Recommendations based on Happy: Why More or Less Everything is Absolutely Fineby Derren Brown

* statistically, based on millions of data-points provided by fellow humans

  1. The Chimp Paradox: The Acclaimed Mind Management Programme to Help You Achieve Success, Confidence and Happiness

    by Steve Peters
    A guide to understanding and managing the inner workings of the human mind, using the analogy of a chimp to explain our emotional responses.

    Leading consultant psychiatrist Steve Peters knows more than anyone how impulsive behaviour or nagging self-doubt can impact negatively on our professional and personal lives. In this, his first ... (Goodreads)

  2. Lying

    by Sam Harris
    Examination of the morality of deception, exploring its implications in modern society.

    As it was in Anna Karenina, Madame Bovary, and Othello, so it is in life. Most forms of private vice and public evil are kindled and sustained by lies. Acts of adultery and other personal betrayals, ... (Goodreads)

  3. The Tao of Pooh

    by Benjamin Hoff
    A whimsical exploration of Taoism through the beloved characters of Winnie the Pooh.

    The Wisdom of Pooh. Is there such thing as a Western Taoist? Benjamin Hoff says there is, and this Taoist's favorite food is honey. Through brilliant and witty dialogue with the beloved Pooh-bear and ... (Goodreads)

  4. Bad Science

    by Ben Goldacre
    A critical look at the misuse of scientific fact and the implications of bad science.

    Full of spleen, this is a hilarious, invigorating and informative journey through the world of Bad Science . When Dr Ben Goldacre saw someone on daytime TV dipping her feet in an 'Aqua Detox' ... (Goodreads)

  5. An Astronaut's Guide to Life on Earth

    by Chris Hadfield
    Experiences and insights from a veteran astronaut's career, empowering readers to achieve their greatest goals.

    Colonel Chris Hadfield has spent decades training as an astronaut and has logged nearly 4000 hours in space. During this time he has broken into a Space Station with a Swiss army knife, disposed of a ... (Goodreads)

  6. Free Will

    by Sam Harris
    An exploration of the implications of determinism, examining the role of free will in our lives.

    Belief in free will touches nearly everything that human beings value. It is difficult to think about law, politics, religion, public policy, intimate relationships, morality—as well as feelings of ... (Goodreads)

  7. Mythos: The Greek Myths Retold

    by Stephen Fry
    Reimagining of classic Greek myths, with a modern twist.

    Mythos is a modern collection of Greek myths, stylishly retold by legendary writer, actor, and comedian Stephen Fry. Fry transforms the adventures of Zeus and the Olympians into emotionally resonant ... (Goodreads)

  8. Letters to a Young Contrarian

    by Christopher Hitchens
    A collection of essays offering philosophical reflections on society and the power of dissent.

    From bestselling author and provocateur Christopher Hitchens, the classic guide to the art of principled dissent and disagreement In Letters to a Young Contrarian , bestselling author and world-class ... (Goodreads)

  9. A Little History of the World

    by E.H. Gombrich
    A concise and engaging history of the world, from prehistoric times to the present day, written for young readers but enjoyable for all ages.

    In 1935, with a doctorate in art history and no prospect of a job, the 26-year-old Ernst Gombrich was invited by a publishing acquaintance to attempt a history of the world for younger readers. ... (Goodreads)

  10. Gorgias

    by Plato
    Philosophical dialogue on the nature of justice and power of rhetoric.

    Taking the form of a dialogue between Socrates, Gorgias, Polus and Callicles, GORGIAS debates perennial questions about the nature of government and those who aspire to public office. Are high moral ... (Goodreads)

  11. Predictably Irrational: The Hidden Forces That Shape Our Decisions

    by Dan Ariely
    An exploration of why humans make irrational decisions, and how to overcome them.

    Why do our headaches persist after taking a one-cent aspirin but disappear when we take a 50-cent aspirin? Why does recalling the Ten Commandments reduce our tendency to lie, even when we couldn't ... (Goodreads)

  12. Emotional Intelligence: Why It Can Matter More Than IQ

    by Daniel Goleman
    Examines the importance of emotional intelligence and how it affects success.

    #1 BESTSELLER • The groundbreaking book that redefines what it means to be smart, with a new introduction by the author “A thoughtfully written, persuasive account explaining emotional intelligence ... (Barnes & Noble)

  13. 12 Rules for Life: An Antidote to Chaos

    by Jordan B. Peterson
    A self-help book that provides practical advice on how to live a meaningful life by embracing responsibility and confronting chaos.

    What does everyone in the modern world need to know? Renowned psychologist Jordan B. Peterson's answer to this most difficult of questions uniquely combines the hard-won truths of ancient tradition ... (Goodreads)

  14. American Prometheus: The Triumph and Tragedy of J. Robert Oppenheimer

    by Kai Bird
    Biography of J. Robert Oppenheimer, exploring his life and legacy.

    American Prometheus is the first full-scale biography of J. Robert Oppenheimer, "father of the atomic bomb," the brilliant, charismatic physicist who led the effort to capture the awesome fire of the ... (Goodreads)

  15. The Lord of the Rings: The Making of the Movie Trilogy

    by Brian Sibley
    A behind-the-scenes look at the making of the epic movie trilogy, including interviews with cast and crew and stunning photographs.

    The official inside story on the making of the award-winning movie trilogy The Lord of the Rings: The Making of the Movie Trilogy is a lavishly illustrated, behind-the-scenes, definitive account of ... (Goodreads)

  16. Cosmos

    by Carl Sagan
    Voyage through the vastness of space, unlocking the mysteries of the universe.

    Cosmos has 13 heavily illustrated chapters, corresponding to the 13 episodes of the Cosmos television series. In the book, Sagan explores 15 billion years of cosmic evolution and the development of ... (Goodreads)

  17. What I Talk About When I Talk About Running

    by Haruki Murakami
    Reflections of a runner, exploring the physical and mental challenges of the sport.

    In 1982, having sold his jazz bar to devote himself to writing, Murakami began running to keep fit. A year later, he'd completed a solo course from Athens to Marathon, and now, after dozens of such ... (Goodreads)

  18. Chronicles: Volume One

    by Bob Dylan
    A memoir tracking Bob Dylan's musical journey from humble beginnings to iconic status.

    WINNER OF THE NOBEL PRIZE IN LITERATURE The celebrated first memoir from arguably the most influential singer-songwriter in the country, Bob Dylan. “I’d come from a long ways off and had started a ... (Barnes & Noble)

  19. The Five Dysfunctions of a Team: A Leadership Fable

    by Patrick Lencioni
    An exploration of the dynamics of team-building, and how to overcome five common pitfalls.

    In The Five Dysfunctions of a Team Patrick Lencioni once again offers a leadership fable that is as enthralling and instructive as his first two best-selling books, The Five Temptations of a CEO and ... (Goodreads)

  20. The Power of Habit: Why We Do What We Do in Life and Business

    by Charles Duhigg
    Uncovering the science of habit formation and how to use it to achieve success.

    A young woman walks into a laboratory. Over the past two years, she has transformed almost every aspect of her life. She has quit smoking, run a marathon, and been promoted at work. The patterns ... (Goodreads)

  21. Inner Engineering: A Yogi's Guide to Joy

    by Sadhguru
    A guide to achieving inner peace and joy through yoga and meditation, with practical advice for daily life.

    NEW YORK TIMES, BESTSELLER • Thought leader, visionary, philanthropist, mystic, and yogi Sadhguru presents Western readers with a time-tested path to achieving absolute well-being: the classical ... (Goodreads)

  22. The Things You Can See Only When You Slow Down: Guidance on the Path to Mindfulness from a Spiritual Leader

    by Haemin Sunim
    A guide to mindfulness and finding inner peace through slowing down and appreciating the present moment.

    "Is it the world that's busy, or is it my mind?" The world moves fast, but that doesn't mean we have to. In this best-selling mindfulness guide - it has sold more than three million copies in Korea, ... (Goodreads)

  23. The Four Tendencies: The Indispensable Personality Profiles That Reveal How to Make Your Life Better

    by Gretchen Rubin
    A framework to better understand yourself and others, and the best way to get along with different personalities.

    In this groundbreaking analysis of personality type, bestselling author of, Better Than Before, and, The Happiness Project, Gretchen Rubin reveals the one simple question that will transform what you ... (Barnes & Noble)

  24. The Complete Persepolis

    by Marjane Satrapi
    Autobiographical tale of a girl growing up in Iran during the Islamic Revolution.

    Here, in one volume: Marjane Satrapi's best-selling, internationally acclaimed graphic memoir. Persepolis is the story of Satrapi's unforgettable childhood and coming of age within a large and loving ... (Goodreads)

  25. A Short History of Nearly Everything

    by Bill Bryson
    A captivating overview of the natural sciences, spanning the history of the universe.

    In Bryson's biggest book, he confronts his greatest challenge: to understand—and, if possible, answer—the oldest, biggest questions we have posed about the universe and ourselves. Taking as territory ... (Goodreads)

  26. A Walk in the Woods: Rediscovering America on the Appalachian Trail

    by Bill Bryson
    A humorous account of a man's attempt to hike the Appalachian Trail, reflecting on the beauty and history of the American wilderness.

    The book starts with Bryson explaining his curiosity about the Appalachian Trail near his house. He and his old friend Stephen Katz start hiking the trail from Georgia in the South , and stumble in ... (Wikipedia)

  27. Moab Is My Washpot

    by Stephen Fry
    Autobiography of an English comedian, exploring his childhood, life struggles, and eventual success.

    Stephen Fry is not making this up! Fry started out as a dishonorable schoolboy inclined to lies, pranks, bringing decaying moles to school as a science exhibit, theft, suicide attempts, the illicit ... (Goodreads)

  28. Breaking The Habit of Being Yourself: How to Lose Your Mind and Create a New One

    by Joe Dispenza
    A guide to breaking free from negative thought patterns and creating a new reality through meditation and neuroscience.

    You are not doomed by your genes and hardwired to be a certain way for the rest of your life., A new science is emerging that empowers all human beings to create the reality they choose. In Breaking ... (Barnes & Noble)

  29. News of a Kidnapping

    by Gabriel García Márquez
    A non-fiction account of the kidnappings of ten people by Pablo Escobar's Medellín cartel in Colombia.

    THIS ASTONISHING BOOK by the Nobel laureate Gabriel Garcí­a Márquez chronicles the 1990 kidnappings of ten Colombian man and women–all journalists but one--by the Medellín drug boss Pablo Escobar. ... (Goodreads)

  30. Models: Attract Women Through Honesty

    by Mark Manson
    A guide to attracting women through honesty, vulnerability, and authenticity, rather than manipulation or deceit.

    Models is the first book ever written on seduction as an emotional process rather than a logical one, a process of connecting with women rather than impressing them. It's the most mature and honest ... (Barnes & Noble)