Mattering: The Secret to a Life of Deep Connection and Purpose

by Jennifer Breheny Wallace

From award-winning journalist and bestselling author Jennifer Wallace comes Mattering—a landmark book that introduces a transformative new framework to confront the loneliness, burnout, and lack of purpose so many of us face today.

In this groundbreaking work, Wallace makes an urgent mattering—the feeling that we are valued and have an opportunity to add value—is a core human need, as essential to our well-being as food and water. And yet, in today’s world, that fundamental need is going unmet, with perilous consequences. As mental and social health crises surge, we often blame social media, the pace of modern life, and polarizing politics. But beneath these issues lies a deeper crisis, what Wallace calls “an erosion of mattering.” 

With her signature warmth and insight, Wallace weaves together research and deeply moving stories of mattering lost and regained. From burned-out employees to overwhelmed caregivers to people grappling with grief or struggling through a destabilizing transition, Mattering explores how our lives are transformed when we are reminded, in small and intentional ways, that we are valued and that we have value to offer. Wallace provides the essential elements to building what she calls our “mattering core”: recognizing your impact, being relied on (but not too much), feeling prioritized, and being truly known and invested in. Strengthening this core helps us reconnect to our sense of purpose, deepen our relationships, and navigate life’s uncertainties and challenges with greater resilience. 

For readers of Brené Brown, David Brooks, and Adam Grant, Mattering is a rare, culture-shifting book that offers both a diagnosis and a remedy. With a clear road map and actionable takeaways, Wallace reveals how to unlock this powerful force within ourselves and how to build cultures of mattering in our homes, workplaces, and communities.  

Mattering is both a call to action and a blueprint for living a meaningful life and creating a world we so urgently need.

Genres: Nonfiction, Self Help, Psychology

288 pages, Hardcover

Expected publication January 27, 2026

About the author

Jennifer Wallace is an award-winning journalist and author of the book Never Enough: When Achievement Pressure Becomes Toxic – and What We Can Do About It. She is a frequent contributor to The Wall Street Journal and The Washington Post and appears on national television to discuss her articles and relevant topics in the news.

After graduating from Harvard College, Wallace began her journalism career at CBS “60 Minutes,” where she was part of a team that won The Robert F. Kennedy Awards for Excellence in Journalism. She is a Journalism Fellow at the The Center for Parent and Teen Communication at the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia.

Jennifer serves on the board of the Coalition for the Homeless in New York City, where she lives with her husband and their three children.

Reviews

[Books By Your Bedside · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5 stars

Thanks to NetGalley and William Collins for the advanced copy of this title in return for an honest review.

I couldn't move for reviews of this book so I was definitely intrigued.

Before reading it, I did question as to whether it was needed. There are a lot of self-help books out there and I have read a lot. But some of them I feel weren't really necessary, that it was all common sense. And to a point, I did think this might be the same. But I was completely wrong.

I've never given much thought to the idea of 'mattering'. But Jennifer references in her introduction about people with chronic illness, that they might feel they don't matter because they're not relied on or they can't keep up with the pace of the world. And as someone with a chronic illness, I had never thought of it like that but I completely agree with it. That's when I knew this book might be something a bit special.

I'm not necessarily going to say this book will change your life because that sounds a bit corny. But it's true. I think it is a very important conversation to have, and it could, in truth, transform the way people see themselves.

She provides little tips and to-dos, nothing strenuous and nothing compulsory. But things like making a gratitude journal, or writing down when you achieve something, what effect you've had on a situation or another person.

It's powerful but not preachy; interesting and engaging; informative but not too heavy. Some self-help books can be heavy and dry and a bit of a slog to go through, and some, whilst informative, are just not enjoyable. But this one was a delight to read.

I read it cover to cover like I do a novel. It's not necessarily the way to read it. You may choose to read one chapter and put it down, dip in and out, and that's fine. However you choose to read it, just make sure you do. And you'll probably find yourself passing it on to others.

She has also provided a collection of further reading if you wish to pursue the topic any more.

It is quite short which means it's quick to read, so I read it in less than a day. But it never feels flat or slow or trivial. It's got some heavy stuff, but it's written in an accessible and user-friendly way.

[kit]

I'm guessing this will build on the content in "Never Enough". I'm a little nervous about yet another self-help book with a new framework hitting shelves, it feels a little exhausting, but I can't fault this book because at least it's talking about increasing empathy, mattering, and connection, all things this world is in shorter supply of.

I wonder if this book will popularize the concept of mattering in general. I noticed the books on mattering referenced in the author's last work didn't seem very popular with the general public (probably because they're psychology books meant for other professionals in the field). Either way, I'm looking forward to reading Mattering.

[Ginny Yurich · Rating 5 out of 5]

Super interesting topic that I’ve not heard of other people talk about!!

[Lucy Ellis-Hardy · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was instantly drawn to this book because of the title, and I could tell straight away that it was going to be a meaningful read and a book for me. The author explores so many important themes around mattering, purpose, and connection. It’s extremely readable, and in fact, I read it almost in one sitting.

I like the structure of the book;  it weaves together case studies, anecdotes, suggestions, and research, all of which support the central themes. I learned new ideas that I’ll genuinely try to bring into my own life. I found myself nodding along and smiling often. I also really enjoyed the quotes sprinkled throughout.

This is a book I definitely recommend.
I received an advance review copy from NetGalley, and this is my honest review.