The Totally Unscientific Study of the Search for Human Happiness Audiobook By Paula Poundstone cover art

The Totally Unscientific Study of the Search for Human Happiness

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The Totally Unscientific Study of the Search for Human Happiness

By: Paula Poundstone
Narrated by: Paula Poundstone
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Is there a secret to happiness? Beloved comedian Paula Poundstone conducts a series of "thoroughly unscientific" experiments to find out, offering herself up as a guinea pig and recording her data for the benefit of all humankind. Armed with her unique brand of self-deprecating wit and the scientific method, in each chapter Paula tries out a different get-happy hypothesis. She gets in shape with tae kwon do. She drives fast behind the wheel of a Lamborghini. She communes with nature while camping with her daughter. Swing dancing? Meditation? Volunteering? Does any of it bring her happiness? And, more important, can the happiness last when she returns to the daily demands of her chaotic life? The results are irreverent, laugh-out-loud funny, and pointedly relevant to our times.

The Totally Unscientific Study of the Search for Human Happiness is both a hilarious story of jumping into new experiences with both feet and a surprisingly poignant tale of a working mother raising three kids. Paula is a master of her craft. Her comedic brilliance, served up in abundance in this book, has been compared to that of George Carlin, Tina Fey, Lily Tomlin, and David Sedaris.

©2017 Paula Poundstone (P)2017 HighBridge, a division of Recorded Books Entertainment & Celebrities Personal Development Personal Success Celebrity Happiness Funny Witty Comedy Feel-Good Heartfelt Inspiring

Critic reviews

"Comedian Paula Poundstone wanted to know if there's a secret to happiness, so she became the test subject of her totally unscientific research. Listeners are the beneficiaries. In each chapter, she tests a new hypothesis for happiness, starting with getting fit with taekwondo and moving to camping with her daughter, dancing, and spending more time with her family. Along with scientific-sounding evaluations and analyses comes the wisdom, laced with her canny observations and sparkling wit, and delivered in her trademark deadpan tone." ( AudioFile)
Humorous Storytelling • Heartfelt Parenting Insights • Authentic Narration • Relatable Life Experiences • Comedic Timing
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What made the experience of listening to The Totally Unscientific Study of the Search for Human Happiness the most enjoyable?

The question of what makes this book on Happiness by one of the funniest women in America enjoyable to listen to is ironic in a Poundstone kind of way. Dark times call for laughter, and Poundstone delivers in spades. I always buy her books to listen to, as well as hardcopy, because her delivery is amazing. I haven't finish listening yet, but this is one I'll listen to over and over again. Thanks, funny lady!

As always, Paula nails it

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Paula writes from the heart and it is so funny in parts. I would love to be able to write like she does and it has also inspired me to be a better person too. This is one of the very few books I know I will listen to over and over again.

I absolutely loved this book

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An entertaining book especially with Paula Poundstone narrator. I think if she wasn't being the story teller, I never would have been able to follow the book's message.

Comedian turned author and

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I feel like this is one of the only real life stories that is just real. She is so sarcastically great. I feel connected to her.

Laughed so hard that I wanted another cat.

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What did you love best about The Totally Unscientific Study of the Search for Human Happiness?

I can't give you just one. Paula's voice and humor can brightened any moment or day. The topics she wrote about are so curretnt. They are things so many people struggle with, find joy in, and laugh about.
I adore this book and will recommended it to all!

Who was your favorite character and why?

Paula

What about Paula Poundstone’s performance did you like?

Everything! The way she weaved humor into human stories.

Any additional comments?

Thank you Paula for the wonderful woman that you are. Kind, empathy, love, generous, and so damn funny!

WONDERFUL WAY TO SPEND THE DAY WITH PAULA!

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I enjoyed getting to learn a little bit more about Paula. The best part was there was no political crud in the book. She made me feel like she was actually searching for happiness. The spirit of trying a new adventure to see if you can find happiness is actually a little motivation for myself. I didn't like that she was repetitive in some of the details. I loved that she was descriptive though. She does a great job with her typical voice for the narration.

Small laughter and good insights

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This adorable book takes the approach of pretend science to explore how to find happy. With Paula, we find that her particular brand of quirky makes for an alternating funny, serious, sad, silly, interesting, funny again path that helps me to appreciate that a simple life is never without its complexity. Much of the charm and most of the funny comes via the delivery of the author. And I do have to say, listening to this book gave me many heps of happy!

Finding happy is not for wimps!

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Maybe one of the smartest comedians ever. Very interesting to hear the personal details of her family and her work.

Paula cracks me up

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I LOVE Paula Poundstone. She is a national treasure. This book was, by turns, shockingly honest, tender, heartbreaking, courageous and frequently very, very funny. My hat is off to this wonderful woman who hides a strong moral compass beneath her sometimes tough veneer.

Wonderful book!

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My wife and I love this book. Tremendously funny, sincere, wise, and honest. Much gratitude to this fine artist and genuine human being.

Brilliant work from Paula Poundstone.

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