Shortform Books

Confidence & Joy: The 2 Keys to Enjoying Sex

If we’re wired for it, why is that so many of us struggle to enjoy sex? What do you think is the secret to pleasurable, problem-free sex life? Despite all of the encouraging new information we may learn about our sex, that doesn’t automatically equate to problem-free, enjoyable sex life. Sex researcher Emily Nagoski argues that when it comes to enjoying sex, we must not only understand our own sexuality but also love it for what it is. In other words, we must find confidence and joy in ourselves. Here is what Nagoski has to say about finding enjoyment in sex.

Arousal Non-Concordance: What It Is & Why It Happens

What is arousal non-concordance? Is arousal always accompanied by a genital response? Arousal non-concordance is the mismatch between what our brains identify as sex-related and what we actually find appealing. To demonstrate with an example, imagine you’re watching a sex scene in a movie. The scene doesn’t appeal to you because you don’t think the actors are attractive. Despite this, you find yourself becoming physically aroused at the sight of sex on the screen. Here is why non-concordance happens and what to do about it.

How to Boost Your Self-Esteem if You’re Codependent

Do you suffer from codependency traits? What steps can you take to nurture your confidence? If you have a codependent personality, then you likely suffer from self-esteem issues as well. In her book Codependent No More, Melody Beattie provides advice for codependents to boost their self-esteem and explains why they may be lacking confidence in the first place. Here’s how to boost self-esteem.

The 3 Major Personal Life Choices We All Must Make

What are the biggest personal life choices that everybody must make? In what ways does expanded choice affect these decisions? In his book The Paradox of Choice, Barry Schwartz explains that there are three major personal choices that we all must make in life: relationships, religion, and identity. Schwartz says that these already difficult decisions are complicated by the fact that people today have more options than ever. Here’s an overview of Schwartz’s discussion on personal life choices.

Who Will Cry When You Die: Review and Background

Is Robin Sharma’s Who Will Cry When You Die? worth reading? How was the book received by the critics and what are its strengths and weaknesses? In Who Will Cry When You Die?, self-help guru Robin Sharma wants to know if you’ll feel happy with the life you’ve led when you’re on your deathbed. If you think you might have end-of-life regrets, Sharma provides a collection of pithy life lessons and advice to help you seize control of your life and turn it into one you’ll look back on fondly. Continue reading for our Who Will Cry When You Die?

How to Be Satisfied With Life: The 3 Keys to Happiness

Do you feel dissatisfied with your life? Do you often have to do things you don’t like? In his book Think Like a Monk, former monk Jay Shetty says that we all have to do activities that we don’t enjoy in life. Instead of letting this bring you down, Shetty says to reframe how you look at everything you do and to see how they align with your values, what you can gain from them, and analyze why you may not like a certain task. Here is Shetty’s advice on how to be satisfied with life no matter what you’re

Manage Your Expectations to Avoid Disappointment

Have you heard the phrase “Expect the worst, but hope for the best”? Why shouldn’t you set your expectations too high? Why does having more options set your expectations higher? In the book The Paradox of Choice, author Barry Schwartz posits that having more choices sets your reference points, and thus your expectations, higher. He says that it’s important to manage your expectations so you’re not always disappointed by outcomes. Here’s a brief overview of Schwartz’s take on managing your expectations.

How to Tell Someone an Uncomfortable Truth

Have you ever had to tell someone an uncomfortable truth? What was their reaction? What do you think is the best way to get someone to confront a hard-to-hear truth about themselves? Most people go about telling one another hard-to-hear truths in the wrong way—by saying the truth outright. But this approach often leads to defensiveness and breakdown of communication. If you want someone to confront an uncomfortable truth, don’t tell them directly—lead them to discover it themselves. Here is how to force someone to confront an uncomfortable truth without telling them outright.

The Benefits of Group Study—and How to Stay on Task

Why should you study in groups? How do you keep the group functional and effective? Barbara Oakley discusses the benefits of group study when it comes to maximizing your learning. She also offers insights for keeping the group healthy and on task. Read more to about effective group study.

Come as You Are by Emily Nagoski: Review & Impact

Is Emily Nagoski’s book Come as You Are worth reading? How does modern culture repress female sexuality? Come As You Are by Emily Nagoski explores women’s sexuality using scientific research and the author’s years of experience as a sex educator. Nagoski decided to write the book to change the negative way that many women talk, think, and feel about themselves due to harmful cultural messaging that encourages self-criticism and perpetuates misinformation about what constitutes “normal” sexuality. Here is our review of Come as You Are by Emily Nagoski.