Book of the Week: Build the Life You Want by Arthur C. Brooks

Ever feel like you’re spinning your wheels on the hamster wheel of life, chasing happiness but never quite catching it? When a book carries the Oprah Winfrey Book Club seal of approval, expectations naturally soar. Build the Life You Want by Arthur C. Brooks dives deep into the inner workings of the brain, offering a buffet of analytical research that aims to guide us toward greater happiness. If you’ve ever wondered whether the key to fulfillment is hidden in neuroscience, this book might just have you intrigued. But does knowing the science truly help you craft a life that feels vibrant and meaningful? Stick with me as we unpack what works…and what misses the mark, in this much-anticipated read!

One of the book’s undeniable strengths is how it ties happiness to the science of our minds. Arthur C. Brooks artfully synthesizes decades of research on how our habits, emotions, and thoughts influence our well-being. If you’re fascinated by psychology and love discovering how your brain is wired, you’re going to appreciate the depth here. Brooks has woven together an abundance of data and anecdotes that are intellectually illuminating. Imagine learning how certain behaviors activate “rewards” in your brain, or why some social connections light us up while others dim our glow. From an analytical perspective, it’s a goldmine for anyone who loves understanding the why behind what makes us tick.

But here’s where the light jabs come in. At times, the analytical deep dives felt a little too academic, like a dinner party guest who starts quoting an entire research paper verbatim. Sure, it’s impressive, but after a while, you start looking around for the dessert tray or a more engaging story. Brooks’ approach sometimes left me craving a little more heart.  Personally I need more of a sprinkle of raw inspiration that doesn’t come pre-packaged with footnotes and data charts.

That said, this book does deliver several practical takeaways for anyone looking to live life with greater intention. Brooks emphasizes the importance of aligning your actions with your values, and that is something I absolutely agree with. It’s a concept that can help even the busiest among us step off that hamster wheel of monotony. However, I couldn’t help but wish the presentation of these ideas felt less like a science lecture and more like a heartfelt conversation over coffee.

Here’s the thing, fulfilling your potential and building a life you’re proud of is a deeply personal venture. I’ve built my own life around a combination of career goals, family priorities, and the need to feed my soul through joy-filled activities. For someone who already takes an intentional approach to their days, this book didn’t quite deliver that “aha” moment or that visceral gut pull that makes you sit up and say, “Wow, this is it! This changes everything.”

Does that mean it’s not worth reading? Heck NO! Not at all. If you enjoy a cerebral approach to personal development and want to better understand the mechanics of happiness, you’ll find plenty to reflect on here. Plus, Oprah clearly saw something in this book, and who am I to argue with Oprah?

But if you’re like me and searching for a book that shakes you to your core, pushes you out of your comfort zone, and makes you shout “YES!” to Creating A Life Worth Living, this may fall just a little short. 

My final rating? 3 out of 5 golden squeegees! Solid, thought-provoking, but missing that spark.

Still curious about building the life you want? Save your $15, thank me later, and check out my top books to read in 2024. Whether you’re looking for inspiration, actionable advice, or a narrative that hooks you from the first page, there’s something on that list that will truly make your heart sing.Here’s to stepping off the hamster wheel and into a life that leaves you saying WOW!