The Art of Happiness in a Troubled World - Dalai Lama and Howard Cutler
An insightful book that helps widen your perspective on life and happiness. This book offers lots of lessons on how to build lasting relationships with people of all different backgrounds.
Recommended by Tri Trang '12
The Double - Jose Saramago
This is a beautifully composed novel exploring the concept of finding/discovering what we define as identity through a labyrinth of complex, multi-layered internal dialogues. Saramago has a brilliant way of expressing the most subtle sentiments & nuances of thought so very articulately. Read the original Portuguese if possible! (Otherwise, the English translation is quite fine.)
Recommended by Misty Shah '12
Ishmael - Daniel Quinn
This philosophical story very creatively gets you thinking about the world and mankind-what we value, how we live and how we treat the planet and other living creatures through a subplot of a man being taught by a teacher who just happens to be an Gorilla with an unusual ability to communicate with someone open to deep reflection.
Recommended by Professor Carol Weisse, Director of Health Professions
A New Earth - Eckhert Tolle
I hate self-help books filled with what I call “psychobabble,” but I must admit this one changed my life because it made me realize that a lot of my unhappiness and anxieties about myself were the result of my overly critical mind turned inward. I struggled to read a good portion of the book due to the author’s language and writing style, which I did not like, but the message was one that has helped me to be more mindful of my tendency to be overly critical of myself.
Recommended by Professor Carol Weisse, Director of Health Professions