All readers, take care.
Today, I’m going to give you 14 non-fiction books that I believe everyone should read.
For each book, I provide a brief summary. Now it’s up to you to decide if it’s worth your time.
Let’s dig in.
1. The Body Keeps Score
This book delves deep into the world of trauma, discussing its effects on the mind, body, and everyday life.
If you want to know all about trauma and how to deal with it, this is your guide.
3 Ideas That Can Change Your Life
Your information is protected and I never spam, ever. You can view my privacy policy here.
2. The Paradox of Choice
With more choices, we often feel less satisfied.
This book argues for simplifying our lives and limiting ourselves in various ways to overcome the constant bombardment of options we face every day.
3. The Blank Slate
Debunking the myth that our minds are born as clean slates, Pinker explores the importance of genetics in shaping who we are.
This book is a must-read for anyone interested in ongoing debates about gender, sex, and race.
4. Getting the Love You Want
This book explores the psychology of relationships, explaining the patterns we follow based on the mental maps we develop as children.
If you want to understand why you keep dating the same type of person, read this.
5. The Denial of Death
An in-depth take on our motivations in life, this book suggests that we are driven by the fear of death.
We create many projects in the hope of leaving a legacy, allowing us to forget our mortality.
6. Influence
A must-read for those in marketing, sales, or publicity, this book examines the psychological factors that influence decision making.
It is also useful for consumers who want to understand how they are being manipulated.
7. Atomic Properties
James Clear tackles the emotional drivers behind habit change, explaining that changing emotions comes first, followed by physical behavior.
Learn how small actions can add up and add up over time.
8. The Elephant in the Brain
Simler and Hanson study our darker impulses and the conscious mind’s attempts to rationalize them.
This book exposes the hidden motives behind our beliefs and attitudes.
9. Nonviolent Communication
Although a little woo-woo, this book offers insight into the subtext and meaning embedded in our language when talking about feelings.
Understand how your language use affects your emotions and relationships.
10. The Coddling of the American Mind
Jonathan Haidt and Greg Lukianoff The Coddling of the American Mind takes a closer look at how changes in education, parenting styles, and technology have led to a more emotionally vulnerable population. They argue that it is not the fault of the children, but the responsibility of the parents and teachers.
This book offers some important points about the culture of recent generations.
11. They’re So Good They Can’t Ignore You
Cal Newport’s It’s so good they can ignore you challenges the idea that purpose is something you find. Instead, Newport argues that love comes from first becoming good at something.
This book offers a new perspective on how to find purpose and love in life.
12. The Psychology of Money
It’s Morgan Housel The Psychology of Money explores popular assumptions about money and wealth. Housel, who comes from the world of finance, reveals that much of finance is more art than science.
This book shows that people’s understanding of money is often flawed and that those who want to be rich often just want to spend money—paradoxically, the very thing that prevents them from becoming rich.
13. The Second Mountain
David Brooks’ The Second Mountain is a beautifully written book that charts life’s path through two mountains—one of worldly success and the other of purpose.
This book is especially in-depth for people in their 30s and 40s who are experiencing success for the first time and are wrestling with the question, “What’s the point?”
14. Democracy for Realists
Finally, Democracy for Realists is a dense, academic book that explores the paradox of democracy—the more democratic societies are, the worse choices they often make.
This book is poignant and eye-opening, providing examples of why people with skills and experience should make important decisions.
Looking for More Books to Read?
I’ve compiled a list of over 200 “best books” organized by genre, as well as my all-time recommended reading list which includes the book(s) I read each month. Check them out.
