Summaries of books about Personal Development:
Mind Power Into the 21st Century
John Kehoe
The book presents techniques and principles for harnessing the power of the subconscious mind to improve one's life, emphasizing visualization, affirmations, and positive thinking. It offers practical advice on how to apply these methods to achieve personal goals, enhance self-esteem, and attract success and happiness.
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The Confidence Game
Why We Fall for It . . . Every Time
Maria Konnikova
The book delves into the psychology and mechanics behind cons and why people are susceptible to deception, drawing on a range of real-life stories and scientific research. It explores the profile of both the con artist and the victim, examining the stages of the con and the human tendencies that enable confidence schemes to thrive.
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Meaty
Essays
Samantha Irby
The book is a collection of humorous and candid personal essays that delve into the author's life experiences, covering topics such as relationships, body image, and sexuality. It combines wit and raw honesty to explore the complexities of living with chronic illness and navigating adulthood as a black woman.
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Stupid Things I Won't Do When I Get Old
A Highly Judgmental, Unapologetically Honest Accounting of All the Things Our Elders Are Doing Wrong
Steven Petrow
The book humorously confronts the various stereotypes and behaviors associated with aging, while offering a personal pledge by the author to avoid certain actions and attitudes as he grows older. It provides a candid exploration of the aging process, blending anecdotes, research, and cultural observations to challenge readers to reconsider how they want to age.
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The Power of Full Engagement
Managing Energy, Not Time, is the Key to High Performance and Personal Renewal
Jim Loehr|Tony Schwartz
The book posits that managing energy, rather than time, is essential for achieving optimal performance in all aspects of life. It provides a science-based approach to increasing energy through the balance of stress and recovery, and offers strategies for aligning energy expenditure with personal values and purpose.
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Lots of Candles, Plenty of Cake
A Memoir of a Woman's Life
Anna Quindlen
The memoir reflects on the author's experiences as a woman navigating through various stages of life, including her career, motherhood, and aging. It offers insights into the universal challenges and joys of womanhood, with personal anecdotes and observations on feminism, family, and the passage of time.
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The Nature of Personal Reality
Specific, Practical Techniques for Solving Everyday Problems and Enriching the Life You Know
Jane Roberts
The book presents a collection of channeled material from an entity named Seth, who provides insights on how individuals create their own reality through beliefs, thoughts, and emotions. It offers practical advice on how to understand and change negative patterns to improve one's life experiences and solve personal problems.
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You Do You
How to Be Who You Are and Use What You've Got to Get What You Want
Sarah Knight
The book is a self-help guide that encourages readers to embrace their individuality and reject societal pressures to conform. It provides practical advice on how to prioritize personal happiness and authenticity in life choices and relationships, using humor and candid anecdotes.
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How to Be Alone
If You Want To, and Even If You Don't
Lane Moore
The book is a candid exploration of the author's experiences with loneliness, touching on her difficult childhood, her search for connection, and her journey toward self-acceptance. It combines personal narrative with insightful commentary on the human need for companionship and the challenges of finding it in the modern world.
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The Marshmallow Test
Mastering Self-Control
Walter Mischel
The book explores the landmark psychological study on delayed gratification, where children were given the choice to eat a marshmallow immediately or wait to receive a larger reward. It delves into the implications of self-control for success and provides strategies for improving this crucial skill.
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