A Short Guide to a Happy Life
by Anna Quindlen
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Book Reviews of A Short Guide to a Happy Life
Book Review: A Simple Reminder of the Magic of Life
Summary: 5 Stars
Anna Quindlen's charming and engaging little book is a refreshing reminder that life is short, magical and that every moment matters. In a direct and elegant way, Quindlen shares the lessons she learned during and after her mother's death. These lessons focus on embracing your life and not taking it for granted whether you're in one moment enjoying spring flowers or being of service to another human being. I was really touched by the author's honest and humble sentiment throughout the book; Quindlen manages to bypass the drama and darkness of the experience of her mother's death and offer up the richness of what she experienced as a result. Reading it felt like receiving a sweet gift from a friend.
Another book that shares profound life lessons with a similar sense of sincerity and sweetness is Being Here: Modern Day Tales of Enlightenment, by Ariel & Shya Kane. Through incredible stories and examples from real life, the Kanes share what they have discovered on their 20+ year journey as a couple about how to have life be richer and more fulfilling than you ever imagined. If you want to feel inspired, refreshed and enlivened (rather than 'worked on' or preached to), pick up both of these books and treat yourself to a truly delightful experience.
Book Review: Good but not enough
Summary: 3 Stars
The book was good, but not enough. The last page Quindlen quotes the wisdom from a homeless man, "And I asked him why, Why didn't he go to one of the shelters? Why didn't he check himself into the hospital for detox?" And he stared out at the ocean and said, "Look at the view, young lady, Look at the view." Quindlen says, "when I do what he said, I am never disappointed". I disagree with that premise that happiness can be achieved through the worship of nature. Our hearts must turn to Christ for happiness. Happiness comes by worshipping the true and living God, Jesus Christ. So, her innocent philosophy is a subtle form of idol worship. Quindlens own struggle for spiritual understanding began with the death of her mother, to Ovarian cancer. Quindlen says, "Gods greatest gift to man is his own understanding of mortality". Ok, we are mortal: we live and we eventually die. Quindlen challenges the reader to "get a real life", to live a "life of the heart", a life other than a career, off beat from the rat race, "I show up, I listen, I try to laugh", enjoy precious moments - like a child picking up a cheerio, "learn to be human", "exhaust the moment", "life is good", and "no man has said at his death bed, I wish I had spent more time at the office."Book Review: Huge Disappointment!
Summary: 1 Stars
Once upon a time Anna Quindlen was one of my favorite writers; in my opinion, the young Anna would be ashamed of what the old Anna has written here. This book is simply one cliche after another, double spaced with black and white stock photos to fill out its paltry 50 pages, all for $12.95. I was expecting much more from a pulitzer prize winner like Quindlen. It also doesn't seem to express what Anna herself believes. She has always been fiercely ambitious, and is now a very wealthy woman who continues to work hard. She doesn't strike me as someone who "stopped to smell the roses" very often. A short guide to a happy life should include the things that gave Ms. Quindlen her greatest happiness: getting an education, having a dream, pursuing that dream through very dedicated hard work, getting some lucky breaks, and then realizing that dream. But you don't really get any great personal insights from Ms. Quindlen - - just lots of samplers like "no one on their deathbed ever wished they spent more time at the office". Yawn.
This book suggests to me that Ms. Quindlen has quite possibly gotten a bit greedy in her old age. My recommendation: Don't waste your hard-earned money on this overpriced greeting card.
Book Review: don't be so cynical
Summary: 5 Stars
I've read some of the reviews that look down on this book as being simplistic. Okay, Ms. Quinlin's thoughts are simple to digest but they aren't easy to live. And okay, they probably won't turn anyone's life around. But that's only because people are too caught up in the day to day details of life (I'm late, I'm stressed, I'm not rich enough yet) to see what's really important. Often, it takes a big shock (as the author received when her mother died) to truly understand what life is about and change your world accordingly.I'm a person living with a terminal illness and I can tell you from the trenches that Ms. Quinlin knows what's what. Happiness isn't a permanent state; it's a series of small moments. You'd better be open to them, or you'll be dead and you'll have missed all the good stuff.
Also, please note: Ms. Quinlin's book began as a commencement address. Perhaps you'll appreciate it more if you think of it as words of wisdom for young people just starting out in life. But I see it as words of wisdom for people too caught up in the demands of modern life to stop and look up at the sky. There's nothing wrong with being reminded to tilt your head back once in a while.
Book Review: Truth doesn't always have to be written in dark tomes
Summary: 5 Stars
I am so grateful to my husband for buying me this book for Christmas! It may be quick reading, but it is also quick to fly out! It was maybe in our house 24 hours before someone borrowed it! So she says things that others have said before. SO WHAT? No one has fit it so neatly into one very aesthetically pleasing book you can slip into your backpack or briefcase, and pull out any time you just want a "fix" of optimism and positivity! Consider this: you are on the plane and just ordered a nice glass of wine, or maybe you dashed into your favorite coffee house for a cafe' mocha on the way home from work. Or maybe you are just hanging out in your kitchen on an early morning. Or on the train to work. Reading a couple of pages is tremendously satisfying, thought-provoking not in a Dalai Lama way, but i bet he would approve, as it is really pretty zen! Anna Quindlan's appreciation for life, the really important stuff, and how she acquired that appreciation are everything. She is candid and confident and intelligent but not high-minded. Anyone who thinks this book is merely trite greeting card stuff, please think again!