ETA: After reading a lot of non-fiction this year, I've realized that this book is actually extremely well-laid out, clear, and instructional for its target group; which I would assume to be anybody wanting an introduction to philosophy. The easiest way for us to gain happiness is to learn how to want the things we already have.” — William B. Irvine The Book in One Sentence A nice illustrated introduction to the idea of philosophy for students/young people/the still-to be-initiated into the rigors of the philosophical tradition. A Guide to the Good Life is a roadmap for aspiring Stoics, revealing why this ancient philosophy is useful today, what Stoicism is truly about, and showing you how to cultivate its powerful principles in your own life. Why should you read it? Love or hate Jordan Peterson, the man has a way with words. In this case, he uses his calm yet convincing voice to provide essential life advice to young people. The advice makes sense, and the stories are inspiring. All around, this is a book worth peeking into. Key Takeaways

Makes for a nice coffee table volume (pity about the ugly cover, since the illustrations inside are quite nice); - perfect for a waiting room where anyone interested can while away their time leafing through. Man’s Search for Meaning details holocaust survivor Viktor Frankl’s horrifying experiences in Nazi concentration camps, along with his psychological approach of logotherapy, which is also what helped him survive and shows how you can – and must – find meaning in your life. Why should you read it? If you feel overwhelmed by all the positive changes you’re hoping to make in your life, stop and read this book. This refreshing philosophy gives us permission to take it slowly, to live our lives one day at a time and yet still feel good about them. Everything is going well when you improve a little every day — what a comforting philosophy to live by! Key Takeaways Admit your own faults and mistakes, because ultimately, they might be your greatest source of strength. Imagine your favorite school teacher or mentor were to give one last lecture before they died. Wouldn’t you attend? Well, Randy Pausch may not be your favorite college professor, but he probably will be if you give his last lecture a chance. The book is full of inspiration, hard-gained wisdom, and memories that will make you smile. Randy also gave the actual lecture, of course, but I recommend reading the book first. It holds more detail and makes the talk feel a lot stronger. Key Takeaways

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There are numerous ways to build your mindset, but none are as profound as reading philosophy books. Through these books, some of the greatest minds around ask questions and delve deep into thought. The Power of Now shows you that every minute you spend worrying about the future or regretting the past is a minute lost, because the only place you can truly live in is the present, the now, which is why the book offers actionable strategies to start living every minute as it occurs and becoming 100% present in and for your life. Why should you read it? If you thought it was difficult to learn philosophy and its many concepts, The Philosophy Book presents the key ideas in a clear layout. Find out what philosophers thought about the nature of reality, and the fundamental questions we ask ourselves; What is the meaning of life? What is the Universe made of? And work your way through the different branches of philosophy such as metaphysics and ethics, from ancient and modern thinkers. What is the meaning of life? What is the Universe made of? Read what our eminent philosophers thought about the nature of reality, and the fundamental questions we ask ourselves. Tim Ferriss once came close to committing suicide. The thing he credits for successfully climbing out of the hole, not returning, and managing his depression a lot better since then? Philosophy! Stoicism, in his case. Tim calls it“an operating system for thriving in high-stress environments; for making better decisions.”

Complexity– Philosophy isn’t a subject that you can’t dive into immediately and understand everything. The books that we selected are great for people making the first leap. Ancient Greek philosophers paved the way for philosophy, science, and new forms of societal governance. If I only had three words of advice, they would be, ‘tell the truth.’ If I got three more words, I’d add, ‘all the time.’” — Randy Pausch The Book in One Sentence

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Digital minimalism centers on 3 principles: clutter is costly, optimization is vital, and intentionality is satisfying. Immediately accept things that are outside of your control, and focus on what you can do with what you’ve got. As a book series, it has good features such as before and after related influences, argument diagramming, drawings and pictures related to the topics, and brief biographical summaries of each of the philosophers. Furthermore, the book did well in including 1. various contemporary philosophers, and 2. philosophical ideas from other disciplines which were not necessarily by philosophers. I suppose yes, in a way, it did provide some of the big ideas.

When two globally revered spiritual leaders talk, it’s worth paying attention. When they discuss handling suffering as an essential life skill (because suffering is inevitable), you might want to drop everything else and listen for a while. This one probably works really well as an audiobook too. If you’re looking for more joy in your life, get this one. Key Takeaways Focus your online time on a small number of carefully selected and optimized activities that strongly support things you value, and then happily miss out on everything else.” — Cal Newport The Book in One Sentence While there isn’t always a clear and distinct answer to the many questions of philosophy, the entire field is a gateway to a higher sense of self. It gets you to think about all manner of things.DK’s extensive children’s list showcases a fantastic store of information for children, toddlers and babies. DK covers everything from animals and the human body, to homework help and craft activities, together with an impressive list of licensing titles, including the best-selling LEGO® books. The Book of Joyis the result of a 7-day meeting between the Dalai Lama and Desmond Tutu, two of the world’s most influential spiritual leaders, during which they discussed one of life’s most important questions: how do we find joy despite suffering? Why should you read it? DK's aim is to inspire, educate and entertain readers of all ages, and everything DK publishes, whether print or digital, embodies the unique DK design approach. DK brings unrivalled clarity to a wide range of topics, with a unique combination of words and pictures, put together to spectacular effect. We have a reputation for innovation in design for both print and digital products.