Book
Mattering : the secret to a life of deep connection and purpose / Jennifer Breheny Wallace.
From journalist Jennifer Breheny Wallace, an illuminating look at how being relied upon by others can solve our most pressing personal and societal challenges. In a world where loneliness, burnout, and disconnection have reached crisis levels, Jennifer Breheny Wallace offers a transformative solution: mattering. Through vivid storytelling and groundbreaking research, Mattering reveals how feeling seen, needed, and valued isn't just nice-to-have -- it's essential for our wellbeing and society's future. Filled with stories of individuals who have discovered the power of mattering, from the story of a fire chief who re-energized his emotionally exhausted team by helping them see their long-term impact, to a woman who transformed her grief into a movement helping thousands rebuild their lives, Wallace shows how mattering can be cultivated in every sphere of life.
Record details
- ISBN: 9780593850596 (hardcover)
- Physical Description: 272 pages ; 24 cm
- Publisher: New York : Portfolio/Penguin, [2026]
- Copyright: ©2026
Content descriptions
| Bibliography, etc. Note: | Includes bibliographical references and index. |
Search for related items by subject
| Subject: | Interpersonal relations. Need (Psychology) |
Available copies
- 0 of 1 copy available at Tsuga Consortium.
Holds
- 1 current hold with 1 total copy.
Show Only Available Copies
| Location | Call Number / Copy Notes | Barcode | Shelving Location | Status | Due Date |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cookstown Branch | ON ORDER | pr08236196 | NONFIC | On order | - |
- Penguin Putnam
âA timely, vitally important read.â â Adam Grant, #1 New York Times bestselling author of Think Again and host of the podcast Re:thinking
âBeautifully written and deeply felt. Wallace gives readers the insights we need to understand each other, and the actions we can take to enhance each otherâs lives.ââ Susan Cain, #1 New York Times bestselling author of Bittersweet and Quiet
âMattering is an essential guide for how to restore meaning, comfort, and joy to our lives.â â Vivek Murthy, MD, MBA, 19th and 21st Surgeon General of the United States
From award-winning journalist and bestselling author Jennifer Wallace comes Matteringâa landmark book that introduces a transformative new framework to confront the loneliness, burnout, and lack of purpose so many of us face today.
In this groundbreaking work, Wallace makes an urgent case: matteringâthe feeling that we are valued and have an opportunity to add valueâis a core human need, as essential to our well-being as food and water. And yet, in todayâs world, that fundamental need is going unmet, with perilous consequences. As mental and social health crises surge, we often blame social media, the pace of modern life, and polarizing politics. But beneath these issues lies a deeper crisis, what Wallace calls âan erosion of mattering.âÂ
With her signature warmth and insight, Wallace weaves together research and deeply moving stories of mattering lost and regained. From burned-out employees to overwhelmed caregivers to people grappling with grief or struggling through a destabilizing transition, Mattering explores how our lives are transformed when we are reminded, in small and intentional ways, that we are valued and that we have value to offer. Wallace provides the essential elements to building what she calls our âmattering coreâ: recognizing your impact, being relied on (but not too much), feeling prioritized, and being truly known and invested in. Strengthening this core helps us reconnect to our sense of purpose, deepen our relationships, and navigate lifeâs uncertainties and challenges with greater resilience.Â
For readers of Brené Brown, David Brooks, and Adam Grant, Mattering is a rare, culture-shifting book that offers both a diagnosis and a remedy. With a clear road map and actionable takeaways, Wallace reveals how to unlock this powerful force within ourselves and how to build cultures of mattering in our homes, workplaces, and communities.?Â
Mattering is both a call to action and a blueprint for living a meaningful life and creating a world we so urgently need.
