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May 20, 2007

alison rated it:

this book was first realized as a speech given at by Ms. Quindlen at my college commencement. in the past 10 years i have read and re-read these words that i still recall so fondly. the experiences in my life have allowed me to see the intelligence and honor in anna's words; the worth of success that is measured in no other terms than the family that surrounds me; and the nummber of times a day i can smile for no reason whatsoever. it is a constant source of strength and a reminder that happiene More...

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Apr 06, 2009

Smallworld rated it:

http://smallworldreads.blogspot.com/2009...

Anna Quindlen's little book is, indeed, short. I read it in about 15 minutes. It's a sweet book that probably started as a blog post and morphed into a tiny, happy book with photos. This is good, practical advice to find treasures in every day life. Like this:

I think of [my life:] in all its small component parts: the snowdrops, the daffodils; the feeling of one of my kids sitting close beside me on the couch; the way my husba More...

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Sep 12, 2011

Brette rated it:

Anna Quindlen is one of my favorite author's and she has kept her position with this story story. She won me over my Junior year of high school in AP Lit when we read How Reading Changed My Life and it was true, reading had changed my life.

In this book she takes the time out to explain how we; the earth, as a whole forget how to live in the moment. We're always striving for the next best thing, or something else that will make us more happy than what we already have, when in reality w More...

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Sep 17, 2011

Greg rated it:

This world would be a much better place if people who read books like this would look beyond their initial "cliché" reaction, and actually thought about why counsel like this becomes so commonly heard. Perhaps because it reflects a deeper truth to which we should pay attention? As Quindlen says "You are the only person alive who has sole custody of your life." That being true, then counsel such as hers (whether original or not) that helps us to see what will bring happiness a More...

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Jan 25, 2009

Kami rated it:

A nice little book with words of wisdom about enjoying life with pretty photographs. Basically the message is live in the moment and take time to smell the flowers. "I learned to love the journey, not the destination. I learned that this is not a dress rehearsal, and that today is the only guarantee you get." So relax, enjoy life. Live for today. She also said to live life as if you have a terminal disease. I think I will give it a try, and stop letting fear get in the way of happiness More...

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Jul 10, 2010

Beth rated it:

So if you have time to read this book review, I’d venture that you also have time to read this book. ;-) I read the whole thing while putting the kids down for a nap. No, not while they were napping — while they were getting ready to nap. (Granted, it does take forever to convince Logan to try to nap. He’s kind of growing out of them.)

This book is titled A Short Guide to a Happy Life, and Quindlen’s not kidding about the “short” part: fifty pages, all double-spaced with huge mar More...

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Jul 05, 2008

Richard rated it:

This short, small book could be read in about an hour. Very practical advice given by this excellent writer. This is a quote from the book: “I learned to live many years ago. Something really bad happened to me, something that changed my life in ways that, if I had had a choice, it would never have been changed at all. And what I learned from it is what, today, sometimes seems to be the hardest lesson of all.
“I learned to love the journey, not the destination. I learned that this i More...

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Sep 03, 2009

Krista rated it:

Although I didn't plan it this way, I read this on the plane flying to AR to attend the funeral service of my favorite aunt. A few pages into the book, the words "do you think you'd care so very much about those things if you developed an aneurysm one afternoon, or found a lump in your breast while in the shower?" Thinking about my aunt (who died suddenly from an aneurysm) and how much she impacted the people in her life, coupled with the words written in this book, caused me to reall More...

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Dec 13, 2011

Erin rated it:

A nice short & very to the point treatise which flows easily while getting to the heart of why we exist, what the value in life is, and how we can all be more present in the moment with gratitude. The everyday things, small experiences, and deep nuances which we all experience in our lives can be so easily taken for granted until they are gone. As one scene the author depicts..."enjoy the view".

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Jun 12, 2011

Aubrey rated it:

Ownable. Should sit right next to Kahlil Gibran's "The Prophet."

Favorite lines:

"I show up. I listen. I try to laugh."

... "think of life as a terminal illness, because, if you do, you will live it with joy and passion, as it ought to be lived."

Poem by Gwendolyn Brooks:

"Exhaust The Little Moment.
Soon It Dies.

And Be It Gash or Gold
It Will Not Come

Again In This Identical Disguise."

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Dec 29, 2009

Sally rated it:

How exceptional this book is!! Just as the title says, it gives advice for finding happiness (or recognizing what you have). I love the quote, "I learned to love the journey, not the destination. I learned that this is not the dress rehearsal, and that today is the only guarantee you get." Everyone should read this. It only takes a couple of minutes to read--longer if you enjoy the pictures.

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Feb 21, 2009

Jill rated it:

Interesting book. This was shorter than I had expected - which is ridiculous since the title states it's a "short guide". I enjoyed reading thoughts I've heard and pondered presented with new words and with a different perspective. Nothing truly innovative or mind blowing, just a simple, sweet reminder of basic truth: "Look at the view..."

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Oct 07, 2011

Dillon rated it:

This is my favorite book I've ever read. I read it at least twice a year. It's short enough to read in one sitting - but the way that Anna Quindlen explains life's ups and downs makes it applicable to everyone. Quindlen uses her success as a coloumnist to make her point quickly and without losing any of message about what's most important in life.

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Sep 30, 2010

Julie rated it:

Ehh...not much to say about this book. Lots of the garden variety Chicken Soup For the Soul cliches. "Count your blessings," "every day is a gift," et al. That said, my mom wrote in it and gave it to me for Christmas one year. As such, it still sits prominently on my bookshelf sandwiched between "Lolita" and "Valley of the Dolls."

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Sep 29, 2009

Kim rated it:

This book reads like a motivational talk, and is pleasant and true enough. It would have been far more powerful with a different design - I found the photographs trite and like interruptions to the words/message. However, I have kept this on my nightstand for regular revisits, as the tips on staying happy and true to oneself are useful.

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Feb 09, 2012

Bonnie rated it:

This very short, inspiring book can be read easily in one book. It reads much like a graduation commencement speech, and is filled with relevant quotes and the author's own experiences which cause her to live more in the moment and re-prioritize daily. Uplifting and sentimental. Would make a great graduation gift.

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Aug 12, 2010

Tiffany rated it:

I read this "book" right after finishing Eat, Pray Love. It was a great companion piece. I found myself highlighting and rereading Quindlen's commentary. I think anyone can identify with her and I love her writing style. I am very impressed with her ability to write both fiction and nonfiction.

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Aug 10, 2010

Lucy rated it:

Oh my, what a waste of 20 minutes. This book is full of cliche after cliche. Glass half empty type stuff. I learnt nothing except to avoid this author in the future. You are better off listening to Monty Python's 'Always Look On The Bright Side of Life'... more mentally stimulating than this 'guide'.

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Jun 21, 2010

Christopher rated it:

This book reads like a graduation commencement speech. It is short, sweet and to the point. Its message is clear, “Live life while you have the chance, for it will be over all too soon!” The book is so short that it can be read in just one sitting and has many fun photos to go along with the text.

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Apr 17, 2010

Christina rated it:

This is a refreshing book with a lot of 'quotable quotes'. I didn't come away with any life-changing insights, but it did make me feel uplifted. Its only a 15-20 minute time investment, so it's definitely worth picking up.

I think my favorite part is the picture collection. I love the pictures!

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Nov 12, 2011

Lisa rated it:

So inspirational. I know some will find the various tidbits of advice cliche. However, I feel that there is a reason they are cliche - because they are good advice. I listened to the audio version read by the author - so no pictures - but you gain the insight of the author's delivery. At under 40 minutes, there are few pieces that I think will give you so much to think about and challenge you so clearly to be a better version of yourself for the time commitment.

Amongst other tidbits (p More...

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Oct 06, 2009

Jessica rated it:

There are lot of great life lessons througout this quick little read that really made me think about my life. It's a fast and simple read, and though many of us have thought of the things she talks about, Anna puts them all together into one book in a cohesive, enlightening way.

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Feb 11, 2012

Monisha rated it:

Exactly as the title says... it's short and to the point about "getting a life" and making the most of life. I read a review of this recently and the writer said she keeps this book on hand and reads it every now and then as a reminder. Would make a great gift as well.

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Jun 17, 2009

Lesley rated it:

This is a very quick read, full of advice like (paraphrasing) take in the view, leave the office, life's about the journey--not the destination. Commencement speech material. Nothing new, but I enjoyed the black and white photographs interspersed among the pages of writing.

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Aug 12, 2011

Kayla rated it:

This book is exactly as the title says, "A Short Guide to a Happy Life." I always enjoy taking it out for a quick read - to remind me to laugh at the little things, be thankful for the blessings, and to never stop smiling!

Read and enjoy!!

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Jul 30, 2011

Renee rated it:

Lightning speed read with some quotable lines that cause pause among the cliches. A good reminder for those who fall prey to the belief that work is your life. To them, Quindlen, lovingly, urges, "Get a life;" a life that feeds the soul.

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Jan 07, 2009

Carrie rated it:

This happy mini-book was a 15 minute read. I reread it to Brandon. It made me want to read more Anna Quindlen. But be warned: it is sprinkled with cliches--true and wonderful and worth repeating--but cliches all the same.

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Feb 04, 2009

ShaLisa rated it:

My favorite part of this book was the photographs. Because of what I read about a child on a swing in another book (Gilead), I think I can say the child on the swing is my favorite page of the book.

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Oct 03, 2011

Sacha rated it:

I enjoy reading these kind of poetically-written reminders to take time to smell the proverbial roses. this is a cutey little book with some sweet photos to make you smile while you're flipping through it.

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May 21, 2010

Kathleen rated it:

I like Anna Quindlen, but really.
Any "guide to life" that includes the line "life is a journey, not a destination" deserves to be ridiculed. This reads like a really average commencement address.

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