Over the past year, I have read many excellent books. In case there are people for whom you still need to pick up a present, I will list some of the titles below.
- Sleights of Mind: What the Neuroscience of Magic Reveals about Our Everyday Deceptions This book is one of my all-time favorites; I read it slowly so it would not end. Highly recommended for those interested in the brain and mind.
- Real Food: What to Eat and Why An antidote to some of the extreme diets out there, such as veganism. The author has also written Real Food for Mother and Baby: The Fertility Diet, Eating for Two, and Baby's First Foods which I have not read.
- Around My French Table: More Than 300 Recipes from My Home to Yours This recipe came from that book, and the book holds many other treats.
- A Refutation of Moral Relativism: Interviews With an Absolutist Probably the most thought-provoking of the books I read this year. I plan to reread it.
- The Art of Argument G.K. Chesterton said, "Perhaps the principal objection to a quarrel is that it interrupts an argument." This book can help prevent quarrels. Written for a younger audience but of value to adults, too.
- A is for Asshole: The Grownups' ABCs of Conflict Resolution Weaves the science of conflict and conflict resolution into good stories, and gives common-sense advice about how to handle disputes in your life. Great illustrations, too.
- Handbook of Solution-Focused Conflict Management The author of this book is a skilled mediator and she tells the reader about her techniques.
- Entrepreneurs of Life: Faith and the Venture of Purposeful Living If someone is looking for his or her purpose in life, this book can help.
- Resonate: Present Visual Stories that Transform Audiences In my opinion, one of the top three books on how to give a first-class presentation. (I am looking forward to reading The Naked Presenter: Delivering Powerful Presentations With or Without Slides (Voices That Matter) as I believe it also will be one of the best on speaking and presenting.)
- Child's Mind: Mindfulness Practices to Help Our Children Be More Focused, Calm, and Relaxed This book and the next are excellent for teaching kids how to be mindful.
- The Mindful Child: How to Help Your Kid Manage Stress and Become Happier, Kinder, and More Compassionate I have posted about this good book's talented author several times here at idealawg. E.g., here and here.
- Giving Voice to Values: How to Speak Your Mind When You Know What's Right For anyone involved with businesses or firms, "[a] moral compass to navigate the corporate ladder."
- Attention Games: 101 Fun, Easy Games That Help Kids Learn To Focus Although these are written for children, many are adaptable for adults.
- Gamestorming: A Playbook for Innovators, Rulebreakers, and Changemakers It has been a while since I read this one. I know I liked it very much, but can't recall why. Hmm, wonder if it should be here if it is so easily forgotten . . . I do recall that I really liked it so will leave it on the list.
- Unfolding the Napkin: The Hands-On Method for Solving Complex Problems with Simple Pictures One of my favorite topics; this book covers it well. And it's very visually pleasing.
- Mind in the Making: The Seven Essential Life Skills Every Child Needs A good, solid book, and not just for people with children. We can all inventory our skills while reading this one.
- The Music Instinct: How Music Works and Why We Can't Do Without It I don't understand the technical side of music so some of this was tough reading. Nevertheless, it held enough gems to make reading the book very worthwhile.
- The Happiness Trap: How to Stop Struggling and Start Living A great explanation of Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT).
- My Brain Made Me Do It: The Rise of Neuroscience and the Threat to Moral Responsibility Looks at the question of whether there is a difference between the mind and the brain.
I am guessing that I have left some books off this list, and, if they come to mind, I'll add them below. Next year, I am going to keep a list of the best books I read so I don't miss any when I make holiday recommendations in 2011.
Titles added later:
- Your Creative Brain: Seven Steps to Maximize Imagination, Productivity, and Innovation in Your Life
- Why Don't Students Like School: A Cognitive Scientist Answers Questions About How the Mind Works and What It Means for the Classroom
- Shimmering Images: A Handy Little Guide to Writing Memoir
- CONFERENCES THAT WORK: Creating Events That People Love
- Succeed: How We Can Reach Our Goals
- We Need to Talk About Kevin: A Novel
- Extreme Indifference: A Crime Novel
- Seeds of Doubt: A Crime Novel
- If You Want to Write: A Book about Art, Independence and Spirit
- Play: How It Shapes the Brain, Opens the Imagination, and Invigorates the Soul
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