Ask This Book a Question: An Interactive Journey to Find Wisdom for Life's Big and Little Decisions

by Vicki Tan

A one-of-a-kind guide to smarter decision-making based in the science of cognitive bias and the wisdom of storytelling

This book is an interactive game that empowers you to understand yourself in a new way, inviting you on a playful journey of self-discovery.  
    Drawing from the science of cognitive bias, Ask This Book a Question will help you gain the insight you need to approach any decision with confidence. We all take these mental shortcuts, and this book with show you how they influence all aspects of our daily lives, from the way we perceive time, to how the people around us influence us, to our tendency to remember the bizarre over the familiar. When you view your questions in a different light, you’ll be surprised by how clear your answers become.  
    Start with a question and follow it through thought-provoking visuals and charts to find your journey through the book. Discover a multitude of paths to learn how cognitive biases can either sharpen your judgment or lead you  

What do I want right now? Consider how the Appeal to Novelty and overstimulation might be draining your attention and resources.  
Am I drinking too much? Recognize the role of Restraint Bias in your quest for well-being. 
How do I find my person? Uncover both sides of the Fundamental Attribution Error to deepen connections and navigate conflict with others.  
Am I spending too much money? Understand how Mental Accounting affects your financial decisions and discover the power of intentional spending.  
Should I quit my job? Confront the Sunk-Cost Effect to find courage when considering a career change. 
How can I become happier? Reclaim your leisure hours by finding joy in confetti, with the Denomination Effect. 
How do I become lucky? Mull over the big questions of purpose, meaning, and happiness, as you explore Optimism Bias. 
More than just a one-time read, treat this book like a wise old friend. Keep it close at hand as a trusted reference, turning to the prompts when you get stuck or recognize a cognitive bias at play. Over time, the insights and lessons within these pages will become deeply ingrained, empowering you to make more intentional, self-aware choices. 

    If you’re ready to unravel the magic of your own mind, understand the patterns they form, and create a narrative uniquely your own, Ask This Book A Question is your essential guide. Dive in and start exploring today – your future self will thank you!

Genres: Nonfiction, Psychology

320 pages, Hardcover

Published April 8, 2025

Reviews

[Elvina Zafril · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book is such an interesting concept. It’s like a mix between a self help guide and a game. You start with a question (like “Should I quit my job?” or “Am I spending too much money?”), and it leads you through visuals, prompts, and explanations based on different cognitive biases. I actually had a good time answering some of the questions and it got me thinking about things from angles I wouldn’t normally consider.

That said, the content can feel a bit repetitive after a while. Some points are said in different ways over and over, and not every section lands the same. A few stories and examples were super engaging, but others just felt like filler.

Still, I’d say it’s a fun book to have on your shelf. It's more like something you pick up when you’re in a certain mood, not necessarily something you read cover to cover. It’s not super deep, but it is creative and has a light, playful tone that makes reflection feel less heavy. If you like journaling or flipping through thought provoking pages, you might enjoy it but just manage your expectations.

[Turquoise Brennan · Rating 5 out of 5]

bought this book in Tokyo in this incredible book store that has 5 floors and sold the most beautiful objects alongside books.

this book has been so fun to play with - I love the adventure style thoughts and all of the questions and prompts that go with it.

[Stephanie · Rating 5 out of 5]

This gave me the same joy as those choose-your-own adventure books from childhood, except instead of a scary troll waiting at the end, it was a delightful story and insightful nuggets about making better decisions. I loved it!

[Nique 💫 chroniqled ✨ · Rating 5 out of 5]

✨ask this book a question by vicki tan✨

this isn’t just a book— it’s a journey.

as i was reading through the introduction and the section on “how to use this book” i realised that this book wasn’t one you could just go through in one sitting. this book is meant to be a companion whenever you are seeking answers, or even just when you need comfort on a bad day.

you journey through it like this: ask a question (and there are so, so many questions, mind you. so take your time and enjoy selecting which one you’d like to start with, and then explore) —> read a story —> reflect —> identify if there are any cognitive biases —> reflect again —> either you conclude or ask another question, then the cycle repeats again.

it’s basically a “choose your own ending” kind of book, but make it self-development. it doesn’t shove advice down your throat at all— instead, you can choose to go at your own pace and you can stop at any time. just take what you need for the moment then reserve the rest of the book for another time.

it’s also best to have a journal with you throughout this journey. i found it helped me a lot as i have been journalling quite often lately. so this book came at the perfect time for me.

if i could tell anyone to get a book for themselves that is sure to benefit them in any way— this book is it. literally EVERYONE needs this book, it’s SO helpful. i recommend it with my whole heart and soul. an absolute joy to read— 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟 #niquereviews

[Salim · Rating 2 out of 5]

Very disorganized and repetitive. It promises too much and delivers little to nothing. I didn’t like the formatting style or the storytelling. Some stories were inspiring; others, not so much. There’s too much of the same thing said in different words, and too little detail to leave a lasting impression.

In short, this book was a disappointment. This is what you usually get with books that promise a first-class seat to a utopian version of life, where all you have to do is ask a question and the answer comes in a couple of sentences wrapped in a feel-good story.

[Nathalie H · Rating 5 out of 5]

A great book for when you're looking for a mini dose of wisdom and introspection. It is unusual in its format, but refreshingly novel yet grounded in its exploratory structure. I find myself randomly contemplating the concepts within it. It is a great book for people who like to think about thinking.

[prune pulp · Rating 5 out of 5]

i wish i had this book when i was younger - it's helped reframe life's daunting questions into something more digestible. Vicki's charming voice and the interactive format makes it so fun to engage with.

it's just a beautiful book - highly recommend!

[Josephine Lorenzo · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you want a self-help book that’s more than just advice and actually gets you thinking and reflecting, **Ask This Book a Question** is a fun, interactive read that’s super helpful for working through any big or small decisions in your life.

[Ophelia · Rating 5 out of 5]

adorable illustrations, engaging life stories (wanted more tbh!) & very creatively done (choose your own adventure style)

[M. · Rating 4 out of 5]

Clever and fun interactive book with cute illustrations. I enjoyed the stories and questions as well. Delightful.

Thank you @tarcherperigree and @averybooks for my gifted copy

[Erica · Rating 5 out of 5]

A beautiful little book that makes it easy to understand cognitive biases and also use that understanding to make decisions.

I loved the personal examples, I ended up reading straight through that section and then skimming through the cognitive biases to read more about the ones I didn't know.

Now I'm glad to have this book on my shelf for reference when I'm once again stuck in analysis paralysis or overwhelm; the choose-your-own-adventure style questions are a cute way to find your way to inspiration. The adorable illustrations help too.