7 Books That Will Make You Smile So Wide It Hurts
Magazine / 7 Books That Will Make You Smile So Wide It Hurts

7 Books That Will Make You Smile So Wide It Hurts

Happiness Health Psychology
7 Books That Will Make You Smile So Wide It Hurts

Every time we turn on the TV or scroll through our newsfeeds, it seems that everything in the world is, well, kind of terrible. Whether the stories are about politics, crime, or the environment, they all seem to be bad news—and they put a dark cloud over our day-to-day lives.

So isn’t it time you read something that made you smile? Something that made you feel good, even hopeful? If you’re ready to discover how to make your life—and the world at large—a little bit better, we recommend starting with the seven brilliant books below.

 

Humor, Seriously: Why Humor Is a Secret Weapon in Business and Life by Jennifer Aaker and Naomi Bagdonas

Humor, Seriously: Why Humor Is a Secret Weapon in Business and Life

By Jennifer Aaker and Naomi Bagdonas

It turns out that a broken funny bone doesn’t just make you a buzzkill at parties; it can also put a damper on your professional life. Even if you don’t think of yourself as a comedian, this book by Stanford professors Jennifer Aaker and Naomi Bagdonas can help you use humor to improve your communication and negotiation skills. View Our “Book Bite” Summary

 

The Power of Writing It Down: A Simple Habit to Unlock Your Brain and Reimagine Your Life by Allison Fallon

The Power of Writing It Down: A Simple Habit to Unlock Your Brain and Reimagine Your Life

By Allison Fallon

Drawing from years of coaching hundreds through the writing process–from first-timers to New York Times bestselling authors–writing coach Allison Fallon shares proven practices for getting started, staying inspired, and using one simple habit to shift how you feel and show up to your life. View on Amazon

 

Humankind: A Hopeful History by Rutger Bregman

Humankind: A Hopeful History

By Rutger Bregman

Historian Rutger Bregman proposes that human nature is not evil, but kind and cooperative. He also shows how prison systems and economic policy are shaped by the opposite assumption—and how, when we shift to a more realistic view of human nature, we can build a better, more just world. View Our “Book Bite” Summary

 

Beginners: The Joy and Transformative Power of Lifelong Learning by Tom Vanderbilt

Beginners: The Joy and Transformative Power of Lifelong Learning

By Tom Vanderbilt

When we’re kids, we constantly try new hobbies, sports, and activities. So why do we stop trying new things in adulthood? In Beginners, acclaimed journalist Tom Vanderbilt contends that you’re never too old to learn something new. View Our “Book Bite” Summary

 

Joyful: The Surprising Power of Ordinary Things to Create Extraordinary Happiness by Ingrid Fetell Lee

Joyful: The Surprising Power of Ordinary Things to Create Extraordinary Happiness

By Ingrid Fetell Lee

Contrary to popular wisdom, joy is not purely a matter of attitude and perspective. In fact, science shows that our surroundings have a measurable effect on our mood, creativity, and productivity. So in Joyful, designer Ingrid Fetell Lee puts that science in your hands, to help your design the perfect spaces for living and working. View an Excerpt from Our E-Course

 

In Awe: Rediscover Your Childlike Wonder to Unleash Inspiration, Meaning, and Joy by John O'Leary

In Awe: Rediscover Your Childlike Wonder to Unleash Inspiration, Meaning, and Joy

By John O’Leary

With the daily grind of work responsibilities and obligations, we may find ourselves feeling burned out and jaded more often than we’d like. But internationally renowned speaker John O’Leary believes that we can adopt a better, healthier, more joyful mindset. View Our “Book Bite” Summary

 

When You Wonder, You're Learning: Mister Rogers' Enduring Lessons for Raising Creative, Curious, Caring Kids by Gregg Behr and Ryan Rydzewski

When You Wonder, You’re Learning: Mister Rogers’ Enduring Lessons for Raising Creative, Curious, Caring Kids

By Gregg Behr and Ryan Rydzewski

When You Wonder, You’re Learning shows parents and educators the many ways they might follow in Mister Rogers’ footsteps, sharing his “tools for learning” with digital-age kids. With insights from thinkers, scientists, and teachers—many of whom worked with Rogers himself—the book is an essential exploration into how kids and their parents can excel at what Rogers taught best: being human. View Our “Book Bite” Summary

 

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