A Curated Collection of Books for Personal and Professional Development

  • Get Out of Your Mind and Into Your Life: The New Acceptance and Commitment Therapy Book by Steven C. Hayes

    A Good Match For:
    Those who feel that cognitive restructuring hasn’t quite worked for them. Individuals curious about alternative ways to handle negative thoughts and feelings. People who love a good metaphor.

    Not A Good Match For:
    Those who aren’t keen on self-help content focused on acceptance as a way to manage negative thoughts and emotions.

    “The central shift is from a focus on what you think and feel to: how do you relate to what you think and feel. Specifically, the new emphasis is on learning to step back from what you are thinking, notice it, and open up to what you are experiencing.”
    — Steven C. Hayes

  • Never Split the Difference: Negotiating As If Your Life Depended On It Book by Christopher Voss and Tahl Raz

    A Good Match For:
    Anyone interested in tapping into the more human aspects of negotiation. Individuals who might like seeing counseling techniques utilized in intense, high-stakes situations by an FBI negotiator.

    Not A Good Match For:
    Those who want a detailed, procedural guide to negotiations over a more intuitive and relationship-focused style.

    “He who has learned to disagree without being disagreeable has discovered the most valuable secret of negotiation.”
    — Chris Voss

  • A Good Match For:
    Those who have noticed an unsettling relationship with social media and digital devices in their own lives or that of their children. Individuals who long for a time when human interaction felt more meaningful, and the grasp of technology was less pervasive.

    Not A Good Match For: Those who are convinced everything is fine as long as there’s Wi-Fi. Individuals uninterested in face-to-face interaction or entirely content with a screen-filled existence.

    “The Great Rewiring devastated the social lives of Gen Z by connecting them to everyone in the world and disconnecting them from the people around them.”
    Jonathan Haidt

  • The Tao of Pooh Book by Benjamin Hoff

    A Good Match For:
    Anyone curious about Taoism who prefers their philosophy with a side of whimsy. Readers who enjoy finding deeper wisdom in the adventures of Winnie the Pooh and like their life lessons wrapped in charm and simplicity.

    Not A Good Match For:
    Those wanting a deep, scholarly dive into Taoist philosophy, or anyone who might find a storybook approach to big ideas a little too light-hearted for their taste.

    “The surest way to become Tense, Awkward, and Confused is to develop a mind that tries too hard - one that thinks too much.”
    ― Benjamin Hoff

  • A Good Match For:
    Anyone looking to understand how trying to eliminate worry by controlling their thoughts or through avoidance often leads to more distress.

    Not A Good Match For:
    Individuals too swept up in their thoughts and worries who feel they may not have the ability to engage with literature about it.

    "Anxiety may be an ancient response to danger, but in our modern world, it’s time to shift from reacting to planning."
    — Chad LeJeune

  • The Mastery of Love Book by Don Miguel Ruiz

    A Good Match For:
    Individuals seeking a deeper understanding of love and relationships. Those interested in personal growth, spiritual insights, and healthier relationships with themselves and others.

    Not A Good Match For:
    Those who prefer practical, step-by-step relationship advice over philosophical explorations of love.

    “The truth is I am not what you want me to be. When I am honest and I am what I am, you are already hurt, you are mad. Then I lie to you, because I'm afraid of your judgment. I am afraid you are going to blame me, find me guilty, and punish me.”
    ― Miguel Ruiz

  • Goodbye, Things: The New Japanese Minimalism Book by Fumio Sasaki

    A Good Match For:
    Anyone looking for inspiration to simplify their lives. Readers eager to explore the emotional and philosophical benefits of living with less.

    Not A Good Match For:
    Those who thrive on consumerism and enjoy surrounding themselves with plenty of possessions. Anyone seeking a step-by-step guide rather than a more reflective approach to minimalism.

    “Our possessions are supposed to be our tools. They were used for such purposes during the Stone Age. As time went by, our world became plentiful, and objects began to be used for another purpose: to enable us to affirm our own worth.”
    ― Fumio Sasaki

  • Man's Search for Meaning Book by Viktor Frankl

    A Good Match For:
    Those searching for deeper purpose and meaning in life, especially those curious about the human capacity for resilience in the face of immense suffering.

    Not A Good Match For:
    Those who prefer lighthearted reads. Anyone not interested in exploring existential themes and the complexities of the human experience.

    “Those who have a 'why' to live, can bear with almost any 'how'.”
    ― Viktor E. Frankl

  • The Mastery of Self: A Toltec Guide to Personal Freedom by Don Miguel Ruiz Jr.

    A Good Match For:
    Those wanting to overcome their negative internal voice and enhance their self-awareness.

    Not A Good Match For:
    Readers who may not appreciate nontraditional views and concepts related to spiritual teachings.

    “Without awareness, our domestication and attachments blur our perception. Recognizing both allows us to clear the fog and see the truth of the present moment.”
    ― Miguel Ruiz Jr.

  • Screamfree Parenting, 10th Anniversary Revised Edition: How to Raise Amazing Adults by Learning to Pause More and React Less by Hal Runkel

    A Good Match For:
    Individuals looking to cultivate a calmer, more intentional approach to raising children. Those who want to break the cycle of reactive parenting and are ready to embrace self-regulation to nurture stronger family connections.

    Not A Good Match For:
    Anyone who believes that loud expressions are effective for getting their children’s attention. Parents who like time-outs.

    “We are not responsible for our children and the choices they make; we are responsible to them, however, for the choices we make.”
    Hal Edward Runkel

  • The Four Agreements: A Practical Guide to Personal Freedom by Don Miguel Ruiz

    A Good Match For:
    Individuals interested in personal development and seeking practical tools for improving their communication and relationships. Those open to embracing new perspectives on personal integrity and self-awareness.

    Not A Good Match For:
    Readers who prefer detailed explanations or modern, evidence-based approaches might find the concepts too abstract.

    “Just imagine becoming the way you used to be as a very young child, before you understood the meaning of any word, before opinions took over your mind.”
    ― Miguel Ruiz

  • Brief Answers to the Big Questions Book by Stephen Hawking

    A Good Match For:
    Anyone who appreciates concise explanations on complex topics like the universe, time, and existence, served up with a touch of wit.

    Not A Good Match For:
    Readers who aren't keen on digesting big ideas in bite-sized pieces.

    “So remember to look up at the stars and not down at your feet. Try to make sense of what you see and wonder about what makes the universe exist. Be curious. And however difficult life may seem, there is always something you can do and succeed at.”
    ― Stephen Hawking

  • How to Stubbornly Refuse to Make Yourself Miserable About Anything--Yes, Anything! by Albert Ellis

    A Good Match For:
    Anyone looking for practical ways to break free from negative thinking and embrace a more positive mindset. Readers who enjoy straightforward, no-nonsense advice on how to boost happiness and build resilience when life gets tough.

    Not A Good Match For:
    Readers who might be tired of the stoic approach to managing thoughts and feelings. Those who prefer deep psychological theories over candid talk about the role of personal responsibility in shaping emotional well-being.

    “People and things do not upset us. Rather, we upset ourselves by believing that they can upset us.”
    ― Albert Ellis

  • Man and His Symbols by Carl G. Jung

    A Good Match For:
    Anyone intrigued by dream interpretation, Jungian psychology, or exploring the unconscious mind through symbols and archetypes.

    Not A Good Match For:
    Readers who prefer concrete explanations or those who might not enjoy abstract discussions of the mind or symbolic imagery.

    “Dreams are not a matter of chance but are associated with conscious thoughts and problems,” meaning that dreams are not random occurrences but rather serve as a window into our unconscious mind, often reflecting our current conscious concerns and unresolved issues.”
    ― Carl Jung

  • Tao Te Ching by Laozi

    A Good Match For:
    People who love poetry and enjoy interpreting simple yet profound philosophical teachings. Anyone wanting straightforward wisdom on living a harmonious life in accordance with nature and the natural flow of existence.

    Not A Good Match For:
    Readers who prefer clear, practical advice or those who may struggle with abstract concepts like living "in accordance with nature".

    “A good traveler has no fixed plans and is not intent upon arriving. A good artist lets his intuition lead him wherever it wants. A good scientist has freed himself of concepts and keeps his mind open to what is.”
    ― Lao Tzu

  • Why Buddhism is True: The Science and Philosophy of Meditation and Enlightenment by Robert Wright

    A Good Match For:
    Readers interested in mindfulness, meditation, and how Buddhist philosophy intersects with modern psychology and evolutionary science.

    Not A Good Match For:
    Those who might be put off by the book’s focus on evolutionary psychology and scientific explanations, or readers looking for a purely spiritual or religious take on Buddhism.

    “Imagine if our negative feelings, or at least lots of them, turned out to be illusions, and we could dispel them by just contemplating them from a particular vantage point.”
    Robert Wright

  • The Gift of Therapy: An Open Letter to a New Generation of Therapists and Their Patients by Irvin Yalom

    A Good Match For:
    Therapists and mental health professionals seeking insightful reflections on the therapeutic process and the client-therapist relationship.

    Not A Good Match For:
    Readers seeking a more academic approach or comprehensive theoretical frameworks.

    “I often urge patients to project themselves into the future and to consider how they can live now so that five years hence they will be able to look back upon life without regret sweeping over them anew.”
    Irvin D. Yalom

  • Rational Emotive Behavior Therapy: A Therapist's Guide by Albert Ellis PhD (Author), Catharine MacLaren

    A Good Match For:
    Clinicians who want to deepen their understanding of cognitive restructuring techniques and how to effectively help clients challenge irrational beliefs.

    Not A Good Match For:
    Professions who may find the emphasis on challenging a client's beliefs too confrontational or rigid for their therapeutic style. Readers looking for a more fluid, client-centered approach rather than a structured method.

  • A Roadmap for Couple Therapy: Integrating Systemic, Psychodynamic, and Behavioral Approaches by Arthur C. Neilson

    A Good Match For:
    Couples therapists looking for practical tools, strategies, and insights to enhance their work with couples facing relational challenges.

    Not A Good Match For:
    Clinicians looking for an emotionally driven or narrative style of couple therapy.

  • Working at Relational Depth in Counselling and Psychotherapy by Dave Mearns (Author), Mick Cooper (Author)

    A Good Match For:
    Therapists and counselors who value deep, meaningful connections with clients and want to explore the profound impact of relational depth in the therapeutic process.

    Not A Good Match For:
    Those who prefer more structured, technique-driven approaches to therapy. Anyone who may struggle with the abstract, experiential aspects of relational depth or those looking for concrete interventions.

  • Mastering the Clinical Conversation: Language as Intervention by Matthieu Villatte (Author), Jennifer L. Villatte (Author), Steven C. Hayes (Author)

    A Good Match For:
    Clinicians seeking practical, client-centered tools specifically related to communication to improve client engagement and enhance clinical effectiveness. Anyone who likes or is interested in Acceptance and Commitment Therapy.

    Not A Good Match For:
    Those who may find the book's emphasis on adapting to the client’s needs less structured than desired.

Just imagine becoming the way you used to be as a very young child, before you understood the meaning of any word, before opinions took over your mind. The real you is loving, joyful, and free.
— Don Miguel Ruiz

Discovering new worlds has never been easier or more affordable.