Recommendations based on The How of Happiness: A Scientific Approach to Getting the Life You Wantby Sonja Lyubomirsky

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

  1. Stumbling on Happiness

    by Daniel Todd Gilbert
    A scientific exploration of why we often fail to predict what will make us happy and how we can find happiness in unexpected ways.

    • Why are lovers quicker to forgive their partners for infidelity than for leaving dirty dishes in the sink? • Why will sighted people pay more to avoid going blind than blind people will pay to ... (Goodreads)

  2. The Gifts of Imperfection

    by Brené Brown
    A guide to self-acceptance, embracing imperfections and finding courage, compassion and connection.

    In this groundbreaking New York Times best seller, Dr. Brené Brown, a research professor and thought leader on vulnerability , courage , worthiness , and shame , shares ten guideposts on the power of ... (Goodreads)

  3. The Tell-Tale Brain: A Neuroscientist's Quest for What Makes Us Human

    by V.S. Ramachandran
    A journey into the mysteries of the human mind, exploring the complexities of the human brain.

    V. S. Ramachandran is at the forefront of his field-so much so that Richard Dawkins dubbed him the "Marco Polo of neuroscience." Now, in a major new work, Ramachandran sets his sights on the mystery ... (Goodreads)

  4. Authentic Happiness: Using the New Positive Psychology to Realize Your Potential for Lasting Fulfillment

    by Martin E.P. Seligman
    A guide to achieving lasting happiness through positive psychology, focusing on character strengths and positive emotions.

    A national bestseller,, Authentic Happiness, launched the revolutionary new science of Positive Psychology—and sparked a coast-to-coast debate on the nature of real happiness. According to esteemed ... (Goodreads)

  5. The Brain: The Story of You

    by David Eagleman
    A journey through the inner workings of the brain, uncovering the science of consciousness.

    Locked in the silence and darkness of your skull, your brain fashions the rich narratives of your reality and your identity. Join renowned neuroscientist David Eagleman for a journey into the ... (Goodreads)

  6. Self-Compassion: The Proven Power of Being Kind to Yourself

    by Kristin Neff
    Exploring the inner depths of self-compassion and its power to change lives.

    Self-Compassion: Stop Beating Yourself Up and Leave Insecurity Behind offers expert advice on how to limit self-criticism and offset its negative effects, enabling you to achieve your highest ... (Barnes & Noble)

  7. The Future of the Mind: The Scientific Quest to Understand, Enhance, and Empower the Mind

    by Michio Kaku
    A journey through the possibilities of the human mind, exploring the science behind telepathy, telekinesis, and other mind-bending concepts.

    The New York Times best-selling author of Physics of the Impossible , Physics of the Future and Hyperspace tackles the most fascinating and complex object in the known universe: the human brain . For ... (Goodreads)

  8. Flow: The Psychology of Optimal Experience

    by Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi
    An exploration of the concept of 'flow' and how it can be used to enhance optimal experience.

    Psychologist Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi's investigations of "optimal experience" have revealed that what makes an experience genuinely satisfying is a state of consciousness called flow. During flow, ... (Goodreads)

  9. Delivering Happiness: A Path to Profits, Passion, and Purpose

    by Tony Hsieh
    A business leader's journey from success to significance, showing how to build a corporate culture of happiness.

    You want to learn about the path that we took at Zappos to get to over $1 billion in gross merchandise sales in less than ten years. You want to learn about the path I took that eventually led me to ... (Goodreads)

  10. Wherever You Go, There You Are: Mindfulness Meditation in Everyday Life

    by Jon Kabat-Zinn
    Guide to mindfulness meditation, exploring the power of presence and becoming aware of the present moment.

    In this book, the author maps out a simple path for cultivating mindfulness in one's own life. It speaks both to those coming to meditation for the first time and to longtime practitioners, anyone ... (Goodreads)

  11. Thinking, Fast and Slow

    by Daniel Kahneman
    An exploration of the two systems of the mind, and how they influence decision-making.

    In the highly anticipated Thinking, Fast and Slow , Kahneman takes us on a groundbreaking tour of the mind and explains the two systems that drive the way we think. System 1 is fast, intuitive, and ... (Goodreads)

  12. The Seven Spiritual Laws of Success: A Practical Guide to the Fulfillment of Your Dreams

    by Deepak Chopra
    A concise guide to achieving success and fulfillment through spiritual principles and practices.

    This is a book you will cherish for a lifetime, for within its pages are the secrets to making all your dreams come true. Based on natural laws that govern all of creation, this book shatters the ... (Barnes & Noble)

  13. Philosophical Investigations

    by Ludwig Wittgenstein
    Wittgenstein's exploration of language and meaning, challenging traditional philosophical concepts and proposing new ways of understanding language games.

    Philosophical Investigations, ( German : Philosophische Untersuchungen ) is a work by the philosopher Ludwig Wittgenstein . The book was published posthumously in 1953. Wittgenstein discusses ... (Wikipedia)

  14. Einstein: His Life and Universe

    by Walter Isaacson
    A comprehensive biography of Albert Einstein, exploring his personal life, scientific achievements, and impact on the world.

    Einstein was a rebel and nonconformist from boyhood days, and these character traits drove both his life and his science. In this narrative, Walter Isaacson explains how his mind worked and the ... (Goodreads)

  15. 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)

  16. The Happiness Project: Or Why I Spent a Year Trying to Sing in the Morning, Clean My Closets, Fight Right, Read Aristotle, and Generally Have More Fun

    by Gretchen Rubin
    A memoir of a woman's year-long journey to find happiness by making small changes in her daily life.

    #1 New York Times Bestseller “An enlightening, laugh-aloud read. . . . Filled with open, honest glimpses into [Rubin’s] real life, woven together with constant doses of humor.” —,Christian Science ... (Barnes & Noble)

  17. Lean In: Women, Work, and the Will to Lead

    by Sheryl Sandberg
    An exploration of gender dynamics in the workplace and solutions for women to achieve success.

    Sheryl Sandberg’s Lean In is a massive cultural phenomenon and its title has become an instant catchphrase for empowering women. The book soared to the top of bestseller lists internationally, ... (Goodreads)

  18. The Origin of Species

    by Charles Darwin
    Comprehensive scientific exploration of the evolution of species and the natural world.

    Darwin's theory of natural selection issued a profound challenge to orthodox thought and belief: no being or species has been specifically created; all are locked into a pitiless struggle for ... (Goodreads)

  19. A New Earth: Awakening to Your Life's Purpose

    by Eckhart Tolle
    A spiritual guide to finding peace and purpose in life, by transcending the ego.

    The highly anticipated follow-up to the 2,000,000 copy bestselling inspirational book, "The Power of Now" With his bestselling spiritual guide "The Power of Now," Eckhart Tolle inspired millions of ... (Goodreads)

  20. Primates of Park Avenue

    by Wednesday Martin
    An anthropological study of the wealthy mothers of Manhattan's Upper East Side, exploring their social rituals and cultural practices.

    An instant #1 New York Times bestseller, Primates of Park Avenue is an “amusing, perceptive and…deliciously evil” ( The New York Times Book Review ) memoir of the most secretive and elite ... (Barnes & Noble)

  21. Small Fry: A Memoir

    by Lisa Brennan-Jobs
    A memoir of Lisa Brennan-Jobs, daughter of Apple co-founder Steve Jobs, and her complicated relationship with her father.

    Born on a farm and named in a field by her parents–artist Chrisann Brennan and Steve Jobs--Lisa Brennan-Jobs's childhood unfolded in a rapidly changing Silicon Valley. When she was young, Lisa's ... (Goodreads)

  22. The Power of Now: A Guide to Spiritual Enlightenment

    by Eckhart Tolle
    A journey of self-transformation, learning to live in the present moment and liberate oneself.

    Eckhart Tolle's message is simple: living in the now is the truest path to happiness and enlightenment. And while this message may not seem stunningly original or fresh, Tolle's clear writing, ... (Goodreads)

  23. 59 Seconds: Think a Little, Change a Lot

    by Richard Wiseman
    Evidence-based self-help book that provides practical tips to improve various aspects of life in under a minute.

    In "59 Seconds," psychologist Professor Richard Wiseman presents a fresh approach to change that helps people achieve their aims and ambitions in minutes, not months. From mood to memory, persuasion ... (Goodreads)

  24. Change by Design: How Design Thinking Transforms Organizations and Inspires Innovation

    by Tim Brown
    A guide to using design thinking to drive innovation and change within organizations.

    The myth of innovation is that brilliant ideas leap fully formed from the minds of geniuses. The reality is that most innovations come from a process of rigorous examination through which great ideas ... (Goodreads)

  25. Yes!: 50 Scientifically Proven Ways to Be Persuasive

    by Noah J. Goldstein
    A guide to understanding the science behind persuasion and how to use it effectively in everyday life.

    Small changes can make a big difference in your powers of persuasion. What one word can you start using today to increase your persuasiveness by more than fifty percent? Which item of stationery can ... (Goodreads)

  26. Strength in What Remains: A Journey of Remembrance and Forgiveness

    by Tracy Kidder
    A young man escapes genocide in Burundi and arrives in New York City with nothing. His journey to rebuild his life is a testament to the human spirit.

    Strength in What Remains is a wonderfully written, inspiring account of one man’s remarkable American journey and of the ordinary people who helped him – a brilliant testament to the power of will ... (Goodreads)

  27. The Wisdom of Psychopaths: What Saints, Spies, and Serial Killers Can Teach Us About Success

    by Kevin Dutton
    An exploration of the traits of psychopaths and how they can be harnessed for success in life.

    In this engrossing journey into the lives of psychopaths and their infamously crafty behaviors, the renowned psychologist Kevin Dutton reveals that there is a scale of "madness" along which we all ... (Barnes & Noble)

  28. Artisan Bread in Five Minutes a Day: The Discovery That Revolutionizes Home Baking

    by Jeff Hertzberg
    A revolutionary guide to baking artisan bread, with a simple and easy method.

    The New Artisan Bread in Five Minutes a Day, is a fully revised and updated edition of the bestselling, ground-breaking, and revolutionary approach to bread-making—a perfect gift for foodies and ... (Barnes & Noble)

  29. Guns, Germs, and Steel: The Fates of Human Societies

    by Jared Diamond
    Tracing the origins of human civilizations through the lens of geography, technology, and biology.

    "Diamond has written a book of remarkable scope ... one of the most important and readable works on the human past published in recent years." Winner of the Pulitzer Prize and a national bestseller: ... (Goodreads)

  30. Jack: Straight from the Gut

    by Jack Welch
    Autobiography of Jack Welch, former CEO of General Electric, detailing his leadership style and business strategies.

    Nearly 20 years ago, former General Electric CEO Reg Jones walked into Jack Welch's office and wrapped him in a bear hug. "Congratulations, Mr. Chairman", said Reg. It was a defining moment for ... (Goodreads)