Feelings can be fickle, strange, unpredictable things. Sometimes you feel anger when you expect sadness, or relief when you expect disappointment, or numbness when you expect grief.
Fortunately, however, you don’t have to make sense of your emotions by yourself. Below you’ll find five stellar reads, each of which illuminates surprising truths about how feelings really work—and how to make them work for us.
The Power of Regret: How Looking Backward Moves Us Forward
By Daniel Pink
Drawing on research in social psychology, neuroscience, and biology, a world-renowned thinker debunks the myth of the “no regrets” philosophy of life. In fact, regrets offer compelling insights into how we live—and how we can find a better path forward. Listen to our Book Bite summary, read by author Daniel Pink, in the Next Big Idea App
The Book of Moods: How I Turned My Worst Emotions into My Best Life
By Lauren Martin
With a good job and healthy relationships, the author seemed to have it all—but she couldn’t shake persistent feelings of inferiority, irritability, and more. The Book of Moods is her deep dive into what causes such negative emotions, what purpose they serve, and how anyone can manage them more effectively. Listen to our Book Bite summary, read by author Lauren Martin, in the Next Big Idea App
Emotional Agility: Get Unstuck, Embrace Change, and Thrive in Work and Life
By Susan David
Developed by Harvard psychologist Susan David, emotional agility is a revolutionary, science-based approach that allows us to navigate life’s twists and turns with self-acceptance, clear-sightedness, and an open mind. Listen to our professionally-read Book Bite summary in the Next Big Idea App
Emotional: How Feelings Shape Our Thinking
By Leonard Mlodinow
We’ve all been told that thinking rationally is the key to success. But at the cutting edge of science, researchers are discovering that feeling is every bit as important as thinking. Listen to our Book Bite summary, read by author Leonard Mlodinow, in the Next Big Idea App
The Sweet Spot: The Pleasures of Suffering and the Search for Meaning
By Paul Bloom
Drawing on groundbreaking findings from psychology and brain science, a University of Toronto professor shows how the right kind of suffering sets the stage for enhanced pleasure. Listen to our Book Bite summary, read by author Paul Bloom, in the Next Big Idea App
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