Cooking Lekka takes the reader on a heartfelt journey through Cape Malay and Indian fusion cooking, largely inspired by Thameenah's popular cooking show "Ja Daddy Kan Lekka Eet".

Growing up in a richly multicultural family, Thameenah brings soulful recipes that connect generations and cultures, blending spices and flavours that speak to the vibrant heritage of South Africa.

From her early cooking days inspired by her mom's Indian roots to her love for Cape Malay flavours, each recipe in this book is crafted to be approachable and full of flavour, perfect for anyone looking to bring warmth and joy to the table.

‘This is more than just a cookbook; it is a celebration of culinary creativity and a testament to Ollie’s exceptional talent and zest for life.’ – Ivor Jones, head chef at Chefs Warehouse BeauConstantia.

There’s one thing that Chef Ollie doesn’t do easily and that’s follow rules. He likes to challengeconvention and try new things, often at the spur of the moment. This attitude to life hasfiltered into his cooking style, which he enthusiastically shares with you in this aptly titled book, Freestyle Cooking with Chef Ollie.

Ollie cooks with feeling and taste. His recipes are quick and easy, and designed to inspire rather than intimidate. With this book, he aims to show home cooks that just by using the bestand simplest ingredients, you can create dishes that scream with flavour. Whether he’s making you sweat with his Hot and Sour Prego Roll or transporting you to Indonesia with his Sambal Matah Fish en Papillote, Ollie proves that the secret to exceptional dishes lies in the layering of flavour and understanding the basics of cooking.

Each of the six chapters in Freestyle Cooking with Chef Ollie represents a distinct part of Ollie’slife and is accompanied by a lesson he’s learned along the way, as well as a QR code to a playlist of songs that all form part of the culinary adventure.

With recipes ranging from Proper Durban Lamb Curry, Banging Lamb Chops and Rooibos Honey Basque Cheesecake to 30 Clove Garlic Chardonnay Chicken, the Double Oklahoma Smash Burger and Banana Dom Pedros, Ollie reminds us that cooking is meant to be fun.

So put on your tunes, pour yourself a glass of wine and enjoy!

Kamini Pather first exploded onto the South African culinary scene as a participant and winner of the second series of MasterChef South Africa. Since then her life and cuisine journey has taken her down various paths, and although she always remains grounded and grateful to her heritage, she is not solely defined by it. As Kamini herself says, ‘All Dhal’d Up is a collection of ancestrally-derived recipes that have been updated through ingredients and techniques –the old world has been given some fancy.’ The concept of good-mood food leans gently into health, while ‘Indian-ish’ is a perfect nod to her ancestry, but fused with other cultures and their influence on the food she likes to eat. So although you will find traditional recipes, such as potato curry with nigella seeds, hot water roti and rasam, as well as the Sunday-standard meal of chicken curry, they are flanked by the delights of cauliflower rice lamb biriyani, panko-crumbed patha wraps, bacon dhal, pudhina hummus and rosewater ice-cream sandwiches with pistachio cookies.

Ever mindful of the demands of busy lives and consciences, Kamini has ensured that the recipes are simple to follow, and are mindful of healthy ideals and sustainably sourced ingredients.

After forty years of entertaining and mesmerizing audiences with his effervescent dancing and bubbly stage personality, veteran performer and producer Alistair Izobell was the consummate professional and showman. A household name from his performances as a nine-year-old boy in District Six the musical, to his cover version hit in 1993 - Venus. With theatre performances in Kat and the Kings, The Buddy Holly Story, The Doo Wha Boys, co-writing Remembering the Lux and more, life was amazing for this creative. Producing show after show, leaving audiences with lifelong memories. Introducing new talent to the industry, nurturing existing talent, writing theme songs for soap operas and a song for an international Grammy award winning group. The sky was the limit. But it was all smoke and mirrors. There was darkness behind the spotlight.

Alistair never knew he was suffering from depression and the walls were closing in. The patriarchal system that we as a society have become accustomed to had come to bear with a bit of karma, after a massive betrayal in his life, and the cards came crashing down.

On the 13th September 2023 Alistair Izobell tried to take his life. It was all too much for him to carry on. Having survived suicide, he now had to face every good, bad and ugly reality, every decision, the trauma, and results of a life handed over to show business at a young age. The road to recovery and healing has and will be a long one. But when you want to heal and find your smile and freedom, nothing can stop you.

Broken to Heal is born from the sessions of therapy and wanting to be better. A book of anecdotes inviting the reader into the life and world of this performer we forgot was a normal child, husband, father, and friend. This book is aimed to let those who enjoy the work of performers think a little deeper about the enormous naked emotional journey creatives go through for them to enjoy the beauty of their art. But to remember that there is a real human being behind the curtains with the same life challenges we all carry. It is also a hand of hope to someone out there suffering from depression, to remind them that all is not lost, and there is help and kindness that you have access to.

There is medical help that you have at your disposal and that you are never alone in your darkness. Someone is waiting for you to say I need help. And more than anything, YOU BELONG HERE!

Since 1980, Platter’s by Diners Club has been the wine lover's must-have companion for exploring the world of South African wine. The guide’s independent ratings and reviews are the result of a best-of-both worlds system of sighted and blind tastings.

This 45th anniversary edition features over 8,000 wines from more than 900 producers, along with 100-point equivalents for the familiar star ratings, and useful information for learning about and travelling in our beautiful winelands.

A groundbreaking guide to rejecting the default path and designing your dream life ― from social media star, entrepreneur and inspirational writer of ‘The Curiosity Chronicle’ newsletter, Sahil Bloom.

Money is not enough to make you happy.

We’re constantly told that money is the shortcut to a good life, the only type of wealth worth pursuing. But what would it mean to lead a truly wealthy life? It may involve money, but in the end, it will be defined by everything else.

In The 5 Types of Wealth, Sahil Bloom offers a transformative guide, full of practical steps and actionable insights, for redesigning your life around five types of wealth: Time, Social, Mental, Physical, and Financial. The result is a deep satisfaction and happiness you can build and maintain across the seasons of your life.

Whether you are at the start of your working life, looking to build and grow in mid-life, or a retiree, with Sahil’s guidance you will unlock:

• Control over how you spend your time

• Depth of connection with those around you

• Clarity of purpose, presence, and decision making

• Improved health and vitality

• Simple pathways to financial independence

The 5 Types of Wealth will help you make the first steps toward positive change and building a joyful, balanced life. It’s a journey that can start today – and change your world faster than you thought possible.

Air fryers save you time and money. Now discover just how delicious air frying can really be, with Jamie . . .

Whether you’re new to air frying or an expert, Jamie Oliver’s here to help you take your gadget to the next level – enter Easy Air Fryer.

The result of months of experimentation, this is the first book to show you just how delicious and versatile air frying can be. Whether prepping ahead or cooking to order, Jamie will have you making meals people won’t believe were created in the air fryer.

Chapters include Quick Fixes, New Classics, Big Up the Veg, Super Salads, A Little Bit Fancy, Cute Canapes, Get Your Bake on and Proper Puds.

Full of hacks, inspiration and new ideas, Jamie’s Easy Air Fryer will have you cooking easy, tasty, nutritious food time and again.

100 simple, tasty and secretly healthy recipes, with flavour in every bite.

From restaurant-trained chef and content creator Christina Soteriou (more than 350k followers @christinasots), this is unbelievably delicious plant-based food, packed with protein, whole foods and nutrients.

Chapters include:

• Small plates, for snacks and starters
• Big platters, for sharing and meal prep
• Cosy bowls, as comforting as they sound
• Baking dish, for hearty one-dish wonders
• Dessert spoon, to satisfy your sweet tooth

Expect nourishing, vibrant dishes - including Spicy Mushroom Skewers with Peanut Lime Sauce, Sweet Potatoes with Tahini Butter Chickpeas, Pulled Leeks with Pistachio Cream and Peanut Butter Cherry Jam Semifreddo - as well as extra features on key ingredients, debunking vegan myths and tips on saving money and storing produce to keep it fresh for longer.

What if the key to happiness, success and love was as simple as two words?

If you’ve ever felt stuck or overwhelmed, the problem isn’t you – it’s the power you give others. Two words – Let Them – will set you free from the opinions, drama and judgements of others, and from the exhausting cycle of managing everything around you. The Let Them Theory reveals how to reclaim your power to create a life you love.

Using the no-nonsense, science-backed approach that’s made The Mel Robbins Podcast a global sensation, Mel explains how you can apply the theory in eight key areas. She shares personal stories and introduces top experts in psychology, neuroscience, relationships and ancient wisdom.

Learn how to:

• Break free from fear, self-doubt and the grip of people’s expectations
• Create the best friendships of your life
• Build resilience against everyday stressors and distractions
• Define your own path to success, joy and fulfilment

Whether you want to advance your career, motivate others to change, take creative risks, find deeper connections, start a new chapter or simply create more happiness, it begins with two simple words.

Lindt are the experts in creating luxurious chocolate treats to make every moment magnificent.

Discover simple yet blissful recipes using all your favourite Lindt products, including bars, truffles, spreads and pralines, tried and tested by the pioneers in chocolate. With plenty of gluten-free and vegan options too, there is an indulgence for everyone.

From Ultimate Chocolate Brownies and Chocolate Orange Cheesecake to Caramel Ice Cream Hot Chocolate and Pistachio Panna Cotta, the Master Chocolatiers have thought of everything with these foolproof recipes using their iconic chocolates. They have featured everyday bakes, family-friendly builds and all-out showstoppers for special celebrations - including a whole chapter of festive creations to last you all year.

Discover proof that angels are guiding and protecting you and the tools to strengthen this connection to transform the way you live your life.

In Angels Are With You Now, Kyle Gray wants you to know that angels are with you. You don’t have to be a believer to invite the angels into your life and call on them for guidance. You don’t have to be religious to have felt their presence. The angels see you, they love you, and they are ready to support you if you ask them to.

In this book, you will discover:

• Who the angels are: Go beyond modern images of angels and understand that they have many faces and many names
• Angels through the ages: Delve into an anthropology of angels that unites the ideas of angels across cultures and traditions
• Guidelines for working with angels: Develop methods for building a relationship with angels, recognizing messages and signs from angels, and discovering some of the new ways that angels are getting in touch
• The spiritual laws that govern angel connection: Explore guidelines for working with angels and the four pillars of angelic connection
• The boy who saw angels: Learn from stories of Kyle Gray’s personal encounters with angels, as well as real-life testimonies from everyday people who have experienced the angels’ guidance in their lives

Whether or not you have always believed in them, your angels are with you now and want to support you.

This is the book for life's twists and turns, when being human starts to get complicated.

A must-have companion to Dr Julie's international bestseller Why Has Nobody Told Me This Before?, which taught us the skills to strengthen our future mental health, Open When... is the book to turn to when you find yourself in the eye of the storm.

Within this book are a series of Open When style letters from Dr Julie to help navigate the moments of overwhelm, confusion or self-doubt that we all face when life gets messy. Offering calm, clarity and a laser focus on the best way forward, each personal letter is followed by real-time tools that will help you re-frame the situation and decide on your next move.

Every chapter covers a new scenario; universal problems that each of us will likely face at some point. So, whether you are experiencing stress, pressure to perform, dealing with difficult people, trying to fit in, making big decisions, arguments with your partner, or big emotions that are causing anxiety, Open When... brings the words you need to hear to get back on the front foot, feeling ready to take on everything life throws your way.

What can ancient wisdom teach us about thriving in today’s world? Why do some people achieve far more than others? Is it luck, or something deeper? What if you could combine the insight of Joseph and the foresight of Noah with a deep understanding of financial markets?

Joseph and Noah: What Ancient Wisdom can Teach us About Thriving in Today’s World explores the lives of ordinary individuals who achieved extraordinary success, fame, or wealth by thinking and acting differently. From ancient biblical figures like Joseph and Noah to modern-day icons—including a basketball legend, an award-winning actor, and a renowned constitutional judge—the pursuit of success transcends generations. This book also highlights lesser-known individuals who quietly built legacies of wealth, global brands, and landmark tourist destinations.

Each story reveals a common thread—a guiding model—similar to the principles drawn from Joseph and Noah, which helped these individuals navigate challenges. Ultimately, Joseph and Noah uncovers the truth behind success, debunking its often-romanticized portrayal and instead revealing a reality shaped by perseverance, resilience, and strategic decision-making.

Life can feel overwhelming, but it doesn’t have to be.

Today’s fast-paced world leaves many of us struggling with extreme emotional highs and lows caused by chemical imbalances in our brains, brought on by the pressures of modern life and constant digital connectivity. In The DOSE Effect, Neuroscientist TJ Power shares how you can reset and balance your brain chemistry with simple, everyday habits to lead a happier, healthier, and more productive life.

Unlock your brain’s four key chemicals and discover the powers of:

• DOPAMINE to get motivated and stay driven
• OXYTOCIN to build deeper connections with others
• SEROTONIN to boost your energy and mood
• ENDORPHINS to destress and find calm

TJ’s practical approach and straightforward solutions will guide you on an exciting, action-based journey to optimise your brain chemistry and transform your mental health.

From the multi-million copy New York Times bestselling author Mel Robbins: A life-changing tool that millions of people can't stop talking about.

What if the key to happiness, success, and love was as simple as two words?

In her latest groundbreaking book, The Let Them Theory, Mel Robbins—New York Times Bestselling Author and one of the world's most respected experts on motivation, confidence, and mindset—teaches you how to stop wasting energy on what you can't control and start focusing on what truly matters: YOU. Your happiness. Your goals. Your life.

If you've ever felt stuck, overwhelmed, or frustrated with where you are, the problem isn't you. The problem is the power you give to other people. Two simple words—Let Them—will set you free. Free from the opinions, drama, and judgments of others. Free from the exhausting cycle of trying to manage everything and everyone around you. The Let Them Theory puts the power to create a life you love back in your hands—and this book will show you exactly how to do it.

Using the same no-nonsense, science-backed approach that's made The Mel Robbins Podcast a global sensation, Robbins explains why The Let Them Theory is already loved by millions and how you can apply it in eight key areas of your life to make the biggest impact. Within a few pages, you'll realize how much energy and time you've been wasting trying to control the wrong things—at work, in relationships, and in pursuing your goals—and how this is keeping you from the happiness and success you deserve.

Written as an easy-to-understand guide, Robbins shares relatable stories from her own life, highlights key takeaways, relevant research and introduces you to world-renowned experts in psychology, neuroscience, relationships, happiness, and ancient wisdom who champion The Let Them Theory every step of the way.

Learn how to:

• Stop wasting energy on things you can't control
• Stop comparing yourself to other people
• Break free from fear and self-doubt
• Release the grip of people's expectations
• Build the best friendships of your life
• Create the love you deserve
• Pursue what truly matters to you with confidence
• Build resilience against everyday stressors and distractions
• Define your own path to success, joy, and fulfillment and so much more.

The Let Them Theory will forever change the way you think about relationships, control, and personal power. Whether you want to advance your career, motivate others to change, take creative risks, find deeper connections, build better habits, start a new chapter, or simply create more happiness in your life and relationships, this book gives you the mindset and tools to unlock your full potential.

Discover how to harness the power of food to support your body’s natural rhythms, empowering you to heal and thrive in this cookbook based on the revolutionary international bestseller, Fast Like a Girl.

Do you struggle with hormonal imbalances or feel like your diet is out of sync with your body’s needs? Do you find it difficult to manage your energy levels throughout the month? Many women experience these challenges, often without understanding why. This book will show you how to use food as a powerful tool to support your body’s natural rhythms and guide you to a healthier, more balanced life.

Thousands of women worldwide have embraced the fasting lifestyle introduced in Dr. Mindy Pelz’s revolutionary worldwide bestseller, Fast Like a Girl, and celebrated the return of regular menstrual cycles, improved fertility, and weight loss that had previously seemed impossible.

In Eat Like a Girl, Dr. Mindy teaches how to use food to enhance these benefits. With over 100 recipes for both plant-based and omnivore diets, she shows you how to eat for your hormones and use food to support your fasting lifestyle, while enjoying delicious recipes that reflect the latest nutritional science, including:

· Quick and easy “fasted snacks” to sustain you while fasting
· Nourishing choices to break your fast and stabilize blood sugar
· Meals designed to support hormonal production and balance
· Recipes that keep blood sugar levels steady and support a healthy gut

Dr. Mindy writes, “You deserve to live in a body you love―a healthy, happy, vibrant body that lives congruently with your hormonal wisdom.” Eat Like a Girl is more than a cookbook―it’s a manifesto for living in tune with your body.

The first comprehensive user guide to GLP-1s (such as Ozempic, Wegovy, and Zepbound) with an overview of how they work and possible side effects. Also including companion recipes, exercise guidance, and new habits to maintain lifelong health and keep weight off for good.

The newest class of weight loss drugs (GLP-1s) are complete game-changers in their potential to reverse obesity and its related diseases, with nearly 50% of Americans qualifying for the use of these drugs. Already 1 in 8 Americans say they’ve tried a GLP-1 medication—but with many acquiring their prescription from online pharmacies, med spas, and general practitioners, they face a huge gap between trying the drug and achieving their health goals with it long-term.

That’s where The Ozempic Revolution comes in. Alexandra Sowa, MD, a leading obesity medicine specialist, shares her expertise on this much-discussed but largely misunderstood class of medications, including information like:

• What the GLP-1 experience really feels like
• How to know if you’re a candidate for these medications
• How to get a prescription and get it covered by insurance
• How to manage and reduce unwanted side effects
• Unique food plans and strategies for managing the mental challenges of losing weight
• Simple, easy recipes for when you don’t feel like eating

Traditional and social media has been flooded with junk information and stigmatizing headlines about GLP-1s, and in this book, Dr. Sowa digs into all of it—the good, the bad, and the ugly—bringing the science to light.

If you’re curious about how GLP-1s might fit into your life, or want to optimize your experience while taking them, then Dr. Sowa’s clear-eyed, fully informed approach is a must-read. The Ozempic revolution changes everything: these drugs finally provide a viable, healthy, and sane way to lose weight, avoid disease, and maintain your health gains for life.

Let’s be Well! Journal is a workbook that brings every element of wellbeing together. It is for every type of learner from school starters to educators of all ages (from 5-99 years).

The journal embodies the notion of all humans standing together and supporting each other. We must balance ourselves first, so we can be our better selves and get the best out of our lives, including learning, enjoying hobbies, and educating others.

This workbook has been designed to use every day: weekdays, weekends, and holidays. Wellbeing is a continual part of all our lives and must be practised regularly. The Let’s be Well! Journal is an effective tool to encourage school and home engagement, as well as promoting positive habits and lifelong self-regulating skills.

The 52-week journal-style workbook encourages mental and emotional health, and physical fitness.

Based on Michelle Obama’s bestselling and critically acclaimed book THE LIGHT WE CARRY, OVERCOMING: A WORKBOOK is a beautiful and practical toolkit for navigating life’s challenges.

“Pay attention to how you’re feeling.
Notice what’s being signalled by both your body and your mind.
It’s okay to pace yourself, get a little rest, and speak of your struggles out loud.
It’s okay to prioritise your wellness, to make a habit of rest and repair."

Bringing former First Lady Michelle Obama’s timeless advice to readers in a fresh, interactive and instructional format, OVERCOMING: A WORKBOOK includes:

• Creative activities
• Reflective writing prompts
• Habit tracking tools

Learn how to make bread simply and deliciously with three easy-to-master doughs for SANDWICH BREAD, FOCACCIA and PIZZA from the queen of dough behind your favorite viral bread-making videos on social media, Lacey Ostermann (@_lacebakes_).

Lacey presents 20 creative yet easily achievable recipes for each dough, whether you’re baking, topping, using up leftover bread or reworking the doughs into a variety of bread products. Every dough also has practical step-by-step instructions, detailed photography and QR codes to video tutorials that will fill you with confidence as you learn to make bread.

Focaccia dough can be baked into flavorful Chimichurri Focaccia, or turned into Cinnamon Raisin Bread or Roman-style Pizza. Any leftover focaccia can be turned into a Panzanella Salad.

Sandwich Bread chapter teaches you how to make the perfect White or Wholewheat Sandwich Bread to top with Grilled Nectarine, Burrata and Hot Honey. Try rolling the dough into Cheesy Garlic Swirls or Cinnamon Caramel Monkey Bread for a fun twist.

Pizza dough is prime time for topping creativity – make sure to try Lacey’s Roasted Pumpkin Pizza with Fresh Basil Pesto and use any leftover dough to make Flatbreads with Creamy Tzatziki Dip or fluffy Doughnuts.

Bonus recipes for toppings, dips and sauces are included within the recipes to elevate your bakes – Hot Honey, Pink Pickled Onions, Homemade Ranch Dressing, Everything Bagel Seasoning and One-Minute Pizza Sauce are a few flavorful highlights.

Lacey has taken her most-asked questions and feedback from home bakers and streamlined techniques to give you confidence and excitement about making and baking dough. There are even timelines to make sure you know how to make the bread work for you, so you don’t have to work for the bread.

Whether you’re a newbie to breadmaking or a seasoned pro, grab a bag of flour, pop on an apron and let’s dough!

Enjoy easy and accessible everyday recipes and discover no-nonsense nutrition info that debunks food myths from social media sensation Nutrition by Kylie.

Registered dietitian and social media star Kylie Sakaida, a.k.a. @NutritionbyKylie, knows how difficult it can be to keep track of the confusing and often conflicting information about nutrition we are barraged with online. Kylie began posting videos on social media to cut through the noise and offer easy-to-understand and relatable evidence-based advice. Now, millions of people trust and follow her for realistic nutrition tips and delicious recipes. In this beautiful, comprehensive cookbook, Kylie has collected her best nutrition tips along with both fan-favorite and brand-new recipes.

Whether you want to change your eating habits and mindset or are just looking for a healthy dinner recipe, So Easy So Good has you covered. Kylie simplifies complex concepts through simple lists, charts, and sidebars. Her recipes and tips emphasize a healthy, balanced mix of protein, carbs, healthy fats, and fiber so you can feel nourished and satisfied. Many of Kylie’s recipes are inspired by the Asian flavors from her upbringing. Some recipes are designed to minimize prep time by using frozen veggies and nutrient-dense convenience foods, while others can be frozen in advance and reheated within minutes for a quick meal.

So Easy So Good is packed with simple, accessible, and nutritional advice throughout, but it’s recipes like Matcha Chia Parfaits, Sriracha Honey Tofu Bowls, Chicken Ranch Naan Pizzas, Thai Fish Curry, and even sweets like Tahini Chocolate Brownies, that will have you coming back to the book again and again.

As a child I would often lie awake at night, praying that through some miracle I would be woken up by people who had come to take me back to my rightful family, and that those I had come to know as my parents would tell me the truth: that I was, in fact, adopted and had been born a girl and they had had a doctor operate on me.’

Growing up as Kgositsile, meaning ‘king’,  Tshiamo Modisane  always knew that she was a girl despite her assigned birth gender. This talented child of a pastor from KwaThema and Daveyton townships near Johannesburg was expected to conform to conservative black culture’s expectations for a male, and would endure censure and even abuse from family, friends, peers and strangers into adulthood. Yet Tshiamo began making courageous choices at the age of five, a journey of both self-doubt and self-belief that culminated in gender-affirmation surgery in her thirties. With sass, faith and baked-in confidence from her family ties to the entertainment world, she successfully transitioned from male to female while navigating a career as an actress, celebrity stylist and Lux’s first gender-non-conforming brand ambassador.

As admirable as it is affirming, this poignant memoir examines past hurts and present truths, and opens up a sorely needed discussion about unconditional acceptance.

Whether it’s anxiety about the dentist, boiling rage when we’re stuck in traffic or devastation after a painful break-up, our lives are filled with situations that send us spiralling. But as difficult as our emotions can be, they are also a superpower. When they’re activated in the right ways and at the right time, they function like an immune system, alerting us to our surroundings, telling us how to react to a situation and helping us make the right choices.

But how do we make our emotions work for us rather than against us? Acclaimed psychologist Dr Ethan Kross has devoted his scientific career to answering this question. In Shift, he dispels common myths – for instance, that avoidance is toxic or that we should always strive to live in the moment – and provides a new framework for shifting our emotions so they don’t take over our lives.

Shift weaves groundbreaking research with riveting stories of people struggling and succeeding to manage their emotions – from a mother whose fear prompted her to make a spur-of-the-moment decision that would save her daughter’s life mid-flight to a nuclear code-carrying Navy SEAL who learned how to embrace both joy and pain during a hellish training activity. Dr Kross shows us that we already have access to a wide array of tools and demonstrates how to harness them to be healthier and more successful.

Filled with actionable advice, cutting-edge research and inspiring stories, Shift puts the power back into our hands, so we can control our emotions without them controlling us – and help others do the same.

A moving personal reflection from global philanthropist and bestselling author Melinda French Gates that encourages readers to stay true to themselves as they navigate transitions in their own lives.

In a rare window into some of her life’s pivotal moments, Melinda French Gates draws from previously untold stories to offer a new perspective on encountering transitions.

Transitions are moments in which we step out of our familiar surroundings and into a new landscape—a space that, for many people, is shadowed by confusion, fear, and indecision. The Next Day accompanies readers as they cross that space, offering guidance on how to make the most of the time between an ending and a new beginning and how to move forward into the next day when the ground beneath you is shifting.

In this book, Melinda will reflect, for the first time in print, on some of the most significant transitions in her own life, including becoming a parent, the death of a dear friend, and her departure from the Gates Foundation. The stories she tells illuminate universal lessons about loosening the bonds of perfectionism, helping friends navigate times of crisis, embracing uncertainty, and more.

Each one of us, no matter who we are or where we are in life, is headed toward transitions of our own. With her signature warmth and grace, Melinda candidly shares stories of times when she was in need of wisdom and shines a path through the open space stretching out before us all.

Why do some people become radicalized?
Who is most susceptible to ideological thinking?
Can we unchain our minds from toxic dogmas?

‘If I had to pick one, Zmigrod’s would be my book to watch out for in 2025’ Simon Ings, New Scientist

‘Filled with insightful findings, this book shows that ideological extremism and polarization are not just problems to fret about but puzzles that can be studied and understood’
Steven Pinker

The human brain faces a set of dilemmas every day: how to achieve coherence from fragmented sensory inputs and how to attain connection with other people in an increasingly atomized and isolating world. Ideologies offer a shortcut, providing easy answers, scripts to follow, and a sense of shared identity. Whether our ideologies are far-right, far-left, nationalist, religious, or even progressive, they simplify our understanding and give us organizing frameworks through which to act and interact with others. But ideologies come at a cost: demanding conformity and suppressing individuality through rigid rules, repetitive rituals, and intolerance. Once ideologies grip our minds, they fundamentally transform us, making us less sensitive and adaptable.

Drawing on her groundbreaking research, Dr Leor Zmigrod uncovers the hidden mechanisms driving our beliefs and behaviours. She uses the powerful tools of neuroscience to show that our political beliefs are not transient thoughts in our minds, divorced from our bodies – ideologies actually change our neural architecture, our cells. For instance, she demonstrates how a simple card sorting game can reveal your entire approach to life. Cognitive rigidity in such tasks – struggling to adapt to new rules – mirrors the rigidity with which you cling to social and political ideologies. While some individuals are more susceptible to dogmatic thinking than others, all of us can strive to be more flexible.

The Ideological Brain is essential reading in today’s polarized and polarizing world. To foster a more informed, resilient and freer society, we need to zoom into the processes happening inside each of us and learn to spot rigid thinking in ourselves and others. We need to learn to avoid black-and-white thinking and embrace ambiguity. We need to recognize our ability to resist irrational rules and authority. Regardless of your political stance, this book will challenge you to reassess your convictions – and what they are doing to your brain.