34 Books like Luxury Fever

The Economic Naturalist's Field Guide

by Robert H. Frank • 2009

Why your neighbor's house determines your mortgage, and other economic laws hiding in plain sight.

3.49

300

🧠 Behavioral Economics 🏠 Relative Consumption 📊 Inequality 🏛️ Public Policy ⚙️ Market Design

The Economic Naturalist's Field Guide Summary

The Economic Naturalist's Field Guide 97%

Why your neighbor's house determines your mortgage, and other economic laws hiding in plain sight.

by Robert H. Frank 2009

3.49

300 ratings

🧠 Behavioral Economics 🏠 Relative Consumption 📊 Inequality 🏛️ Public Policy ⚙️ Market Design

The Happiness Equation

by Nattavudh Powdthavee • 2010

Friends beat a six-figure raise in happiness. A commute never stops hurting.

3.54

142

🧮 Happiness Economics 🧠 Positive Psychology 🎲 Behavioral Economics 🔄 Hedonic Adaptation 🤝 Social Connections

The Happiness Equation 96%

Friends beat a six-figure raise in happiness. A commute never stops hurting.

by Nattavudh Powdthavee 2010

3.54

142 ratings

🧮 Happiness Economics 🧠 Positive Psychology 🎲 Behavioral Economics 🔄 Hedonic Adaptation 🤝 Social Connections

The Origins of Happiness

by Andrew E. Clark • 2018

Money explains just 1% of happiness. What matters more: mental health, relationships, and childhood.

3.67

🧮 Happiness Economics 📊 Subjective Well-Being 🧠 Behavioral Economics 👀 Social Comparison 🤝 Relationship Science

The Origins of Happiness 96%

Money explains just 1% of happiness. What matters more: mental health, relationships, and childhood.

by Andrew E. Clark 2018

3.67

64 ratings

🧮 Happiness Economics 📊 Subjective Well-Being 🧠 Behavioral Economics 👀 Social Comparison 🤝 Relationship Science

Cool

by Steven Quartz • 2015

Cool began as rebellion; now it runs the economy. Blame the brain's hidden status circuits.

3.60

225

🧠 Consumer Psychology 📡 Social Signaling 🏆 Status Dynamics 💸 Neuroeconomics 🧬 Evolutionary Psychology

Cool 95%

Cool began as rebellion; now it runs the economy. Blame the brain's hidden status circuits.

by Steven Quartz 2015

3.60

225 ratings

🧠 Consumer Psychology 📡 Social Signaling 🏆 Status Dynamics 💸 Neuroeconomics 🧬 Evolutionary Psychology

The Darwin Economy

by Robert H. Frank • 2011

Darwin explains tax policy better than Adam Smith: the evolutionary case for taxing the top.

3.77

631

🏛️ Political Economy 🧬 Evolutionary Psychology 💎 Conspicuous Consumption ⚠️ Market Failures 🤝 Collective Action

The Darwin Economy 95%

Darwin explains tax policy better than Adam Smith: the evolutionary case for taxing the top.

by Robert H. Frank 2011

3.77

631 ratings

🏛️ Political Economy 🧬 Evolutionary Psychology 💎 Conspicuous Consumption ⚠️ Market Failures 🤝 Collective Action

Happiness

by Richard Layard • 2005

We're richer but no happier. Why money stopped working, and the metric that can fix policy.

3.70

1k+

📊 Happiness Studies 🧠 Behavioral Economics 🌻 Positive Psychology 📈 Happiness Economics 🌍 Post-Growth Economics

Happiness 95%

We're richer but no happier. Why money stopped working, and the metric that can fix policy.

by Richard Layard 2005

3.70

1k+ ratings

📊 Happiness Studies 🧠 Behavioral Economics 🌻 Positive Psychology 📈 Happiness Economics 🌍 Post-Growth Economics

Stuffocation

by James Wallman • 2013

More stuff, less happiness. The science is in: experiences beat possessions every time.

3.49

4k+

🛒 Consumer Culture 🎭 Experience Economy 🚫 Anti-Consumerism 🏔️ Experiential Living 🏠 Clutter And Wellbeing

Stuffocation 94%

More stuff, less happiness. The science is in: experiences beat possessions every time.

by James Wallman 2013

3.49

4k+ ratings

🛒 Consumer Culture 🎭 Experience Economy 🚫 Anti-Consumerism 🏔️ Experiential Living 🏠 Clutter And Wellbeing

The Broken Ladder

by Keith Payne • 2018

Inequality doesn't just divide bank accounts. It rewires how we think, vote, and age.

4.20

4k+

🪞 Social Comparison 💰 Economic Inequality ⏳ Scarcity Mindset ⚖️ Relative Deprivation 🗳️ Political Polarization

The Broken Ladder 94%

Inequality doesn't just divide bank accounts. It rewires how we think, vote, and age.

by Keith Payne 2018

4.20

4k+ ratings

🪞 Social Comparison 💰 Economic Inequality ⏳ Scarcity Mindset ⚖️ Relative Deprivation 🗳️ Political Polarization

Spent

by Geoffrey Miller • 2009

Your shopping cart is a fitness display. Marketers already know; this book shows you why.

3.85

1k+

🛍️ Consumer Psychology 🧬 Evolutionary Psychology 🦚 Signaling Theory 💎 Conspicuous Consumption 🧠 Personality Psychology

Spent 94%

Your shopping cart is a fitness display. Marketers already know; this book shows you why.

by Geoffrey Miller 2009

3.85

1k+ ratings

🛍️ Consumer Psychology 🧬 Evolutionary Psychology 🦚 Signaling Theory 💎 Conspicuous Consumption 🧠 Personality Psychology

The High Price of Materialism

by Tim Kasser • 2002

Worldwide, materialism predicts less happiness and worse relationships. The reason isn't obvious.

3.65

708

🛒 Consumer Psychology 😊 Happiness Research 🧭 Intrinsic Motivation 🔄 Hedonic Adaptation 📺 Consumer Culture Critique

The High Price of Materialism 94%

Worldwide, materialism predicts less happiness and worse relationships. The reason isn't obvious.

by Tim Kasser 2002

3.65

708 ratings

🛒 Consumer Psychology 😊 Happiness Research 🧭 Intrinsic Motivation 🔄 Hedonic Adaptation 📺 Consumer Culture Critique

Under the Influence

by Robert H. Frank • 2020

Nobody decides alone. The $2 trillion proof that social contagion drives everything.

3.75

154

🧠 Behavioral Economics 🦠 Social Contagion 👥 Social Influence 💸 Positional Spending 🤔 Cognitive Biases

Under the Influence 94%

Nobody decides alone. The $2 trillion proof that social contagion drives everything.

by Robert H. Frank 2020

3.75

154 ratings

🧠 Behavioral Economics 🦠 Social Contagion 👥 Social Influence 💸 Positional Spending 🤔 Cognitive Biases

Happy Money

by Elizabeth Dunn • 2013

More money won't make you happier. Where you put it will.

3.68

3k+

🧠 Behavioral Economics 📈 Positive Psychology 🔬 Happiness Research 💸 Spending Psychology 💳 Spending Habits

Happy Money 94%

More money won't make you happier. Where you put it will.

by Elizabeth Dunn 2013

3.68

3k+ ratings

🧠 Behavioral Economics 📈 Positive Psychology 🔬 Happiness Research 💸 Spending Psychology 💳 Spending Habits

How Much Is Enough? Money and the Good Life

by Robert Skidelsky • 2012

Keynes predicted 15-hour workweeks by 2030. Here is why the money came but the time never did.

3.56

2k+

🌱 Post-Growth Economics 🛒 Anti-Consumerism ⚖️ Economic Ethics ⏳ Work-Time Reduction 💰 Basic Income Debate

How Much Is Enough? Money and the Good Life Summary

How Much Is Enough? Money and the Good Life 94%

Keynes predicted 15-hour workweeks by 2030. Here is why the money came but the time never did.

by Robert Skidelsky 2012

3.56

2k+ ratings

🌱 Post-Growth Economics 🛒 Anti-Consumerism ⚖️ Economic Ethics ⏳ Work-Time Reduction 💰 Basic Income Debate

Discover Your Inner Economist

by Tyler Cowen • 2007

Hidden economics of love, lunch, and looking good: incentives that work when cash fails.

3.41

2k+

🧠 Behavioral Economics 🛒 Everyday Economics 🕊️ Signaling Theory 🎭 Self-Deception ⏳ Attention Scarcity

Discover Your Inner Economist 94%

Hidden economics of love, lunch, and looking good: incentives that work when cash fails.

by Tyler Cowen 2007

3.41

2k+ ratings

🧠 Behavioral Economics 🛒 Everyday Economics 🕊️ Signaling Theory 🎭 Self-Deception ⏳ Attention Scarcity

Mind Over Money

by Claudia Hammond • 2016

Your brain on money: dopamine, loss aversion, and the hidden biases that control your wallet.

3.46

1k+

🧠 Behavioral Economics 💵 Money Psychology ⚖️ Loss Aversion 🗂️ Mental Accounting 🔄 Cognitive Biases

Mind Over Money 94%

Your brain on money: dopamine, loss aversion, and the hidden biases that control your wallet.

by Claudia Hammond 2016

3.46

1k+ ratings

🧠 Behavioral Economics 💵 Money Psychology ⚖️ Loss Aversion 🗂️ Mental Accounting 🔄 Cognitive Biases

Mismeasuring Our Lives

by Joseph E. Stiglitz • 2009

GDP tracks factories, not welfare. A Nobel economist's blueprint for a better number.

3.74

338

📊 Economic Measurement 📋 Social Indicators 😊 Happiness Economics ⚖️ Inequality Metrics 🌱 Sustainability Accounting

Mismeasuring Our Lives 94%

GDP tracks factories, not welfare. A Nobel economist's blueprint for a better number.

by Joseph E. Stiglitz 2009

3.74

338 ratings

📊 Economic Measurement 📋 Social Indicators 😊 Happiness Economics ⚖️ Inequality Metrics 🌱 Sustainability Accounting

The Elephant in the Brain

by Kevin Simler • 2017

Your brain hides your true motives. It's not a bug; it's a feature for deceiving others.

3.96

9k+

🧠 Evolutionary Psychology 🎭 Self-Deception 📡 Social Signaling 🏆 Status Seeking 🔬 Behavioral Science

The Elephant in the Brain 94%

Your brain hides your true motives. It's not a bug; it's a feature for deceiving others.

by Kevin Simler 2017

3.96

9k+ ratings

🧠 Evolutionary Psychology 🎭 Self-Deception 📡 Social Signaling 🏆 Status Seeking 🔬 Behavioral Science

The Winner-Take-All Society

by Robert H. Frank • 1995

Why a narrow edge now pays millions across every profession, and what we can do about it.

3.70

257

📉 Income Inequality 🌟 Superstar Economics 🏁 Positional Arms Races 🎓 Educational Gatekeeping 💻 Technology And Inequality

The Winner-Take-All Society 93%

Why a narrow edge now pays millions across every profession, and what we can do about it.

by Robert H. Frank 1995

3.70

257 ratings

📉 Income Inequality 🌟 Superstar Economics 🏁 Positional Arms Races 🎓 Educational Gatekeeping 💻 Technology And Inequality

The Evolutionary Bases of Consumption

by Gad Saad • 2007

Your shopping cart is a fossil. Every purchase reveals a survival strategy from the Pleistocene.

3.87

🧠 Consumer Psychology 🧬 Evolutionary Psychology 💎 Conspicuous Consumption 📡 Costly Signaling ⚠️ Evolutionary Mismatch

The Evolutionary Bases of Consumption Summary

The Evolutionary Bases of Consumption 93%

Your shopping cart is a fossil. Every purchase reveals a survival strategy from the Pleistocene.

by Gad Saad 2007

3.87

54 ratings

🧠 Consumer Psychology 🧬 Evolutionary Psychology 💎 Conspicuous Consumption 📡 Costly Signaling ⚠️ Evolutionary Mismatch

The Upside of Irrationality

by Dan Ariely • 2010

Irrationality's upside: biases that warp judgment also fuel motivation, meaning, and persistence.

4.03

36k+

🔬 Behavioral Economics 🧠 Cognitive Biases ⚡ Motivation Science 💼 Meaning At Work 🛠️ Effort Justification

The Upside of Irrationality 93%

Irrationality's upside: biases that warp judgment also fuel motivation, meaning, and persistence.

by Dan Ariely 2010

4.03

36k+ ratings

🔬 Behavioral Economics 🧠 Cognitive Biases ⚡ Motivation Science 💼 Meaning At Work 🛠️ Effort Justification

Great Escape

by Angus Deaton • 2013

Life expectancy doubled, incomes soared, and inequality became the price of progress.

3.81

2k+

🏛️ Economic History ⚖️ Income Inequality 🌍 Global Health 📈 Poverty Reduction 📊 Measuring Wellbeing

Great Escape 93%

Life expectancy doubled, incomes soared, and inequality became the price of progress.

by Angus Deaton 2013

3.81

2k+ ratings

🏛️ Economic History ⚖️ Income Inequality 🌍 Global Health 📈 Poverty Reduction 📊 Measuring Wellbeing

The Next Millionaire Next Door

by Thomas J. Stanley • 2018

Why the wealthiest people drive Toyotas and buy houses under three times their income.

3.63

3k+

🏦 Wealth Building 🧠 Behavioral Finance 🪴 Frugality 👀 Social Comparison ⏳ Self-Discipline

The Next Millionaire Next Door 93%

Why the wealthiest people drive Toyotas and buy houses under three times their income.

by Thomas J. Stanley 2018

3.63

3k+ ratings

🏦 Wealth Building 🧠 Behavioral Finance 🪴 Frugality 👀 Social Comparison ⏳ Self-Discipline

Happy Ever After

by Paul Dolan • 2019

Wealth, marriage, parenthood: sold as happiness guarantees. A behavioral scientist checks the data.

3.66

993

🧠 Behavioral Science 😊 Happiness Research 📊 Behavioral Economics 📜 Life Scripts ⚖️ Social Comparison

Happy Ever After 93%

Wealth, marriage, parenthood: sold as happiness guarantees. A behavioral scientist checks the data.

by Paul Dolan 2019

3.66

993 ratings

🧠 Behavioral Science 😊 Happiness Research 📊 Behavioral Economics 📜 Life Scripts ⚖️ Social Comparison

economic naturalist

by Robert H. Frank • 2006

Why drive-up ATMs have Braille dots, and other mundane mysteries solved with economics.

3.46

3k+

🧠 Behavioral Economics 🔍 Everyday Economics 🧩 Cognitive Biases 💡 Economic Reasoning 🎯 Rational Choice Theory

economic naturalist 93%

Why drive-up ATMs have Braille dots, and other mundane mysteries solved with economics.

by Robert H. Frank 2006

3.46

3k+ ratings

🧠 Behavioral Economics 🔍 Everyday Economics 🧩 Cognitive Biases 💡 Economic Reasoning 🎯 Rational Choice Theory

How Economics Can Save the World

by Erik Angner • 2023

Economics isn't just about money; it's a proven toolkit for poverty, climate, and your wellbeing.

3.61

288

🧠 Behavioral Economics 🧩 Cognitive Biases 👶 Evidence-Based Parenting 💰 Cash Transfers 🌍 Carbon Pricing

How Economics Can Save the World Summary

How Economics Can Save the World 93%

Economics isn't just about money; it's a proven toolkit for poverty, climate, and your wellbeing.

by Erik Angner 2023

3.61

288 ratings

🧠 Behavioral Economics 🧩 Cognitive Biases 👶 Evidence-Based Parenting 💰 Cash Transfers 🌍 Carbon Pricing

Phishing for Phools

by George A. Akerlof • 2015

Your blind spots are a business model. Free markets reward deception as reliably as innovation.

3.43

2k+

🧠 Behavioral Economics 🔧 Market Failures 🎯 Consumer Manipulation ⚡ Cognitive Biases 🏛️ Regulatory Capture

Phishing for Phools 93%

Your blind spots are a business model. Free markets reward deception as reliably as innovation.

by George A. Akerlof 2015

3.43

2k+ ratings

🧠 Behavioral Economics 🔧 Market Failures 🎯 Consumer Manipulation ⚡ Cognitive Biases 🏛️ Regulatory Capture

The Art of Life

by Zygmunt Bauman • 2008

Getting richer made us shoppers, not happier, and forced endless self-reinvention without ethics.

3.76

872

🧠 Continental Philosophy 🌊 Late Modernity 😊 Happiness Studies 🛒 Consumer Culture 🧍 Individualism Critique

The Art of Life 93%

Getting richer made us shoppers, not happier, and forced endless self-reinvention without ethics.

by Zygmunt Bauman 2008

3.76

872 ratings

🧠 Continental Philosophy 🌊 Late Modernity 😊 Happiness Studies 🛒 Consumer Culture 🧍 Individualism Critique

Choose Wisely

by Barry Schwartz • 2025

Decision theory was built on a casino metaphor. The price: meaning, virtue, and practical wisdom.

3.42

📈 Behavioral Economics 🧠 Decision Theory 🏛️ Aristotelian Ethics 🦉 Practical Wisdom 🖼️ Framing Effects

Choose Wisely 93%

Decision theory was built on a casino metaphor. The price: meaning, virtue, and practical wisdom.

by Barry Schwartz 2025

3.42

60 ratings

📈 Behavioral Economics 🧠 Decision Theory 🏛️ Aristotelian Ethics 🦉 Practical Wisdom 🖼️ Framing Effects

Tightwads and Spendthrifts

by Scott Rick • 2024

Tightwads and spendthrifts attract, then the traits that drew them together pull the marriage apart.

3.75

269

🧠 Behavioral Economics 💍 Marriage And Money 💸 Spending Psychology 💥 Financial Conflict 😰 Financial Anxiety

Tightwads and Spendthrifts 93%

Tightwads and spendthrifts attract, then the traits that drew them together pull the marriage apart.

by Scott Rick 2024

3.75

269 ratings

🧠 Behavioral Economics 💍 Marriage And Money 💸 Spending Psychology 💥 Financial Conflict 😰 Financial Anxiety

Success and Luck

by Robert H. Frank • 2016

The luck you won't acknowledge is the public good you refuse to pay for.

3.70

1k+

🧠 Behavioral Economics 🎭 Meritocracy Critique 🔍 Cognitive Biases ⚖️ Economic Inequality 🪜 Economic Mobility

Success and Luck 93%

The luck you won't acknowledge is the public good you refuse to pay for.

by Robert H. Frank 2016

3.70

1k+ ratings

🧠 Behavioral Economics 🎭 Meritocracy Critique 🔍 Cognitive Biases ⚖️ Economic Inequality 🪜 Economic Mobility

The Myths of Happiness

by Sonja Lyubomirsky • 2012

Life's big milestones satisfy less than promised. The science of why, and what works better.

3.66

2k+

🧪 Positive Psychology 🔄 Life Transitions 👥 Social Comparison 🔁 Hedonic Adaptation 🙏 Gratitude Practice

The Myths of Happiness 93%

Life's big milestones satisfy less than promised. The science of why, and what works better.

by Sonja Lyubomirsky 2012

3.66

2k+ ratings

🧪 Positive Psychology 🔄 Life Transitions 👥 Social Comparison 🔁 Hedonic Adaptation 🙏 Gratitude Practice

What Money Can't Buy

by Michael J. Sandel • 2012

When everything is up for sale, the price isn't the only thing we lose.

3.93

14k+

🛒 Commodification 🧠 Behavioral Economics 🏛️ Neoliberalism 🏟️ Public Goods ⚖️ Social Inequality

What Money Can't Buy 93%

When everything is up for sale, the price isn't the only thing we lose.

by Michael J. Sandel 2012

3.93

14k+ ratings

🛒 Commodification 🧠 Behavioral Economics 🏛️ Neoliberalism 🏟️ Public Goods ⚖️ Social Inequality

How Adam Smith Can Change Your Life

by Russell "Russ" Roberts • 2014

Everyone knows Smith the economist. Smith the moral philosopher might actually make you happy.

3.93

3k+

🏛️ Moral Philosophy 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿 Scottish Enlightenment 🎭 Virtue Ethics 🪞 Self-Deception 👀 Approval Seeking

How Adam Smith Can Change Your Life Summary

How Adam Smith Can Change Your Life 93%

Everyone knows Smith the economist. Smith the moral philosopher might actually make you happy.

by Russell "Russ" Roberts 2014

3.93

3k+ ratings

🏛️ Moral Philosophy 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿 Scottish Enlightenment 🎭 Virtue Ethics 🪞 Self-Deception 👀 Approval Seeking

The Happiness Curve

by Jonathan Rauch • 2018

Midlife discontent is not a crisis. It is predictable, temporary, and the upswing needs no action.

3.63

2k+

🔄 Midlife Transitions 📊 Happiness Research 😊 Positive Psychology 🧠 Behavioral Economics 🏃 Hedonic Adaptation

The Happiness Curve 92%

Midlife discontent is not a crisis. It is predictable, temporary, and the upswing needs no action.

by Jonathan Rauch 2018

3.63

2k+ ratings

🔄 Midlife Transitions 📊 Happiness Research 😊 Positive Psychology 🧠 Behavioral Economics 🏃 Hedonic Adaptation

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