People who read quality fiction are less likely to be swayed by outlandish rhetoric, and their perspective is generally more rounded. Such readers are found to be more empathetic than the average Joe, and more compassionate. For emotional maturity, intellectual stimulation, and just general entertainment, pull these 32 brilliant books off the shelf. To Kill a Mockingbird To Kill a Mockingbird addresses compassion and racism in America told in the voice of a precocious tomboy....

UPDATE — LEGO has agreed to give away two sets of Frank Lloyd Wright LEGO Architecture for free to TheCoolist readers! Want to win one of your own? Head over to the Frank Lloyd Wright LEGO Architecture giveaway page for more info… The builders, designers and architects of today grew up with Legos yesterday. To celebrate this connection, Lego has released their Lego Architecture series, including kits of some of the world’s most famous works of architectural design....

The liquor landscape of today is very different, with the shelves lined top to bottom with craft brews bearing fun, punny names. There’s whole aisles dedicated to ciders and fruity concoctions, all of which are drank by men and women alike. They come with bright labels that entice the child in us as much as the heavy-drinking adult, and make the process of numbing out from our existence ever more cheery and flavorful....

Our own favorite accessory label Hard Graft has released a new set of wallets for the winter of 2012. These fine leather creations bend and fold to create designer coin, passport and iPhone wallets in a range of colors and styles. A thin-yet-durable design leaves room for all the essentials without bulky extras. Compact sizing just leaves room for the essentials of cards and cash. Pricing ranges between $76-$117 and are available in dark brown, light brown, black and gray....

Despite what some self-professed lady-killing pickup artists would have you believe, everyone doubts their sexual talents sometimes. But because there’s a stigma of being an inferior lover, many men stay quiet about their concerns. In truth, people like different things. So, while some women might like a certain move, the others might not enjoy it. And that can really throw you off when you’re in the moment. BAM! Your go-to move is suddenly a buzz kill....

You’re in love! Shouting it from a rooftop may feel like a good idea. But first, your partner — the object of your affection — deserves to know. Telling someone you love them is a big step that takes a bit of preparation. It’ll become a special memory on which you can look back if done right. So today, we’re breaking down how to deploy the perfect first “I love you....

Japanese-style soaking bathtubs are one of the latest trends in bathroom fixtures to offer luxurious Asian-inspired relaxing space, but they are not a new thing. These small, deep tubs have been used as an alternative way of bathing in Japan for generations. Suppose you’re interested in revamping your bathroom aesthetic with a new bathtub that is both functional and works as a centerpiece? You need to get yourself a Japanese soaking tub....

There’s nothing like the great outdoors, where you can commune with nature while building up your endurance and confidence. It is a place of adventure, friendships, and learning. However, the refreshing excitement of backpacking can quickly fade at the end of a long day, when you roll up to camp beat, wet, and exhausted. But you don’t have to completely miss out on the creature comforts of home! A portable hot water shower can help you soothe your tired muscles and keep the sink of the day’s exertion at bay....

The Ranco House by Elton+Leniz Architecture integrates its bold and noble design with its existing Southern Chile landscape. A glass walkway connects two distinct sectors of the home accommodating the surrounding natural greenery. Built upon uneven terrain, the home is constructed in multiple levels which work with its geometric nature to give the residence its contemporary aesthetic. Deep tones and colors create a camouflage with lush natural surroundings. The interior of the home provides spacious rooms for living with rustic wood beam ceilings and native Chilean accents....

The beauty of a good set of bookshelf speakers is they’re able to fit into whatever role is required. They can act as backup to your main event, provide room-filling sound on their own, work into an out of different system arrangements, or disappear into the background for ambience that never overwhelms. They’re the skeleton key of the speaker world, so long as you get the best for your budget....

No sport has more fairytale stories than soccer. It is a game that has given everlasting hope to those living in poverty for generations. With a ball at their feet, children can forget about the problems and the harsh reality of life. For as long as they have the energy, they can become their idols. The chance of escaping the slums is the golden carrot they all chase. Firstly, soccer is an individual motivator....

Ideally, the inside of your house should sit between 25 and 50 percent humidity. If you’re ill or have excessive mucus from allergies, going a little higher – say 65 percent – can be helpful for loosening clogged sinuses. Any humidifier, or even a boiling pot on the stove, can provide humidification that will reach these levels. That isn’t what makes a humidifier good. What you want to find is one that is easy to clean, easy to fill, and doesn’t promote harmful bacteriological pooling....

Stuttgart City Library Gallery

Our respect for Tag Heuer timepieces, like the Tag Heuer Monaco V4, is quite long-standing– and the new Tag Heuer Grand Carerra Pendulum Watch drives a clear continuation of that respect. While the brand now walks solo without the face of Tiger Woods on its marketing material, Tag Heuer instead relies on what made its brand relevant in the first place– innovation. The latest innovation by Tag Heuer is in the new Grand Carerra Pendulum Watch, a concept driven by a pendulum as its time regulator....

Or even an intuitive empath? Maybe you’ve heard about empaths and wondered, “Am I an empath?” If you’ve asked, there’s a good chance you are. After all, your senses are keener than those of most people. But is it possible your empathic powers (which can be a mixed bag) are more perceptive than the average empathic abilities? If so, you could be an intuitive or psychic empath. Whether you call yourself a highly intuitive empath, an empathic, or just a “very empathetic person,” you know by now that other people’s moods tend to influence your own....

A suitable camping blanket is an excellent companion to keep the shivers at bay whether you’re on an outdoor campsite in the woods or relishing a vibrant music concert on a chilly night. Camping blankets are no longer an optional addition to your camping gear but a vital necessity that should be safely tucked in your car, ready for your next adventure. Nonetheless, choosing an appropriate camping blanket can be a daunting task, given the proliferation of options from various brands and your unique preferences....

When it comes to wine packaging design, that small stretch of paper on glass is seen as a blank canvas by some of today’s greatest designers. It is a space for both art and communication, a place where a designer can tell a story to a prospective buyer of fine wine. These 30 amazing wine packaging designs are amongst the best in the world, a complimentary list to 30 wine label designs we published in 2009....

How can I embrace suffering when it betrayed its beloved companion? How can I cross this passage of the wild storm penetrated into the cracks of my existing wounds? I feel so lonely as if there is no one in this world and nothing to get rid of this loneliness.I sense no feelings left in my memory. I no longer belong to myself. However, I understand the true essence of things....

The Nest House by a21studio | Gallery

The project comes from Studio Roosegaarde, which bills itself as a “social design lab for interactive art, fashion, and architecture,” is based out of China and the Netherlands. According to Roosegaarde, the garment it’s created is designed to “explore the relationship between intimacy and technology.” Admittedly, both dresses – INTIMACY is available in two separate colors, black and white – are quite lovely, and look more than a little futuristic....