What is the book (or books) you've given most as a gift, and why?
Anonymous
The Snow Leopard by Peter Matthiessen. The most honest account of how we manage (or don't) all of the things going on in our heads and how those things manifest in the world around us.
Anonymous
Robert H. Frank’s Success or Luck. The book analyzes why we underestimate the importance of luck in our success, how that hurts us and others, and what we can do about it. It’s great to give as a gift because it’s a quick read and you can take away useful lessons.
Cecily Pulver
Italo Calvino's Invisible Cities. A delightfully strange and poetic read that can be read as a full book or as isolated chapters. Very thought provoking but it won't make you feel guilty if you put it down for another day.
Ojus Padston
Getting Things Done - My first post-grad manager gave me this productivity book. While it is quite dated, the underlying philosophy and principles are still incredibly helpful. Organizing your priorities is a critical skill that's not ever taught formally. From not letting any task or open item sit in your head where it takes up space (write it down) to a comprehensive prioritization framework (Weekly Review), the book is a roadmap to a more easeful, effective, and ultimately purposeful life.
Janelle T.
All About Love by bell hooks. This book shows the interconnectedness and ultimate power of true love, meant in the romantic sense but applicable to all parts of life. It reminds me that love is a verb, not just a noun, and we must act out love, not just feel it. It's a moving, feminist perspective on what love can and must mean. A passage of the book was read at my wedding, and I like to gift it to friends who are also in deeply committed relationships.
Anonymous
Raising Bebe. Givers and Takers.
Erin B
Michelle Obama's memoir, Becoming -- it was beautifully written and very inspiring. Most recently, The Book of Longings by Susan Monk Kidd. A wonderful, beautiful story that shows a different view of the life of Jesus Christ (fictional).
What purchase of $100 or less has most positively impacted your life in recent memory?
Anonymous
I bought an automatic feeder for my cat. He no longer wakes me up at 4:30 in the morning for his breakfast. I'm a bad sleeper to begin with, so removing any additional obstacles is pretty key in my case.
Cecily Pulver
Google's $0.99 monthly fee for more cloud space. It's just worth it. Even if you have an external hard drive. Also, a subscription to your favorite/ local newspaper. It's usually less than you'll spend on coffee in a month and does a lot to support journalism in your area.
Anonymous
Baby formula.
Anonymous
I purchased a book on Thomas Edison at a discount bookstore in Princeton, New Jersey. It was interesting to learn about the challenges that Edison faced personally and professionally, and how he persisted in his efforts to make discoveries that improved the world.
Anonymous
A car power inverter is a life-saver for charging larger electronics on the go.
Anonymous
The Alpha JX-EW bidet has been a game changer - this thing is a Cadillac and quality of life just skyrockets once you eschew primitive paper-based hygiene. An elegant piece of technology for a more civilized age. If I could spread the bidet gospel to the whole world I’d do it in a heartbeat. “Buy a bidet” - there’s your answer to the billboard question.
Ojus Padston
Healthy Minds app - While there are many great meditation apps, the one I use now is a free app called Healthy Minds run by a non-profit associated with the University of Wisconsin-Madison. I love the combination of scientific rigor with practical daily meditations. Becoming more mindful has made me kinder, more compassionate to myself and others, and generally way upped my emotional intelligence.
Erin B
Bath pillow - sounds silly, but it completely changes the comfort level of baths!
Anonymous
Hiking boots! I used to hike in running shoes, and while I wanted to enjoy it, I couldn't help but battle a constant fear of twisting my ankle and falling. I bought sturdy boots last year, and they've allowed me to more fully enjoy hikes in the Adirondacks, on O'ahu, in California, and more.
Anonymous
Modern fertility test. Fun psychic reading.