Drunk Tank Pink

The common belief that people choose largely independently of their surroundings is what Adam Alter challenges, arguing that the environment shapes thoughts and actions in many ways, without permission and often without awareness. Drawing on research data and a wide range of examples, he looks at subtle outside forces such as the effect of color on mood, the preference people show for names they identify with, and the way sunny days can encourage both optimism and aggression. In his account, the roots of feelings and behavior run deeper than the everyday choices people take for granted. The book became a New York Times bestseller after it appeared in 2013.

Vinod Khosla included it in his 2017 book recommendations as a fun read about biases and how the brain works.