REAL AD Reading Corner: Brain Food or Books That Keep You Thinking About Brain Health  

Deep Dives for Curious Minds 

For those who want to go further into the science of how our brain works and the brain. 

• The Brain That Changes Itself by Norman Doidge 
  A fascinating exploration of neuroplasticity, the brain’s innate ability to adapt and rewire itself. Through real-life stories, Doidge illustrates the power of cognitive resilience and how recovery and growth are possible at any age. 
• Livewired by David Eagleman 
  In this book, neuroscientist David Eagleman takes us on a journey through the ever-changing brain. It provides a lively and accessible look at how our brains constantly adapt to new information, environments, and challenges. 
• How Emotions Are Made by Lisa Feldman Barrett 
  This eye-opening book challenges what we think we know about emotions. Barrett explains how emotions are constructed by the brain and shaped by our experiences, with implications for memory and mental health. 
• Why We Sleep by Matthew Walker 
  This book is essential reading for anyone curious about how sleep affects the brain. Neuroscientist Matthew Walker unpacks the science behind sleep cycles, memory consolidation, emotional regulation, and even Alzheimer's risk – all in clear, engaging language. This book will leave you thinking twice about late nights. After reading it, you may find yourself taking your sleep routine much more seriously. 
• The Changing Mind: A Neuroscientist's Guide to Ageing Well by Daniel Levitin 
  A hopeful, science-based look at ageing from a neuroscientist’s perspective. Levitin debunks myths about decline and highlights how our minds remain adaptable, creative, and resilient well into later life. 
• The XX Brain: The Groundbreaking Science Empowering Women to Maximize Cognitive Health and Prevent Alzheimer's Disease by Lisa Mosconi 
  Neuroscientist Lisa Mosconi explains how female brain health is influenced by hormones, lifestyle, and genetics – from puberty through menopause. A must-read for anyone interested in women’s brain ageing and how to protect cognitive health across the lifespan. 
• The Menopause Brain by Lisa Mosconi 
  Another book on a shelf about women's brain. In this follow-up to The XX Brain, Mosconi reveals how menopause reshapes the female brain, not as a decline, but as a powerful neurological shift. With clarity and compassion, she unpacks the science and offers practical tools to support women through this often misunderstood stage. Menopause, she argues, is the brain’s renaissance – a chance to reset, adapt, and thrive. 
• The Mature Mind by Gene D. Cohen 
  A refreshing take on what it means to age well. Drawing on neuroscience and interviews with older adults, psychiatrist Gene Cohen shows that the ageing brain is not in decline but undergoing positive change. He introduces the idea of “inner pushes”,  natural drives that spark creativity, growth, and purpose in later life. The Mature Mind offers a hopeful, research-backed view of how we can continue to build brain reserves and thrive well into the second half of life. 

Soul Food: Personal Stories, Memoirs and Ancient Wisdom that Speaks Today 

Sometimes, the most powerful insights come from lived experience. These books offer a human lens on what it means to live with or alongside those with cognitive decline. 

• Still Alice by Lisa Genova 
  A bestselling novel that follows a Harvard professor’s journey through early-onset Alzheimer’s. Based on real research, it humanises the early signs of dementia in an unforgettable way. 
• Somebody I Used to Know by Wendy Mitchell 
  This extraordinary memoir offers a rare and powerful glimpse into life after a dementia diagnosis, written by Wendy Mitchell, who was diagnosed with young-onset Alzheimer's at the age of 58. With warmth, honesty, and wit, she shares how she continues to live a full and meaningful life, challenging assumptions about what it means to live with the disease. A moving reminder that there is life beyond diagnosis, and that identity, purpose, and resilience can remain. 
• How to Grow Old by Marcus Tullius Cicero 
  A timeless classic from ancient Rome, full of surprisingly modern reflections on ageing, wisdom, and living well. A short and thought-provoking read for anyone reflecting on life’s later chapters. 

Reading is not only good for the brain, but it also invites us to reflect, question, and connect. Whether you are diving into the science or immersing yourself in the stories behind ageing, we hope the REAL AD Reading Corner brings insight, inspiration, and a deeper understanding of the brain at every stage of life.