Drum roll, please. Today, #17 in our countdown of the top 22 books of last year: “Humor, Seriously: Why Humor Is a Secret Weapon in Business and Life (And how anyone can harness it. Even you).”

For years, Stanford professors Jennifer Aaker and Naomi Bagdonas have been researching the benefits of having, and cultivating, a sense of humor. They’ve found that clowning around inspires creativity, disarms tension, and strengthens relationships, while also making you happier, healthier, and richer. Seriously.

To learn more about “Humor, Seriously,” visit humorseriously.com. And to hear more great Book Bites, download the Next Big Idea app at nextbigideaclub.com/app.

We’ll be back with a new season of interviews in February, featuring Jill Lepore, Malcolm Gladwell, Susan Cain, Ray Dalio, David Chalmers, Paul Bloom, and a bunch of other brilliant thinkers.