Person
Angela Duckworth's books and book recommendations
Across 2 podcasts. Every show Angela Duckworth appears on, in one place — not just one.
Angela Lee Duckworth is an American academic, psychologist, and popular science author. She is the Rosa Lee and Egbert Chang Professor of Psychology at the University of Pennsylvania, here she studies grit and self-control. She is the founder and former CEO of Character Lab, a not-for-profit whose mission is to advance the science and practice of character development. On her podcast No Stupid Questions, Duckworth frequently discusses and recommends books that align with psychological research and human behavior. She brought up Trevor Noah's memoir Born a Crime while exploring societal views on adulthood, and assigned Kazuo Ishiguro's novel Klara and the Sun to her co-host after hearing about it from Bob Cialdini. Duckworth also expressed deep admiration for Robert Cialdini's Influence, noting how it documents foundational principles of human persuasion, and recommended Susan Cain's Quiet to highlight the value of introverts in an extroverted culture. Additionally, she discussed Anders Ericsson's Peak when examining expert performance, and shared how Daniel Kahneman introduced her to Max Bennett's A Brief History of Intelligence, a book she eventually came to admire and suggest to others.
Books by Angela Duckworth
Books recommended by Angela Duckworth
-
Klara and the Sun
Klara and the Sun by Kazuo Ishiguro is a dystopian novel narrated by an artificial intelligence companion observing the shifting human world.
Recommended“I think Mike as we close out this fascinating question from Vivien I want to ask you whether you have read a book called Clara and the son”
Where to get it
-
Influence
Influence by Robert B.
Recommended“If I gave Raymond the best advice I think it would be go read influence by Bob chalini and I know you and I have both read influence and were both big fans the reason I suggest that is that what Bob chalini as a psychologist did was to document the half dozen basic principles by which human beings persuade”
Where to get it
-
Somebody Loves You, Mr. Hatch
Somebody Loves You, Mr.
Recommended“this is so interesting I mean there's this Valentine's book that we always read as kids called somebody loves you Mr hatch is this the M family yes this is the m family gosh I want to be part of this family I'll mail you this book it's an awesome book”
Where to get it
-
Born a Crime
Born a Crime by Trevor Noah is a powerful autobiographical memoir detailing the comedian's upbringing as a mixed-race child in South Africa during and immediately after the apartheid era.
Recommended“and i think one fascinating thing i listened to recently was from trevor noah who's the comedian wrote one of my favorite books is book bor crime”
Where to get it
-
A Brief History of Intelligence
A Brief History of Intelligence by Max Bennett is an exploration of the evolutionary origins of human cognition and smart behavior.
Recommended“And he said, A Brief History of Intelligence by Max Bennett! And I said to Danny, I was like, never heard of Max Bennett! I spent 20-plus years studying intelligence and what it is and what it's not!”
Where to get it
-
Thinking, Fast and Slow
Thinking, Fast and Slow by Daniel Kahneman explores the dual systems of the human mind that drive how people think, make choices, and commit cognitive errors.
Discussed“that's why Danny called his bestselling book thinking fast and slow because thinking fast is using system one and thinking slow is using system two”
Where to get it
-
The Art of Learning
The Art of Learning by Josh Waitzkin is a deeply reflective book detailing the author's journey from a prodigy in chess and martial arts to mastering the principles of peak performance and learning.
Recommended“no I do not play chess but one of my favorite books is called the art of learning by one of the greatest Chess Masters ever”
Where to get it
-
Permission to Feel
Permission to Feel by Marc Brackett, Ph.D.
Recommended“Actually, there's a really interesting author; I've just been reading a book called 'Permission to Feel.' Yes, yes!”
Where to get it
-
Quiet
Quiet by Susan Cain is a non-fiction book exploring the power of introverts and how society's extrovert ideal undervalues quieter individuals.
Recommended“I found one of the most wonderful books ever written about this was Susan kain's book quiet the power of introverts in a world that can't stop talking”
Where to get it
-
Peak
Peak by Anders Ericsson and Robert Pool is a comprehensive guide examining the science of skill acquisition and the mechanisms behind achieving peak performance in various fields.
Recommended“and Andrew wrote a book which I really enjoyed called Peak”
Where to get it
-
Permission to Feel: Unlocking the Power of Emotions to Help Our Kids, Ourselves, and Our Society Thrive
Permission to Feel: Unlocking the Power of Emotions to Help Our Kids, Ourselves, and Our Society Thrive by Marc A.
Discussed“I've just been reading a book called permission to feel Oh by Mark bracket”
Where to get it
-
Atomic Habits
Atomic Habits by James Clear is a widely acclaimed guide on habit formation, personal development, and systems design.
Recommended“also James Clear who wrote Atomic habits which I just want to go on record as saying it's a pretty gush darn good book”
Where to get it
-
The Perfection Trap
The Perfection Trap by Thomas Curran explores the hidden dangers of perfectionism and urges readers to embrace the power of being good enough in a society obsessed with relentless growth.
Recommended“his book is called the Perfection trap embracing the power of good enough”
Where to get it
-
Conflicted
Conflicted by Ian Leslie is a self-help and communication book that explores how to navigate disagreements constructively and turn arguments into tools for connection.
Recommended“And that's where this self-help book called Conflicted: Why Arguments Are Tearing Us Apart and How They Can Bring Us Together is really helpful. Who wrote this?”
Where to get it
-
Feeling Good
Feeling Good by David D.
Recommended“one of the best-selling books if you're feeling depressed or anxious and you don't have a cognitive behavioral therapist that you can go to one-on-one you could buy Feeling Good by David Burns”
Where to get it
-
Practical Wisdom
Practical Wisdom by Barry Schwartz and Kenneth Sharpe examines the qualities of a truly wise person and how individuals can navigate complex moral and practical decisions in daily life.
Recommended“it's called practical wisdom”
Where to get it
-
The Boys in the Boat
Daniel James Brown's The Boys in the Boat is an inspiring historical non-fiction account detailing the University of Washington rowing team's improbable journey to gold at the 1936 Berlin Olympics.
Recommended“did you ever read boys in the boat nope never heard of it”
Where to get it
-
I Am a Girl from Africa
Recommended“yeah I read a book just last month it was an advanced copy but I think it's coming out in the spring I read it cover to cover it's called I'm a girl from Africa and it's by a woman named Elizabeth Naya mayaro”
Where to get it
-
The Genetic Lottery
The Genetic Lottery by Kathryn Paige Harden is a book that examines behavioral genetics and the influence of genes on human behavior.
Recommended“There's a book out now; I really recommend it.”
Where to get it
-
Setting the Table
Setting the Table by Danny Meyer is a renowned memoir and business guide that outlines the author's philosophy of enlightened hospitality and leadership in the restaurant industry.
Recommended“I have to say I love Danny Meyer I read setting the table uh it's a really good book”
Where to get it
-
Hard to Break
Hard to Break is a nonfiction book by neuroscientist Russell Poldrack that explores the cognitive mechanisms behind habit formation and why certain behaviors are exceptionally difficult to alter.
Recommended“But one that I read again last week was by Russ Poldrack, he said Stanford, and he's a neuroscientist, and his book is called Hard to Break, Why Our Brains Make Habits Stick. I'm going to read for you his definition of addiction.”
Where to get it
-
Man's Search for Meaning
Man's Search for Meaning by Viktor E.
Discussed“one of these books is Man's Search for meaning now Mike there's no way that you have not read Victor frankl's Man's Search for meaning”
Where to get it
-
Start Making Sense
Discussed“The other book I’ll just say, which is much longer and unpublished, is start making sense: How Existential Psychology Can Help Us Build Meaningful Lives in Absurd Times is really on the same topic. It’s a book by Steve Hina, who’s one of my favorite psychologists; he's at University of British Columbia. It’s coming out in January 2025.”
Where to get it
-
David and Goliath
David and Goliath by Malcolm Gladwell is a thought-provoking exploration of how disadvantages can often be converted into unexpected advantages, and how perceived strengths can sometimes mask underlying vulnerabilities.
Discussed“Adam Grant writes about Malcolm Gladwell, who's the well-known author of many New York Times bestsellers like 'David and Goliath,' 'Tipping Point,' and 'Outliers.'”
Where to get it
-
Outliers
Outliers by Malcolm Gladwell is a fascinating exploration of the external factors, cultural legacies, and hidden advantages that enable certain individuals to achieve extraordinary success.
Discussed“Adam Grant writes about Malcolm Gladwell, who's the well-known author of many New York Times bestsellers like 'David and Goliath,' 'Tipping Point,' and 'Outliers.'”
Where to get it
-
Small Fry
Small Fry by Lisa Brennan-Jobs is a poignant and evocative memoir written by the daughter of Apple co-founder Steve Jobs, detailing her complicated childhood, her relationship with her famous father, and her search for identity.
Discussed“or I'm reading like Steve Jobs daughter's Memoir small fry oh my gosh I'm just leaning into every detail and it's not because she's saying things that have upended my idea of who Steve Jobs was it's just itself new to me like novelty and I'm really learning like I didn't know that I had no idea she saw her”
Where to get it
-
The Tipping Point
The Tipping Point by Malcolm Gladwell is a famous non-fiction book that explores how little things can make a big difference, examining the social epidemics and psychological moments that cause ideas and behaviors to spread like wildfire.
Discussed“Adam Grant writes about Malcolm Gladwell, who's the well-known author of many New York Times bestsellers like 'David and Goliath,' 'Tipping Point,' and 'Outliers.'”
Where to get it
-
Enlightenment Now
Enlightenment Now by Steven Pinker is a data-driven defense of reason, science, humanism, and progress that argues humanity is living in an era of unprecedented health, prosperity, and safety.
Discussed“I mean I don't know Stephen Pinker at all but his book Enlightenment now so well I'm familiar with the work better angels of our nature”
Where to get it
-
The Better Angels of Our Nature
The Better Angels of Our Nature by Steven Pinker is a comprehensive historical study arguing that violence has steadily declined throughout human history.
Discussed“better angels of our nature which I think preceded Enlightenment now right”
Where to get it
-
Stolen Focus
Stolen Focus by Johann Hari is a compelling exploration of how modern technology, social media, and contemporary distractions systematically degrade human attention spans.
Discussed“and one of the books that I started reading but I haven't gotten too far into it is called stolen Focus”
Where to get it
-
The Creative Act
The Creative Act by Rick Rubin is a renowned exploration of the artistic process and a spiritual approach to cultivating a creative lifestyle.
Discussed“Rick Rubin, the legendary music producer, wrote a book called The Creative Act: A Way of Being; he talks so much about how creativity will flow through us if we just give ourselves space to observe without having to pay attention to a specific thing.”
Where to get it
-
Uncovering Your Path
Discussed“I think he has lots of other fancy titles, but I really, really appreciate the person, and he sent me his latest book to endorse, and this book is called Uncovering Your Path. I started reading it the way I honestly read most books that I'm asked to endorse, which is like trying to read it at the equivalent of”
Where to get it
-
Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders
The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, published by the American Psychiatric Association, serves as the standard classification and diagnostic handbook used by mental health professionals.
Discussed“like there's actually this like book the diagnostic and statistical manual it's abbreviated to like the DSM and it's used by psychologists and psychiatrists”
Where to get it
-
The Anxious Generation
The Anxious Generation by Jonathan Haidt is a prominent book examining the profound psychological impacts of smartphones and social media on youth mental health and the rising crisis of loneliness.
Discussed“a lot of her research is cited in this New York Times best-selling book The anxious Generation by NYU professor John height you've probably heard of this book right”
Where to get it
-
Lolita
Lolita by Vladimir Nabokov is a controversial and acclaimed novel about an adult man's obsessive and abusive relationship with a young girl.
Discussed“and did you read Lolita by noov”
Where to get it
-
The Lucifer Effect
The Lucifer Effect by Philip Zimbardo is a prominent psychological study that explores human behavior, the nature of evil, and the mechanics behind events like the Stanford prison experiment.
Discussed“Uh, his book? Oh, you read The Lucifer Effect? I have it on the bookshelf right back there.”
Where to get it
-
Evicted
Evicted by Matthew Desmond is a non-fiction sociological study detailing the severe housing crisis, poverty, and urban decline experienced by low-income residents in Milwaukee.
Discussed“this book that we've talked about before called evicted that goes through this psychological and social and emotional impact of growing up in a really financially limited setting where you're constantly being evicted it's like Matthew Desmond”
Where to get it
-
The Good Earth
The Good Earth by Pearl S.
Discussed“The Good Earth did you read The Good Earth by Pearl sbck”
Where to get it
-
Sick in the Head
Sick in the Head by Judd Apatow is an engaging collection of candid conversations about life, creativity, and comedy featuring interviews with many of the entertainment industry's most successful performers and writers.
Discussed“so I did read cover to cover this book by Jud epital the director it's called sick in the head and it's very autobiographical”
Where to get it
-
Co-Intelligence
Co-Intelligence by Ethan Mollick is a book about navigating and leveraging generative artificial intelligence in daily life and work.
Discussed“so Ethan mik is probably the number one influencer in how to use generative AI to your advantage he has this book called co-intelligence”
Where to get it
-
Moneyball
Moneyball by Michael Lewis is a groundbreaking non-fiction book that explores how the Oakland Athletics baseball team leveraged advanced statistical analytics to compete against wealthier franchises with larger payrolls.
Discussed“I'm sure I'd heard of him; I read Michael Lewis's book Moneyball, but I think he was the executive right who sort of first had the idea that if you actually calculate statistics and you aren't biased by just picking the person who looks like they'd be a good baseball player because they're so tall and good-looking, look like Robert”
Where to get it
-
Childhood and society
Discussed“you know if we think about identity and stages something that we haven't talked about is Ericson's stages of Life have you ever heard of this psychoanalytic thinker named Eric Ericson”
Where to get it
-
From Strength to Strength
From Strength to Strength by Arthur C.
Discussed“Here's what I love about that, especially when you get to this generativity stage: I'm sure you're familiar with Arthur Brooks' book, 'From Strength to Strength.' Yeah, I read it!”
Where to get it
-
Robinson Crusoe
Robinson Crusoe by Daniel Defoe is a classic adventure novel about a castaway who spends decades on a remote tropical island facing isolation and survival challenges.
Discussed“Robinson cruso is a book written about a man who Shipwrecked and his experience in this shipwreck this sounds like the kind of book I would not want to read I would be like at the library and I'd be like nope I want to read the book about horses”
Where to get it
-
Wild
Wild by Cheryl Strayed is a powerful memoir recounting the author's grueling, solitary 1,100-mile hike along the Pacific Crest Trail as a journey of personal healing and redemption.
Discussed“did you ever read that book by Cheryl sted what is it even called she like goes on the Appalachian Trail is it wild that's right”
Where to get it
-
The Nature of Love
Discussed“now I have to say that in present day Harry harlo might have been cancelled because he was really interested in the nature of love and actually his most famous article is called the nature of love”
Where to get it
-
Against Empathy
Against Empathy by Paul Bloom is a psychology book that argues against relying on empathy as a moral guide, suggesting instead that rational compassion leads to better ethical outcomes.
Discussed“there's a professor of psychology at the University of Toronto named Paul Bloom are you famili with Paul I know Paul so he wrote a book you may have read called against empathy”
Where to get it
-
The Elegance of the Hedgehog
The Elegance of the Hedgehog by Muriel Barbery is a critically acclaimed French philosophical novel that follows the secret inner lives of an intellectual Parisian concierge and a precocious, disillusioned young girl.
Discussed“have you ever read the Elegance of the Hedgehog nope it's a beautiful novel written incredibly well”
Where to get it
-
A Man Called Ove
A Man Called Ove is a bestselling novel by Swedish author Fredrik Backman that tells the story of a grumpy, isolated widower whose routine-bound life is disrupted by new neighbors.
Discussed“he wrote a man called UA oh God yes”
Where to get it
-
Cool
Discussed“anyway two of them got together and wrote this book and it is on neuro economics but it's actually called cool how the brains hidden quest for Cool drives our economy and shapes our world”
Where to get it
-
How to Raise Kids Who Aren't Assholes
Discussed“she's also the author of a book called how to raise kids who aren't good goal for anyone”
Where to get it
-
The Hiding Place
The Hiding Place by Elizabeth Sherrill, Corrie ten Boom, and John Sherrill is a powerful autobiographical account of the ten Boom family's efforts to hide and rescue Jewish people during the Holocaust in World War II.
Discussed“or there was a book called The Hiding Place about the ten booom family who was helping Jews Escape during the second world war and during the Holocaust”
Where to get it
-
Give and Take
Give and Take by Adam Grant is a bestselling psychology and business book that explores the hidden dynamics of why some people reach the top of their fields while others sink to the bottom.
Discussed“and in the book give and take Adam has this typology there are three kinds of people”
Where to get it
-
The Giving Tree
The Giving Tree by Shel Silverstein is a famous children's picture book that tells the poignant, allegorical story of a selfless tree and a boy who takes from it throughout his life.
Discussed“and I think maybe that very famous book The Giving Tree Giving Tree”
Where to get it
-
The Artist's Way
The Artist's Way by Julia Cameron is a classic self-help primer on recovering, protecting, and nurturing one's innate creativity.
Discussed“so he has this podcast and he was telling me about this famous self-help book called the artist's way I of course had never heard of it and he said wait what and the advice that he was passing along to me from the author of this apparently extremely famous self-help book which was written by and for artists”
Where to get it
-
The Power of Habit
The Power of Habit by Charles Duhigg is a bestselling exploration of how habit loops dictate personal and professional success.
Discussed“Charles doig you know wrote about this as a keystone habit he said making your bed every morning is correlated with better productivity a greater sense of well-being and stronger skills at sticking with a budget that was in his book The Power of Habit I think Charles do was just a guest on our sibling show people I mostly”
Where to get it
-
The Power of Habit: by Charles Duhigg | Summary & Analysis
Discussed“That was in his book, The Power of Habit!”
Where to get it
-
Blood, Bones, & Butter
Blood, Bones, & Butter by Gabrielle Hamilton is a celebrated food memoir that details the author's unconventional path to becoming a chef and running her restaurant.
Discussed“and of course I read blood bones and butter cheffing if it's even a verb cheffing”
Where to get it
-
Popular
Popular: Finding Happiness and Success in a World That Cares Too Much About the Wrong Kinds of Relationships by Mitch Prinstein is a psychological exploration of how peer dynamics in youth shape adult happiness, success, and social standing.
Discussed“So Mitch Princen who is just a terrific psychologist knows a lot about it and he wrote this book called Popular finding happiness and success in a world that cares too much about the wrong kinds of relationships”
Where to get it
-
The Autobiography of Benjamin Franklin
The Autobiography of Benjamin Franklin by Benjamin Franklin offers a foundational personal and philosophical account of one of America's most prominent founding figures.
Discussed“I mean even Ben Franklin had this anecdote in his autobiography he's like fill a wheelbarrow with piles of paper and walk around the neighborhood so that people think you're an industrious person like that's easier than actually being industrious”
Where to get it
-
Range
Range by David J.
Discussed“where Steve levit was interviewing David Epstein the author of The Great Book range”
Where to get it
-
I Must Say
I Must Say: My Life as a Humble Comedy Legend by Martin Short is a humorous and revealing memoir that chronicles the iconic actor's life and legendary career in comedy.
Discussed“So he wrote a book called I Must Say: My Life as a Humble Comedy Legend and he actually starts the book with a really interesting anecdote talking about he and his wife Nancy.”
Where to get it
-
Weird
Discussed“Her name is Olga Hazan and she is the author of Weird: The Power of Being an Outsider and Insider World. But she wrote several articles about trying to change her own personality.”
Where to get it
-
Chasing Perfection
Discussed“I was interviewing this legendary High School football coach his name is Bob liser and he coached I think the winningest high school football team in history the dilal Spartans in conquered California and he was telling me about his coaching philosophy”
Where to get it
-
Fear and Courage
Discussed“And there's a psychologist named Stanley Rachman who was a lifelong scholar of fear and courage! And he wrote a book of the same title: 'Fear and Courage.'”
Where to get it
-
The Emotional Lives of Teenagers
The Emotional Lives of Teenagers by Lisa Damour is a psychological guide that helps parents understand and navigate the intense emotional experiences of adolescents with empathy and practical strategies.
Discussed“you know I read this book recently by this psychologist named Lisa deore and she studies adolescent emotional health and she's clinically trained”
Where to get it
-
The Science of Trust: Emotional Attunement for Couples
The Science of Trust: Emotional Attunement for Couples by John M.
Discussed“look I do want to give you some advice from John gotman okay John gotman is the most famous coup's counseling slash how to have a good relationship so what does gotman say I'm going to read to you from the science of trust emotional Attunement for couples”
Where to get it
-
Determined
Determined by Robert M.
Discussed“and he most recently wrote a book he's quite prolific called determined a science of life without Free Will”
Where to get it
-
Free Will
Free Will is a concise philosophical book by Sam Harris that argues humans do not possess conscious control over their actions.
Discussed“I'm going to admit I hadn't until I got into adulthood and he was reading a book called Free Will by Sam Harris which he gave me”
Where to get it
-
Justice
Discussed“There is another book on this topic of merit and meritocracy This one was written by one of the professors I took a course with at Harvard named Michael Sandel It was called Justice At the time, it was the largest lecture class at Harvard”
Where to get it
-
Success and Luck
Discussed“so Mike there's an economist named Robert Frank and he wrote a book called success and Luck Good Fortune and the myth of meritocracy”
Where to get it
-
The Big Test
Discussed“I mean if you go back I don't know how many decades but I think it was Nicholas lemon's book the big test which gives you a little history of these ivy league admissions”
Where to get it
-
The Meritocracy Trap
The Meritocracy Trap by Daniel Markovits is a critical economic and sociological analysis arguing that modern meritocracy entrenches inequality, stifles social mobility, and harms even the elite classes it purports to serve.
Discussed“it would be insightful if the two of you could talk about the potential failures of a meritocracy like the one discussed in the meritocracy Trap by Daniel marovitz”
Where to get it
-
The Tyranny of Merit
The Tyranny of Merit by Michael J.
Discussed“there is another book on this topic of Merit and meritocracy this one was written by one of the professors I took a course with at Harvard named Michael sandel It was called Justice and at the time it was the largest lecture class at Harvard It had I think like over a thousand students and so this is I”
Where to get it
-
The Secret
The Secret by Rhonda Byrne is a bestselling self-help phenomenon centered on the law of attraction, which posits that positive visualization and focused intention can manifest wealth, health, and happiness directly into a person's life.
Discussed“I'm going to say like, oh you know, maybe what all these kids need to do, maybe what I should have done as a teacher is sat at lunch and really helped kids visualize these positive futures! I don’t know, passed around The Secret!”
Where to get it
-
Will
Will is a candid memoir by Will Smith, co-authored with Mark Manson, detailing the actor's rise to fame and the internal psychological struggles that accompanied his massive success.
Discussed“he tells the story in his Memoir of being a very young Will Smith a certain deal has come his way I don't know if it was the fresh prince of Belair or was it his first hip-hop recording contract”
Where to get it
-
Changing Expectations
Discussed“I mean here's the example he gave in I'm reading his book right now about how therapists can better understand and create response expectancies”
Where to get it
-
Pygmalion in the classroom
Pygmalion in the classroom by Robert Rosenthal and Lenore Jacobson is a famous 1968 study and subsequent book examining how teachers' expectations can unconsciously influence student academic performance, giving rise to the psychological concept known as the Pygmalion effect.
Discussed“it's a very famous study and sometimes it's called the pigmallian effect it's like the Greek myth of I think it's Prometheus creating a sculpture and then bringing it to life”
Where to get it
-
The Joy Luck Club
The Joy Luck Club by Amy Tan is a celebrated novel that explores the complex relationships between Chinese immigrant mothers and their American-born daughters through interconnected stories of cultural identity, family expectations, and personal trauma.
Discussed“do you know the author Amy Tan like the Joy Luck Club yes yes”
Where to get it
-
Bowling Alone
Bowling Alone by Robert D.
Discussed“Bob putam who wrote bowling alone about how as you know I guess Mike that Americans are spending time alone”
Where to get it
-
Burn-out: the high cost of achievement
Discussed“and in the 1980s he wrote a book called burnout the high cost of achievement and had also written this paper titled staff burnout”
Where to get it
-
Maslach burnout inventory
Discussed“so maybe for winter and also for you Mike it would be useful to go through the mlac burnout inventory the MBI as it's sometimes called and this is the most widely used measure of burnout in academic research”
Where to get it
-
Generations
Jean M.
Discussed“let me start with Gene Twinkie the leading academic on the side of absolutely there are real generational differences and by the way these are categories that she writes about in her recent book the title of that book is Generations colon the real differences between gen Z Millennials Gen X Boomers and silence and what they mean for America's”
Where to get it
-
Pour Your Heart Into It
Pour Your Heart Into It is a compelling business memoir by Howard Schultz that chronicles the early history and creation of Starbucks.
Discussed“I did read his Memoir I think it's called like a cup at a time or something like that”
Where to get it
-
The Light We Carry
The Light We Carry by Michelle Obama is an inspiring memoir offering practical wisdom and personal reflections on how to navigate ongoing uncertainty, overcome systemic barriers, and build resilience in challenging times.
Discussed“and you know Michelle Obama in her book The Light we carry talks a lot about being an only and being a first”
Where to get it
-
I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings
I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings by Maya Angelou is a powerful autobiographical memoir detailing the author's early life experiences with trauma, racism, and resilience.
Discussed“she was an amazing poet author she wrote I know where the Caged Bird Sings and is just one of my major heroes in life”
Where to get it
-
Becoming
Becoming is a widely discussed memoir by Michelle Obama that details her life, public journey, and transition through various stages, including her time as First Lady of the United States.
Discussed“so I don't know if you've read her book becoming are you going to talk about like when she wanted to go to Princeton”
Where to get it
-
Decoded
Discussed“this is several years years ago Terry Gross is interviewing Jay-Z about his book decoded on her radio show fresh air”
Where to get it
-
Human Nature in Its Fourfold State
Discussed“there is a Princeton neuroscientist named Michael Graziano and he wrote this book called the spaces between us a story of Neuroscience Evolution and human nature”
Where to get it
-
The Hidden Dimension
Discussed“this was a psychologist named Edward Hall who published this book called The Hidden dimension on human personal space”
Where to get it
-
The Spaces Between Us
Discussed“there is a Princeton neuroscientist named Michael Graziano and he wrote this book called the spaces between us a story of Neuroscience Evolution and human nature”
Where to get it
-
Top Five Regrets of the Dying
Top Five Regrets of the Dying by Bronnie Ware compiles insights from a palliative care nurse who spent years tending to terminally ill patients, revealing the most common emotional realizations people experience at the end of life.
Discussed“you're probably familiar with this book the top five regrets of the dying the hospice nurse wrote this and the number one regret of the dying she said is that they say I wish I'd had the courage to live a life true to myself not the life others expected of me”
Where to get it
-
Choke
Choke by Sian Beilock is a psychological exploration examining why people frequently underperform during critical, high-pressure moments and how the human brain reacts when stakes are at their highest.
Discussed“there's a research study by Siam bilock who's a scientist as well known as any scientist who's studied choking and wrote a book called choke on the science of high pressure performance in the intervention that she did with a group of colleagues”
Where to get it
-
The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People
The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People by Stephen R.
Discussed“you know maybe this would help clarify the seven habits of highly effective people that we've been referring to this is a book that Stephen Covey first published in 1989”
Where to get it
-
Unbroken
Laura Hillenbrand's bestselling biography Unbroken tells the extraordinary World War II story of Louis Zamperini, an Olympic runner who survived a plane crash, weeks adrift on a raft, and brutal captivity in Japanese prison camps.
Discussed“but I remember reading unbroken did you read the is it Lauren hillenbrand”
Where to get it
-
The Good Life
The Good Life by Robert Waldinger and Marc Schulz details the findings from the Harvard Study of Adult Development, which is the longest scientific study of happiness ever conducted, revealing that strong social connections are the single most significant predictor of long-term health and well-being.
Discussed“and the scientists who now hold that baton are named Robert waldinger and Mark Schultz but basically they wrote a book and it's called the good life lessons from the world's longest scientific study of happiness”
Where to get it
-
Candide
Candide by François Voltaire is a classic philosophical novella that satirizes naive optimism through the absurd misfortunes and adventures of its young protagonist.
Discussed“I remember reading in French class I think it was junior year and Dr Roland had assigned Candide by Voltaire”
Where to get it
-
How the Mind Works
How the Mind Works by Steven Pinker is a comprehensive exploration of evolutionary psychology that investigates how the human brain evolved, how it processes information, and how these mechanisms shape modern human behavior.
Discussed“Pinker wrote a book about it; I think he did a really good job summarizing it.”
Where to get it
-
The Theory of Moral Sentiments
The Theory of Moral Sentiments by Adam Smith is a seminal 1759 work of moral philosophy that examines the psychological foundations of human judgment, empathy, and social order.
Discussed“well the theory of moral sentiments yeah but in the theory of moral sentiment Smith wrote about this”
Where to get it
-
The Wealth of Nations
The Wealth of Nations by Adam Smith is a foundational text in classical economics that explores the nature and causes of national wealth through the division of labor, productivity, and free markets.
Discussed“self-interest was something that he wrote a bit about in his later book The Wealth of Nations”
Where to get it
-
Grit
Grit by Angela Duckworth is a psychology-based exploration of the roles that passion and perseverance play in achieving long-term success, independent of innate talent.
Discussed“I know you've read grit and I will tell you Chris there's one chapter I didn't write”
Where to get it
-
Letters to a Young Athlete
This reflective book of mentorship and athletic wisdom by former NBA star Chris Bosh offers guidance on resilience, identity, and the transition from sports to life's broader challenges.
Discussed“I didn't know whether I would connect with this new book Letters to a young athlete”
Where to get it
-
American Pastoral
American Pastoral is a critically acclaimed 1997 novel by Philip Roth that examines the disintegration of a successful American family during the turbulent social upheavals of the late twentieth century.
Discussed“I sometimes reread this great passage from Philip Roth's American pastoral”
Where to get it
-
A tree grows in Brooklyn
A tree grows in Brooklyn by Betty Smith is a classic coming-of-age novel depicting a young girl growing up in poverty in early twentieth-century Williamsburg.
Discussed“so when you're reading A Tree Grows in Brooklyn or even a memoir I mean Memoirs are my favorite genre”
Where to get it
-
Guinness Book of World Records
The Guinness Book of World Records is a well-known annual reference book that compiles globally recognized human achievements and natural extremes.
Discussed“and if I recall correctly we wrote to the Guinness Book of World Records and said okay you guys come measure our thing”
Where to get it
-
The Millionaire Next Door
The Millionaire Next Door by Thomas J.
Discussed“I hate to say I think you're just converting me on the spot here because I do think about some of the things that I've learned from actual self-help books including the Millionaire Next Door I have not read The Millionaire Next Door so one of my brothers gave that to me when I was in my mid late 20s”
Where to get it
-
Julia Child's menu cookbook
Discussed“you could read Julia Child's cookbook and next trust the chicken or you could watch Julia Child trust a chicken and it's so much easier to imitate Julia Child than to read what she says and then do it”
Where to get it
-
A Calendar of Wisdom
A Calendar of Wisdom by Leo Tolstoy is a daily devotional collection featuring Stoic philosophies, Eastern wisdom, and reflections from thinkers like Thoreau, curated to offer guidance for every day of the year.
Discussed“one is I've been reading this book by Tolstoy called a calendar of days and it is kind of like this Daily Devotional so he apparently for the last 15 or more years of his life created this journal where he kept all his favorite quotes”
Where to get it
-
Charlotte's Web
Charlotte's Web by E.B.
Discussed“and if I think back to when I read Charlotte's Web for the first time I must have been quite young who could forget Wilbur and Fern's relationship with Wilbur and then wanting Wilbur not to become bacon which was in fact the whole plot of the book”
Where to get it
-
Nine Nasty Words : English in the Gutter
Discussed“it's called Nine nasty words English in the gutter then now and forever and I can share with you a few key insights from there that I I think are really interesting”
Where to get it
-
Plato's Republic for today
Plato's Republic by Plato is a foundational philosophical text exploring justice, the ideal state, and the nature of human morality.
Discussed“a tiny bit older than The Hobbit in Plato's Republic glaucon Plato's older brother tells this story”
Where to get it
-
Some must watch while some must sleep
Discussed“because I read this book when I was a teenager that my sister had on her shelf I can picture it vividly it had a forest green cover with a Picasso painting of a woman sleeping it was called why some must sleep and others must watch”
Where to get it
-
The Interpretation of Dreams
The Interpretation of Dreams by Sigmund Freud is a foundational psychoanalytic text that introduced the concept of dreams as wish fulfillment and an arena where repressed unconscious impulses emerge in disguised forms.
Discussed“Of course, in his classic work, The Interpretation of Dreams, which he wrote just at the dawn of the 20th century. For Freud, dreams were a matter of wish fulfillment. This is a way that we play out our unconscious impulses.”
Where to get it
-
The Reading Mind
Discussed“I know there's this book called the reading Mind by Daniel Willingham who's a professor of psychology I love Dan Willingham he writes about the difference between a quote good reader and a less good reader”
Where to get it
-
How to Win Friends and Influence People
How to Win Friends and Influence People by Dale Carnegie is a classic self-help guide focused on interpersonal communication, empathy, and building lasting relationships.
Discussed“the reason why I hesitated to come out as a super fan of Dale Carney a lot of people you know leaves a bad taste in about like just the title How to Win Friends and Influence People”
Where to get it
-
Parent Nation
Parent Nation by Dana Suskind is an insightful book written by a pediatric surgeon that examines what modern society must do to properly care for children, placing special emphasis on supporting overlooked and disadvantaged families.
Discussed“she is a pediatric surgeon and she wrote this book called parent Nation it's about what we have to do as a society to take care of all children”
Where to get it
-
Twilight
Twilight by Stephenie Meyer is a contemporary young adult fantasy romance novel that follows a teenage girl who falls in love with a centuries-old vampire attending her high school.
Discussed“I read the Twilight series in a week Stephen and I told I think four all-nighters”
Where to get it
-
passages predictable crises of adult life
Discussed“from what I recall there was a book by Gail Sheehy which was just at the time massively everywhere it was particularly looking at the passage of time and aging from a female perspective but it was called passages predictable crises of adult life that was 1976.”
Where to get it
-
Robin Hood
Discussed“this is in a journal of Behavioral and experimental economics just last year the title is Robin Hood meets Pinocchio justifications increase cheating Behavior but decreased physiological tension and the co-authors are guy hochman Dan pellig and shayar ayal”
Where to get it
-
Thirty Million Words
Discussed“and Dana wrote a book prior to that called 30 million words and that also had some things to say about good parenting”
Where to get it
-
Unhappy Cities
Discussed“it caught my eye this academic paper by Ed Glaser I know the paper of which you speak being a fan of vet Glazer myself orenzieve and Joshua Gottlieb are the other authors on this paper unhappy cities”
Where to get it
-
Utilitarianism
Utilitarianism by John Stuart Mill is a foundational philosophical text that articulates the ethical framework emphasizing the greatest happiness principle and the moral significance of actions.
Discussed“here is something that Jon Stewart Mill wrote in his Opus utilitarianism it's very long passage about higher and lower pleasures”
Where to get it
-
DSM-5® Guidebook
Discussed“But I think a very good starting place would be the DSM. You've heard of this, right?”
Where to get it
-
The Sweet Spot
The Sweet Spot by Paul Bloom is a psychology book that investigates why human beings voluntarily seek out pain, suffering, and challenging experiences as part of a meaningful life.
Discussed“so his most recent book is called The Sweet Spot”
Where to get it
Questions about Angela Duckworth’s book recommendations
What book does Angela Duckworth recommend most?
Klara and the Sun by Kazuo Ishiguro. Angela Duckworth recommended it in 1 episode, with 3 explicit recommendations.
How many books has Angela Duckworth recommended on podcasts?
We have found 124 books Angela Duckworth recommended or discussed, across 102 episodes of 2 podcasts. Ad reads and passing mentions are not counted.
What books are on Angela Duckworth's reading list?
The books Angela Duckworth has recommended most on podcasts are Klara and the Sun by Kazuo Ishiguro, Influence by Robert B. Cialdini, Somebody Loves You, Mr. Hatch by Eileen Spinelli, Born a Crime by Trevor Noah and A Brief History of Intelligence by Max Bennett. The full book list below has all 124.
What books has Angela Duckworth written?
Grit (2016).
What did Angela Duckworth recommend on No Stupid Questions?
Klara and the Sun, Influence and Somebody Loves You, Mr. Hatch, among 122 books in all.
What is the latest book Angela Duckworth recommended?
Man's Search for Meaning, discussed on No Stupid Questions (2024-12-20).
People who recommend the same books
Appearances
Other mentions (46: passing, ad reads, own books)
“Well, as a psychologist, I really did spend the first half of my career trying to understand the importance of individual effort to achieving excellence and I wrote a book about it and I recently reread that book and I wanted to know whether I changed my mind.”
“I wrote about him in grit. I also wrote about him in situated and he's the only person I put in both books. I wrote about him in grit.”
“I also wrote about him in situated and he's the only person I put in both books.”
“I was going to say I always say sometimes, I don't want to make a declarative that all things, but my immediate reaction went back to the book Freakonomics.”
“I mean I don't know if I should confess to this but it was very clear to me when I wrote grit that what made the idea interesting is that we had a view that what makes somebody great at what they do is talent that is the accepted wisdom right but in fact it's not it's sustained effort and”
“I mean I don't know if I should confess to this but it was very clear to me when I wrote grit that what made the idea interesting is that we had a view that what makes somebody great at what they do is talent that is the accepted wisdom right but in fact it's not it's sustained effort and”
“I mean, I don't know if I should confess to this, but it was very clear to me when I wrote 'Grit' that what made the idea interesting is that we had a view that what makes somebody great at what they do is talent.”
“or will my almost daily rewatching of friends and rereading of Harry Potter hinder my ability to form quote normal relationships in the long run”
“I think they were at a swimming pool and everybody's jumping around having fun, and she's sitting by the pool reading Freakonomics!”
“it may also be because I happen to give a TED Talk that many many children have been forced to watch by their parents what's the topic of this TED Talk it's G RIT T”
“it may also be because I happen to give a TED Talk that many many children have been forced to watch by their parents what's the topic of this TED Talk it's G RIT T”
“I will say that I probably should have done this more myself; I wrote a lot about my own daughters in Grit before they were old enough to really give me permission to do that, so maybe I should have taken a page out of the Taylor Swift parenting playbook myself.”
“I wrote a lot about my own daughters in grit before they were old enough to really give me permission to do that”
“Like, there was a time where I would read my Amazon reviews—I'm no longer in that time, not just because my book came out a million years ago, but also because I have found it to not be a healthy exercise to read Amazon reviews—good or bad.”
“But when you think about other aspects of costuming, Isaac Bashevis Singer, who is a writer and thinker from a long time ago, said, 'What a strange power there is in clothing.'”
“So he and Billy Bean, if you've read the book Moneyball—oh, Billy Bean! I saw the movie with Brad Pitt!”
“My point is that Paul D podesta called me about grit. I think he had just some curiosity; it was only one conversation, we didn't talk after this, but I think he was thinking like a lot of people in sports are thinking, which is, you know, how do I pick the next player and how do I get this”
“And Mike, as you know, I wrote a book on grit.”
“and I am a writer and I host a podcast called Freakonomics radio and you wrote the book Freakonomics among quite a few others”
“and you wrote the book Freakonomics among quite a few others”
“and you wrote the book Freakonomics among quite a few others I did and you and I became friends”
“Yeah, I don't know if that accounts for his living to 100, but oh my gosh! He loved grit!”
“I mean, at the policy level, at the identity level, like here's an example of somebody who overcame their low SAT score, but it just kind of underscores the inanity of all this. Like, The Joy Luck Club?”
“I recently came upon the No Stupid Questions podcast and would love to hear your thoughts on the importance of semantics, especially in relation to the idea of priming as written about in the great Daniel Kahneman's Thinking, Fast and Slow.”
“I once gave a talk on grit for my book tour, and I was very nervous because I had never really given a book tour talk. I was like, 'What the hell is that?'”
“So, I guess the most personal thing for me would be, you know, in my research on grit, I got very taken with the idea that high achievers are people who are kind of indomitable in their will, and they are obsessive in their pursuit of a single goal. So, what's very hard for me is to then be criticized”
“it's one of Danny Conan's inventions but has gotten less attention than like thinking fast and slow and cognitive biases and so forth”
“you know eie white like the author of Charlotte's Web right”
“our dear friend Kim Scott who wrote radical Candor also hates the idea”
“but not unless they're talking about Pride and Prejudice which I do actually like to talk about and watch and read a lot”
“but not unless they're talking about Pride and Prejudice which I do actually like to talk about and watch and read a lot”
“when I wrote grit I thought to myself well I guess I'll just try to explain without jargon things that psychological scientists would be able to appreciate with jargon”
“When I wrote Grit, I thought to myself, well, I guess I'll just try to explain without jargon things that psychological scientists would be able to appreciate with jargon. But I have to say it was the most intellectually challenging thing I had done because I had to put things together without the artifice of jargon.”
“you know I remember when the editor and literary agent convinced me to write grit”
“Research psychologist Angela Duckworth (author of "Grit") and tech and sports executive Mike Maughan really like to ask people questions, and they believe there’s no such thing as a stupid one.”
“and I've Got My Lonely Planet and this I also cannot figure out with my ex-boyfriend who at the time was an ex-boyfriend”
“It's G-R-I-T, but the point is, oftentimes in these very short interactions with strangers, it seems to me like there's a familiarity. It's like, 'Oh my gosh, are you Angela?'”
“I mean just from watching Mad Men I don't think that was always true for the United States”
“they had finished the whole Twilight series they would bring these thick teen novels into school”
“she was holy shamoli these Charlotte's Web images are so cute”
“she would actually ask well she knew which parent to ask which is not me and she knew to ask Jason like how do I get my money to make even more money she listened to the book Rich Dad Poor Dad do you know that book”
“I remember when I sold grit the book proposal I had this sequence of these group interviews”
“that's a little bit unself-interested which is to say yeah I wrote a book called grip I've studied grip”
“when Steve and Devon and I wrote for economics I realized that the outside world was much more fun than the academic world”
“i have since writing that book um of course you know felt that you know which i did before i wrote the book that grit's not the only thing that should be encouraged or or taught uh or developed”
“And you wrote the book Freakonomics, among quite a few others. I did.”