This summer, I’m inviting teachers to embark on a journey through the pages of some incredible books—all for less than $12 each. While you’ve been inspiring minds and preparing lesson plans, I’ve curated a list of budget-friendly reads perfect for your summer break. Nearly all of these books have previously selected as a #slowchathealth Book of the Month. Don’t mistake this for my annual #summerreads blog post, you know, the one where I identify 9 books to read over the summer – that post will be shared shortly.
*All prices are correct at the time of publishing.
Blue Mind: The Surprising Science That Shows How Being Near, In, On, or Under Water Can Make You Happier, Healthier, More Connected, and Better at What You Do by Wallace J. Nicholls ($7.49)
I wrote a popular blog post on how I weave Blue Mind theory into my lesson in which I walk to nearby Lake Michigan and share the remarkable effects of water on our health and well-being. This might be the perfect beach read as it’s engaging AND you’ll learn how being close to water can improve performance, increase calm, diminish anxiety, and increase professional success.
Why We Sleep: Unlocking the Power of Sleep and Dreams by Dr. Matthew Walker ($10.09)
THIS is the book that has had the biggest impact on my life! It’s spawned a popular TED talk, and a new podcast for author Dr. Matthew Walker…and encouraged me to prioritize sleep. Learn how you can harness sleep to improve learning, mood and energy levels, regulate hormones, prevent cancer, Alzheimer’s and diabetes, slow the effects of aging, and increase longevity.
SuperBetter: A Revolutionary Approach to Getting Stronger, Happier, Braver and More Resilient–Powered by the Science of Games by Jane McGonigal ($10.98)
My gameful approach to life is due to this book from Jane McGonigal in which she shares decade’s worth of scientific research into the ways games change how we respond to stress, challenge, and pain. I have a couple of lessons in my repertoire wholly based on the playful challenges in the book. Build your gameful strengths by diving into SuperBetter.
Strange Bedfellows: Adventures in the Science, History, and Surprising Secrets of STDs by Dr. Ina Park ($8.99)
This is the book that had me rooting for Pubic Lice! Author Dr. Ina Park wrote a slowchathealth blog post on this book which blends science and storytelling while uncovering the broad impact STDs have on our lives, while at the same time erasing the unfair stigmas attached to them.
If you work hard to de-stigmatize sex education, to normalize sexual behavior, to promote pleasure, make lessons inclusive, and have the confidence to do all of that while injecting in some humor – you are my heroes. This is the book for you!
The Happiness Advantage: The Seven Principles of Positive Psychology That Fuel Success and Performance at Work by Shawn Achor ($11.19)
New York Times bestselling author Shawn Achor reveals how rewiring our brain for happiness helps us achieve more in our careers and our relationships and as students, leaders, and parents.
This is a book I read after Shawn Achor‘s TED talk was shown to our Health & PE department and is the book that inspired that TED Talk, which has been watched almost 24 MILLION TIMES!
Small shifts in our mind-set and habits can produce big gains at work, at home, and elsewhere.
The Sum of Us: What Racism Costs Everyone and How We Can Prosper Together by Heather McGhee ($11.39)
“The Sum of Us is a brilliant analysis of how we arrived here: divided and self-destructing, materially rich but spiritually starved and vastly unequal. McGhee marshals economic and sociological research to paint an irrefutable story of racism’s costs, but at the heart of the book are the humble stories of people yearning to be part of a better America, including white supremacy’s collateral victims: white people themselves.”
Listen to an audio sample of the book here.
How to Break Up with Your Phone: The 30-Day Plan to Take Back Your Life by Catherine Price ($11.25)
Many of my students want to improve their relationship with their phones. I want to improve my relationship with my phone. I bet you do too.
Less than $10, for a mini-sized paperback, that might help you reclaim some of the time that you spend on your phone. The tips shared in the 30-day plan will help you, and those that around you. Your students will appreciate you sharing some of the hacks to help balance a one-sided relationship with devices.
Get this before the updated version comes out shortly, and be one step ahead of the media buzz. Sign up to the author’s Substack here.
The Seven Circles: Indigenous Teachings for Living Well by Chelsey Luger & Thosh Collins ($11.71)
When wellness teachers and husband-wife duo Chelsey Luger and Thosh Collins founded their Indigenous wellness initiative, Well for Culture, they extended an invitation to all to honor their whole self through Native wellness philosophies and practices. In reclaiming this ancient wisdom for health and wellbeing—drawing from traditions spanning multiple tribes—they developed the Seven Circles, a holistic model for modern living rooted in timeless teachings from their ancestors.
In The Seven Circles, Luger and Collins share intimate stories from their life journeys growing up in tribal communities, from the Indigenous tradition of staying active and spiritually centered through running and dance, to the universal Indigenous emphasis on a light-filled, minimalist home to create sacred space.
Brain Rules (Updated and Expanded): 12 Principles for Surviving and Thriving at Work, Home, and School by John Medina (10.99)
In my head I pair this with Dr. Ratey’s SPARK ($11.19). Two of those early books that championed the many benefits of movement. Brain Rules practical wisdom that you can apply to your everyday life. Whether it’s discovering the transformative power of exercise on cognition or understanding how stress impacts our ability to learn, Medina arms you with actionable insights that can truly make a difference. Suddenly, those sluggish mornings or moments of mental fog start to make sense, and you feel empowered to take charge of your cognitive well-being.
Nudge: The Final Edition by Richard Thaler & Cass Sunstein ($8.93)
This is another book from my SPARK/Brain Rules era. Remember when everyone was reading this? Well that’s the reason why you need to revisit it if you haven’t already done so. I’ve used the theories in this book many times to ‘nudge’ my students towards better behavior, particularly better work completion and improved motivation. This might be the best value book on the list in terms of bang for your buck!
Talk Like TED by Carmine Gallo ($10.39)
I bought this one back in 2017, and delivered a TEDx talk in 2019. I can’t guarantee that all readers get the same results but they will get an insight into the qualities that make for an engaging presentation, wether that be at a conference, or in front of your students.
This book is a practical guide for public speaking that’s simple, straightforward, and memorable….just like your future speaking engagement!
Educator Conference Notes: 120 Pages of Notes to Remember by Andy Milne ($6.50)
I was on #TeamMoleskine for the longest time, but as I look at my stack of at least 10 identical black notebooks I can confirm that you can have better. Inspired by many algorithm-induced instagram posts I researched ways in which to improve my note-taking experience at conferences so I designed my own. Each spread features a unique layout – the right side includes a unique motivational quote and is lined for traditional note-taking, while the left side boasts an emotional check-in, plus grid dots, providing a canvas for diagrams, sketches, and organized lists. It also includes a curated list of thought-provoking questions, ensuring intentional and focused engagement throughout and conference or professional development. I was delighted to see so many educator friends with one at the #SHAPECleveland event!
#slowchathealth 
I love your book list! I am toying around with creating a library of them at school then when I connect a lesson to them I have it available to show students or even loan out if they are inspired. I rarely have students need extra credit but thought a book study would be a good one. It might even be something I add as a choice project. Have you added books to your classroom in a helpful way besides using it to create content?
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Love it! I like the idea of also using these books as professional reference for other teachers. If I was to do a book study I would select THE JOY OF MOVEMENT. There’s so much in there regarding how, when, why, where we move and the different impacts that has on our health.
Also check out: https://slowchathealth.com/2022/05/12/free-library/
And: https://slowchathealth.com/2020/04/08/health-class-fiction/
And: https://slowchathealth.com/2022/02/07/biblioguidance/
These are all great posts from educators using books in effective ways with their students.
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