A Man Called Ove

First, I saw the movie based on this book. Then I listened to the book twice. While the plot is about a 59 year old man who is trying to kill himself, it somehow manages to be an uplifting book about how every person is worthy of love.  Ove will probably remind everyone of their dad (in a good way). Originally published in Swedish, it has sold over a million copies in 40 languages. There is something universally good about this book.

Never Split the Difference

Like Being Mortal and Naked Economics, I think this book should be required reading for all adults. The author had a career as a hostage negotiator in the FBI. What surprised me most about his insights is that the same skills required for effective negotiation are also taught by Buddhists who find salvation from suffering in the present moment. Being present is not simple and neither is negotiation but it's interesting that requirements for both overlap.

Great and terrible anecdotes abound.