Looking for new Parkinson’s books to read? Our fifth books roundup is here, and features some incredible reads, from memoirs and advice to a bold new vision for winning the battle against Parkinson’s.
If you’ve read a great new book about Parkinson’s or know about one that is due for release, please let us know – either tag us on social media, or send us an email with the details to [email protected]. We’re particularly keen to increase the non-English books we feature here so please don’t hesitate to get in touch – as well as books we feature relevant journals, comics and other publications.
New Parkinson’s books in English
1. The Parkinson’s Plan: A New Path to Prevention and Treatment by Dr Michael Okun and Dr Ray Dorsey
Released in Europe on 11 September
We’ve got an unmissable interview with the authors of this much-anticipated new book coming next week, so don’t miss it. While the book isn’t published in Europe until 11 September, The Parkinson’s Plan is already causing quite a stir in the Parkinson’s community, thanks to its bold take on the sharp rise in Parkinson’s cases across the world – and what can be done to tackle it. The book is divided into four sections – Prevent, Learn, Amplify, and Navigate – and includes information and guidance on everything from how to improve Parkinson’s care to preventing Parkinson’s in the first place. It’s already been featured on Oprah Winfrey’s Oprah Daily website and is raising crucial awareness for the ticking time bomb that Parkinson’s is becoming.
Buy The Parkinson’s Plan on Amazon
2. When Your Neurons Dance: A Story of a Doctor with Parkinson’s by Jonny Acheson
Jonny Acheson was a 41-year-old working as an emergency medicine doctor when he was diagnosed with Parkinson’s in 2016. He has since become a tireless advocate for the Parkinson’s community, with his impact reaching far beyond his native United Kingdom, and has also become well-known for his Parkinson’s comic artwork. When Your Neurons Dance is both a memoir and an act of advocacy in itself, giving insightful reflections on how to manage Parkinson’s symptoms and how healthcare professionals can do more to support people living with the condition.
Buy When Your Neurons Dance from a range of stores across the world here
3. How to Tame and Manage Parkinson’s Disease by Prof Denis Hochstrasser
Like Jonny Acheson above, Swiss chemist Prof Denis Hochstrasser is both a medical professional and a person living with Parkinson’s, giving him a wealth of insight into the condition. His book How to Tame and Manage Parkinson’s Disease is short but sweet, giving a range of advice about managing Parkinson’s based on his own experience, and is written in a helpfully accessible style to appeal to people with Parkinson’s and their loved ones.
Buy How to Tame and Manage Parkinson’s on Amazon
4. Sports, Exercise, and Slowing the Progression Parkinson’s Disease by Dr George Ackerman
Dr Ackerman’s latest book release is a collection of personal stories from people living with Parkinson’s around the world, giving their experiences of using sports and physical activity to manage Parkinson’s symptoms. Our Summer of Sport campaign in 2024 was devoted entirely to this topic, so we are pleased to see so many excellent stories shared to help inspire the Parkinson’s community to stay active. It includes insights from our own President, Josefa Domingos, about boxing, as well as a section on mime by Barbara Salsberg Mathews, who we collaborated with last year to create the illustrated book What Parkinson’s Feels Like.
Buy Sports, Exercise, and Slowing the Progression Parkinson’s Disease in digital or paperback here
5. Dreaming Awake by Jordi Cruz Gómez
We recently interviewed rock climber Jordi Cruz about how he is using his Parkinson’s diagnosis at the age of 39 to fuel his ambition to compete in the 2028 Paralympics. He has now released Dreaming Awake, a book about his journey with Parkinson’s, and how climbing became his way of fighting back and raising awareness. Despite this inspirational subject matter, the book is also filled with experiences that anyone in the Parkinson’s community can relate to, and it is an honest and emotional read. He has generously released the 103-page book free of charge as a PDF download.
Download Dreaming Awake here
6. Navigating the Parkinson’s Maze by Bruce and Elaine Wright
This book was created by American husband-and-wife team Bruce and Elaine Wright, drawing on 20 years of experience with Parkinson’s after Bruce himself was diagnosed in 2005. Its central premise is that Parkinson’s is unique to each individual, and therefore requires personalised care, giving strategies on managing the condition based on Bruce’s personal experience of the condition. The book gives an impressively broad range of advice on everything from treatment options and navigating the healthcare system to daily routines, emotional support, financial considerations and how to get involved in advocacy.
Buy Navigating the Parkinson’s Maze in e-book or physical format on Amazon
7. My Body Electric: Lover by Bernie Mezrich
American Bernie Mezrich has been living with Parkinson’s for over 30 years, having been diagnosed with an early-onset form of the condition at the age of 43. This book is a memoir detailing the many lessons that living with Parkinson’s has taught him, from dealing with mental health issues and public stigma to dealing with symptoms like speech issues and falls, and finding hope and optimism.
Buy My Body Electric: Lover in ebook format on Amazon
New Parkinson’s books in French
8. La Maladie de Parkinson – Cinquième Édition
Aimed at healthcare professionals, this is the fifth edition of the Parkinson’s reference book, which gives in-depth information about the condition and how to treat it. This latest edition covers the history of Parkinson’s, the signs, symptoms and diagnosis of the condition, and a wide range of treatment options, from surgical to drugs, alternative therapies and biotherapies. It also covers interesting topics like home care devices, practical considerations such as driving licenses, and the role of the community pharmacist. Profits will be donated to our Member Organisation, France Parkinson.
Buy La Maladie de Parkinson on the Elsevier website
Read more of our new Parkinson’s books roundups here. Our next edition will be out towards the end of the year.
