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Ikigai

By: Héctor García, Francesc Miralles
Narrated by: Naoko Mori
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Publisher's Summary

Brought to you by Penguin.

The international bestseller.

We all have an ikigai.

It's the Japanese word for ‘a reason to live’ or ‘a reason to jump out of bed in the morning’. 

It’s the place where your needs, desires, ambitions and satisfaction meet. A place of balance. Small wonder that finding your ikigai is closely linked to living longer.

Finding your ikigai is easier than you might think. This audiobook will help you work out what your own ikigai really is and equip you to change your life. You have a purpose in this world: your skills, your interests, your desires and your history have made you the perfect candidate for something. All you have to do is find it.

Do that and you can make every single day of your life joyful and meaningful.

PLEASE NOTE: When you purchase this title, the accompanying reference material will be available in your Library section along with the audio on our desktop site.

©2017 Francesc Miralles and Héctor García (P)2017 Random House Audiobooks

Critic Reviews

"Ikigai gently unlocks simple secrets we can all use to live long, meaningful, happy lives. Science-based studies weave beautifully into honest, straight-talking conversation.... Warm, patient, and kind, this book pulls you gently along your own journey rather than pushing you from behind." (Neil Pasricha, best-selling author of The Happiness Equation)

What listeners say about Ikigai

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  • Overall
    2 out of 5 stars
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Helpful if I was an elderly Japanese villager!

Not at all what I was expecting. Nothing about discovering or striving to find your Ikigai. All about how to grow old & be happy in a Japanese village, don’t see how I could apply much of this in western suburbia.

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7 people found this helpful

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I expected more on the culture , not exercising.

I wanted more on the history and the culture, not on how to exercise. its mostly about be good to each other, eat healthy, be happy . It felt like the book was just trying to fill in time.

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2 people found this helpful

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Find it! If you haven’t already found it. What’s your ikigai?

I really loved this deep dive into the Japanese secret of living a full and happy life. I stumbled upon this concept as a way of life when combine with being on a hero’s journey so I’m really glad that this book was written, it’s one that I believe every man woman and child should read, then the world will be a better place.

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2 people found this helpful

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Good but a bit of a rehash

I loved the narrator and overall the book was okay. I would recommend reading if you haven't read many books in the personal development area. However, as someone who has read/listened to the few bigger books in the PD area (e.g. Flow, Mindset, etc.), much of the book felt like recaps. It would've been appreciated if the link between those concepts and ikigai was made clearer.

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1 person found this helpful

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efficient methods to improve your life.

listen if you need a pick me up/are feeling lost. I enjoyed listening on my runs/walks.

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  • Overall
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Window into Japanese society and simplicity of life

Loved it all , many moments where you pause to take it all in … it’s striking the simplicity of life and bonding with people that made all the difference . Money was never the drive !

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Finding Happiness

When life feels empty this handy little guidebook is helpful and positive, ir lifts you up and pops you on your feet again.

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There was some good information in this book.

I liked that the book touched on relevant health issues however the narrative just sort of run in one long paragraph, there didn’t seem to be a separation of information. Overall I liked the book and took the parts that I could use and information I could research more on.

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  • Overall
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can get a lot out of this book

very relevant and worth the listen. Soothing slow voice may put you to sleep though

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  • Overall
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This should be taught in schools

Books like this should be studied in schools to at least give young minds the choice to better their lives and to have skills to deal with this world.
I loved this book and will be listening to it many more times. So many amazing ideas and ways to better yourself and to turn everyday anxiety and stress around.
Thank you.

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