"What to Read?!": Alexander Akulinichev named the best psychology books at the National Centre RUSSIA

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The top 5 psychology books of 2025 were presented during a session of the literary club "What to Read?!", held at the National Centre RUSSIA on July 10 as part of the II All-Russian Wedding Festival "Russia. Uniting Hearts."

The meeting, moderated by Professor of the National Research University Higher School of Economics and author of the Telegram channel "Chesnakov.Library" Alexei Chesnakov, brought together experts to discuss the reasons behind the popularity of lyrical genres, the psychology of relationships, and books about loyalty.

The guests of the literary club included Alexander Akulinichev, Editor-in-Chief of Psychologies.ru, who presented the ranking of the year’s best psychology books; Nikolai Zharinov, Editor-in-Chief of the creative online art magazine Artifex.ru; and Natalia Ignatieva, Head of Trendwatching at VCIOM. The event was held in a live discussion format.

According to the experts, books about love and family relationships remain in high demand: 89% of readers in Russia are interested in the topic, and 42% admitted to reading romance novels on a daily basis. 

During the meeting, Alexander Akulinichev shared five bestsellers that help readers better understand themselves, improve their relationships, and achieve inner harmony. He noted that choosing just five titles from the vast sea of literature was a real challenge. He supported the recent ranking of the best Russian books by the expert board of Psychologies.ru and particularly highlighted Ilya Latypov's "One-on-One with Life."

Akulinichev also shared his personal recommendations. The second book he deeply admires is "Man's Search for Meaning" ("Say Yes to Life") by Viktor Frankl, who worked as a psychologist in a concentration camp. The book has become a source of support for many in difficult times, helping them find inner strength.

His third recommendation was the well-known works by Eric Berne, "Games People Play" and "What Do You Say After You Say Hello?," which offer insightful tools for analysing interpersonal relationships through the lens of social roles.

A special place in the list went to "The Choice" by Edith Eva Eger — a German-Jewish psychologist and Holocaust survivor who began her professional career at the age of 50. Written when she was 90, the book explores the profound theme of personal choice.

The list concludes with a practical guide by Gavin Kennedy, "Everything Is Negotiable," which Akulinichev considers more effective than many books written by well-known politicians. This book provides essential tools for negotiation in both professional and personal life.

More information about upcoming sessions of the literary club and other educational initiatives is available in the "Events" section of the official website of the National Centre RUSSIA at russia.ru.