Oprah Winfrey and Arthur C. Brooks on Toni Morrison, 'The Color Purple ,' and the Books That Shaped Them

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Welcome to Shelf Life, ELLE.com’s books column, in which authors share their most memorable reads. Whether you’re on the hunt for a book to console you, move you profoundly, or make you laugh, consider a recommendation from the writers in our series, who, like you (since you’re here), love books. Perhaps one of their favorite titles will become one of yours, too.

In her last book, What Happened to You?: Conversations on Trauma, Resilience, and Healing, Oprah Winfrey teamed up with psychiatrist Bruce D. Perry to unpack the many effects of trauma on human behavior through personal anecdotes and science-backed research.

Now, in Build the Life You Want: The Art and Science of Getting Happier (Penguin Random House), available on September 12, she’s team up with another expert: Harvard professor Arthur C. Brooks, who leads the university’s Leadership & Happiness Laboratory. The book is a guide for readers on how to construct a life infused with joy by harnessing what the authors call “the four pillars of happiness”: family, friendship, work, and faith.

Winfrey’s coauthor Brooks is the author of over 10 books, including From Strength to Strength: Finding Success, Happiness and Deep Purpose in the Second Half of Life and Love Your Enemies. He also writes the column “How to Build a Life” for The Atlantic. And, well, you already know Oprah. Dive into their book recommendations below.

Oprah Winfrey

The book that...

…I recommend over and over again:

The Seat of the Soul by Gary Zukav. It’s where I first discovered “authentic power” and the role that intention plays in making sound choices.

...shaped my worldview:

A New Earth by Eckhart Tolle. Understanding how the ego works allowed me to see the ego’s role in all the world’s affairs.

...made me rethink a long-held belief:

Discover the Power Within You by Eric Butterworth.

...I read in one sitting, it was that good:

The Color Purple by Alice Walker.

…currently sits on my nightstand:

Devotions by Mary Oliver.

…I’d give to a new graduate:

Hidden Potential by Adam Grant.

…helped me through a loss/breakup:

Why Do I Think I Am Nothing Without a Man? by Penelope Russianoff.

…made me weep uncontrollably:

Their Eyes Were Watching God by Zora Neale Hurston.

…I’d like turned into a TV show:

The Covenant of Water by Abraham Verghese.

...I’ve re-read the most:

Song of Solomon by Toni Morrison and I discover new insights with each reading.

…Should be on every college syllabus:

CASTE: The Origins of Our Discontents by Isabel Wilkerson.

Arthur C. Brooks

The book that...

…I recommend over and over again:

The Way of a Pilgrim by an anonymous Russian monk. This book helped me understand that I am a spiritual creature living a physical existence, not vice versa.

...shaped my worldview:

The Moral Sense by James Q. Wilson. This book by the legendary social scientist made me want to study human behavior and changed the course of my professional life.

...made me rethink a long-held belief:

The Righteous Mind by Jonathan Haidt. It turns out that my moral values are not the only moral values!

...I read in one sitting, it was that good:

Darkness Visible by William Styron.

…currently sits on my nightstand:

Zen Catholicism by Dom Aelred Graham. One paragraph a night…

…I’d give to a new graduate:

Never Enough: The Neuroscience and Experience of Addiction by Judith Grisel. So many young people get addicted to drugs, alcohol, pornography–or even work–because of ignorance. This book can save lives and relationships.

…helped me through a loss/breakup:

A Grief Observed by C.S. Lewis.

…made me weep uncontrollably:

Come Be My Light by Mother Teresa. (Maybe not cry uncontrollably…but mist up).

…I’d like turned into a TV show:

Dear Committee Members and The Shakespeare Requirement by Julie Schumacher.

...I’ve re-read the most:

The Autobiography of a Yogi by Paramahansa Yogananda. This book introducing Hinduism to the West helped me understand my own faith.

…Should be on every college syllabus:

The Coddling of the American Mind by Jonathan Hait and Greg Lukianoff. This book will help young people develop the resilience they need, and resist the culture wars they don’t.

The Seat of the Soul

A New Earth

Discover the Power Within You

The Color Purple

Devotions

Hidden Potential

Why Do I Think I Am Nothing Without a Man?

Their Eyes Were Watching God

The Covenant of Water

Song of Solomon

Caste: The Origins of Our Discontents

The Way of a Pilgrim

The Moral Sense

The Righteous Mind

Darkness Visible

Never Enough

A Grief Observed

Zen Catholicism

Come Be My Light

Dear Committee Members

The Shakespeare Requirement

Autobiography of a Yogi

The Coddling of the American Mind

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