Grooving: 2019 Reading List - a podcast by Kurt Nelson, PhD and Tim Houlihan

Kurt and Tim like to read about behavioral science and a variety of related fields. To help those interested in the subject, but unsure how to pick good books to either get started or advance their learning, our 2019 Top 10 Reading List should help. Our Top 10 list is really a Top 9, since both Kurt and Tim already had one of the books on both of their lists. But we also go beyond that list with some honorable mentions (that could have easily been swapped for some of our top choices), as well as a shortlist of fiction and poetry for your review.

We hope you enjoy this year’s list and encourage you to let us know your thoughts about it. Did we nail the top picks? Did we miss some? What’s on your reading list for 2020? Who do you think should be a guest on Behavioral Grooves in 2020? Let us know. We’d love to hear from you.

Do you need some Christmas or Birthday gifts?  Or maybe you just want to treat yourself?   Here are links to the books we mentioned in the episode!  

Kurt’s Best Non-Fiction Books

John Bargh, “Before You Know It" https://amzn.to/33PdYJR 

Yuval Noah Harari, “Sapiens” https://amzn.to/34YWlZO 

Michael Mauboussin, “Think Twice” https://amzn.to/2qtfS5y 

Wendy Wood, “Good Habits, Bad Habits” https://amzn.to/2RlCjoc 

  

Tim’s Best Non-Fiction Books

Rory Sutherland, “Alchemy” https://amzn.to/2OUfG8J 

Franz de Waal, “Mama’s Last Hug” https://amzn.to/2ORrEjg 

Francesca Gino, “Rebel Talent” https://amzn.to/36alEIb 

Roger Dooley, “Friction” (on Kurt’s AND Tim’s lists) https://amzn.to/2r86Gnx 

Alan B. Krueger, “Rockonomics” https://amzn.to/38bMQYU 

 

Honorable Mentions

Honorable mentions for really great books that you should be aware of. Virtually any of these could have made our Top 10 list. 

Nir Eyal, “Indistractable" https://amzn.to/368qiX8 

Daniel Pink, “When” https://amzn.to/33QMrbg       https://www.danpink.com/

Daniel Levitin, “The Organized Mind” https://amzn.to/2qnL7Pf http://www.daniellevitin.com

Liliana Mason, “Uncivil Agreement” https://amzn.to/2RtIA1j 

Tali Sharot, “The Influential Mind” https://amzn.to/33S8wpN 

 

And since we have had great guests with great books in 2019 (we love them and their work), we want to refer you to these authors and titles:

Brian Ahearn, “Influence PEOPLE: Powerful Everyday Opportunities to Persuade that are Lasting and Ethical” https://amzn.to/38bc8q8 

Ori Brafman, “The Spider and the Starfish" https://amzn.to/2OUdLAQ 

Liz Fosslein, “No Hard Feelings” https://amzn.to/2LpVR6S 

Will Leach, “Marketing to Mindstates”  https://amzn.to/34UMwvB    https://www.will-leach.com/book

Stephen Martin & Joseph Marks, “Messengers”  https://amzn.to/2PfKU99 

Amit Sood, “Guide to Stress-Free Living” https://marketplace.mayoclinic.com/shop/healthy-lifestyle/book/mayo-clinic-guide-to-stress-free-living_294600

 

Tim’s Non-Fiction List

We didn’t speak to these on the podcast, because we were most interested in addressing behavioral science books. However, Tim is also an avid reader of fiction and poetry. Tim wanted to mention some books he’s read (or re-read) this year that were particularly rewarding.

Madeline Miller, “Circe” http://madelinemiller.com/circe/

John Updike, “Rabbit is Rich” https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/181928/rabbit-is-rich-by-john-updike/ 

David Whyte, “Everything is Waiting for You” https://www.davidwhyte.com/english-poetry

 

Thank you!  

 

© 2019 Behavioral Grooves.  Note that we may receive commissions when you click our links and make purchases. However, this does not impact our suggestions, thoughts or ideas. All recommendations are made by Kurt and Tim based on what they believe.

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