Title: The Happiness Hypothesis Recommendation: 7.8/10 Summary: Jonathan Haidt is a positive psychologist (helping people find happiness and meaning) who studies philosophy and literature from the past 500 years. In this book, he distills his research into 10 core ideas to improve our modern lives. The cover, a man riding an elephant, is a nod…

Title: The Anatomy of Peace Recommendation: 8.8/10 Summary: Conflict resolution only starts when at least one party considers how they might be wrong. Therefore, the fastest way to burn a bridge to resolution is to refuse to consider how we ourselves might need to change. I haven’t lived a single day where this wasn’t a…

Title: Originals Recommendation: 8.5/10 Summary: Looking for a jigsaw of insight on failure, business, the benefits of procrastination, and how to cultivate original thought? Look no further. Adam‘s definition of originality “[it]…doesn’t require being first. It just means being different and better.” ties closely to creativity, making non-obvious connections that result in something different, something original. …

Title: Trillion Dollar Coach Recommendation: 8.3/10 Summary:What do Apple, Amazon, Twitter, and Facebook have in common? All had influence from Bill Campbell, who served as an executive or coached their high-level executives. Diverging from the echo chamber of self-help books, this is a welcomed emphasis on helping others. Genuine friendships and servant leadership were the…

Title: The Power of Meaning Recommendation: 7.6/10 Summary:I just want to be happy. For many, this is the ultimate goal. Emily Smith presents a different perspective, what if happiness isn’t what we really need, but rather meaning? Research from the University of Virginia by Professor Shige Oishi found that happiness, or the lack thereof, doesn’t predict the likelihood…