’re making ‘New Year, best version of you’ promises, don’t worry, we’ve got your back, with 12 fabulous new self-help books to boost your January reset.
January is officially the month of self improvement, new goals and, eek, resolutions. To empower you to keep the promises you make yourself, these self-help books are here to sort out your life, one chapter at a time. Whether you’re manifesting love, establishing a better relationship with food, leading your team with grace and swagger, or just trying to keep calm and carry on, here are 11 fresh-start reads to add to basket.
Unprocess Your Family Life
Rob Hobson
We know most ultra processed foods are bad news for us health-wise (step away from your Deliveroo app), but in a time poor, fast-paced world of juggling, how can we do better, without breaking the bank or your sanity? Nutritionist Rob Hobson’s book Unprocess Your Family Life addresses all the common challenges we all face – different diets, busy schedules, weekly weak spots when convenience takes charge – giving you the tools to make healthier choices for your whole family. His new book is not preachy, instead he offers practical tips, easy swaps and there’s an entire section dedicated to kids and teens. This is your new food bible if you’re on a mission to reduce UPFs.
£18.99
No Filters
Christie Watson & Rowan Egberongbe
A heartwarming, brutally honest mother-daughter story that explores the ups and downs of mental health, identity, and the chasm between generations. Told through raw conversations and plenty of Snapchat selfies, No Filters is a love story for our digital age. Whether you’re a parent, teenager, or just trying to bridge a generational gap, this book will leave you laughing, crying, and reaching for your phone to message your mum (or your teen).
£14.24 (out 16 Jan 2025)
The Good Life and How to Live It
Robert Waldinger & Marc Schulz
Move over, Instagram gurus – Harvard’s longest-running study of happiness is here to give you the real scoop on living well. Turns out, it’s not the number of zeroes in your bank account that counts but the strength of your relationships (so maybe text your best mate back?). With over 80 years of research packed into bite-sized wisdom, this book breaks down how strong bonds and emotional connections are the true keys to a fulfilling life. Forget the hustle, let’s connect.
£14.74
Little Things
Fearne Cotton
The queen of calm is back, this time focusing on how the tiniest changes can make the biggest difference when stress hits. Fearne’s mix of practical exercises, expert insights, and personal stories will help you find balance in a world that often feels like it’s spinning out of control. From mental health tools to daily happiness hacks, you’ll learn to handle stress with grace – and maybe even a bit of joy.
£7.74
Reset Your Home
Lesley Spellman & Ingrid Jansen
Decluttering, but not as you know it. Ingrid and Lesley aren’t just telling you to chuck out old socks – they’re delving deep into the psychological stuff, like why you still have that drawer of random cables (it’s not just “in case”). By resetting your emotional ties to things, you’ll be free to create a calm, clutter-free space where you can finally breathe easy. Tidy home, tidy mind, sweedie.
£16.99 (out 27 Feb 2025)
Why Do I Feel Like This?
Kelley Waters
If you’re a newbie to this wellbeing, self-help fandango, then Why Do I Feel Like This? is a great place to start. Osteopath, coach and author Kelley Waters untangles your body’s responses to modern life, explains why you feel the way you do and gives you the toolkit to improve it. Drawing on real-life experiences, Waters helps you piece together your human puzzle to help you better balance your health and wellbeing in 2025. It’s an easy must- read to help kickstart 2025.
£14.49
The Bright Side
Sumit Paul-Choudhray
An astrophysicist-turned-journalist telling us to embrace optimism? Count us in. Sumit’s debut offers a fresh take on how irrational optimism may just be the key to surviving this chaotic world. From polar expeditions to civil rights campaigns, he unpacks how hope has powered human resilience through the ages. Think of this book as your new optimistic manifesto – perfect for navigating the modern world without losing your cool (or your sense of humour).
£20
Meditations for Mortals
Oliver Burkeman
Tired of being told you need to “live your best life”? Oliver Burkeman’s back with a book to help you embrace the mess. Forget perfectionism, this four-week retreat of the mind will have you finding meaning in your daily chaos and accepting that life is about embracing imperfection. Whether you’re conquering the to-do list or letting things slide (on purpose), this is the kind of wisdom that brings sanity back to our high-pressure lives.
£10.99
How to Lead: Simple, Practical Tools On How To Lead Well
Kate Waterfall Hill
For those of us navigating the corporate jungle (and the joys of TikTok), Kate’s no-nonsense guide is a game changer. Known for her viral ‘Linda, the Bad Manager’ series, Kate offers relatable, practical leadership advice that you can actually use – no MBA required. Whether you’re running a small business or trying to lead without losing your mind, this book gets real about what it takes to inspire and manage in the real world.
£12.99
Magnetic: How to Attract Love, Money, Health & Happiness
Rochelle Fox
Ready to manifest the life of your dreams? Rochelle Fox has your back. As a meditation guru and personal growth coach, she’s spilling the secrets to unlocking your inner magnetism. With her law of attraction toolkit, you’ll learn how to calm past chaos, make space for new possibilities, and attract everything you desire – whether it’s love, wealth, or just a bit more peace. Spoiler: it all starts in your mind.
£17.47
The Burnout Doctor: Your 6-step Recovery Plan
Dr Claire Ashley
With burnout on the rise (and let’s be real, we’re all feeling it), Dr Claire’s guide is a lifesaver. Combining neuroscience with real-life experience, she offers an evidence-based approach to spotting, preventing, and recovering from burnout. It’s packed with practical tips and a healthy dose of empathy to help you thrive at work without sacrificing your mental health. Consider it your burnout survival kit.
£15.29
The Kitchen Shrink
Andrea Oskis
What do food and love have in common? Everything, according to Andrea Oskis. This culinary-meets-psychology masterpiece digs deep into how our relationships with food mirror our relationships with people. From comfort foods to the meals that make us cry, The Kitchen Shrink will make you rethink the emotional power of what’s on your plate – and may even inspire you to cook (and love) a little better.
£18.99 (out 30 Jan 2025)
