{"product_id":"the-small-stuff-how-to-lead-a-more-gratifying-life","title":"The Small Stuff: How to Lead a More Gratifying Life","description":"\n\u003ctable align=\"center\" border=\"0\" cellpadding=\"2\" cellspacing=\"0\" width=\"100%\"\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd class=\"productDetailSmallElements\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eBiographical Note\u003c\/strong\u003e:\u003cbr\u003e\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tIan Bogost is a contributing writer at \n\u003ci\u003eThe Atlantic \u003c\/i\u003eand the author of eleven books, including \n\u003ci\u003e The Small Stuff \u003c\/i\u003eand \n\u003ci\u003ePlay Anything.\u003c\/i\u003e He is also the Barbara and David Thomas Distinguished Professor at Washington University in St. Louis, where he teaches computer science and engineering, film and media studies, and art and design. Additionally, Bogost is an award-winning game designer whose work has been held in collections internationally, including the Smithsonian American Art Museum, and played by millions of people. Find out more at Bogost.com.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eReview Quotes\u003c\/strong\u003e:\u003cbr\u003e\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\"Brilliant. . . . I loved this profound, witty, and quietly revolutionary book. Ian Bogost makes the liberating case that the material world is teeming with unexpected opportunities for life-enhancing sensory pleasure--and that all we need to do is to allow ourselves to experience them.\" \n\u003cbr\u003e --Oliver Burkeman, \n\u003ci\u003eNew York Times \u003c\/i\u003ebestselling author of \n\u003ci\u003eFour Thousand Weeks\u003c\/i\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eReview Quotes\u003c\/strong\u003e:\u003cbr\u003e\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\" \n\u003ci\u003eThe Small Stuff\u003c\/i\u003e is a clarion call to rediscover the quiet joys woven into everyday routines. Bogost argues that in our rush toward efficiency and digital convenience, we've lost touch with the tangible world--and its simple gratifications that bring real contentment. This wonderful book reminds us that happiness isn't out of reach. Rather, it's right under our fingertips.\" \n\u003cbr\u003e --Charles Duhigg, bestselling author of \n\u003ci\u003eSupercommunicators\u003c\/i\u003e and \n\u003ci\u003eThe Power of Habit\u003c\/i\u003e\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e \"A timely and engaging analysis of digital life, even if it doesn't always extend beyond familiar critiques.\" \n\u003cbr\u003e -- \n\u003ci\u003eKirkus\u003c\/i\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e \"A convincing case for reclaiming 'the lost joy of everyday interactions' with the sensory world. . . . Readers will want to stop and smell the roses.\" \n\u003cbr\u003e -- \n\u003ci\u003ePublishers Weekly\u003c\/i\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eReview Quotes\u003c\/strong\u003e:\u003cbr\u003e\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\"The world tells us that the path to happiness is to go bigger in everything: experiences, success, consumption--all of it. In \n\u003ci\u003eThe Small Stuff\u003c\/i\u003e, Ian Bogost shows us why this is the wrong approach to the good life--that the true secret lies in discovering life's little delights.\" \n\u003cbr\u003e --Arthur C. Brooks, #1 \n\u003ci\u003eNew York Times\u003c\/i\u003e bestselling author \n\u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e \" \n\u003ci\u003eThe Small Stuff\u003c\/i\u003e argues that reclaiming the tiny, mundane pleasures of the physical world can help us offset the encroachment of screens . . . Bogost's joy is infectious.\" \n\u003cbr\u003e -- \n\u003ci\u003eThe New Yorker\u003c\/i\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003ePublisher Marketing\u003c\/strong\u003e:\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cb\u003eFrom popular \u003ci\u003eThe Atlantic\u003c\/i\u003e columnist Ian Bogost, a lively reflection on how we've become disconnected from the physical world--and how to reclaim gratification in our day-to-day lives.\u003c\/b\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003eIn an era dominated by convenience and efficiency, one would think that life would be simpler, easier, and most importantly, happier. After all, shouldn't all the time saved with machines and technology leave us with more time for ourselves? \n\u003ci\u003eThe Atlantic\u003c\/i\u003e columnist Ian Bogost thinks not. From digital tickets to automated faucets, he argues that the simple pleasures of daily life have been stripped away, replaced by sleek, but soulless, design. \n\u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e Through engaging anecdotes and sharp analysis, Bogost uncovers how modern conveniences not only fail to deliver on their promises but also rob us of small, satisfying tasks and moments that keep us grounded and human. He challenges us to rethink our daily interactions with the material world and illuminates how the loss of these tangible interactions has contributed to widespread feelings of disconnection and dissatisfaction. \n\u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e But all hope is not lost. Bogost guides us to identify and appreciate the overlooked joys hidden in everyday life. By reforming how we approach ordinary tasks, we can rediscover the gratification embedded in the tactile world around us. \n\u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e Humorous, thought-provoking, and practical, \n\u003ci\u003eThe Small Stuff\u003c\/i\u003e reveals that finding joy isn't about achieving monumental happiness or prolonged satisfaction. It's about doing small things, deliberately and with attention, to unlock the basic pleasures that flavor our daily lives.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eReview Citations:\u003c\/strong\u003e\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cspan class=\"italic\"\u003ePublishers Weekly\u003c\/span\u003e 04\/06\/2026 (EAN 9781668062630, Hardcover)\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cspan class=\"italic\"\u003eKirkus Reviews\u003c\/span\u003e 06\/15\/2026 (EAN 9781668062630, Hardcover)\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\n\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eContributor Bio:\u003c\/strong\u003eBogost, Ian\u003cbr\u003e\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tIan Bogost is a contributing writer at \n\u003ci\u003eThe Atlantic \u003c\/i\u003eand the author of eleven books, including \n\u003ci\u003e The Small Stuff \u003c\/i\u003eand \n\u003ci\u003ePlay Anything.\u003c\/i\u003e He is also the Barbara and David Thomas Distinguished Professor at Washington University in St. Louis, where he teaches computer science and engineering, film and media studies, and art and design. Additionally, Bogost is an award-winning game designer whose work has been held in collections internationally, including the Smithsonian American Art Museum, and played by millions of people. Find out more at Bogost.com.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003c\/table\u003e\n","brand":"Atria Books","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":51496205811990,"sku":"9781668062630","price":32.4,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0857\/9910\/8886\/files\/9781668062630.jpg?v=1783057517","url":"https:\/\/lusper.myshopify.com\/products\/the-small-stuff-how-to-lead-a-more-gratifying-life","provider":"Lusperbooks","version":"1.0","type":"link"}