Just for fun, I took Penguin’s persona quiz and found myself to be a “curious penguin”. Apparently I “read to learn, reflect and see the world differently” — a description that suits me fine.
Penguin also gives me four book recommendations: Atomic Habits (2018) by James Clear, Big Trust (2026) by Dr Shadé Zahrai, Ikigai: The Japanese secret to a long and happy life (2016) by Héctor García and Francesc Miralle, and Surrounded by Idiots (2014) by Thomas Erikson.
It is unlikely that I will get to read all four books. However, I was inspired to do some research on “Ikigai”, an interesting mindset. Wikipedia explains it pretty well, but the Government of Japan provides some important statistics to help clarify the concept . It says the secret to living a joyful and fulfilling life is not just for one to know “what the source of their zest for life is, and is busily engaged in it everyday”, but also to “have strong social links with their peers and frequently get together to enjoy [life]”.
Interestingly, the Government of Japan cites a 2021 UNICEF survey of young people aged 15-24, whose results appeared to have led to the book Ikigai for Teens being published in that same year. Anyway, I have reserved the Ikigai ebook via our local library and will have to wait 24 weeks to read it. Mmmm. 🙂
Voices under the Sun 陽光下的聲音 