INNER CLARITY

River offers a breakdown of the barriers people erect in their own hearts against greater happiness.

In his nonfiction debut, the author analyzes the factors that destroy energy, clarity, and peace of mind for so many people. In a series of short, fast-paced chapters, River addresses a wide variety of psychological and emotional issues that people hold onto when releasing them would lead to much more happiness. Each chapter first describes a problem (“anger is one of the most powerful emotions—and also one of the most misunderstood”) and then bullet-points some of its possible origins and provides everyday examples the reader will recognize (“someone who lashes out in traffic but is really carrying stress from work or home”). The author adds “reflection prompts” to help readers explore their own histories with the emotional problem involved (“What usually motivates me—external praise or internal purpose?”). He rounds off every chapter with some “Final Thought[s] to Remember” that can often read like riddles: “When your confidence is real and your voice is clear, you speak with power—even in silence.” All of this material is accompanied by many motivational quotes, both familiar and less well-known. River’s tone throughout is upbeat and reassuring; his text gives readers the strong impression that he has experienced some of the things they might be coming to his book to explore. He’s consistently clear-eyed about detecting possible abusive elements in seemingly positive things; “people pleasing may look like generosity on the outside,” he writes in a typical passage, “but it often comes with a cost—resentment, burnout, loss of identity, and even emotional manipulation.” The most refreshing aspect of the work is the author’s encouragement to readers to take an active part in their own personal renewals.

An empathetic and engaging guide to better emotional health.