Home / Reading List

Reading List

A picture of a child reading conveying our message that increasing our understanding through reading is a life long journey

This is a list of resources that you can draw upon to increase your understanding of positive psychology and positive education.

Books

Many of the books below (and much much more) are available in electronic or hardcopy format through our local libraries. Our thanks to Sue Pitt for preparing this list of wellbeing resources available through Eastern Regional Libraries.

  • Flourish Martin Seligman
    This is the definitive book which started many of us on our positive psychology journey. Ted Talk
  • Positive Psychology in a Nutshell IIona Boniwell
    This is a small but comprehensive general introduction to positive psychology.
  • Mindset: The new psychology of success Carol Dweck
    This explains the power of a growth mindset. Ted Talk
  • The Power of Character Strengths: Appreciate and Ignite Your Positive Personality Ryan E Niemiec and Robert E McGrath
    this is the Official Guide from the VIA Institute on Character. It provides the background and science behind the VIA Character Strengths model and drills down into each of the 24 VIA Character Strengths providing lots of insights and exercises about using strengths in general and each of the individual character strengths
  • Crappy to Happy: Simple Steps to Live your Best Life Cassandra Dunn Cass uses a lot of positive psychology tips and tools in an easy to read, short format book. Very accessible and a good intro to pos psych if you haven’t read much on it before. Easy to pick up for a quick read as the book is half the size of a regular book – easy to dip in and out.
  • Crappy to Happy Love What You Do: Simple Steps to find meaning in your work Cassandra Dunn
    similar to the original book but this time focused on how you can apply these tools to your working life – paid and unpaid work is addressed.
  • Grit: the Power of Passion and Perseverance Angela Duckworth
    Why do naturally gifted people frequently fail to reach their potential while others with far less talent go on to achieve amazing things?
  • The Happiness Advantage Shawn Achor
    Shawn is a world thought leader on how a positive mindset and the practice of gratitude can change life outcomes for the better. In “The Happiness Advantage” he articulates 7 key principles that underpin his theories and he blends humorous storytelling into his writing to get the message across in an engaging and entertaining way. Ted Talk
  • Dare to Lead: Brave Work. Tough Conversations. Whole Hearts Brené Brown
    Brené helps readers examine how they can build their courage at work and show their vulnerability to inspire creativity, innovation and trust amongst teams. There is an online toolkit for readers to complete alongside the book
  • Braving the Wilderness: The Quest for True Belonging and the Courage to Stand Alone Brené Brown
    Brené is a vulnerability researcher well known for her viral TED Talk. She examines how rather than ‘attempting to fit in’, courage, authenticity and vulnerability are what we all need to be happy in life.
  • Every Teacher Matters Kathryn Lovewell
    Maroondah Edition – in 2019 all Maroondah teachers were given a copy of this book. Kathryn’s book focuses on how teachers can apply the tools of self-compassion to prevent and relieve the every-day stressors of working in education.
  • The Strength Switch Dr Lea Waters
    MAPP qualified Lea uses insightful and relatable anecdotes to teach parents and caregivers about the power of identifying and tapping into the strengths of your child for healthier relationships. Based on research with practical tools and tips.
  • Big Potential Shawn Achor
    Forget everything you thought you knew about being your best. It’s not about your own skills or talents. Instead, real success in work and life comes from your connections and relationships – the teams you build around you, the friends you make – and getting the best out of them.
  • Appreciative Inquiry Handbook for Leaders of Change David L. Cooperrider, Diana Whitney, Jacqueline M. Stavros
    This is the authoritative reference book for Appreciative Inquiry. It contains all of the science behind AI plus lots of lessons, insights and models and templates for application of AI in practice. Ted Talk
  • Appreciative Inquiry: A Positive Revolution in Change David L. Cooperrider and Diana Whitney
    a little 70-page paperback that provides all of the fundamentals of Appreciative Inquiry including the underlying principles, the 4D process, the roles of different players in AI and some examples of projects and insights from project participants – a good easy introductory read.

Podcasts

Videos

Other Training

Coursera – Foundations of Positive Psychology Specialisation – Positive Psychology: Wellbeing for life. Master strategies and tools that enable individuals and organisations to thrive  – this is a course that you can complete at your own pace. It’s a great detailed introduction to Positive Psychology and the instructors are the world experts Martin Seligman, James Pawelski, Claire Robertson-Kraft, Angela Duckworth and Karen Reivich from the birthplace of positive psychology – Penn State University. You can complete this course for free or choose to make a monthly payment and receive a more formal certificate. A great alternative to the MAPP if you are time-poor and/or financially can’t enrol in a formal MAPP. It’s entirely online and links to all videos, lectures, readings and websites are provided. There are 5 modules. You can choose to just do the ones you are interested in or complete them all as a ‘specialisation’.

Top