The Happiness Project cover art

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

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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.

 Personal Development Personal Success Happiness Inspiring Witty Biography Health
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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.

Annoying woman narrator

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Good listen not much practical tips more of a read through her own experiences, saying that I haven't yet requetsed the tool kit so I will do so. I'm sure there is more materials. It's a motivating audio I will for sure listen to it many times

Filled my morning walks nicely

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Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

Yes. This offered practical insights of things one can do in every day life.

Who was your favorite character and why?

This is not relevent as it is a self help book.

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

I have not listened to any other 'performances'

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

No.

Any additional comments?

Enjoyable and already put some things into practice. I especially liked that she uses examples from her own life which helps you see examples in your own.

Really Useable

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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.

enjoyable

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I’d heard good things about this book from a few people but it just didn’t do it for me. The delivery and story were fine but I can’t really say I got much from it. It was unnecessarily long and take homes were limited.
Better to spend listening time on something else.

Fell short of expectations

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