I haven’t posted any entries to my What I Read series in about six months. The main reason is I was doing an enormous amount of research on my #happier project. I didn’t want posting my source material to give away the pieces I was working on. To kick things off again, I am going to share several books I read.

• The Happiness Advantage by Shawn Achor – This was my favorite book, mainly beacause it took a “business book” approach to the topic. Achor focused on how managers could work with employees better using the happiness research. Must
• The How of Happiness by Sonja Lyubomirsky – This book showed me the depth of the research that has been done and convinced me I need to read more.  The pitch for this book is “Happiness is hard to maintain, but here are the reliable things you can do to improve your overall happiness.” Must
• Love 2.0 by Barbara Fredrickson – From the book – “To put it in a nutshell, love is the momentary upwelling of three tightly interwoven events: first, a sharing of one or more positive emotions between you and another; second a synchrony  between your and the other person’s biochemistry and behaviors,; and third a reflected motive to invest in each other’s well-being that brings mutual care.” Must
• Thanks! by Robert Emmons – Emmons is the leading researcher on gratitude and gratitude is one of the most reliable ways to become happier. Recognize the benefit, acknowledge receiving it and return the favor. Should
• Happier by Tal Ben Sahara – Out of his many books, this one is the best at covering the research and some different mental frameworks for happiness. He also does a good job of drawing on prior applicable research in things like self-esteem. Should
• The Power of Meaning by Emily Esfahani Smith – The author was headed in the right direction but didn’t land it. I am still recommending it because this topic of finding purpose and meaning to so important for everyone. Could
• Solve For Happy by Mo Gawdat – I don’t agree with everything that Gawdat says but the chart on page 134 is worth the price of the entire book. Could