My 2025 Reading List: 12 Best Books for Teacher Wellbeing & My Next Two Reads
Practical strategies, mindset shifts, and genuine support to help you teach sustainably.
I’ve always been a physical book person. I love the feel of it, the dog-eared pages, the satisfaction of seeing how far I’ve come. But recently, I’ve found a new rhythm. My walk to work, or a quick wander at lunchtime, has become my audiobook time. (I have to confess, this started because my children somehow subscribed to Audible, and I realised I was already paying for it!). although, I’ve found I don’t absorb the information as easily this way, so if a book really hits home, I’ll end up buying the physical copy anyway to reread and scribble notes in.
The right book, at the right time, can feel like a lifeline. It can offer the practical strategy that gives you back your evenings, the mindset shift that restores your weekends, and the quiet reassurance that you are not alone in this.
This isn’t another list of things you should be doing. Think of it as a toolkit I’ve found helpful, filled with impactful books for UK teachers who are ready for more balance, more joy, and less burnout this year.
Best Books for Reclaiming Your Time and Focus
1. Feel-Good Productivity – Ali Abdaal
This book challenges the myth that productivity has to be a grind. Abdaal argues that finding joy in your work is the most effective strategy for sustainable energy. For teachers, it’s a powerful reminder that you don’t have to force yourself through tasks; you can find ways to make them feel less draining.
2. Indistractable – Nir Eyal
Your PPA time is precious, yet it’s so easily lost to a flood of emails and “just one more thing” tasks.
Indistractable provides a practical framework for protecting your focus. It’s essential reading for making every minute of your non-contact time count, so you can get the important work done and leave on time.
3. Atomic Habits – James Clear
The idea of a complete life overhaul is exhausting. James Clear focuses on the opposite: tiny, 1% changes that compound over time. This book is perfect for implementing small, repeatable actions that prevent work from spilling into your personal life and keep your evenings free.
4. The Power of Habit – Charles Duhigg
If you feel stuck in a cycle of draining routines that leave you running on empty by Thursday, this book is for you. Duhigg explains the science behind our habits and offers clear steps for replacing the ones that lead to burnout with new ones that protect your time and mental energy.
5. Building a Second Brain – Tiago Forte
The mental load of a teacher is immense. This book offers a life-changing system for digitally organising your ideas, resources, and plans. It’s about creating a trusted external system so you can stop reinventing the wheel every term and free up mental space.
Best Books for Building Resilience and a Stronger Mindset
6. Mindset – Dr. Carol S. Dweck
As educators, we champion the “growth mindset” for our students, but often forget to apply it to ourselves. This book is a foundational read for building your own resilience, helping you embrace the power of “not yet” and navigate the daily challenges of the classroom with a more robust and positive outlook.
7. Mindsight – Dr. Daniel J. Siegel
Teaching requires immense emotional regulation. Mindsight delves into the science of how our brains shape our emotions, giving you the tools to respond thoughtfully under pressure instead of reacting. It’s an invaluable guide for maintaining calm and composure, both for yourself and your students.
8. Essentialism – Greg McKeown
This is perhaps one of the most important books a teacher can read. It’s a practical guide to the disciplined pursuit of less. For educators constantly asked to take on more, this book provides the permission and the strategy for learning to say ‘no’ to non-essential tasks. It’s about making space for what truly matters in your teaching and your life.
9. The Laws of Human Nature – Robert Greene
A fascinating guide to understanding the motivations behind people’s behaviour. This book can help you navigate complex school dynamics, from understanding your students to building better relationships with colleagues and leadership, making the social-emotional side of the job less draining.
Best Books on Leadership and Connection (Without the Burnout)
10. The Coaching Habit – Michael Bungay Stanier
This book aligns perfectly with the “coach, not guru” ethos. It teaches you to lead and communicate through simple, powerful questions. It’s a game-changer for empowering independent thinking in students and fostering more supportive conversations with colleagues, ultimately lightening your own load.
11. Time to Think – Nancy Kline
Kline’s work demonstrates how creating an environment of deep, attentive listening can unlock creativity and solve problems. For teachers and school leaders, it’s a powerful guide to fostering a calmer, more collaborative, and less reactive school culture.
12. The Diary of a CEO – Steven Bartlett
Filled with honest reflections on failure, resilience, and self-awareness, this book offers leadership advice that is refreshingly human. It provides valuable lessons on managing your classroom (and your time) with more creativity, balance, and a sustainable approach to success.
This Isn’t More Homework
Please don’t look at this list and see 12 more things to do. You don’t need to read them all.
Instead, pick the one book that speaks to the challenge you’re facing right now. Commit to just ten minutes a day—that’s it. Over a term, that small act of self-care can add up to hours of professional and personal growth, all without eating into your precious weekends.
What’s in My Basket for This Term?
Last year, I was very focused on productivity books. This year, I want to get back to learning. I have two more books waiting in my Amazon basket that I’m excited to dive into.
The first is Maslow Before Bloom by Dr Bryan Pearlman. I’ve seen it recommended everywhere and I’m keen to dig in – has anyone read it?
The second is Why Our Brains Are Wired To Connect by Matthew Lieberman. This one feels so important. It underscores how crucial human connection is, which is exactly why I believe the community part of PPA Buddy has the most potential for transformation.
It reminds me of a community I’m part of called The Conspiracy, run by Michael Bungay Stanier (who wrote The Coaching Habit). Being in that group has been a huge support and has really propelled my business forward. I feel like I’ve finally found my people—and knowing you are surrounded by others who get your challenges, are big thinkers, and are ready for transformation themselves has been crucial in keeping me on track.
That’s the feeling I want to build with PPA Buddy. A space where you know you’re not alone.
💬 Now, over to you:
Which of these books resonates most with where you are right now? And have you read either of the two in my basket?
Share your thoughts in the comments below. Let’s build a reading list that truly supports UK teachers together.
