At Jackie Danicki’s behest, here are 9 books from my life:

1. A book that changed your life.

“Why We Do What We Do” by Edward Deci. It’s the subject of what’s still probably my most popular blog post (http://chrisyeh.blogspot.com/2005/12/meaning-of-life.html). If greed and hubris are diseases, living in Silicon Valley is like giving myself daily injections of typhoid, and reading this book is like taking antibiotics.

2. A book you’ve read more than once.

“The Great Brain” by J. D. Fitzgerald. A great children’s book, and one which helped fuel my lifelong admiration for dirty rotten scoundrels with redeeming qualities.

3. A book you’d want on a desert island.

“The Worst Case Scenario Handbook.”

4. A book that made you giddy.

“Act One” by Moss Hart. An incredible book for anyone who has tried to write a book or start a company. You must read this book.

5. A book you wish you had written.

“The Happiness Hypothesis” by Jonathan Haidt. I’m a huge fan of the emerging field and positive psychology, and this is the best book in that field.

6. A book that wracked you with sobs.

You know, I try to avoid sadness whenever I can. I do remember being very sad after reading “Where The Red Fern Grows.” I didn’t even bother trying to read “Old Yeller.” Any time a dog dies, I fall to pieces.

7. A book you wish had never been written.

Any book that features mutilation. Gives me the willies. I have an insane phobia of maiming.

8. A book you are currently reading.

“Authentic Happiness” by Martin Seligman. An uplifting work of staggering genius, and I actually mean that.

9. A book you’ve been meaning to read.

“Success Built To Last” by Jerry Pooras. It just came out, and I’m eagerly awaiting the copy I ordered on Tuesday.