Ready for a book that’ll make you think? Look no further! With the influx of self-help gurus and thought leaders creating followings on social media, it can be difficult to discern who to trust, and who has the research to back up their ideas. All of the authors listed are professionals who research and teach for a living, and are super-stars in their respective fields. If you’ve exhausted Malcolm Gladwell’s catalogue, or are eager to learn something new, I guarantee you’ll love one of these picks.
1. Emotional Agility – Susan David, Phd.
Susan David is a Harvard Medical School psychologist. In “Emotional Agility” she dives into how we can better understand our thoughts, emotions, and patterns in order to “get unstuck, embrace change, and thrive in work and life” (susandavid.com). If you’re curious, David also has an active instagram account where she breaks down the ideas in her book in a digestible way. She’s also been a guest on Brené Brown’s podcast, as well as Dax Shepard’s Armchair Expert.
2. Sapiens: A Brief History of Humankind – Yuval Noah Harari
Yuval Noah Harari is a historian and philosopher. If you’ve ever wondered about the origin of the human species and how we evolved, this book is for you. It is an entertaining and extensive look into the journey of mankind. Look at it like a crash course in anthropologie, filled with tidbits you can keep in your back pocket for dinner parties.
3. Think Again – The Power of Knowing What You Don’t Know – Adam Grant
Adam Grant is an organizational psychologist and professor. He studies “the science of motivation, generosity, original thinking, and rethinking” (adamgrant.net). “Think Again” examines the importance of the ability to unlearn and relearn, and the possibilities that come from keeping an open mind. Grant also utilizes social media and podcasts to get his ideas out – if you love the book, check out his own podcast, WorkLife with Adam Grant.
4. The Power of Regret – How Looking Back Moves Us Forward – Daniel Pink
Daniel Pink is a New York Times Bestselling Author and former chief speech writer for Vice President Al Gore. His latest book, “The Power of Regret”, dives into the psychology and research behind how “we can transform our regrets in a positive force for working smarter and living better” (danpink.com). Pink takes a daunting topic that many people wouldn’t want to touch, and transforms it into a useful tool. If regret is something you’ve been struggling with, this might be the book for you!
5. Dopamine Nation – Finding Balance in the Age of Indulgence – Dr. Anna Lembke
Dr. Anna Lembke is a psychiatrist and Chief of the Stanford Addiction Medicinal Dual Diagnosis Clinic. In her New York Times best-seller, Lembke explores “why the relentless pursuit of pleasure leads to pain. Most important, she tells readers how to find the delicate balance between the two” (annalembke.com). Addiction surrounds us, and may be affecting your life more than you think. From social media to sugar, addiction takes many forms and Lembke has put the work in to figure out how to lead a more balanced life.
6. Atlas of the Heart – Mapping Meaningful Connection and the Language of Human Experience – Brené Brown
Brené Brown is a professor and researcher of emotions, shame, empathy, courage, and vulnerability. Her latest book, “Atlas of the Heart”, explores emotions that define the human experience, and how to make meaningful connections. If you can’t get enough of this book or want the movie version instead, check out Brown’s HBO Max series of the same name. It’s like a 5 episode Ted Talk.
