Bookshelf: Life Hacks

Situations Matter

by Sam Sommers

The Gist: We like to think we're driven by a delicate balance of instincts and individual preferences, but Tufts University professor Sam Sommers uses surprising studies, personal anecdotes, and even examples from Seinfeld to demonstrate that context is the key to everything—from whom we choose as a mate to whether we'll help a stranger in need.

Read this if... You want to talk your way out of a speeding ticket, score a hot date, or simply brush up on your people skills. Some may cringe at the idea of our endlessly moldable minds, but the book offers inspiration to outsmart any situation. By encouraging us to step back and observe the social landscape, Sommers clues us in on how to take control of a context to influence others.—Sarah Korones

Sexual Intelligence: What We Really Want from Sex—and How to Get It

by Marty Klein

The Gist: Seasoned sex therapist Marty Klein has some unflinching advice for readers: When it comes to sex, open up your mind. He offers suggestions for how to move beyond common roadblocks people face on the way to sexual fulfillment: the awkwardness of initiation, performance anxiety, self-doubt, and emotional distance. Often, he writes, the desire to be normal keeps people from being their authentic sexual selves.

Read this if... You want to let go of your inhibitions and improve your sex life. You might have to change your mind-set first, but Klein's advice, quizzes, diagrams, and case studies will help you do just that. —Molly Forman

The Willpower Instinct

by Kelly McGonigal

The Gist: Do you struggle to resist temptation? Kelly McGonigal, a psychologist at Stanford University, offers nine straightforward lessons to improve your self-control. She explains the biological basis for willpower and suggests how to train the brain area responsible for restraint. Along the way, she sprinkles in clever tips to maximize your free time or trick yourself onto the treadmill. The goal? Regaining control of your life.

Read this if... You're tired of trying to quit smoking every few months, or you can never say no to dessert. Complete the assignments throughout the book to get your brain back on your side. —Aaron Slater

Just Be Quiet

Introverts are not quite what they seem.

In a culture that requires classroom participation, constant networking, and endless knock 'em dead work presen-tations, what can the quiet soul do to survive—and even thrive? In her latest book, Quiet: The Power of Introverts in a World That Can't Stop Talking, Susan Cain offers some suggestions.

"The bias against introversion leads to a colossal waste of talent, energy, and ultimately, happiness," says Cain. Below are three common misconceptions about introversion and some reasons introverts should be embraced, not ignored.

MYTH: Introversion is a bad thing.

REALITY: "Introversion is neither a disappointment nor a pathology," says Cain. "There are surprising advantages to being introverted, even in a world that prefers extraversion." While there is no difference in intelligence, introverts seem to think more carefully, stay on task longer, and work more accurately.

MYTH: Introverts can't be leaders.

REALITY: The list of introverted leaders is lengthy and includes greats like Rosa Parks, Ghandi, and Bill Gates. While extraverted leaders are highly charismatic, introverts' tendency toward patient deliberation can yield better results.

MYTH: Introverts are antisocial.

REALITY: "What psychologists call 'the need for intimacy' is present in introverts and extraverts alike," says Cain. Introverts simply have a different way of expressing their need for camaraderie: Instead of spending hours engaged in small talk at a party, introverts generally prefer small gatherings with close friends. —Sarah Korones