The Subtle Art of Not Giving a F*ck
by Mark Manson · first published 2016
69% recommend28% neutral3% critical
Why HN recommends it
Short, easy, light-hearted self-help on choosing which struggles and values to care about, with relatable examples. Suits readers dealing with stress, comparison to others, or accepting being average.
Summarised by Claude from recommending comments
In this book, blogger and former internet entrepreneur Mark Manson explains in simple, no expletives barred terms how to achieve happiness by caring more about fewer things and not caring at all about more. He explains how the metrics we use to define ourselves may be the very things holding us back. By redefining our metrics, questioning ourselves and doubting everything, we may be able to find that we're better off than we think, and thereby become happier people.
Affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.
Mentions per year
What Hacker News says
Related books
2015–2025The Monk Who Sold His Ferrari
Robin S. Sharma
Recommended by 6 · mentioned by 96 recommend · 9 mention6 recommend · 96 recommend
2018–2024The heart of the Buddha's teaching
Thích Nhất Hạnh
Recommended by 5 · mentioned by 55 recommend · 5 mention5 recommend · 55 recommend
2018–2024The Power of Your Subconscious Mind
Joseph Murphy
Recommended by 2 · mentioned by 42 recommend · 4 mention2 recommend · 42 recommend
2015–2017Golden Son
Pierce Brown
Recommended by 3 · mentioned by 33 recommend · 3 mention3 recommend · 33 recommend
2018–2025Modern man in search of a soul
Carl Gustav Jung
Recommended by 5 · mentioned by 55 recommend · 5 mention5 recommend · 55 recommend
2016–2017The Rosie effect
Graeme Simsion
Recommended by 4 · mentioned by 44 recommend · 4 mention4 recommend · 44 recommend
…to miss the latest technology that will make us obsolete, etc. 1) Reading HN all the time creates a false sense that things are moving much faster than they really are. 2) I'd suggesting reading "The Subtle Art of Not Giving a F*ck" and it'll remind you your time is finite https://www.amazon.com/Subtle-Art-Not-Giving-Counterintuitiv...
on “Quit Social Media, Your Career May Depend on It” ↗The Holy Bible Start With Why The Subtle Art of Not Giving a F*ck Think Like a Freak SmartCuts
on “Ask HN: Books you wish you had read earlier?” ↗…I found myself in a dumb user or arrogant dev or inept manager type situation (in meetings or emails or face-2-face), I would think back to this blog post and instantly feel better. Mark Manson "THE SUBTLE ART OF NOT GIVING A F_CK" (12 minute read) => https://markmanson.net/not-giving-a-fuck
on “Quit Social Media, Your Career May Depend on It” ↗If this piece interests you, you should read the "subtle art of not giving a f*ck." Its a nice down to earth book about dealing with negative emotions and high expectations. https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/28257707-the-subtle-art-...
on “Feeling bad about feeling bad can make you feel worse” ↗…Steinbeck Cannery Row - John Steinbeck Crime and Punishment - Fyodor Dostoyevsky Man's Search for Meaning - Viktor E. Frankl Deep Work - Cal Newport The Little Prince - Antoine de Saint The Subtle Art of Not Giving a F*ck - Mark Manson Flowers for Algernon - Daniel Keyes Notes to Myself: My Struggle to Become a Person - Hugh Prather Tuesdays with Morrie - Mitch Albom I Heart Logs: Event Data, Stream Processing,…
on “Ask HN: Books you read in 2018?” ↗Not so much a life changer but certainly reshaping the way I look at things, the way I judge things, and the way I let things ruin my day: 'The Subtle Art of Not Giving a F*ck' by Mark Manson The book is full of examples and while reading, you go "hey, that's a bit like my friend X", or "hey, that sounds like my Uncle Y". And then, when Mark describes certain personality traits,…
on “Ask HN: What book changed your life?” ↗I'm not such a person myself but I hear "The Art Of Saying NO" by Zahariades is pretty good. Not quite the same topic but I've also heard good things about "The Subtle Art of Not Giving a F*ck" by Manson
on “Seven Levels of Busy” ↗…community is really thankful. If FA5 can raise $1M, I can't even imagine how much could raise Babel, Webpack or Homebrew. You made our lives so much easier. --- Also, can't recommend enough this book: The Subtle Art of Not Giving a F*ck: A Counterintuitive Approach to Living a Good Life - https://www.amazon.com/Subtle-Art-Not-Giving-Counterintuitiv...
on “Dear JavaScript” ↗…flood of emotions. 2. The Little Prince - Antoine de Saint-Exupéry Again, a very touching, charming book about a little kid's world(universe?) view, told through his adventures. Non-fiction: 1. The subtle art of not giving a F*ck - Mark Manson Opened my eyes to what I was possibly doing wrong with my life. 2. Radical Acceptance - Tara Brach Still currently reading it, but I wish I'd found it earlier.
on “Ask HN: Books you wish you had read earlier?” ↗- Fooled by randomness by Nassim Taleb - Sapiens by Yuval Harari - The invention of nature by Andrea Wulf - The subtle art of not giving a f*ck by Mark Manson - Philosophy of Science: Very Short Introduction by Samir Okasha
on “Ask HN: Notable books you read this year” ↗The Subtle Art of Not Giving a F*ck [Mark Manson] Its an easy & enjoyable book on subject : A Counterintuitive Approach to Living a Good Life.
on “Ask HN: What is the best book you read on 2017?” ↗1) Shoe Dog - Phil Knight 2) The Subtle Art of Not Giving a F*ck - Mark Manson 3) Start with Why - Simon Sinek
on “Ask HN: Best books you read in 2017?” ↗The Subtle Art of Not Giving a F*ck: A Counterintuitive Approach to Living a Good Life - Mark Manson Surely You're Joking, Mr. Feynman! (Adventures of a Curious Character) by Richard Feynman Born Standing Up by Steve Martin
on “Ask HN: What books have most influenced the way you see the world?” ↗…profound impact on how I think and improve what I do are: 1. Drive: The Surprising Truth about What Motivates Us - Daniel H. Pink 2. Grit: The Power of Passion and Perseverance - Angela Duckworth 3. The Subtle Art of Not Giving A F*ck - Mark Manson 4. Be Obsessed or Be Average - Grant Cardone 5. High Performance Habits - Brendon Burchard 6. The Obesity Code - Jason Fung The summary of what I've taken out of this is really fall…
on “Ask HN: Which books have made you introspect?” ↗The Subtle Art of Not Giving a F#ck Learn how to decide where to invest your energy (f#cks), which things you should really not worry about too much, and what happens if you don't choose wisely. Get an idea of why "being positive" about…
on “Ask HN: What was the one book that you read and it actually changed your life?” ↗