A 2026 Non-Obvious Holiday Gift Guide · Tuesday, October 27
Best Books To Be Happier At Work
Improve your well being at the office and have a better working day.
The Twelve Books
Books To Be Happier At Work
Joyosity
by Jenn Whitmer
Leadership expert Jenn Whitmer makes the case for joy as a strategic advantage at work, with a framework built on the Enneagram and the science of human connection.
About the author. Jenn Whitmer is a St. Louis keynote speaker, executive coach and certified Enneagram coach who works with leaders on workplace culture. She hosts the Joyosity podcast.
Radical Candor
by Kim Scott
Kim Scott’s management classic argues that the best bosses care personally and challenge directly, and shows how to give feedback that actually lands.
About the author. Kim Scott is the co-founder of Radical Candor. She led teams at Google and taught at Apple University before becoming a coach to CEOs.
Flourish
by Daniel Coyle
Daniel Coyle explores how groups build meaning, joy and fulfillment, from Chilean miners to a Michigan deli and a Dutch soccer team.
About the author. Daniel Coyle wrote The Culture Code and The Talent Code and has advised organizations including the Navy SEALs and the Cleveland Guardians. He lives in Cleveland Heights, Ohio.
Humor Me
by Chris Duffy
Comedian Chris Duffy shows how laughing more can make you more present, creative, connected and happy, with stories, science and advice from comedians.
About the author. Chris Duffy is a stand-up comedian, former fifth-grade teacher and TV writer. He hosts TED’s podcast How to Be a Better Human.
The Small Stuff
by Ian Bogost
Ian Bogost argues that modern design has stripped the simple pleasures from daily life, and shows how paying attention to small things can make life more gratifying.
About the author. Ian Bogost is a contributing writer at The Atlantic and a professor at Washington University in St. Louis. He is also an award-winning game designer.
Infectious Generosity
by Chris Anderson
TED curator Chris Anderson argues the internet can amplify generosity as easily as outrage, and shows how giving, done boldly, becomes the world’s most contagious idea.
About the author. Chris Anderson has led TED since 2001 and wrote TED Talks: The Official TED Guide to Public Speaking.
Talk to Me Nice
by Minda Harts
Minda Harts lays out seven trust languages, from transparency to follow-through, that teams can use to build a better workplace.
About the author. Minda Harts is a workplace consultant and NYU public service professor. She founded the career development company The Memo and wrote the book of the same name.
Getting Along
by Amy Gallo
Harvard Business Review’s Amy Gallo offers practical strategies for working with the colleagues who frustrate you, and for becoming easier to work with yourself.
About the author. Amy Gallo is a contributing editor at Harvard Business Review and a workplace conflict expert. She co-hosted HBR’s Women at Work podcast.
Humor, Seriously
by Jennifer Aaker and Naomi Bagdonas
Stanford’s Jennifer Aaker and Naomi Bagdonas show why humor is a secret weapon in business and life, and how anyone can use it.
About the author. Jennifer Aaker is a behavioral scientist and professor at Stanford’s Graduate School of Business. Naomi Bagdonas is a Stanford lecturer and trained comedian.
Right Kind of Wrong
by Amy C. Edmondson
Harvard’s Amy Edmondson separates smart failures from sloppy ones and shows how teams can learn from mistakes without fear.
About the author. Amy Edmondson is the Novartis Professor of Leadership and Management at Harvard Business School and the author of The Fearless Organization.
Managing Up
by Melody Wilding
Melody Wilding’s guide to getting what you need from the people in charge: how to build trust, earn influence and advocate for yourself.
About the author. Melody Wilding is an executive coach, licensed social worker and professor of human behavior at Hunter College. Her writing has appeared in Harvard Business Review and Forbes.
Sunday Night Factor
by Sean Moran
Former Paramount sales chief Sean Moran uses one simple test of leadership, how your people feel on Sunday night, to build a work culture where people love Mondays.
About the author. Sean Moran is the former President of Sales at Paramount Global and now COO of Evergreen Trading. He is a Brown graduate and a former professional basketball player in Europe.
Prefer A Mystery?
Future Words Secret Gift Box
Ssshhh! If you’re ok with a secret and love surprises, this box is for you!*
Join The Waitlist*Available first come first serve. May include free sample products from partners, bonus notebook, non-obvious goodies, mystery books from author friends and lots more. US mailing addresses only.
Buy It Local
Every book in these guides can be ordered by your local independent bookstore.
- Find your nearest indie bookstore.
- Ask for the title by name. Booksellers can order almost anything.
- Tag your local bookstore and tell us which guide sent you.
Small Business Saturday
Small Business Saturday is November 28, 2026. It is a good day to pick up a few books from the shop around the corner.
A Note From Rohit
How These Books Were Selected
Every book in these guides was chosen by me, from my own bookshelf. As an avid reader and the host of the Non-Obvious Book Awards, I see a lot of books every year. These gift guides compile my absolute favorites.
- Readability. Every book offers a great reading experience.
- Originality. All titles are “non-obvious” and thoughtful.
- Giftability. The packaging and design must be impressive as a gift.
- Award Winners. Many books are past selections of the Non-Obvious Book Awards.
All books in this guide were hand selected and read by a human. AI was not used in the book selections.
Coming December 1
The 2026 Non-Obvious Book Awards winners are announced December 1.
Many books in these guides are past winners, shortlisted titles and longlisted titles from the awards. See the full list of past selections.
Explore The Book Awards
The 2025 winners
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