101 Essays That Will Change the Way You Think

By: Brianna Wiest

Narrated by: Abby Craden

Length: 10 hrs and 45 mins

Publisher's Summary

Over the past few years, Brianna Wiest has gained renown for her deeply moving, philosophical writing. This new compilation of her published work features pieces on why you should pursue purpose over passion, embrace negative thinking, see the wisdom in daily routine, and become aware of the cognitive biases that are creating the way you see your life.

Some of these pieces have never been seen; others have been read by millions of people around the world. Regardless, each will leave you thinking: This idea changed my life.

©2016 Brianna Wiest (P)2018 Tantor

Finding ways on being a better version of yourself

Why am I giving it 5 out of 5 even when I agree with some ideas repeat during the book?
Two main reasons. One, if an important concept or idea repeats, it can only help to fully grasp its importance and meaning or to revisit the concept from a different perspective. Two, the book is long and I personally could do without some parts, but it is a compilation. I might not be interested in some chapters, just as other people might not be interested in the ones I liked most. The importance relies on that the sum of it all makes it whole; and it's a compilation!

As previously mentioned, 101 ESSAYS that will CHANGE the way YOU THINK by Brianna Wiest is a compilation of her previously published philosophical essays. It's about: the importance of slowing down and being in the moment; fear and stepping into the unknown; happiness, passion, and purpose; identity; having choices; suffering and letting go; courage and hope. What I got from listening to this book? Invaluable insights to apply to my every day, helping me be more aware, purposeful, and happy. What else could I ask for?

From the book, ideas I want to keep:
* Live in the moment. Where are we rushing to? Death?
* Routines are fundamental!
* Problems are pathways. Taking action shapes who we are.
* Being uncomfortable is good! Sit down with it and explore.
* "Life doesn't get easier, you get smarter."
* Find balance in the three kinds of happiness: pleasure, grace, and excellence.
* In order to build resilience, one must listen to the positive and the negative.
* It's neither about passion nor motivation but purpose.
* "Kindness is the factory of love."
* You can have everything, just not simultaneously.
* Success is not a result, but fully being aware and growing from the process of getting there.
* You don't need to understand everything or have every answer because even if you try, you will never do.

My favorite quotes are:
* "Accomplishing goals is not success, how much you expand in the process is."
* "Suffering is just the refusal to accept what is."
* "Pleasures will never make you whole."
* "The world is not as it is but as we are."
* "You think that being uncomfortable and fearful means you shouldn't do something. Being uncomfortable and fearful means you definitely should."
* "You have everything just not at the same time." (quoting Oprah)
* "The only way you grow is by stepping into the unknown."
* "The good teaches you well, but the bad teaches you better."
* "You can choose what you want to suffer for."
* "Success is falling in love with the process, not the outcome."
* "The problem is not pain but the inability to find its purpose."
* "Suffering begins to thrive when we don't listen to it."
* "You don't need to have every answer nor will you ever have every answer."

I recommend this book to anyone who wants to take the time to look deeper within themselves, to those open to ideas, and who will take the time it takes to not only learn but understand a concept before moving on.

Note: I listened to the audiobook. The number of the chapter being read does not correspond to the chapter displayed on the Audible app. For example, if you are listening to chapter 12, the audio says it's chapter 11.

could be better

good material but way too brief and very repetitive. she could have elaborated more on important points instead of repeating the same thing multiple times.

Not for audio listening

Good book, but not a good listen type book. This book needs to be absorbed only in print.

A bunch of lists???

This book started out really good and I did enjoy large chunks of it. It definitely has great insights and it gets you thinking and analyzing yourself and your life. What I didn’t like about it was that so many chapters were just lists. Not even with any commentary or analysis, just lists of things to think about. That part got old because it doesn’t follow a thought and get deep. After a while it just feels like endless lists of reasons/questions/thought-provoking statements.

lists of lists of lists

lists of lists of lists. too many. maybe reading on paper is more tolerable for this book.

A different perspective

Absolutely love this book. I have the audiobook, kindle, and hard copy. This has changed me and given me a different perspective. This book has helped me evaluate and really think and get to root cause of why I think the way I do. This book is worth every word. I was legit sad when it ended, I love her wisdom and the insight she provides.

She plants seeds that blossom into fruitful thoughts

I enjoyed Brianna’s fresh take on many areas in life; excellent for late night work sessions or road trips. Deep thinking and common sense beautifully crafted into a book.

It's like reading an Instagram post... or Buzzfeed

These aren't 'essays' so much as they are lists. The entirety of this book is made of bulleted lists and simply phrased paragraphs. It is essentially an influencers inspirational Instagram posts all compiled into one misleading book. It felt as though the intended audience was a Buzzfeed article at best... and at worst, a motivational poster.
I really wanted to like this book, truly. I was excited for it, but listening to it was like having my teeth pulled. It was so repetitive and unrealistic.
The narrator did a great job with these listacles though!

Did Not Enjoy It

It was just not what I expected. Found the book boring and choppy. Did not inspire me in anyway.

Narrator’s Cadence / Tone is Off Putting

Something about the way the narrator speaks seems sort of condescending and smug. It’s really hard to pinpoint why that it is but for a book that is meant to inspire, the effect is sometimes the opposite.

This just one long list.

I’ve been on Audible for years, and this may be my worst ever down load. It’s just a series of lists. Not at all suitable for Audible listening. I tried for an hour, but it’s just list after list after list. The effect is you take nothing away from it as you get so many ideas presented in bullet point form.

There are much better books on spirituality out there. Try The Untethered Soul or The Power of Now if you want to consider and change how you think.

Amazing

Really enjoyed reading this book really did make me change the way I think
Amazing book

Garbage

Narration like she’s too bored to talk to life forms she considers below her (vastly inflated) intelligence. Utter nonsense so much so that instead of just moving on I actually bothered getting a refund of about £3 as a protest.

Comforting and challenging

Absolutely loved this. Whilst repetitive at times, this is a collection of essays and thoughts so this is forgiven. I know I shall regularly revisit these wise words. One of the best things I’ve listened to in a long time .

Thinking of the best

This is a very useful guide for journaling your own thoughts by reflecting on what author shares about life. I truly enjoyed it. It's simple straightforward and from the heart.

Worst thing I’ve ever listened to

This is so bad it’s painful. never listened to such rubbish
This is my first ever did not finish ….

Non essays of pyschobabble

First 10 chapters seem comprised of lists of characteristics of X-type people or y-type people. That’s not essay writing to me.

All of this presented as the view of the author with no underlying science or rationale….

Not for me.

Each of these 101 small essays moves body AND soul

Upon rough ground of self help info, there are some diamonds whose sparkle ignites reflection and much thought.

I have been inspired by the clusters of themes, by the 101 gems displayed in this book, and by the narration.

I recommend starting each day by sequentially reading/listening one of the 101 essays - each if which is small enough to consume and deep enough to move body AND soul.

C

I liked the author after going through this audio

Excellent narration looking forward to read similar book via same author thappy to come across this auothor

I was already changed

around 80 of what was in here I have tried to follow and believe for the last 40 years of my life. it wa recommended to me because of my thoughts and believes.

good to know I am on the right path.

well narrated, although some parts are a little repetitive.

the voice was fitting for the subject matter.