Self-sufficiency is just a precursor to happiness. It is the foundation. It is crucial, but it is not the connectedness on which human beings thrive. Brianna Wiest creates a haven for her readers to self-reflect and work on becoming a happier person through 101 Essays That Will Change the Way You Think (hereinafter referred to as 101 Essays). As the title suggests, the book is a collection of 101 short articles that cover a range of themes, including positive thinking, suffering, and social intelligence. With each piece taking no longer than ten minutes to dissect, this may be a perfect fit for people looking for a casual read.

What distinguishes Wiest from other non-fiction writers is her young age: by the time she published 101 Essays, along with two other books, she was only 24. During an interview with Life Goals Magazine, Wiest revealed that she “gained the clarity that [she] needs to write” and “just knew this was what [she] was born to do” through meditation in her late teens. Her early entrance into the publishing industry since graduating college resulted in creative works, such as 101 Essays.

The structure of 101 Essays may be unfamiliar to some readers at first. Contrary to how most readers would expect to go through 101 articles, only half of the book remains true to the title. The other half consists of statements followed by approximately ten lists of paragraphs that each focus on related but different topics. An example of this is the second essay, which is titled “The Psychology of Daily Routine” and lists eight passages that stress the correlation between routine and happiness. Another section, called “16 Questions that Will Show You Who You Are,” literally throws 16 questions at the reader.

The unusual design can be either refreshing or repetitive, depending on the reader’s personal preferences. Without an overarching storyline that continues throughout the book, readers have the freedom to pick and choose short essays that suit their own interests. This is especially appealing to those who cannot afford to sit down and finish an entire book due to a busy schedule or simply are not book-lovers. However, some readers may also get the feeling that Wiest is rephrasing her own words - instead of putting out original ideas - throughout the entire book due to the lack of an actual structure. To some, the lists may seem no more than “lazy writing.”

Regardless, 101 Essays succeeds in providing valuable insight into various aspects of life with its all-encompassing range of topics. The fourteenth essay, in particular, strikes many young adults in their weakest spots, starting with the title, “Expectations You Must Let Go of In Your 20s.” Wiest proposes 17 misconceptions about life and proves each wrong through logical explanation and motivational advice. Regarding the popular saying that “the right person will come at the right time,” she blatantly tears it down into pieces by stating, “If you wait on the feeling of ‘readiness,’ you’ll be waiting forever, and worse, you’ll miss the best of what’s in front of you.” She points out that this applies to not only romantic relationships, but also involves other life decisions such as job applications and housing purchases.

There are billions of self-help books in this world, and there certainly is a reason why 101 Essays stands out amongst them. Wiest does not hesitate to convey raw emotions that most people avoid facing and manages to cover nearly every topic possible in this work of hers. Everyone will find something that is relevant to their life and find consolation through Wiest’s words. Perhaps you will, too. Whether you are going through a mid-life crisis or simply are not satisfied with the person you have become, dive into Wiest’s world of positivity and remember, this too shall pass.

Book Information

Title: 101 Essays That Will Change the Way You Think

Author: Brianna Wiest

Publisher: Thought Catalog Books

Publication Year: 2016

Pages: 448