This section is dedicated to what I think are the best books on life, happiness, thinking, and investing.
Books on Life & Happiness
Flourish: A Visionary New Understanding of Happiness and Well-Being
By Dr. Martin Seligman
Traditionally, the goal of psychology has been to relieve human suffering. The goal of the Positive Psychology movement, which Dr. Seligman has led for fifteen years since he was head of the American Psychological Association, is focused on helping everyone make their lives better. This book compiles all the top research on well-being and happiness to build a new framework to enable people to flourish.
Mindset: The New Psychology of Success
by Carol Dweck
Carol Dweck’s work has focused on how our mindset – growth or fixed – about our abilities, talents, and intelligence affects our success and how we deal with obstacles. I wrote about her research in Steve Jobs’ Secret of a Successful Life. One of her most fascinating insights is that our mindsets are affected by the environments we are in and how we get praise and attention which is just as relevant for adults as it is for raising children.
by Herman Hesse
One of my all-time favorite books. This is the tale of Siddhartha and his search for enlightenment. As a young man, Siddhartha meets the Buddha. After studying with him for some time Siddhartha realizes that following his teaching is a way to get close to enlightenment, but only by learning through your own experiences can you actually reach enlightenment.
Racing Towards Excellence by Jan Sramek and Muzaffar Khan
Letters from a Stoic by Seneca
Meditations by Marcus Aurelius
Ending Aging by Aubrey De Grey, PH.D and Michael Rae
How to Win Friends & Influence People by Dale Carnegie
Choose Yourself by James Altucher
Books on Thinking
Influence: The Psychology of Persuasion by Robert Cialdini
This book could also be titled “Defense Against the Dark Arts of Marketing and Persuasion.”
AntiFragile: Things that Gain From Disorder by Nassim Nicolas Taleb
The Black Swan: The Impact of the Highly Improbable by Nassim Nicolas Taleb
Fooled by Randomness: The Hidden Role of Chance in Life and in the Markets by Nassim Nicholas Taleb
Poor Charlie’s Almanack: The Wit and Wisdom of Charles T. Munger by Charlie Munger
Latticework by Robert G. Hagstrom
Seeking Wisdom: From Darwin to Munger by Peter Bevelin
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