Practical Optimism: The Art, Science, and Practice of Exceptional Well-Being

Readers don’t have to bury their heads in the sand to live “fully and joyfully” in an imperfect world, promises psychiatrist Varma in her buoyant debut. As a trainee psychiatrist in New York City post-9/11 who treated civilian survivors and first responders, Varma wondered why some people thrive in the face of challenges that stymie others. She sought answers in trauma therapy research and in the stories of her hardworking immigrant parents, who used a mix of “positivity and pragmatism” to surmount challenges and pursue their ambitions (her father was one of the first trained child psychiatrists in northern India and a children’s rights advocate). Explaining that practical optimism combines a “belief in the boundless positive potential in yourself and others” and brass-tacks “behavioral skills that will give you access to the most... rational course of action,” Varma offers guidance on effectively processing emotions and finding one’s purpose. Elsewhere, she posits that a healthy sense of personal pride “helps us act in the face of uncertainty.” Despite a few off-kilter moments in which Varma seems to tie self-worth to others’ perceptions and physical appearance (for example, she encourages readers to “dress sharp” if they’re likely to encounter an ex, and extols exercise as a way to “look stellar”), her passion for helping people live well shines through. Studded with catchy pearls of wisdom (“Our self-worth exists simply because we do”), this can-do guide uplifts. Agent: David Labrell, CAA. (Feb.)