Incognito
David Eagleman
A fascinating exploration into the inner workings of the human brain, revealing the complex neural processes that shape our perceptions, decisions, and sense of self. Journey into the depths of the mind and discover the hidden influences that govern our thoughts and behaviors.
Psych: The Story of the Brain
Paul Bloom
Explore the fascinating world of psychology with a renowned Yale professor. This book delves into the mysteries of the human mind, from the biological basis of thought to the complexities of consciousness, morality, and mental illness. Discover the latest research and theories about what makes us human and how our brains shape our experiences.
The Psychology of Money
Morgan Housel
"The Psychology of Money" is a collection of nineteen short stories exploring the strange ways people think about money. Written by Morgan Housel, a partner at The Collaborative Fund, the book departs from the standard investment advice that treats finance as a math-based field. Housel argues that financial success is not a hard science. It is a soft skill, where how you behave is more important than what you know. The central premise is that we do not make financial decisions on a spreadsheet. We make them at the dinner table, where personal history, unique worldviews, ego, pride, marketing, and odd incentives are scrambled together. Housel illustrates that two people can see the exact same world yet draw completely different conclusions based on when and where they were born. A key theme in the book is the distinction between getting rich and staying rich. Getting rich requires taking risks, being optimistic, and putting yourself out there. Staying rich requires the exact opposite. It requires fear that what you have made can be taken away from you. It requires frugality and an acceptance that at least some of your success is attributable to luck rather than skill. Housel ultimately posits that the highest dividend money pays is not luxury goods, but control over your time.
Pursuing the Good Life
Christopher Peterson
A collection of 100 reflections on positive psychology, exploring what makes life worth living. It delves into positive emotions, traits, relationships, and institutions, offering insights into how to pursue a fulfilling psychological life.
A Little Life
Hanya Yanagihara
A deeply moving and unflinching novel, 'A Little Life' follows the lives of four college friends—Jude, Willem, JB, and Malcolm—as they navigate adulthood in New York City. At its heart is Jude St. Francis, a brilliant but enigmatic lawyer haunted by an unspeakable past of trauma and abuse. As his friends grapple with their own ambitions and relationships, they are drawn into Jude's orbit, struggling to understand and support him through his profound physical and emotional pain. This powerful narrative explores the enduring bonds of friendship, the devastating effects of trauma, and the complex search for identity and belonging.
Thinking, Fast and Slow
Daniel Kahneman
"Thinking, Fast and Slow" is the intellectual tour de force by Daniel Kahneman, a psychologist who won the Nobel Prize in Economics for his work on decision-making. The book summarizes decades of research to present a unified theory of how the human mind works, challenging the classical economic view that humans are rational actors. Kahneman divides our mental life into two distinct modes: System 1 is fast, intuitive, and emotional; it operates automatically and with little effort (like recognizing a face). System 2 is slower, more deliberative, and logical; it requires conscious effort (like solving a math problem). The central drama of the book is the interaction between these two systems. Kahneman reveals that while System 1 is efficient, it is prone to systematic errors known as cognitive biases—such as the anchoring effect, overconfidence, and loss aversion. System 2 is supposed to monitor these, but it is often lazy and defers to System 1. Rich with examples and puzzles, Thinking, Fast and Slow fundamentally changes how we perceive our own judgments, offering profound insights into corporate strategies, public policy, and our own happiness.
My Grandmother’s Hands
Resmaa Menakem
A groundbreaking self-help book examining white-body supremacy in America from the perspective of trauma and body-centered psychology. It offers a step-by-step healing process based on neuroscience and somatic healing methods to help Americans grow beyond their entrenched racialized divide.
Stick with It
Sean D. Young
Discover the science-backed secrets to lasting change in your life and work. Based on fifteen years of research, this book reveals the seven psychological forces that drive successful behavior modification. Learn how to harness these forces to achieve your goals, whether it's improving your health, boosting your career, or breaking bad habits. Transform your life with a proven method for sticking with it.