The best 26 Sleep books

The Twenty-four Hour Mind (2010) illuminates the mysteries of sleep, dreams and sleep disorders. The author posits that the main purpose of sleep and dreaming is to help us cope with the negative emotions caused by new experiences by linking them to older memories.

• Anyone who’s ever wondered what their dreams mean
• Anyone who suffers from poor sleep
• Anyone interested in the human mind

Anger Management for Dummies (2015) is a guide to dealing with your inner irascibility. These blinks will give you the tools you need to understand and – more importantly – master your anger. You’ll learn methods for dissolving stress, dealing with provocations and even stopping temper tantrums in their tracks.

• Anyone who feels chronically on edge
• People who suffer from high blood pressure and wonder whether suppressed rage could be the cause
• People searching for ways to control their anger

These blinks are about the importance of a basic human necessity that we often brush aside: sleep. Getting enough sleep isn’t just about feeling better in the morning – it improves your work performance, health and even your personal relationships. Similarly, sleep deprivation isn’t a by-product of hard work; rather, it prevents you from reaching your full potential. The Sleep Revolution (2016) explains why sleep is so critical, and what you can do to get more of it.

• Anyone who gets sleepy at work or school
• Parents and teachers who aren’t getting enough rest
• Athletes wanting to reach their peak performance

Night School (2014) is about an often neglected yet essential ingredient for happiness and success in life: a good night’s sleep. People have been struggling with sleep for centuries, and while we’ve come up with some methods for alleviating insomnia, we’ve also gained a lot of insight into why sleep is so crucial.

• Insomniacs desperate for a good night’s sleep
• Workaholics who think sleep is overrated
• Readers wondering why they have nightmares

The Sleep Solution (2017) discusses the fundamentals of sleeping. It explains why keeping a consistent rhythm and schedule is important, and how insomnia is not a lack of sleep, but rather a result of dealing poorly with substandard sleep. You’ll learn how to improve your sleeping patterns and, as a result, improve your quality of life.

• People who suffer from insomnia
• Stressed out workers who take sleeping pills to get some rest
• Anyone who thinks getting a good night’s sleep isn’t that important

End the Insomnia Struggle (2016) is a guide to getting a good night’s sleep. These blinks are full of practical advice on how to handle sleeplessness. They explain, among other things, how to track your sleep problems, understand the science of insomnia and apply a variety of strategies that’ll help you get the rest you need.

• Sleepless souls
• Psychologists and physicians
• Students of human cognition

The 4-Hour Body (2010) is a collection of research and findings about unconventional body-regulating methods from doctors, scientists, professional sports trainers and the world’s top athletes. These methods are personally put to the test by the author, leading him to unearth life-changing shortcuts to improving his body and overall lifestyle.

• People who want to lose weight but not give up their favorite foods
• Those who experience insomnia
• People looking to improve their sex life

Sleep Smarter (2014) is your quickstart manual for improving the quality of your sleep. Drawing from a host of scientific studies and punctuated with practical tips, this accessible guide promises to change the way you think about sleep and give you a better night’s rest, starting tonight.

• Productivity enthusiasts who think sleep is a waste of time
• Insomniacs who need help drifting off
• Those waking up feeling exhausted

Bounce Back (2020) is an instruction manual for professionals faced by seemingly insurmountable workplace challenges. Drawing on business coach Susan Kahn’s insights into the psychology of resilience, these blinks explore strategies that will help you overcome setbacks and change your thinking. Along the way, you’ll find out what ancient Greek philosophy, Freudian psychoanalysis, and contemporary neuroscience can teach us about the art of resilience.  

• Would-be risk-takers scared of failing 
• Managers and team leaders 
• Workers worried about disruptive changes

The Body: A Guide for Occupants (2019) is an entertaining and fact-filled account of how we all work. With his trademark wit, Bill Bryson explains the astonishing ways in which our bodies are put together, and what goes on inside them.

• Popular science fans
• Biology and medicine enthusiasts
• Anyone keen to learn more about their own body

Power Hour (2020) introduces a way to take charge of your life by devoting the first hour of each day to a goal or passion. In today’s busy world, it’s easy to procrastinate. Instead of waiting for the perfect time to pursue a goal, you have to make time to do it. One hour each day can change your attitude, habits, health, and social connections – and these changes can lead to a more fulfilling and productive life. 

• All those feeling overwhelmed and exhausted
• Productivity hackers
• People looking for motivation

The Art of Rest (2019) is a deep dive into the world of rest. It takes the results of the Rest Test, an online survey of over 18,000 people across 135 countries about rest, and uses those results as a starting point to examine which activities people find most restful, and why two-thirds of respondents felt they didn’t get enough rest. Drawing on scientific research, it investigates the ten most popular ways to rest, and the difficulties and proven benefits behind each restful activity.

• Anyone interested in wellness
• Self-care enthusiasts
• People who enjoy spending time alone

I’m So Effing Tired (2021) shows how you can overcome chronic exhaustion by tapping into the interconnected relationship between your gut, your immune system, and your hormones – also known as “the energy trifecta.” It demonstrates how you can boost energy levels by making changes to your lifestyle, your diet, and how you manage stress. 

• Women seeking to beat chronic fatigue
• Anyone who wants to boost energy levels
• People struggling to overcome burnout

The Power of the Downstate (2022) provides a new way of looking at how you sleep, eat, exercise, and relax. Drawing on the author’s groundbreaking research from her sleep and cognition lab, it provides evidence-based tips on how to feel more energized, less stressed, and perform at your best.

• Those who feel chronically exhausted or stressed
• People interested in sleep science
• Anyone interested in deepening their understanding of health and wellness

Outlive (2023) is a comprehensive guide to living a longer, healthier, and more fulfilling life. Drawing on cutting-edge science and practical advice, it empowers you to optimize your exercise, nutrition, sleep, and emotional health for maximum longevity.

• Individuals seeking a healthier, longer life
• Fitness enthusiasts wanting well-rounded advice
• Anyone interested in optimizing mental well-being

Built to Move (2023) is your ultimate guide to building a better, healthier, more functional body. The concept is simple – it provides a handful of simple tests to assess your movement, and a handful of easy-to-follow routines to improve it. Utilizing the latest insights of mobility, sleep, and nutrition science, you’ll learn to keep your body and mind as fit as possible with minimal effort – no matter if you’re a couch potato or a world class athlete. 

• Couch potatoes looking for a minimal movement practice to stay healthy
• Professional athletes looking to keep their body as fit as possible 
• Anyone who wants to move better and without pain 

The Sleep Prescription (2022) is a practical guide to getting out of your own way and changing your behaviors to set yourself up for a better night’s sleep. It features seven days of clinical psychologist and sleep expert Dr. Aric Prather’s best tools and practices for finally achieving the healthy, restorative sleep we all need to feel our best.

• Anyone who wants to improve their sleep
• Those suffering from insomnia
• People who want to learn about the science behind sleep

The Circadian Code (2018) presents a fascinating look at the science of circadian rhythms – how human biology is timed in daily cycles. It reveals how small tweaks in things like the timing of meals, exercise, or light exposure can have an outsized impact on health and well-being.

• Frustrated dieters looking for a breakthrough
• Anyone looking for better sleep or more energy when they’re awake
• Health optimizers looking for simple daily habits than can maximize well-being

Yoga Nidra Made Easy (2022) explores the roots and techniques of the practice of Yoga Nidra, or yogic sleep. This practice of meditation exploring the hypnagogic state between wakefulness and sleep boasts an impressive list of verified benefits, from stress relief and better sleep to boosting critical thinking, self-reflection, and creativity.

• Anyone who is looking for an easy meditation practice – no guru required
• Those looking for better sleep, stress relief, or personal insight
• Yoga or fitness fans looking for more mind-body connection  

Hello Sleep (2023) delves into the often-misunderstood nature of insomnia, emphasizing that the key to overcoming sleepless nights lies not in exerting more effort but in mending your relationship with sleep. It offers a wealth of concrete, science-backed strategies, aimed at helping you to rediscover a sense of wonder and appreciation for your sleep.

• Anyone battling chronic insomnia
• Readers seeking science-backed sleep improvement strategies
• Fans of compassionate health and wellness guidance

The Power of When (2016) presents a groundbreaking program that demonstrates how aligning with your body’s natural rhythm can optimize your productivity, health, and well-being. With engaging quizzes, practical advice, and fascinating facts, it allows you to discover your own chronotype and unlock your hidden potential by identifying the best times for daily activities.

• Productivity enthusiasts and life hackers
• Health-conscious individuals and wellness advocates
• Anyone struggling with their sleep or daily routines

Yoga for Better Sleep (2019) combines sleep science with age-old yogic wisdom, creating yoga sequences specifically designed to promote healthy, restorative sleep. It shares practical postures, breathing tools, and meditation techniques that can be easily incorporated into a pre-bedtime routine.

• Insomniacs who want to tap into natural, holistic remedies for wakefulness
• Yoga-lovers who want to direct their practice specifically towards promoting rest
• Anyone who’s sick of lying awake and counting sheep…

The Inner Clock (2024) explores the profound impact of biological timekeeping on human health and well-being. This book delves into the science of circadian rhythms, examining how our internal clocks influence everything from sleep patterns to metabolism, and offers practical strategies for aligning our modern lifestyles with our bodies’ natural cycles to improve overall health and vitality. 

• Productivity hackers seeking to optimize their daily routines
• Shift workers or frequent travelers looking to safeguard their health
• Anyone interested in the intersection of biology, health, and daily life

Life Time (2022) reveals how your body’s 24-hour biological clock shapes your health, sleep, and mental performance. Through groundbreaking research in circadian science, you’ll discover how simple timing adjustments can dramatically improve immunity, sharpen thinking, and prevent disease. Armed with this revolutionary understanding of daily rhythms, you’ll learn to optimize every hour for better health and longevity.

• Insomniacs searching for science-based solutions to sleep better
• Working professionals trying to optimize their daily performance rhythms
• Health-conscious individuals interested in preventing disease through lifestyle timing

Sleep Drink Breathe (2024) presents a straightforward approach to transforming health and wellness through three fundamental biological behaviors. It explains how making simple adjustments to sleeping, hydrating, and breathing can dramatically improve energy, stress levels, and cognitive function in a matter of weeks.

• Health-conscious people seeking science-backed fundamentals
• Consumers seeking effective alternatives to expensive health products
• Anyone dealing with sleep issues, fatigue, or stress

Why We Sleep (2017) examines the essential role sleep plays in nearly every facet of our physical and mental well-being. Drawing on decades of scientific research, it reveals how sleep strengthens memory, supports learning, bolsters the immune system, and regulates emotions. Building on these insights, it offers thoughtful solutions that challenge modern attitudes toward rest, paving the way for a healthier and more productive future.

• Anyone skeptical about the importance of sleep
• People with insomnia
• Dreamers curious about what happens in slumberland