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The Happiness Project

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The Happiness Project

By: Gretchen Rubin
Narrated by: Gretchen Rubin
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#1 New York Times Bestseller

“An enlightening, laugh-aloud read. . . . Filled with open, honest glimpses into [Rubin’s] real life, woven together with constant doses of humor.”—Christian Science Monitor

Gretchen Rubin’s year-long experiment to discover how to create true happiness. Drawing on cutting-edge science, classical philosophy, and real-world examples, Rubin delivers an engaging, eminently relatable chronicle of transformation.

Gretchen Rubin had an epiphany one rainy afternoon in the unlikeliest of places: a city bus. “The days are long, but the years are short,” she realized. “Time is passing, and I’m not focusing enough on the things that really matter.” In that moment, she decided to dedicate a year to her happiness project.

In this lively and compelling account, Rubin chronicles her adventures during the twelve months she spent test-driving the wisdom of the ages, current scientific research, and lessons from popular culture about how to be happier. Among other things, she found that novelty and challenge are powerful sources of happiness; that money can help buy happiness, when spent wisely; that outer order contributes to inner calm; and that the very smallest of changes can make the biggest difference.

As an added bonus, this recording includes a sampling of Gretchen’s podcast, Happier With Gretchen Rubin. In this episode, "Choose the Bigger Life," Gretchen and her sister, Elizabeth Craft, discuss happiness, good habits, and whether Gretchen is going to get a dog.

©2009 Gretchen Rubin (P)2009 HarperCollins Publishers Personal Development Personal Success Happiness Inspiring Witty Feel-Good Thought-Provoking Habits Biography

Critic reviews

"Packed with fascinating facts about the science of happiness and rich examples of how she improves her life through changes small and big. The Happiness Project made me happier by just reading it." (Bookpage.com)

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Relatable Personal Stories • Inspirational Real-life Examples • Personal Narration Touch • Warm Conversational Tone
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This book inspired me a lot. It was interesting to listen to and well narrated. It was so packed with details that I'm sure I missed half and will definitely listen to it again. I'm a great fan of the project.

Made me happy

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The author is a high achieving, list making, systematic, serious person who is trying out different things for a year to add a little more happiness to her life. If you can't relate to someone like that, you won't enjoy the book. If you can, the book is light and offers ideas on how you too can do little things to make your life a little happier. There are also the occasional injections of happiness facts and trivia, so it's not simply a journal of the author's day-to-day happiness experiment. She also refers to her blog and comments/suggestions from readers for more ideas. If you're not sure, listen to her podcast "Happier" before deciding whether to buy the book.

Listen to "Happier" Podcast First

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I enjoyed the book and found the concept interesting. Lots of great ideas here. Unfortunately, the book is quite repetitive and by the end it felt like Gretchen was struggling for ideas or material to finish the project. A good editor is hard to find.

The same concepts are explored in a more interesting retelling in Happier at Home which I recommend.

Earnest effort with value but needed editing

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Would you say that listening to this book was time well-spent? Why or why not?

I really enjoyed the first half or so of the book. It kept my interest and made me reflect a bit on my own life and how I could apply the concept to my own life.

What was the most interesting aspect of this story? The least interesting?

The story is entirely too long and I honestly lost interest after listening to the first download. I eventually gave up with about an hour left of the second half as I just didn't care what happened anymore. (sad to say)

Was The Happiness Project worth the listening time?

The book isn't one that will make you binge listen as I tend to with other books, but it definately starts out strong. Great subject matter.

Started off really well

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Gretchen Rubin's Happiness Project is a delightful read that is inspiring but not so lofty as to be unattainable. Her practical approach and admitted foibles and challenges were something I could relate to, and think, gosh that is a good idea, maybe I could do something along those lines myself. I have already recommended the book to someone and plan to re-read it immediately.

Practical and Insightful

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I loved the information, it is always difficult for me to start a new project.

I know I need to apply the knowledge...but

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Where does The Happiness Project rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?

I read and hear many books, on different subjects. This year is all about happiness and a better life. This book mixes in a balanced manner the rationality needed to be happy.

What was one of the most memorable moments of The Happiness Project?

In simple words, Gretchen Rubin organizes the world outside her, to make the inner world function better. Isn't that what we ll want?

Have you listened to any of Gretchen Rubin’s other performances before? How does this one compare?

Plus, the recording and reading is really good!

Any additional comments?

My advise: read it, think about your life and live a better quality life, with the people you want, not with things and imposed subjects. Your life.

Rationality is an allied of Happiness

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love it!! I can't wait to share this with my family and start my happiness project!

Awesome Book

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Really useful book, if you suffer from procrastination then this book really offers helpful and simple tips to get you to the next level :)

Love it

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I enjoyed this book and could relate to so many of Gretchen's experiences. The book provides lots of practical ideas on how to move forward with my own happiness project. Definitely worth the time. I will probably go back and read again to decide what things I want to consider trying for myself

Great book

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