This list of the best-selling health and wellness books in Canada for September 2025 is part of our Shop The Street series. Our editors curate collections of new and noteworthy products (and let you know why you should add to cart). Know, though, when you buy something through our retail links, we may earn an affiliate commission.
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Listen, we won’t take it to heart if our articles, profiles and features about health and fitness aren’t enough for you. We just want what’s best for you: a healthy, happy life. So that’s why we are excited to publish this list of Canada’s best-selling health and wellness books (August 2025 data provided by Audible). So, take a browse and see what you should suggest for your next self-help book club read.
What changed this month?
While mental health is always top of mind for Canadians, seeing as the top three books have remained here the past couple of months, there is a hunger from Canadians about living longer and healthier. The new entries on this list (no. 5 through 10) suggest we also want to take care of our bodies, eat better and, for goodness sake, get a good night’s rest. If that’s you too, keep scrolling.
Why wait for Sober October or #dryjanuary? Easy ways to try non-alcoholic beverages a try.
The top 10 health and wellness books in Canada for August 2025
Get ready to add to cart and improve your perspective.
1. Atomic Habits, by James Clear, narrated by the author (Penguin)
Need a cheat sheet for decision-making? This practical book is all about building good habits and breaking the bad ones by recognizing your identity, stacking habits and patterns, and designing an environment to support you.
James Clear is an author, speaker and productivity expert who started blogging his habit secrets in 2012.
2. The Anxious Generation, by Jonathan Haidt, narrated by Sean Pratt and the author (Penguin)
Give your digital detox purpose after reading this book – and it might even help you get over FOMO. Find out how our phones and social media feeds can trigger anxiety, depression and other mental health struggles. It also looks at device-free play for kids, overprotective parenting and excessive screen time and how it affects feelings of independence.
Social psychologist and NYU professor, Jonathan Haidt conducts research on morality, culture and social psychology and has written three other books. Sean Pratt is a professional book narrator.
3. Scattered Minds, by Gabor Maté MD, narrated by Daniel Maté (Knopf Canada)
Recently lots has been written about ADHD and the role of genetics. But this book looks at how our social and emotional environments can be both a cause and cure for children and adults. Canadian physician Gabor Maté is an expert in childhood development. Dr. Maté’s son, Daniel Maté has previously co-authored the book The Myth of Normal.
4. The Body Keeps the Score, by Bessel van der Kolk MD, narrated by Sean Pratt (Penguin Audio)
We’re all healing, #amirite? Find out how trauma can affect the brain, the body and the mind in this book. And it doesn’t end there, as it also can impact our emotions, how we behave and ultimately our physical health. Learn about treatments, including mindfulness, EMDR (eye movement desensitization and reprocessing, and, yes, yoga.
Dr. Bessel van der Kolk is a Dutch-American psychiatrist and researcher who specializes in post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Sean Pratt is a voice actor and this is his second book reading on this list.
5. The Art of Thinking Clearly, by Rolf Dobelli, narrated by Eric Conger (HarperAudio)
Ever think you would have the mental capacity to get through 99 chapters? You can with this book. Each short section explains a common cognitive bias that can distort thinking. Dobelli reveals what can lead poor decision-making in everyday life and work. You can learn from real-life examples to reveal how our minds are wired to make mistakes (it’s not you, it’s your brain!). ItsAnd while we can’t eliminate these biases entirely, according to the author, being aware of what they are can help us make clearer, more rational choices.
6. Estrogen Matters by Avrum Bluming, MD, Carol Tavris, narrated by authors (Little, Brown Spark)
The two docs look at the fears women face around surrounding hormone replacement therapy (HRT) after menopause. What we know is that pre-menopause, women are less likely to experience heart disease, osteoporosis, dementia and other conditions. But when taking HRT in a period of life when estrogen levels drop can help with these health issues. They also argue that the risks – such as breast cancer – are often overstated or misunderstood compared to the benefits.
7. The Myth of Normal by Gabor Maté, MD, and Daniel Maté, narrated by Daniel Maté (Knopf Canada)
What is “normal”? That’s the question tacked in this book. Our quest for normalcy hinders us, the authors write, leading to chronic stress, trauma, and emotional repression. It’s an unhealthy pressure in Western Society that can have deep impacts on our mental health as well as physical health. The question we should be asking instead, though, is about how well we treat ourselves and others. The answer comes with compassion and authenticity. And no, not the type of authenticity we’re being sold on social media with car confessions from our favourite influencers. It’s about staying true to feelings and our truths.
8. Unbreakable by Vonda Wright, MD, narrated by the author (Random House Audio)
You won’t be surprised by the premise that exercise and nutrition are discussed in this book as a part of healthy aging. But Dr. Wright adds on that, with her FACE method (flexibility, aerobic activity, carrying a load, equilibrium and foot speed) for maintaining strength and physical power, birthday after birthday. For the food side, anti-inflammatory foods help with gut health, managing stress, sleep. A cool feature in the book is its “Unbreakable Score” quiz, which reveals your baseline health and mobility, along with a six-week exercise program, as well as recipes.
9. When the Body Says No by Gabor Maté, MD, narrated by Daniel Maté (Vintage Canada)
Ever feel like you want to scream, but just don’t? Ever want to say what you’re thinking but stow those thoughts away? The results of not answering our own needs and repressing emotions are not good for us, obviously. And the good doctor explains how people-pleasing and denial of anger aren’t just psychological patterns but physiological risk factors. He draws on scientific research and real patient stories to show the connection between mind and body for health and illness.
10. Outlive by Peter Attia, MD, narrated by the author (Random House Audio)
Welcome to “Medicine 3.0.” We’re moving past symptom hiding to a more proactive approach, according to this book, which dives deep into prevention and personalized care. While your brunch mates talk about biohacking, you can share this take with a more doc-friendly, accessible approach to health. Dr. Attia points to metabolic dysfunction, heart disease, neurodegeneration and cancer as the primary threats to both lifespan and healthspan. And he says many of the root causes can be delayed and mitigated, so, we can live longer and stronger.