I’m not entirely sure why I picked this book up, but I really enjoyed the science each chapter spoke on.

I found a lot of the popular culture examples to be… masculine if that’s the word. I didn’t relate to the many Dune, suicide squad, Bruce lee, sniper authors, marines, matrix reloaded etc. etc. That could just be personal tastes in movies but I started noticing it after the first few that I had no reference for. They’re summarized just fine so to each their own.

After reading this, I didn’t quite feel like I could take on the world but I did feel like I understood it and myself a bit better.

Excellent book, with lots of examples and strategies that can be implemented in your intention to lead a calmer and more focused, intentional life.
Overall a great read, thanks to NetGalley for a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

4.5 stars. This is a well-organized, well-researched exploration of how to live a more intentional life. A lot of things work together in service of that aim--defining one's identity, figuring out the values that inform your behavior, deciding what goals are worth wholehearted pursuit, etc. Each section on those topics includes a respectable amount of cited research, examples from both real life and narratives (everything from Pride & Prejudice to Captain America), then a summary and questions/exercises to help the reader personally engage with the topic.

This is a useful tool in the pursuit of living an examined life and there are valuable ideas and things to ponder in here for everyone.

Many thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for the opportunity to read and review!