Atomic Habits: An Easy and Proven Way to Build Good Habits and Break Bad Ones
by James Clear
A few years ago I read The Power of Habit and decided to include it in my plans for a semester of health, which my oldest used when he was in tenth grade. Atomic Habits builds on that book's foundation and transforms the research into an action plan. Mr. Clear explicitly credits The Power of Habit a few times and encourages the reader to read it as well.
I read this book quickly, too quickly to take my time implementing some of the author's tips for habit formation, but based on my own past experience and what I have read in other places, it looks like excellent explanations and recommendations.
There were things I really liked about assigning The Power of Habit. The chapter and information on gambling was, I thought, an excellent introduction to the dangers of gambling that might (maybe?) give a teenager enough information to avoid ever falling into that kind of trap. Other chapters brought up aspects of marketing that are also interesting and important. Overall, though, Atomic Habits is both an easier read for a high school student and more directly applicable in an immediate way.
I intend to replace The Power of Habit with Atomic Habits for my remaining three kids in our Health course. I'm going to keep The Power of Habit for any student that may be interested in some of the research and more wide-ranging applications of habit formation. I may also consider, if there's time in the schedule, finding a few essays or recent news articles that touch on the wider public health aspects of habits.
I have received nothing in exchange for this review. Links to Amazon or Bookshop are affiliate links. Kansas Dad had purchased this book for his own collection after listening to the audiobook borrowed from the library.
