The Happiness Project

By: Gretchen Rubin

Narrated by: Gretchen Rubin

Length: 10 hrs and 15 mins

Publisher's 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

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)

Totally inspiring!

I have been following Gretchen Rubins happiness project online for a few years but for some reason had not read the book. It is very much worth the effort. Lots of research, tips and information and encouragement to start our own happiness project.

I gotta do this, myself

Intriguing concept. I liked the ten commandments, and have edited some to make them my own. I couldn't help but wonder if I would like this author as a friend or find her annoying. What I liked best was that the author read it so I got the message as it was intended. If I found her too nit-picky at times I accepted that as part of who Gretchen is: one on my commandments, accept others as they are. I found this to be in my top 3 books of the year.

Started out good....

The "concept" in this book is good and still interests me, but my true interest quickly deteriorated for a number of reasons. Gretchen Rubin should not be narrating her books! Though she works hard to read with inflection, she continually sounds like an amateur who is trying way too hard to sound like a professional. I never was able to move past this. Putting the narration aside, the book ended up being an iteration of Gretchen's projects around the house and with her kids and extended family. Really?
As someone who is attracted to books about self-improvement and spiritual growth, I will end by saying that unequivocally, The Happiness Project falls short in all areas. I could not bear to finish listening to this book!

Motivating

I loved this book. The resolutions & resolutions charts encouraged me to make my own & stick with them. I loved that it was realistic. Gretchen talks about her failures as she goes through each month & resolution so it's encouraging to see her progress, as well as motivating. I would recommend this to anyone that wants to improve their life in tangible ways.

Amazing!

Amazing!! loved it. Now to get started on my own personal happiness project. Thanks for sharing.

Outstanding read.....

I had seen Gretchen Rubin on CBS Sunday Morning and immediately bought the book! And I'm so glad I did. I was constantly feeling uplifted and grateful for her Happiness Project and her candid journey through a year of her life. While I would have not had the patience or inclination to research the topic as thoroughly as she did, I appreciate the work she used to lay a sound foundation for her project. Her tenacity was amazing (I don't do flow sheets!).
I found this book to be uplifting and entertaining. It gave me a lot of food for thought and I came to appreciate more the things I do to bring happiness to my life. I've become an avid reader of her blog. The grass is greener in our own backyards, if we just know how to look at it. Her suggestions can be applied to just about any setting.
Highly recommended (and I'm going to get the print version, cuz underlining books makes me happy!)

good tips!

I enjoyed the tips, reflection ideas, and the personal evaluation of herself thought the book.

Awesome

Awesome ideas and steps for beginners starting to figure out what life is really about!

Great ideas for all ages!

Great to listen to! My daughter bought the book but I loved the audible.

Some Good Tips

Like many other reviews have already pointed out, many of the things the author shares are things that I've heard before. But there were several items that I've been able to incorporate into my life so it was certainly not a wasted credit or wasted time.