Opening the page to another year can be a time for reflection, resolve, anticipation, and contemplation. For many of us, it鈥檚 a time for setting goals and committing to change. But in our increasingly hurried lives, it鈥檚 equally a time to consider undertaking the challenge of doing less and being present more. Whether you鈥檙e setting your sights on a new achievement or if your goal is to question the pursuits you currently chase, whether you hope to change your thinking or affect change around you, whether you want to connect more deeply with friends or find more time for yourself, there鈥檚 a book for you on our new year鈥檚 reading list. In fact, even if you鈥檙e the sort to find new year鈥檚 resolutions too daunting (or arbitrary) to make at all, there鈥檚 a book here for you too.
Michelangelo, God鈥檚 Architect: The Story of His Final Years and Greatest Masterpiece
If you鈥檝e ever thought that your best years are behind you, think again. Michelangelo didn鈥檛 even begin his work on St. Peter鈥檚 Basilica until he was in his seventies. He completed his most celebrated achievements during the last two decades of his life. While you likely won鈥檛 take on a basilica this year, start the year knowing that you鈥檙e never too old to create your own masterpiece.
Perfect Me: Beauty as an Ethical Ideal
The demand to be beautiful is more powerful than ever in today鈥檚 visual and virtual culture. Make this year the one that you resist the diet culture, love yourself more, and question the pursuit of perfection.
Idleness: A Philosophical Essay
At this time of year, more than ever, we鈥檙e surrounded by suggestions for self-improvement, setting goals, and making contributions. But does our worth and happiness really improve the busier we are? This year, make your goal one to scale back, unplug, do less, and ultimately appreciate more.
How to Be a Friend: An Ancient Guide to True Friendship
Feeling exhausted and depleted by social media, online relationships, and the relentless self-absorption that infiltrates so much of how we relate to each other? If so, make 2020 the year of cultivating your friendships 44 B.C.-style. With wit and wisdom, Cicero offers timeless advice about how to build friendships, how to choose the right friends, how to live with friends in good times and bad, and most importantly, why true friendships are so important.
Protest!: A History of Social and Political Protest Graphics
Resolve to support a cause this year. And at the same time, learn about the role visual arts play in passionate efforts for change.
Making Up Your Own Mind: Thinking Effectively through Creative Puzzle-Solving
Every new year brings new opportunities, but also challenges. Become better at solving real-world problems by learning creative puzzle-solving skills鈥�. This is a book about changing your mind and creating an even better version of yourself through mental play鈥�.
Birds in Winter: Surviving the Most Challenging Season
Are you not the type to make new year鈥檚 resolutions? For some, the new year may just mean slogging through winter doldrums. If that鈥檚 the case for you, take inspiration from our feathered friends on how to survive the most challenging season.