The ‘Mind’ Book Club – Noticing & Neuroaesthetics Edit
In our new bi-weekly series for members of balanceclub, we delve into new books in the health and wellness sphere. From fiction to non-fiction, memoirs to self-help, poetry to cookbooks – we are exploring it all! This week, we’re looking at recent releases in mindfulness, noticing, and neuroaesthetics. These are books that invite us to slow down, look closer, and understand how perception shapes our lives.
The Art of Noticing: Rediscover What Really Matters to You by Rob Walker (2022)
Sometimes all it takes to feel more present is to notice what’s already around you. In The Art of Noticing, journalist Rob Walker gathers short prompts designed to sharpen our attention and break us out of autopilot. Whether it’s people-watching on your commute, finding beauty in ordinary objects, or listening more deeply, each exercise is a small step toward living more fully. Accessible, inspiring, and immediately usable, this book is perfect for anyone craving a daily practice of wonder.
Sensemaking and Neuroaesthetics: Neuroarts and the Spectrum of Neurodiverse Experiences by James Hutson, Piper Hutson & Morgan Harper-Nichols (2024)
Though more of an academic read, this collaborative book takes a new approach to the field of neuroaesthetics. Exploring how people with different neuro and sensory profiles experience art and beauty, it challenges the idea that there’s one “right” way to notice or appreciate aesthetics. With contributions from artist Morgan Harper-Nichols, the book blends science, lived experience, and creativity to show how neurodiverse perspectives expand our understanding of noticing. A thoughtful and inclusive read for anyone curious about how art is perceived differently for different minds.
The Neuroscience of Mindfulness: The Astonishing Science Behind How Everyday Hobbies Help You Relax by Stan Rodski (2025)
Can knitting, gardening, or doodling really work like meditation? Neuroscientist Stan Rodski argues yes. This book dives into the surprising science of how ordinary hobbies shift brain patterns in ways that mimic mindfulness practices. Relaxation, attention, and perception are all improved not just by sitting quietly, but by doing things you already love. It’s a reassuring and practical take for readers who want to see how beauty and calm can be woven into everyday life.
Ways of Being by James Bridle (2022)
James Bridle expands the lens from human noticing to the broader intelligence of nature, animals, and even machines. In Ways of Being, perception becomes not just an individual act but a shared experience across species and systems. Bridle encourages us to pay attention to what usually goes unseen — the patterns of birds, the signals of plants, the ways intelligence is expressed outside of human norms. Wide-ranging and poetic, this book will shift how you see the world and remind you that noticing is as much about humility as it is about curiosity.
