Recommended Reads for 2025
Curated by MEA
Craving some mind-expanding reads for 2025?
We've curated 10 power-packed books that'll light up your midlife journey in ways you never imagined.
Here's what makes this collection extra special—every single author is part of our MEA family—brilliant thought leaders and superluminaries who you'll get to meet in person at our retreats and workshops throughout the year.
Pretty amazing, right?
These aren't just books sitting on your nightstand—they're your personal connection to the visionaries who are reimagining what midlife can be. Think of it as your VIP pass to both their wisdom on the page and their presence in real life.
It's time to discover your next favorite read...
Happy reading and evolving,
Not Too Late: The Power of Pushing Limits at Any Age
By Gwendolyn Bounds
Think you're past your prime? Think again. Through fascinating science and stories of midlife adventurers, Gwendolyn proves that not only can you teach an old dog new tricks—you might actually be in your sweet spot for learning them. Perfect for anyone who's ever wondered if they missed their chance or dreamed of proving that great beginnings can start at any age.
Rusch to Glory
By Rebecca Rusch
From dominating desk life as a corporate high-flyer to crushing 24-hour mountain bike races, Rebecca Rusch's wild pivot proves reinvention isn't just possible—it's downright exhilarating. This memoir is ideal for anyone who's ever daydreamed about blowing up their comfort zone and finding out what they're really made of (even if your idea of adventure is just taking the stairs).
A Field Guide to Nature Meditation: 52 Mindfulness Practices for Joy, Wisdom, and Wonder
By Mark Coleman
Your antidote to doomscrolling and endless to-do lists. Mark Coleman's guide is like having a wise and refreshingly down-to-earth friend gently nudging you to look up from your phone and rediscover the world outside. These 52 practices show you how to find your calm by simply tuning into rustling leaves, dancing shadows, or even just watching your dog's pure joy at sniffing the wind. Perfect for anyone craving a moment of peace in their overscheduled life.
The Middlescence Manifesto: Igniting the Passion of Midlife
By Barbara Waxman
Midlife crisis? Try a midlife revolution. This book flips the script on our culture's tired "over-the-hill" narrative, showing how our middle years are actually prime time for reinvention, growth, and yes—adventure. Through research and real-life inspiration, Barbara proves that "middle age" is less about decline and more about hitting your stride. Perfect for anyone who's ever walked past a gym, art studio, or grad school brochure and thought, "Maybe someday..."
The Way Home: Discovering the Hero’s Journey to Wholeness in Midlife
By Ben Katt
Looking for your next chapter? Ben Katt takes the classic hero's journey and turns it into a roadmap for midlife transformation. Through mythology, psychology, and real stories of midlife warriors, he shows how feeling lost might actually be the first step to finding your way. Perfect for anyone navigating life's "second act" who suspects the real adventure’s just beginning.
From Strength to Strength: Finding Success, Happiness, and Deep Purpose in the Second Half of Life
By Arthur Brooks
Think your best days are behind you? Brooks shatters that worn-out myth with compelling research showing how we actually get better as we age. Drawing from neuroscience and the lives of remarkable late bloomers, he reveals how shifting from fluid intelligence to crystallized wisdom isn't a downgrade—it's an upgrade to a whole new kind of success. Perfect for anyone ready to stop mourning their glory days and start building their legacy days.
Leading with Heart: Five Conversations That Unlock Creativity, Purpose, and Results
By Edward Sullivan
Move over, old-school management playbooks—this book shows how true leadership isn't about command-and-control—it's about having the right conversations that unlock your team's hidden potential. Through game-changing dialogues, it reveals how leading with genuine humanity and emotional intelligence isn't just nice—it's what drives breakthrough performance and lasting success. Perfect for leaders tired of wearing the boss mask and ready to create the kind of workplace where both people and profits thrive.
Next! The Power of Reinvention in Life and Work
By Joanne Lipman
Drawing from groundbreaking research and compelling stories, Joanne Lipman reveals how life's second (or third, or fourth) acts can be your most dynamic. She dismantles outdated beliefs about age and success, showing how experience isn't just an asset—it's your secret superpower. Through vivid storytelling and practical insights, she demonstrates why midlife is your launchpad for the most exciting chapter yet. Perfect for anyone wondering, "What's next?" and ready to turn their hard-won wisdom into their next great adventure.
The Talent Revolution: Longevity and the Future of Work
By Lisa Taylor
Ready for some good news about aging at work? Lisa demolishes outdated ideas about career timelines, showing us how longer lifespans are reshaping everything we thought we knew about work. Through cutting-edge research and real workplace innovations, she reveals how age diversity isn't just nice to have—it's the secret weapon smart companies are using to thrive. Perfect for anyone wondering how to stay relevant in a changing workplace and leaders who know there's got to be a better way than "out with the old, in with the new."
Reboot: Leadership and the Art of Growing Up
By Jerry Colonna
This book goes deep into what's holding you back—stories, wounds, and patterns you've been carrying since long before you got that corner office. Through raw honesty and wisdom, he shows how true leadership starts with the courage to face yourself. Drawing from Buddhism, psychology, and decades of coaching tech's top leaders, he offers a radically human approach to becoming the leader you've always wanted to be. Perfect for leaders ready to create lasting, meaningful change.