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: Is NOT Trite!
Summary: 4 Stars
I don't find this title trite at all. It is densly packed full of practical approaches to everyday stress. Slender? Yes. However, the auidince intended by Quindlen are those who rarely find time to pick up a book to read for pleasure. One of the reasons this title is such a phenominal sucess, indeed, is its small size. Another may be that, while reading, one thinks of five people who need to hear the advice given within.
My only issue is this: Quindlen relies heavily on her own abrupt wakeup with the death of her mother. A horrible event, indeed. However, those of us who have lost loved ones will say not to wait until a tragety hits you in the face. Do not wait. Begin now to make the changes gently suggested by the softly powerful prose.
Please give this book a try. Yes, it costs a lot for such a slim volume. However, as someone who frequently indulges in books, I can say--deal with it. Books cost money. Most libraries near me have bought this book because of its long stay on the best-seller's list. Take it out of the library if you can't afford it. But please, please read it.
Book Review: A Short Guide to a Happy Life
Summary: 4 Stars
A Short Guide to a Happy Life By: Anna Quindlen Published by Random House 2000 ISBN:0-375-50461-3 Non-Fiction InspirationAnna Quindlen tells the reader up front that she is a novelist. She says she is not a scholar or ethicist or philosopher. Anna does not claim to be highly educated. She writes about what she knows, human nature and real life. Anna's favorite bit of advice is a quote from John Lennon. "Life is what happens to you when you are busy making other plans." Another bit of her sage advice. "Get a Life" Live like there is no tomorrow. Pay attention to the little things. Don't take life for granted. Anne assures the reader that this is not a dress rehearsal; this is the real thing. Appreciate every moment of it. Sprinkled among these wonderful and sometimes deep thoughts are splendid and mood making black and white photographs. Photos of people enjoying life to its fullest. Walking on the beach, building sand castles or just taking a snooze with the Sunday paper over your face.
I think this book would make a wonderful gift. There is so much wisdom in this tiny little book.
Book Review: It helps you cope or to make the appropriate changes if you can't cope
Summary: 4 Stars
We all live, but as is mentioned in this book, "if you win the rat race, you're still a rat." The key is to be in the race, but take time to do other things that have greater meaning than the numbers used to keep a monetary score. In other words, win the rat race by becoming more than a rat that is focused only on the finish line and not on the scenery encountered along the way.
Quindlen writes some soft and simple advice about what life is really like. It is a "bummer" only if you let it be that way. While we all have to earn a living, pay taxes on that living and reasonably get along with others, we are the masters of how we do it. If we hate our jobs, we can change it to something more in tune with what we like. There is no question that the monetary rate of payment is important, but there are other ways in which we can reap the rewards of life.
Reading this book is not a "chicken soup" salve for your ills. It offers some simple advice on how to cope and how to make the appropriate changes if you can't cope with what is happening in your life.
Book Review: A Big Disappointment
Summary: 1 Stars
I picked this little book up as an impulse purchase - - it was on display by the cashier at my local bookstore. The title of the book and the reputation of the author, who I have enjoyed reading in the past, told me that this should be a good read. What it is is a quick read - - had I seen it anywhere else in the bookstore I would have read the whole thing in about 5 minutes and saved myself the money. It is ostensibly 50 pages, but one can see how the publisher struggled to get there - - the text is double spaced and over half of the pages consist of stock black and white photos that seem to be unrelated to Ms. Quindlen's pitifully short text. The writing consists mostly of trite, well-worn stock platitudes, such as "life is a journey, not a destination", "no one on their deathbed ever wished they spent more time at the office", etc. No deep insights here. I expected much more from the pulitzer prize winning columnist - - I feel that she is ripping us off with this one. Read it in the bookstore if you're curious, but save your money for something else.Book Review: Simple, yet profound
Summary: 5 Stars
One can read this brief but powerful book in 15
minutes but the lessons are timeless. Anna Quindlen
gets to the heart of what is valuable and precious in
life by reminding us how temporal our existence is. I
love her idea to "...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." She reminds us
that the simplest of moments are miraculous and worth
celebrating. This small volume offers tons of
inspiration.
Another book I go to for inspiration is Being Here: Modern Day Tales of Enlightenment
by Ariel and Shya
Kane. This book is filled with delicious stories
that touch and amuse but ultimately guide the reader
to a place of well being and gratitude for all that
life has to offer. Both of these books are pure
magic. Keep them near by in case you get knocked
about by life. These authors will bring you back to
living fully and joyously one moment at a time.