Reflecting on our beliefs and motives, decisions and reactions,  helps us grow. Here are a few titles from the arenas of Human and Social Behavior that offer insight into our psyches. [Originally published on Tech Insider.]

Presence: Bringing Your Boldest Self to Your Biggest Challenges by Amy Cuddy (2015)

Learn how to be your best self in the moments that terrify you the most.

 

 

 

 

 

 

The Power of Habit: Why We Do What We Do in Life and Business by Charles Duhigg (2015)

An exploration of how habits work and how we can use this information to our advantage.

 

 

 

 

 

 

The Road to Character by David Brooks (2015)

Brooks challenges us to reexamine the balance between the American emphasis on external success measures, such as wealth, and internal success measures, such as kindness and relationships.

 

 

 

 

 

Very Good Lives: The Fringe Benefits of Failure and the Importance of Imagination by J.K. Rowling (2015)

A commencemet speech Rowling delivered at Harvard University in 2008.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Essentialism: The Disciplined Pursuit of Less by Greg McKeown (2014)

McKeown offers the reader strict criteria to determine what is essential and reclaim control over how we spend our precious time.

 

 

 

 

 

The Art of Thinking Clearly by Rolf Dobelli (2013)

99 of the most common errors of judgment and how to avoid them.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Drunk Tank Pink by Adam Alter (2012)

How our environment shapes our thoughts and actions without us even being aware of it.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Thinking, Fast and Slow by Daniel Kahneman (2011)

Kahneman contends that there are two systems that drive our thoughts: one fast and intuitive, and another slow and deliberate.

 

 

 

 

 

Drive: The Surprising Truth About What Motivates Us by Daniel H. Pink (2009)

Pink asserts that to be happy and satisfied humans need to direct their own lives and to learn and create new things.

 

 

 

 

 

Blink: The Power of Thinking Without Thinking by Malcolm Gladwell (2007)

A fascinating collection of profiles of decision makers, some brilliant and others inept, and what makes the difference.

 

 

 

 

 

Staff picks are chosen by NYPL staff members and are not intended to​ be comprehensive lists. We'd love to hear your ​picks! Tell us what you'd recommend: Leave a comment or email us.