The How of Happiness

by Sonja Lyubomirsky

-Bought this at a book sale, read it off and on before bed. It's like one of those books full of laboratory research on psychology students that is generalized into advice about how to change your life for the better. It's not the most inspirational book, but it's definitely full of things to do. I guess it tries to be comprehensive. The large quantity of activities and suggestions in the book ironically seemed depressingly overwhelming to me. I guess it would be a good reference book to have around and pull out every once in a while. Things like: be grateful, savor the pleasures of life, spend quality time with your loved ones, have goals, don't work too hard, meditate, etc.

World Enough and Time: On Creativity and Slowing Down
by Christian McEwen
- Gave up on this after 150 or so pages. I certainly sympathize and identify with the subject of the book, but the writing and organization of the material wasn't working for me. Too straightforward, passionless, superficial...the examples too obvious -- kids don't go out enough, we don't write letters anymore, that Thoreau was something else, huh? etc. "Hey, maybe try meditating?" Check out this poem. Maybe I'm too familiar with the subject and the standard moves. This book might be more valuable to someone newer to dealing with "hurry sickness" or lack of inspiration.

You Are Not So Smart
by David McRaney
-see here

Sure, I had issues with this book. Studies have shown, "science tells us," that kind of thing. OK...? So slow down, check your work, make sure you're not fooling yourself. And don't trust everything you read...says the popular science book. Be careful out there, everyone. I guess this was a more accessible Thinking Fast and Slow. 

Are You My Mother?
by Alison Bechdel

Mindfulness in Plain English
by Bhante Henepola Gunaratana
-2nd time through.

Loneliness: Human Nature and the Need for Social Connection
by John T. Cacioppo & William Patrick

Find Your Focus Zone
by Lucy Jo Palladino
-Picked it up at the library. It's OK. Not really my style. There's an anecdote near the beginning, however, that fit me so well I couldn't believe it. Turns out that I need to form new habits and understand how my brain works.

My Stroke of Insight: A Brain Scientist's Personal Journey
by Jill Bolte Taylor

Pragmatic Thinking and Learning: Refactor Your Wetware
by Andy Hunt

The Creative Habit
by Twyla Tharp

Ready for Anything
by David Allen

The Areas of My Expertise
by John Hodgman

Legal Daisy Spacing
by Christopher Winn

Flow: The Psychology of Optimal Experience
Finding Flow: The Psychology of Engagement with Everyday Life
both by Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi

The Now Habit
by Neil Fiore
(not recommended)

Getting Things Done
by David Allen
(yes)

The War of Art
by Steven Pressfield
(also yes)