In a cultural moment saturated with self-help formulas and quick-fix philosophies, Jon Shattuck's newly released book, Choices to Live By, arrives as a counterpoint: a reflective, story-driven invitation to examine the values that underpin a well-lived life. The book, announced this week, is not a how-to manual but a collection of hard-won insights from a career spanning hospital administration, decades of community service, and 65 years of marriage. Shattuck's central premise is that while no one can control all of life's circumstances, everyone can control how they respond to them, and that clarity about reality—what he calls TWTA, or The Way Things Are—is the foundation for making choices that lead to authenticity and joy.
Why does this matter now? In an era marked by political polarization, social media echo chambers, and a pervasive sense of anxiety, Shattuck's emphasis on humility, listening, and forgiveness offers a refreshing alternative to the outrage economy. His book tackles universal struggles—grief, victimhood, escape—without offering easy answers or moralizing. Instead, he shares specific, vivid anecdotes: a woman with multiple sclerosis who decided to make every day her best; a retired schoolteacher's four-word question that redirected his own career; a long walk through the woods after a devastating job loss. These stories ground abstract principles in lived experience, making the book's lessons credible and actionable.
For parents, educators, counselors, and mentors, Choices to Live By provides a framework for guiding others through life transitions without imposing a rigid ideology. Shattuck's approach is particularly notable for its balance of personal faith and inclusivity. He shares his Christian journey openly but explicitly states that his goal is not to recruit readers to a particular tradition, but to encourage them to seek a foundation larger than self-interest. In a time when conversations about values often become divisive, this non-prescriptive stance is both rare and valuable.
The book's release also underscores a broader trend: the growing appetite for wisdom literature that respects the reader's intelligence. Shattuck's background—from laying asphalt driveways to leading grief support groups—lends him a credibility that purely academic or celebrity authors often lack. His writing is candid, warm, and free of pretension, making complex ideas about love, truth, and humility accessible to a wide audience.
Ultimately, Choices to Live By matters because it addresses a fundamental human need: the desire to live with intention rather than by default. As Shattuck writes, "Your life is or has been a culmination of the choices and decisions you have made. At any point, you decide how to react, how to respond, and how to move forward." For anyone navigating a significant life transition, or simply seeking a more examined life, this book serves as a grounded and generous companion. More information is available at https://jonshattuck.com/.
