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  • 101 Essays That Will Change the Way You Think

  • Written by: Brianna Wiest
  • Narrated by: Abby Craden
  • Length: 10 hrs and 45 mins
  • 4.6 out of 5 stars (198 ratings)

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101 Essays That Will Change the Way You Think

Written by: Brianna Wiest
Narrated by: Abby Craden
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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

Editorial Review

Open your mind to a whole new way of thinking, and let mindfulness take root.

A masterful compilation of self-help essays, Brianna Wiest's 101 Essays That Will Change the Way You Think is the perfect audiobook for anyone looking to expand their emotional intelligence, become more self aware, or generally improve positive thinking and mindset. Wiest focuses mainly on philosophy-based writing, offering emotional and motivational pieces that help shape each listener's inner self and push them towards greatness.

An author and a poet, Brianna Wiest channels spirituality, mindfulness and intentionality in this series of essays. Each one will help listeners break bad habits and cultivate new thinking patterns. Together, the essays form a self-help book of sorts that actually teaches listeners how to use negative thinking—an inevitable occurrence—and shape it into real emotional maturity. This thought catalog will change the way you think about just about everything you once knew, opening your eyes to new possibilities and new ways of seeing the world.

This audiobook adaptation is read by experienced narrator Abby Craden, whose calm, clear and soothing voice is the perfect compliment for Wiest's words. She brings the serene introspective vibes of these essays to life, helping listeners to fall into a peaceful, thoughtful state. A great book for anyone looking to dive deeper into mindful thought, 101 Essays That Will Change the Way You Think is a true game changer.

What listeners say about 101 Essays That Will Change the Way You Think

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    3 out of 5 stars
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    3 out of 5 stars

Disappointed!

I couldn't really rate like it deserved because I couldn't get past 10th essay! I just did not enjoy the narration- there was something about the tone of voice and the too perfect enunciation that just seemed like nails on a chalkboard! No idea why and I'm sure others will like it but that's my honest review! I will have to buy a paper copy and read on my own!

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8 people found this helpful

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Great boook

I love it! I actually brought the physical copy because I want to write it down all the work it’s in the book. I’ve been doing therapy for a few months and I find the work in this book as helpful as my therapist.

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7 people found this helpful

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This should be called "101 Listicles"

Super disappointed in what this turned out to be: loosely themed, disjointed musings presented in bullet form. Just awful.

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4 people found this helpful

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    5 out of 5 stars
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chapters are numbered only

Great essays, but I can't refer back those ideas. For example can't the find the chapters about motivation unless I memorized the chapter numbers. I need the chapters to have titles so that I don't need to listen from beginning to end just to find pieces. I don't always bookmark the good parts.

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1 person found this helpful

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    1 out of 5 stars
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Her voice is cringe. I hate the list format.

Listening to this book was killing my brain cells. it's lazy and full of obvious thought exercises a monkey could come up with.

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1 person found this helpful

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    5 out of 5 stars
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absolutely amazing

if tired of platitudes of most self help books, listen this most soothing voice!

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1 person found this helpful

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    4 out of 5 stars
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Worth a listen

Thought provoking and a tonne of information to think about. Really did enjoy the read.

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1 person found this helpful

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    5 out of 5 stars
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Thought provoking on a new level!

I Loved every single thought provoking moment of this book! Already wishing there was more.

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    5 out of 5 stars
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Quite beautiful

This book is comforting and filled with many lessons about life. And it was really wonderful to listen to.

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    4 out of 5 stars
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Good book

Tried to capture the essence of living fairly well. Worth the listen …good book for lovers of philosophy

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  • Laura K. Alvarado Fonseca
  • 2020-08-19

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.

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232 people found this helpful

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  • Dee Ann Dodson
  • 2019-11-26

Not for audio listening

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

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73 people found this helpful

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  • Joey Caster
  • 2018-09-22

Excellent book. Too much cussing

This was an excellent book. I enjoyed the format and it has a lot of great subjects to think about. I wish I could recommend this book to my family but I can’t because she added SO MUCH unnecessary and out of place four letter words and G.D. Cussing. It was so off pudding and unnecessary. I don’t understand why she decided to do that.

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  • Melinda
  • 2019-11-07

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.

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39 people found this helpful

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  • Valerie Pierre
  • 2019-06-26

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.

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30 people found this helpful

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  • Amazon Customer
  • 2021-08-20

lists of lists of lists

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

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26 people found this helpful

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  • Chromastic
  • 2020-02-25

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.

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  • Makayla Samaras
  • 2022-03-07

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!

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  • Zachary
  • 2019-05-01

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.

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10 people found this helpful

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  • Millie
  • 2021-08-03

Did Not Enjoy It

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

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  • Olkhova
  • 2023-05-09

Very powerful

A very good read!!! Nice voice
Take time to listen and to assimilate the information. Very rich. So will probably be back to the book in a couple of months.

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  • pomme pomme
  • 2023-11-20

Un des meilleurs livres que j ai pu écouter

Bravo pour ce livre très concret et pertinent qui permet de prendre du recul! Voici

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  • Kary L
  • 2023-07-03

Very interesting!

It’s nice to listen to those reminders that we tend to take for granted. A nice pep talk.

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