How the Body Knows Its Mind: The Surprising Power of the Physical Environment to Influence How You Think and Feel

Though the brain is the organ most commonly associated with thinking, psychologist Beilock (Choke) makes a fairly fresh case about the rest of the body’s contribution to the process. The book begins with the premise that the body’s interaction with its physical surroundings affects cognition, and Beilock goes on to show how the body can be used to manipulate everyday perceptions. She builds her argument with a variety of anecdotes and cultural references. Often these examples flip conventional wisdom to highlight the influence of our body on thought. For example, she connects the correlation between musical ability and IQ to finger dexterity. While her explanations are thought provoking, they rely on varying conceptions of the term “body,” weakening the central argument and making it hard to follow. It’s unlikely that readers will come away with a new understanding of cognition, but Beilock does offer an unconventional perspective that will, at the very least, stimulate the mind. Agent: Wendy Strothman, Strothman Agency. (Jan.)