Books like Hardwiring Happiness: The New Brain Science of Contentment, Calm, and Confidence

01

The Happiness Hypothesis

Jonathan Haidt · Psychology

Jonathan Haidt is a social psychologist at NYU who spent the early part of his career studying morality and happiness, and this book — published in 2006, before his work on political psychology brought him wider attention — synthesizes ancient philosophical wisdom with modern psychological research.

Both dig into happiness.

02

Flourish: A Visionary New Understanding of Happiness and Well-being

Martin E. P. Seligman · Psychology

Martin Seligman founded the positive psychology movement and published Authentic Happiness in 2002.

A kindred psychology read.

03

Learned Optimism: How to Change Your Mind and Your Life

Martin E. P. Seligman · Psychology

Martin Seligman's research career began with learned helplessness — the discovery that animals and humans who experience uncontrollable events generalize the uncontrollability to subsequent situations where control is actually possible, becoming passive even when action would help.

Both dig into resilience.

04

10% Happier

Dan Harris · Memoir

10% Happier is Dan Harris's account of discovering meditation after a panic attack live on Good Morning America in 2004 forced him to confront an anxiety problem he'd been managing with cocaine and a punishing work schedule.

Both dig into mindfulness.

05

Mindset: The New Psychology of Success

Carol S. Dweck · Psychology

Carol Dweck's central claim is simple but far-reaching: people hold one of two basic beliefs about their own abilities.

Both dig into resilience.

06

Mindsight: The New Science of Personal Transformation

Daniel J. Siegel · Psychology

Mindsight is Daniel Siegel's case that humans have a distinct capacity he calls "mindsight" — the ability to sense and shape one's own mental processes and to perceive the inner lives of others.

Shares neuroscience and mindfulness with Hardwiring Happiness: The New Brain Science of Contentment, Calm, and Confidence.

07

The Emotional Life of Your Brain

Richard J. Davidson and Sharon Begley · Psychology

Richard Davidson spent decades in a field where discussing emotions in relation to brain science was considered soft and suspect.

Shares neuroscience and mindfulness with Hardwiring Happiness: The New Brain Science of Contentment, Calm, and Confidence.

08

The Happiness Advantage

Shawn Achor · Psychology

Shawn Achor's core claim inverts a common assumption about success and happiness.

Shares happiness and resilience with Hardwiring Happiness: The New Brain Science of Contentment, Calm, and Confidence.

09

The Power of Bad: How the Negativity Effect Rules Us and How We Can Rule It

John Tierney and Roy F. Baumeister · Psychology

Roy Baumeister is a social psychologist who co-authored the most-cited paper in the field — "Bad Is Stronger Than Good" — and this book is his attempt, with science writer John Tierney, to explain that finding to a general audience and draw out its practical implications.

Shares negativity bias and resilience with Hardwiring Happiness: The New Brain Science of Contentment, Calm, and Confidence.

10

A Guide to the Good Life

William Irvine · Philosophy

William Irvine's book is a modern case for reviving Stoic philosophy as a practical guide to living well.

Shares happiness and resilience with Hardwiring Happiness: The New Brain Science of Contentment, Calm, and Confidence.

11

The Future of Happiness

Amy Blankson · Self-help

The Future of Happiness tackles a question that most positive psychology books sidestep: how do you cultivate well-being in an environment designed to capture your attention and monetize your anxiety?

Shares happiness and mindfulness with Hardwiring Happiness: The New Brain Science of Contentment, Calm, and Confidence.

12

The Willpower Instinct

Kelly McGonigal · Self-help

The Willpower Instinct is based on Kelly McGonigal's popular ten-week science of willpower course at Stanford University's Continuing Studies program.

Shares neuroscience and mindfulness with Hardwiring Happiness: The New Brain Science of Contentment, Calm, and Confidence.