Shortform Books

Credit Card Debt in America Exposes a Harsh Reality

What’s causing the record-high credit card debt in America? Why are Americans spending so much yet saving so little? Credit card debt in America rose to $890 billion in 2022, with total household debt hitting a record high of $16.5 trillion. Credit is a survival tool for most Americans—and the debt tied to it is so ubiquitous in the U.S. that it’s become normalized. Read on to learn more about credit card debt in America, including tips for managing debt.

Are Career Fears Holding You Back? Try These Tips

The 25 Cognitive Biases: Instinctive Reaction Tendency

What causes career fears? What’s the best way to overcome the fear of failure or shame at work? According to Seth Godin, becoming a “linchpin”—an indispensable employee—leads to a fulfilling and successful career. However, Godin claims that very few people pursue the path of a linchpin due to career fears, worrying they may fail or become overwhelmed in a leadership position. Read on to learn how to face your career fears and overcome them, according to Godin’s advice.

Silencing Your Inner Critic: Tips From a Psychologist

How do you silence your “inner critic”—that denigrating voice in your head that always judges and puts you down? How can you reframe a bad situation? According to neuroscientist and psychologist Ethan Kross, one way you can quiet your inner critic is by adopting a new perspective. This allows you to get outside of your head, bringing you clarity and a break from your body’s threat response. Keep reading for Kross’s tips for silencing your inner critic by adopting a new perspective.

Stillness Is the Key: Quotes by Ryan Holiday

Are you looking for Stillness Is the Key quotes by Ryan Holiday? What are some of the most noteworthy passages worth revisiting? In his book Stillness Is the Key, Ryan Holiday explains how to cultivate stillness in your mind, body, and soul. Holiday assures that stillness is accessible to everyone at any time, but you must keep practicing to get to a point where it’s consistently maintained and readily accessible to you. Below is a selection of passages with explanations.

What Is the Origin of Life on Earth? Science Can’t Tell Us (Yet)

What is the origin of life on Earth? What can lab experiments tell us about it? The origin of life is one of the great mysteries of science. Scientists can synthesize amino acids, but not with chemicals available on the early Earth. Furthermore, no one knows how amino acids formed proteins; random chance can’t account for it. Continue reading to learn more about origin-of-life research and its findings.

Advertising Techniques: 10 Examples From Drew Whitman

Looking for advertising technique examples? Which techniques are the most effective in generating revenue? Drew Whitman wrote his book Ca$hvertising to explain why most advertisements fail and how to create ads that actually generate results. According to him, customers are only drawn to ads that address their core human needs. Keep reading to discover ten examples of advertising techniques from Whitman’s book Ca$hvertising.

Self-Compassion: Depression and Anxiety’s Antidote

Do you suffer from depression and anxiety? How does self-compassion help with depression? In Self-Compassion, Kristin Neff says research shows that people who are self-compassionate are less anxious and depressed than people who self-criticize. This is because they’re able to acknowledge and respond to their negative thoughts and emotions rather than ruminate on them. Check out the process of self-compassion, depression’s effective cure.

What Did Prince Harry Do in the Military? His Career, Explained

What did Prince Harry do in the military? Why does Harry say it was the happiest time of his life? Having a clear purpose in the military—and the anonymity of a callsign—helped him to focus his attention and forget about the hardships of royalty. In Spare, Harry recalls his highest points in the military. We’ll explore Harry’s military career, starting with the sudden cancellation of his deployment to Iraq and ending with him founding the Invictus Games, a sports event for veterans.

The Only Study Guide You’ll Ever Need: Book Overview

What is The Only Study Guide You’ll Ever Need by Jade Bowler about? What are the main takeaways of the book? The pressure to succeed in school often makes young people chronically overwhelmed and causes them to struggle. However, in The Only Study Guide You’ll Ever Need, Jade Bowler explains that school doesn’t have to be this way. Read below for a brief overview of The Only Study Guide You’ll Ever Need.

13 Essential Books to Improve Writing Skills

Do you have writer’s block? Do you want to improve your writing skills? Whether you’re writing a novel, advertisements, or an essay for class, good writing skills will come in handy. Thankfully, these skills can be learned through practice, perseverance, and a good book. Below, we’ve listed thirteen essential books that every writer should read to improve their skills.