Pre-order
1
of
1
The Small Stuff
The Sensory Enchantment of Everyday Life
Brief Description
A lively and witty guide to reclaiming connection with our physical world. In an era dominated by convenience and efficiency, you'd think life would be easier and, most importantly, happier. Shouldn't all the time saved by technology leave us with more for ourselves? The Atlantic columnist,...
Read More
Format: Hardback
$5500
Unit price
/
Unavailable
Pre-order
Releases
6th
October 2026
(Approx. Date)
Pre-order "The Small Stuff" now to secure your copy from our first shipment
Found a better price? Request a price match
The Small Stuff
$5500
Unit price
/
Unavailable
Book Hero Magic formatted this description to make it easier to read. While it's new and
still learning, it may not be perfect - your
feedback is welcome!
Description
A lively and witty guide to reclaiming connection with our physical world.
In an era dominated by convenience and efficiency, you'd think life would be easier and, most importantly, happier. Shouldn't all the time saved by technology leave us with more for ourselves? The Atlantic columnist, game designer and philosopher Ian Bogost thinks not. From digital tickets to automated taps, he argues that the simple, tactile pleasures of daily life have been replaced by sleek but soulless design.
Through engaging anecdotes and sharp analysis of our dematerialized lives, Bogost uncovers how modern conveniences not only fail to deliver on their promises but also rob us of moments that keep us grounded and human. The Small Stuff is not a nostalgic trip through the analogue world of a bygone era but instead reframes our view of the material world from merely utilitarian into a site of joy and gratification. Finding happiness, Bogost shows us, doesn't require complete self-transformation, but simply noticing the sensory pleasures all around us.
Humorous, thought-provoking and practical, The Small Stuff is a manifesto for re-enchanting us with the world, by observing and enjoying the small moments that make up our lives.
Book Details
INFORMATION
ISBN: 9780241703465
Publisher: Penguin Books Ltd
Format: Hardback
Date Published: 07 July 2026
Country: United Kingdom
Imprint: Allen Lane
Audience: General / adult, Tertiary education, Professional and scholarly
DIMENSIONS
Spine width: 25.0mm
Width: 143.0mm
Height: 223.0mm
Weight: 342g
Pages: 240
Collections
Education & Reference
Engineering, Technology & Agriculture
Happiness & Mental Health
Health & Wellness
Ian Bogost
Mindset & Self Help
New Year, New You
Non-Fiction
Penguin Books
Personal Development
Philosophy & Psychology
Pre-order Books
Pre-orders
Pre-orders by Release Date
Self-Help & Personal Development
About the Author
Ian Bogost is a contributing writer at the Atlantic. He is the Barbara and David Thomas Distinguished Professor at Washington University in St. Louis, where he is also a professor of computer science and engineering, film and media studies, and art and design. Bogost is the author of ten books, including Play Anything. Bogost is also an award-winning game designer whose work has been played by millions of people and has been held in collections internationally, including the Smithsonian American Art Museum.
More from Self-Help & Personal Development
View all-
Signed CopyNew Release"What Were You Thinking!?"
Everything parents need to know about their baby, child or teen's developing brain to raise resilient, emotional intelligent kids, by globally renowned neuroscience educator Nathan Wallis. 'What were you thinking!?'If you've ever asked this in despair while watching a toddler melt down, a tween push boundaries or a teenager make a truly terrible decision, this book is for you.InΒ "What Were...Paperback$3299Elsewhere:$3999Unit price /UnavailableIn StockShips today -
The Let Them Theory
New York Times Bestselling Author. Millions of books sold worldwide! A Life-Changing Tool Millions of People Can't Stop Talking About What if the key to happiness, success, and love was as simple as two words? If you've ever felt stuck, overwhelmed, or frustrated with where you are, the problem isn't you. The problem is the power you give to other...Paperback$2599Elsewhere:$3200Unit price /UnavailableIn StockShips today -
New ReleaseEat Your Ice Cream
The New York Times bestseller that presents a bold new vision for living well and ageing with purpose from a world-renowned health expert THE INSTANT NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER From a leading doctor and world-renowned health expert, the simple, uplifting and practical guide to cutting through the wellness noise, living well and ageing with purpose. βEssential reading for anyone who...Paperback$3199Elsewhere:$4000Unit price /UnavailableIn StockShips today -
New Release
The Winner's Formula
The Neuroscience of Peak Performance, Success, and Happiness Why do some people win all the time? Why do others languish? From Olympians to Formula 1 drivers, addicts to billionaires, cognitive neuroscientist Dr Kerry Spackman has spent decades working to help people understand how to succeed. In The Winner's Formula, Kerry explains what goes on in your brain when you are...Paperback$3199Elsewhere:$3999Unit price /UnavailableIn StockShips today -
Choose Your Hard
Every path in life is hard. Being unfit and unhealthy is hard. Choosing to exercise, eat well, face discomfort, and do the difficult things is also hard. The question is: which hard do you choose? In Choose Your Hard, Professor Grant Schofield, one of New Zealandβs most cited health scientists with over 18,000 citations in the scientific literature, argues that...Paperback$3300Elsewhere:$3500Unit price /UnavailableIn StockShips today -
New ReleaseThe Atomic Habits Daily Calendar
Powerful ideas for each day of the year from the author of the #1 worldwide bestseller, Atomic Habits. Based on the principles that made Atomic Habits a global phenomenon, this daily calendar turns habit formation into a simple daily practice. Get actionable guidance, motivational insights, and system-building tools that make it easier to get a little bit betterβevery day of...Calendar$3699Elsewhere:$3999Unit price /UnavailableIn StockShips today -
The DOSE Effect
The DOSE Effect offers small habits to boost your brain chemistry. "This book will help you find more motivation, create deeper connections, energise your body, and destress your mind," says Jay Shetty, author of Think Like a Monk. Life can feel overwhelming, but it doesnβt have to be. Todayβs fast-paced world leaves many of us struggling with extreme emotional highs...Paperback$3199Elsewhere:$3999Unit price /UnavailableIn StockShips today -
New ReleaseNow What?
There are countless self-help books telling you how to get the life you wantβhow to find your purpose, make your plan, follow your goals. Yet, too many of us are frozen in life, unfulfilled and stuck with what we have. Too often, we only see our future through a lens of the pastβour past beliefs, experiences, and circumstances. We desire...Paperback$3299Elsewhere:$3999Unit price /UnavailableIn StockShips today -
We Can Do Hard Things
We Can Do Hard Things is a powerful and inspiring guide co-authored by renowned voices Abby Wambach, Glennon Doyle, and Amanda Doyle. This compelling book offers insights and encouragement to help readers tackle life's toughest challenges. By combining personal stories with practical advice, the authors empower you to embrace resilience and courage. Their collective wisdom sheds light on the strength...Paperback$3200Elsewhere:$4000Unit price /UnavailableIn StockShips today -
Atua Wahine
Ancient wisdom of the MΔori goddesses to help you navigate the modern world Atua Wahine are the MΔori goddesses who make up the world around us: earth, fire, water, the moon, and more. From the earth mother, Papatuanuku, who sustains and nurtures us, to the goddess of peace, Hineputehue, who transformed pain into beauty, and the misunderstood goddess of the...Hardback$3000Elsewhere:$3699Unit price /UnavailableBackorderShips mid August -
The Myth of Normal
A book that changes everything - from the legendary Dr Gabor MatΓ© THE INSTANT SUNDAY TIMES BESTSELLER OVER ONE MILLION COPIES SOLD We tend to believe that normality equals health. Yet what is the norm in the Western world? Mental illness and chronic disease are on an unstoppable rise. How did we get here? And what lies ahead for us?...Paperback$2400Elsewhere:$3000Unit price /UnavailableIn StockShips today -
The Anxious Generation
A powerful argument for reclaiming childhoodβand all human relationshipsβfrom the online world, from the influential social psychologist and international bestselling author. Jonathan Haidt has spent his career speaking truth and wisdom in some of the most difficult spacesβcommunities polarised by politics and religion, campuses battling culture wars, and now the mental health emergency hitting teenagers today in many countries around...Paperback$2299Elsewhere:$3000Unit price /UnavailableIn StockShips today
Why buy from us?
Book Hero is not a chain store or big box retailer. We're an independent 100% NZ-owned business on a mission to help more Kiwis rediscover a love of books and reading!
Service & Delivery
Our warehouse in Auckland holds over 100,000 books, toys, board games and puzzles in-stock so you're not waiting for your order to arrive from overseas.
Auckland Bookstore
We're primarily an online store, but for your convenience you can pick up your order for free from our bookstore, which is right next door to our warehouse in Hobsonville.
Our Gifting Service
Books make wonderful thoughtful gifts and we're here to help with gift-wrapping and cards. We can even send your gift directly to your loved one.
