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New Self-Improvement Books for 2012

Cover art for THE POWER OF HABIT
NONFICTION
Released: March 6, 2012
THE POWER OF HABIT: WHY WE DO WHAT WE DO AND HOW TO CHANGE IT
by Charles Duhigg
"For self-help seekers, a more convincing book than most."
According to this instructional text for readers habituated to unhelpful ways, changing those bad habits for good habits isn't rocket science--it's brain science. Read full book review >
Cover art for FEED YOURSELF, FEED YOUR FAMILY
NONFICTION
Released: March 1, 2012
FEED YOURSELF, FEED YOUR FAMILY: GOOD NUTRITION AND HEALTHY COOKING FOR NEW MOMS AND GROWING FAMILIES
by La Leche League International
"An excellent blend of common-sense nutritional advice and inviting recipes for mothers and their charges."
La Leche League International presents a balanced diet for pregnant mothers, new mothers and, by extension, the whole family. Read full book review >
Cover art for ALL THE MONEY IN THE WORLD
NONFICTION
Released: March 1, 2012
ALL THE MONEY IN THE WORLD: WHAT THE HAPPIEST PEOPLE KNOW ABOUT GETTING AND SPENDING
by Laura Vanderkam
"Quirky, insightful and enjoyable--a welcome corrective to the typical advice from economists and financial managers steeped in the "dismal science.""
Vanderkam (168 Hours: You Have More Time Than You Think, 2010, etc.), a member of the USA Today Board of Contributors, takes a fresh look at financial planning. Read full book review >
Cover art for THIS WILL MAKE YOU SMARTER
NONFICTION
Released: Feb. 14, 2012
Kirkus Star THIS WILL MAKE YOU SMARTER: NEW SCIENTIFIC CONCEPTS TO IMPROVE YOUR THINKING
edited by John Brockman
"A winning combination of good writers, good science and serious broader concerns."
Edge.org founder and publisher Brockman (Culture: Leading Scientists Explore Civilizations, Art, Networks, Reputation, and the Online Revolution, 2011, etc.) asks a group of eminent scientists and writers their views on the question, "What Scientific Concept Would Improve Everybody's Cognitive Toolkit?" Read full book review >
Cover art for WHERE DID THE JOBS GO--AND HOW DO WE GET THEM BACK?
NONFICTION
Released: Feb. 1, 2012
WHERE DID THE JOBS GO--AND HOW DO WE GET THEM BACK?: YOUR GUIDED TOUR TO AMERICA'S UNEMPLOYMENT CRISIS
by Scott Bittle, Jean Johnson
"The authors intended to "help voters sift through the political rhetoric" to better understand and face the unemployment crisis. Mission accomplished."
An evenhanded discussion and study guide on unemployment. Read full book review >
Cover art for THE HAPPINESS OF PURSUIT
NONFICTION
Released: Feb. 1, 2012
Kirkus Star THE HAPPINESS OF PURSUIT: WHAT NEUROSCIENCE CAN TEACH US ABOUT THE GOOD LIFE
by Shimon Edelman
"An elegant tour de force that combines neuropsychology with liberal references to Shakespeare and Homer."
Edelman (Psychology/Cornell Univ.; Computing the Mind: How the Mind Really Works, 2008, etc.) asks readers to discard the "familiar ‘computer metaphor' that halfheartedly likens the brain to a computer," and accept his argument that "the mind is computational in the literal sense." Read full book review >