Contents

Cover

Also by Will Schwalbe

Title Page

Copyright

Dedication

Epigraph

Introduction

The Importance of Living
Slowing Down

Stuart Little
Searching

The Girl on the Train
Trusting

The Odyssey
Embracing Mediocrity

What I Talk About When I Talk About Running
Napping

Giovanni’s Room
Connecting

David Copperfield
Remembering

Wonder
Choosing Kindness

Lateral Thinking
Solving Problems

Gift from the Sea
Recharging

The Taste of Country Cooking
Nourishing

“Bartleby, the Scrivener”
Quitting

The Gifts of the Body
Losing

The Little Prince
Finding Friends

1984
Disconnecting

Epitaph of a Small Winner
Overcoming Boredom

Zen in the Art of Archery
Mastering the Art of Reading

Song of Solomon
Admiring Greatness

A Little Life
Hugging

Bird by Bird
Feeling Sensitive

Rebecca
Betraying

Reading Lolita in Tehran
Choosing Your Life

“More More More,” Said the Baby
Staying Satisfied

A Journey Around My Room
Traveling

Death Be Not Proud
Praying

What the Living Do
Living

A Final Word

Acknowledgments

Appendix

Permissions Acknowledgments

A Note About the Author

Reading Group Guide