The Happiness Project in Book Riot's Read Harder Challenge

Feb 08, 2016 April rated it did not like it

Shelves: unfinished

I've tried twice now to read this and I just can't. If she had put the "Your Happiness Project" at the beginning instead of at the end, it may have been a bit easier to read. Without it, she just sort of dives into it with this list of her personal commandments and her secrets of adulthood without any sort of explanation as to where she came up with those. Right away, I was turned off by the whole "my life is so fabulous" introduction. I'd rather read something written by someone who has had to ...more

Like · see review

Oct 17, 2013 Alissa rated it did not like it

Shelves: female-writers, shelved-forever

This was a totally insipid and privileged look at how you too can learn how to pick your damn socks up off the floor and take care of your shit when you don't have to worry about how to make a living. Got about 40% in when I quit reading. ...more

1 like · Like · see review

Dec 29, 2016 Katie rated it really liked it

Shelves: it-s-good-for-me

I was prepared to not like this book, to be perpetually annoyed with the author, to continually roll my eyes. But I was surprised. I appreciated the author's honesty in admitting to unflattering traits, poor responses to life's challenges, and the desire to want to be better and to be more. That takes guts and humility.

I also appreciated the practical approach and tips she used and shared in the book. Overall I found her experiment inspiring.

That said, I found the excerpts from her blog's comm ...more

Like · see review

Mar 30, 2017 Maria rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

Shelves: library, memoirs, non-fiction, 2017, hoopla

Listened to this on audio through the library but going to buy a copy in paperback to refer to. While I consider myself a happy person, there are many interesting ideas and "resolutions" Rubin mentions in her book that I found thought-provoking and worth doing to enhance my life AND how I treat others. I want to mark up my own copy with highlighters and post-it notes. ...more

Like · see review

Jul 03, 2012 Maegan rated it really liked it

Shelves: memoirs

Another "year in the life" memoir. Rubin's tone can be a tad off-putting, but I did like the message of the book.

My favourite quotation from the book: The days are long, but the years are short. ...more

Like · see review

Jan 20, 2013 Katrina Kennedy rated it it was amazing

I put off reading this for a long time. I loved it once I got over myself! Gretchen is completely endearing. I could relate to her neurosis and felt compelled to start my own Happiness Project!

1 like · Like · see review

Nov 11, 2016 Anne rated it really liked it

Shelves: non-fiction

Gretchen Rubin does the heavy lifting, reading across a wide variety of writing about happiness, to bring a greater experience of happiness on a daily basis. Her humor and reality are a welcome addition to the distillation she gives of her project. I'm looking forward to planning my own happiness project! ...more

Like · see review

Jan 21, 2012 Jenni rated it really liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: read-finished-in-2012

I really enjoyed this book. I think there is something inspiring in this book for everyone. I wont be starting my own happiness project any time soon, but I can honestly say that this book made me think twice about some of the things I do every day and some of my own patterns. This is a book that I marked in heavily and will enjoy going back and reading my notes and the passages I marked for years to come.

Like · see review