I was always a reader who leaned heavily in favour of fiction, even if I was not actively avoiding non-fiction. But oh, how times have changed! Over the past few years, I’ve undergone a literary transformation, gradually venturing into the realm of autobiographies, sociology, psychology, self-help, health, and wellness. And let me tell you, I’ve been pleasantly surprised. Not only have these books expanded my horizons, but they’ve also ignited a newfound passion for learning and personal growth.
So, consider this list my humble offering—an eclectic mix of non-fiction gems that have captured my heart and mind. It’s by no means exhaustive, but rather a curated selection of must-reads based on my personal journey from non-fiction skeptic to enthusiastic advocate. From gripping memoirs to thought-provoking explorations of the human condition, these books have left an indelible mark on me, and I’m confident they’ll do the same for you.
Title: Chatter: The Voice in Our Head, Why It Matters, and How to Harness It Author: Ethan Kross Genre: Non-fiction, Psychology, Personal Development Publish Date: Jan 26, 2021 # of Pages: 272 Rating: 4/5
(Goodreads) An award-winning psychologist reveals the hidden power of our inner voice and shows how to harness it to combat anxiety, improve physical and mental health, and deepen our relationships with others. Tell a stranger that you talk to yourself, and you’re likely to get written off as eccentric. But the truth is that we all have a voice in our head. When we talk to ourselves, we often hope to tap into our inner coach but find our inner critic instead. When we’re facing a tough task, our inner coach can buoy us up: Focus–you can do this. But, just as often, our inner critic sinks us entirely: I’m going to fail. They’ll all laugh at me. What’s the use? In Chatter, acclaimed psychologist Ethan Kross explores the silent conversations we have with ourselves. Interweaving groundbreaking behavioral and brain research from his own lab with real-world case studies–from a pitcher who forgets how to pitch, to a Harvard undergrad negotiating her double life as a spy–Kross explains how these conversations shape our lives, work, and relationships. He warns that giving in to negative and disorienting self-talk–what he calls “chatter”–can tank our health, sink our moods, strain our social connections, and cause us to fold under pressure. But the good news is that we’re already equipped with the tools we need to make our inner voice work in our favor. These tools are often hidden in plain sight–in the words we use to think about ourselves, the technologies we embrace, the diaries we keep in our drawers, the conversations we have with our loved ones, and the cultures we create in our schools and workplaces. Brilliantly argued, expertly researched, and filled with compelling stories, Chatter gives us the power to change the most important conversation we have each day: the one we have with ourselves.
Title: Man’s Search for Meaning Author: Viktor E. Frankl Publish Date: 1946 # of Pages: 200 Rating: 4/5 Buy it*: Amazon
Synopsis – Man’s Search for Meaning
Psychiatrist Viktor Frankl’s memoir has riveted generations of readers with its descriptions of life in Nazi death camps and its lessons for spiritual survival. Based on his own experience and the stories of his patients, Frankl argues that we cannot avoid suffering but we can choose how to cope with it, find meaning in it, and move forward with renewed purpose. At the heart of his theory, known as logotherapy, is a conviction that the primary human drive is not pleasure but the pursuit of what we find meaningful. Man’s Search for Meaning has become one of the most influential books in America; it continues to inspire us all to find significance in the very act of living.
My Rating
My Review
I have always had a fascination for war stories, especially World War 2 stories. They never fail to amaze me with the strength of human spirit in the worst of times and fill me with gratitude at having lived a sheltered life. At the same time, I am also allured by books which explore the human mind and behavior and the many wonders of it. This book brings together both the aspects in a powerful and gripping manner.
Though this book, Frankl provides a psychological insight into the horrors of a concentration camp. What was particularly interesting was the treatment of the subject in an objective (as far as possible, considering that the author underwent those trials and tribulations himself) and philosophical manner, and an attempt to understand how the human mind grapples for a reason to live even when there seems none imaginable. It was very evident that the person who found in himself a “why”, was the one who could survive any “how”.
Everything can be taken from a man but one thing: the last of the human freedoms—to choose one’s attitude in any given set of circumstances, to choose one’s own way.
The first half of the book is an honest account of day to day life of the camp, told in a detached and objective manner. Truth be told, it is not easy to read and is highly distressing, yet incredibly gripping. The physical and the emotional sufferings of the prisoners is unimaginable. However, rather than dwelling much on the atrocities, Frankl explores the psyche of prisoners, himself included. It was a unique perspective, to see how the narratives we tell ourselves about the way of life we “cannot live without” are just that, narratives, and how the beauty of the most significant yet often ignored things in our life such as love come to the fore in times of unimaginable suffering. Though it is meant to be a holistic representation of the life in a concentration camp, I could not help but be amazed by and almost envious of Frankl’s grit and tenacity through hell on earth.
The second part of the book examines ‘logotherapy’ which is about finding someone’s primary meaning in life, and this section is more difficult to read, is peppered with technical terms and statistics, and seems to be geared toward students of psychology. It took me a while to go through this section with sufficient understanding, though I found it intellectually stimulating. The argument propounds that meaning can be found in suffering as well as death, even if it is just having the courage to die with dignity. Though I am strongly in favor of finding a meaning to keep driving towards, I found myself not quite convinced if this philosophy can be applied always and in every situation, as Frankl believes. At times I also felt that this represents an ideal, one which is too far to be practical. However, this is off course just my personal opinion, and I am in no way an expert on this topic.🤷♀️
But there was no need to be ashamed of tears, for tears bore witness that a man had the greatest of courage, the courage to suffer.
To sum up this loooong review, I definitely recommend this book to philosophical thinkers, psychology lovers and generally anyone who wants to have a deeper understanding of what the “meaning of life” is. It is a powerful book with an important message, and if nothing, reading about how people much like ourselves did not lose courage in the most testing times will inspire you like nothing else.
Lets Talk!
Do you like holocaust books? What are your thoughts on the philosophy of Viktor Frankl on the meaning of life? (I have tons of questions and would love to have a more detailed discussion on it!)
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