12 Rules for Life: An Antidote to Chaos

Why I'd hand it to you

Jordan Peterson, a clinical psychologist, offers twelve rules, like standing up straight with your shoulders back and telling the truth, or at least not lying. He draws on psychology, mythology and Bible stories to argue for personal responsibility and meaning over comfort. Many young men in particular found real direction in it. My caveats: it is long and wanders, with chapters taking detours that can lose the thread, and Peterson is a polarizing public figure whose broader commentary some readers will find hard to separate from the book. The core advice about responsibility is old wisdom, and solid.

— Matt Jordan