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The Happiness Project  By  cover art

The Happiness Project

By: Gretchen Rubin
Narrated by: Gretchen Rubin
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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)

Featured Article: How to Be Happier, According to These Smile-Inducing Audiobooks


"Happiness" seems like this abstract concept we keep reaching for but will never be able to actually grasp, right? Wrong—at least according to the following authors. Here is a list of the best audiobooks to help you find your pathway to happiness. Some are step-by-step guides; others are personal accounts of finding the way to a genuinely happy life. Whichever style you prefer, there's an audiobook about happiness that will fit your journey.

What listeners say about The Happiness Project

Average customer ratings
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Loved it

I loved this book and can’t wait to start my own Happiness Project! It was inspiring!

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LOVED IT WOULD BE AN UNDERSTATEMENT

This will always be my go back book. I loved this book. While listening to the book I tried to apply all of to Gretchen's happiness goals to my life. Some did but others didn't, so I did some twicking so it was more me. I think I will try to get my mother to do a happiness project, but I am going to get a Happiness project for myself.
Thank you Gretchen for writing this book.

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MAGNIFICENT!

Wow!!! What a book! Inspirational, heartwarming & thought provoking. Whether I'm happy or sad, this book always hits the spot. Yes, I've read &heard it MULTIPLE times! Having Gretchen read it makes it extra special.

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Very Happy

So many great things in here that makes me excited to try in my life!

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Fun listen

This is one of those books that I find really easy to listen to and get through the whole thing. Lots of great tips, but I think the fact that I actually wanted to listen to this one was important for me.

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    4 out of 5 stars
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Good if you’re seeking a change

I’ve read this all the way through twice and in pieces several more times. It’s great if you’re at a crossroads and needing some inspiration to level up your life.

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    5 out of 5 stars

Glad Gretchen is the reader for the audio edition!

I read the physical copy of this book when it first came out and enjoyed the ideas. Now because of the corona virus stay-at-home orders, I am walking an hour each day, and this was the PERFECT audio book to uplift my mindset while getting some excercise. The actionable steps toward increasing happiness in the areas you *can* control seem more appropriate than ever. Gretchen's can-do-it ethos makes you feel capable of change.

Gretchen has an expressive yet calm reading voice, which easily kept my attention. If you like her podcast, this audio book is definitely worth a listen.

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Lots of great ideas & concepts to chew on.

Easy to apply, and easy to understand. Thought she did a good job of writing for a broad audience.

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I love this book!

This is my second time reading this book. It had changed my life! we have a Happiness Project Accountability group that meets once a month for a year and a half now.

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I learned a lot from your book

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

I dont know... i dont have the printed version. so i cannot answer this question.

What did you like best about this story?

the flow and the simple words she used in narrating her story

What does Gretchen Rubin bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

it felt more real and less preaching.. like a sister talking to another sister and telling her about her experiences in different aspects of life.

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

it made me smile at times.... but no extreme reactions

Any additional comments?

it was too long... it could have been written or narrated in less words. too much unnecessary details made me to hit the forward button during some chapters.

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1 person found this helpful