“Elpidorou is rigorously thoughtful and quotably readable as he discusses unpalatable emotions that most people want to avoid. ... The cumulative effect is a strong and ultimately persuasive case that when life gives you lemons, you should simply value the lemons—a counterintuitive argument, to be sure, but one that the author convincingly backs up over the course of his book.

A smart and thought-provoking reassessment of the value of boredom and frustration.”

“Engaging, erudite, instructive, and abounding with insight, Propelled takes a fresh look at unloved emotions and demonstrates their key roles in a life worth living. Essential reading for anyone interested in emotions, and for all of us who suspect that there is more to the good life than good cheer.”

“In an age in which people are hungry for happiness, Elpidorou offers a provocative thesis: that some unpleasant emotional experiences such as frustration and boredom are central to the good life. He illustrates his points with examples from pop culture icons such as Christopher Nolan and Ariana Grande. The foundation of his book, however, is an expert reporting of research from psychology, economics, and philosophy. ”

“An astute and lively investigation, as Elpidorou delicately locks together the puzzle pieces of boredom, frustration and anticipation to reveal their vital roles in the pursuit of happiness.”