Give the Gift of Wellbeing This Christmas: Recommended Reads
As we head into the festive season, I wanted to share a short list of books by people I’ve worked with or crossed paths with over the years—authors who are doing meaningful work, many of them running their own businesses, and all of them worth supporting. If you’re looking for a thoughtful Christmas gift (or something to add to your own reading list), these books would make a great addition to any bookshelf.
📗 Things Your Future Self Will Thank You For — Dr Mark Rowe
Mark blends science, storytelling, and soulful reflection to help readers build habits that support long-term wellbeing. A wise and uplifting companion for the year ahead.
📘 The 4-7 Zone — Dr Colman Noctor
A practical, relatable guide to managing modern pressures, Colman’s book helps readers find that sweet spot between overwhelm and underwhelm—a grounded roadmap to better emotional balance.
📙 All You Need to Know About Menopause — Catherine O’Keeffe
Catherine provides a clear, compassionate, evidence-based guide for navigating menopause with confidence. Essential reading for anyone experiencing it or supporting someone who is.
📕 The Race: A Memoir — David Gillick
An honest, powerful memoir from one of Ireland’s top athletes, offering insights into mindset, performance, resilience—and what really matters beyond the finish line.
📘 Bonus Time — Dr Brian Pennie
A remarkable story of recovery and reinvention. Brian shares his journey from addiction to transformation with raw honesty and practical lessons for anyone seeking change.
📙 Busy and Wrecked — Dermot Whelan
A funny, frank, and genuinely helpful guide to slowing down, reducing stress, and finding calm—even for those who feel they’re allergic to mindfulness.
📗 Love In, Love Out — Dr Malie Coyne
A compassionate roadmap for parenting with empathy, grounded in the science of attachment and emotional safety. Practical and deeply humane.
📕 Make Work Healthy — John Ryan
A clear, research-led guide for organisations that want to create healthier, high-performing workplaces. Practical, structured and full of insight.
📘 Coming soon: would you be well - clare mckenna
Clare offers a refreshing, no-pressure guide to finding wellness habits that actually fit your life. With simple mindset shifts and small, sustainable steps, this book helps cut through overwhelm and gives you permission to live well — on your own terms.
Who Have I Missed?
I’d love to hear from you: What book from a locally based author has made a real impact on your life?
Share your recommendation—I’m always on the lookout for voices worth highlighting.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Brian Crooke is a wellbeing educator, speaker and adviser, empowering Irish organisations to promote and sustain wellbeing within their workplaces.
He is the founder of The Work Well Institute and the Workplace Wellbeing Ireland community and is Course Director of the Postgraduate Certificate in Workplace Wellness at Tangent, Trinity College Dublin. He is the host of The Work Well Podcast.
In his spare time, Brian is bringing free resistance training to every county and community in Ireland through his parkHIIT social enterprise.
THE WORK WELL COMMUNITY
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Our Services - Talks, workshops and bespoke programmes.
The Work Well Newsletter - community news and updates.
parkHIIT @ Work - Tailored resistance training workouts: online or on site.