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  • The Happiness Project

  • Or, Why I Spent a Year Trying to Sing in the Morning, Clean My Closets, Fight Right, Read Aristotle, and Generally Have More Fun
  • By: Gretchen Rubin
  • Narrated by: Gretchen Rubin
  • Length: 10 hrs and 15 mins
  • 4.3 out of 5 stars (469 ratings)

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The Happiness Project

By: Gretchen Rubin
Narrated by: Gretchen Rubin
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Summary

#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
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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)

What listeners say about The Happiness Project

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  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars

Enjoyable read

An easy and enjoyable read. Some interesting ideas and well narrated. I found the fact that every problem was overcome and that each month ended in success a little unrealistic but I think that's me being British. Overall I would recommend it.

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3 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

happiness is internal

A very honest and human insight as to how we can take responsibility for our own happiness

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  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    2 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars

Annoying woman narrator

Would you consider the audio edition of The Happiness Project to be better than the print version?

No it would be easier to follow the program she suggests if it were read rather than listened to.

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

When her child threw up.

How could the performance have been better?

Yes, yes I know she's the author but I would've preferred a different narrator. She sounded really whiny.

If you made a film of this book, what would be the tag line be?

The longest year of your life!

Any additional comments?

A great idea and one I will be trying in 2016 but at times I struggled to listen to her and almost gave up countless times. But I'm English. Folk from other countries especially the US may find her easier to listen to. Great ideas but poor narrator choice. Also it was difficult to tell when she was talking about her own life or quoting people who had shared their experiences with her.

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1 person found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Absolutely loved it.

What made the experience of listening to The Happiness Project the most enjoyable?

Well read, and an inspiring journey. I loved the way it was broken down into each month and would highly recommend it to anyone who is thinking about making some changes to be happier without destroying what they already have :)

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9 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Helpful tips on finding happiness

What made the experience of listening to The Happiness Project the most enjoyable?

This is a wonderful book for anyone who is looking to explore ways of improving the quality of their life without actually having to change their lives much at all. Also easily digestible for those of us who normally find self help books boring, tedious and patronising. Thank you Gretchen for the energy and ideas you have given me! Why wait. I'll try it now. I'm not unhappy, in fact, I think I'm quite happy already,
but having listened to this I think I can be even happier, with a little mindfulness and a tiny bit of effort.

Any additional comments?

Only thing that didn't resonate with me was a lot of talk about the authors children since I don't have any myself. Minor detail however. I quite enjoyed this book and would like more Gretchen Rubin books on audible.

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  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    3 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

enjoyable

If you could sum up The Happiness Project in three words, what would they be?

thought-provoking, entertaining, focused

What other book might you compare The Happiness Project to, and why?

Drop-dead healthy by AJ Jacobs. Both authors spent one year testing theories in their own lifes. Both look at the most convincing research in their respective fields. They also both live in New York and write about their marriage, family life etc.

What do you think the narrator could have done better?

Read by the author Gretchen Rubin. It's obviously not of the same quality as books read by professional actors, but (contrary to others) I didn't mind her voice. It made the audiobook more authentic.

Did you have an emotional reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

I didn't find it emotionally involving, but it did make me think about me own life and choices.

Any additional comments?

I would recommend this audiobook.

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  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars

Really interesting

I found this a really interesting thought provoking book. I think I might have to just start my own happiness project.

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  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars

Some good reminders & some new ideas

I got some nice confirmation of some things I already do. Interesting to learn what she tried. It is about self awareness. Doing more of what we love. Less of what we don’t love & does not bring us joy. Making changes / resolutions & holding ourselves accountable. I also took the free online quiz from her other book The Four Tendencies & confirmed ✅ that I am an upholder. So change comes a bit easier for me. You may want to check that out. Stay happy! Live life!

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  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars

Thought provoking!

Very interesting concept and thought provoking. I love that it was read by the author and that she is a highly successful woman yet humbly examines all aspects of her life. Left me feeling inspired to take stock and yet reasonably satisfied that I already have a lot right in that I am thankful for many things and try to be a good person! Nevertheless this book is full of ideas and inspiration.

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1 person found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars

Compelling enough to give it a try

A great book, it really did get me thinking about my own happiness well worth the read / listen.

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