The Happiness Project

Warning: Blatant Self-Promotion. (I'm Warning You!)

Have I suggested that The Happiness Project might make a good holiday gift? I have? Oh right, maybe I have.

You may be thinking, "Well, Gretchen, you say your book is good, but why should I believe you?" Consider: The Happiness Project is a #1 New York Times bestseller and has now been on the bestseller list for 40 weeks, is being translated into more than thirty-five languages (check out the foreign cover gallery), and was even a question on the quiz show Jeopardy! (Which I still can't quite believe.)

If you read the blog, you may be thinking, "Well, I don't want to be rude, but I can read your stuff here for free, so why should I buy the book?" Good question. Consider these reasons...

1. One friend who has read both said she thought the blog was process, the book was conclusion. The ideas in the book are presented in a more distilled, thoughtful way, and the book framework allows me to tell longer stories and explain more complicated ideas. I’m able to show how different ideas fit together, which can be tough to do in one blog post. The book goes deeper. Most people who read both the book and the blog say that they like the book better.

2. On the blog, I write about whatever subject interests me that day, so it skips from topic to topic. The book is organized by subject matter: Energy, Parenthood, Work, Marriage, Play, Spirituality, Mindfulness, etc. If you’re interested in particular subjects, you can focus there.

3. If you’ve been enjoying the blog, and you’d like to share it with a friend, you can give the book as a gift. You can’t give the experience of reading a blog as a gift, but you can give a book. (If you'd like a free, personalized bookplate for your gift, or for yourself, request it here or email me at gretchenrubin1@gretchenrubin.com. Or if you're an audiobook listener or e-book reader, request the signature card. (Note that, given the date, realistically I won't be able to get it to you for a few weeks.)

4. In a book, you can more easily underline and take notes. You can do this electronically, but many people still find it easier to do with old-fashioned pen and paper.

5. I’m more forthcoming in my book. I call my family members by their true names. I talk about juicy episodes that I’ve never mentioned on my blog. I reveal a very major fact about my life that I’ve never discussed on my blog.

6. Book groups look for good books to discuss. If you'd like the one-page discussion guide for your book group, or the one-page discussion guide for spirituality book groups, Bible study groups, and the like, email me at gretchenrubin1@gretchenrubin.com.

7. Many of my readers have written that they want to buy the book to show their support -- a “thank you” for everything I’ve done for free. Which I very much appreciate.

But wait, there's more! If you love Page-a-Day calendars as much as I do, check out the Page-a-Day calendar for The Happiness Project. And if you're intrigued with resolution to Keep one-sentence journal—one of my favorite resolutions—take a look at it The Happiness Project One-Sentence Journal.

So ends the blatant self-promotion. Thank you!

The enthusiasm of blog readers has made such a difference to the success of The Happiness Project. I so appreciate the support of readers here. Truly.

* A thoughtful reader sent me the link to Michele Made Me. Crafts that actually seem possible.

Now For a Moment of (Fully Disclosed) Blatant Self-Promotion.

Have I mentioned that The Happiness Project is now out in paperback? Yes, it's true! Buy now, don't delay!

You may be thinking, "Well, Gretchen, you say your book is good, but why should I believe you?" Consider: The Happiness Project is a #1 New York Times bestseller, is being translated into more than thirty-one languages, and was even a question on the quiz show Jeopardy! (Which was quite surreal, I must admit.)

If you read the blog, you may be thinking, "Well, I don't want to be rude, but I can read your stuff here for free, so why should I buy the book? Paperback or not? Now or ever?" Good questions. Consider these reasons...

1. One friend who has read both said she thought the blog was process, the book was conclusion. The ideas in the book are presented in a more distilled, thoughtful way, and the book framework allows me to tell longer stories and explain more complicated ideas. I’m able to show how different ideas fit together, which can be tough to do in one blog post. The book goes deeper. Most people who read both the book and the blog say that they like the book better.

2. On the blog, I write about whatever subject interests me that day, so it skips from topic to topic. The book is organized by subject matter: Energy, Parenthood, Work, Marriage, Play, Spirituality, Mindfulness, etc. If you’re interested in particular subjects, you can focus there.

3. If you’ve been enjoying the blog, and you’d like to share it with a friend, you can give the book as a gift. You can’t give the experience of reading a blog as a gift, but you can give a book. (If you'd like a free, personalized bookplate for your gift, or for yourself, request it here or email me at gretchenrubin1 at gretchenrubin dot com. Or if you're an audiobook listener or e-book reader, request the signature card. They're free; ask for as many as you like; I'll mail anywhere; just include your mailing address.)

4. In a book, you can more easily underline and take notes. You can do this electronically, but many people still find it easier to do with old-fashioned pen and paper.

5. I’m more forthcoming in my book. I call my family members by their true names. I talk about juicy episodes that I’ve never mentioned on my blog. I reveal a very major fact about my life that I’ve never discussed on my blog.

6. A book group needs a book to discuss, and many book groups prefer to pick paperbacks. If you'd like the one-page discussion guide for your book group, or the one-page discussion guide for spirituality book groups, Bible study groups, and the like, email me at gretchenrubin1 at gretchenrubin dot com.

7. Many of my readers have written that they want to buy the book to show their support -- a “thank you” for everything I’ve done for free. Which I very much appreciate.

The enthusiasm of blog readers has made such a difference to the success of The Happiness Project. I so appreciate the support of readers here.

So ends the blatant self-promotion. Thank you!

Knowing my passionate interest in the sense of smell, many thoughtful readers sent me the link to an interesting piece, A Whiff of History.

* If I've piqued your interest in The Happiness Project, you can...
Order your copy.
Read sample chapters.
Watch the one-minute book video.
Listen to a sample of the audiobook.

Any Suggestions for Ways to Reach Members of the Military and Military Families?

As I was researching The Happiness Project, I was struck by the fact that I often found it more helpful to read about one person's idiosyncratic happiness project than to read about general principles applying to all humankind or studies applying to large populations. For some reason, reading about Thoreau's very individual decision to move to Walden Pond, or St. Therese's struggle to stay patient with the nun who made clicking noises during evening prayers, was what taught me most about myself.

I've heard from people whose lives are very different from mine, on the surface -- but it turns out that we face many of the same challenges in our happiness projects.

Here's a question for you, readers: I've been steadily getting email from members of the military and from military families who have found The Happiness Project helpful.

I'd like to do more to connect with this group of readers, but I don't know that world well. Do you have any suggestions for me?About blogs I should read, people I should contact, sites I should visit, and other resources I should know about? If you know that world, can you help spread the word? I'd so appreciate any advice or assistance.

* If you love a good uncluttering the way I do, you'll love Unclutterer -- "daily tips on how to organize your home and office." Useful and hilarious.

* If you'd like a signed, personalized bookplate for your copy of The Happiness Project -- or for an e-book or audio book, a signed, personalized signature card, with Paradoxes of Happiness on the back -- email me at gretchenrubin1 at gmail dot com. Feel free to ask for as many of either or both as you'd like, for yourself or for a gift; I'll mail anywhere in the world; they're free -- and please remember to include your mailing address.

Yay! Just Heard That The Happiness Project is #1 AGAIN This Week!

Wow. The Happiness Project hit #1 on the New York Times list for the second week in a row. Thrilling!

Thank you, once again, dear readers. Your enthusiasm and support has meant so much. Yay!

My Third Splendid Truth Appears in a Comic Strip!

Some thoughtful readers let me know that my Third Splendid Truth -- "The days are long, but the years are short" -- appeared in the Zits comic strip a few weeks ago. So fun!

While we're on that topic, here's my one-minute video, The Years Are Short. Of everything I've written, I think that perhaps this little video resonates with people the most.

Yay! Just Heard That My Book Hit #1 on the New York Times List!

Zoikes, I'm so HAPPY. I just heard that The Happiness Project hit #1 on the New York Times list! Thrilling.

Thanks once again, dear readers. I so appreciate your enthusiasm and support. Hooray!

Want to See the Clip from the Nate Berkus Show?

I had so much fun appearing on the Nate Berkus show this week. It was really a pleasure to talk to him -- and to engage with the two women about happiness. If you'd like to watch, here it is:

* I love to poke around on Boing Boing -- "a directory of wonderful things." It wonderful.

* I've heard from a lot of people who are planning to give The Happiness Project as a Mother's Day gift (which is May 8 if you live in the U.S.). I'm happy to send you a free, personalized bookplate for the book -- for your mother, or any gift recipients, or yourself -- but May 8 isn't far away, so make your request soon! I want to make sure it reaches you in time. (Yes, I mail them anywhere in the world, and feel free to ask for as many as you'd like.) Email me at gretchenrubin1 at gmail dot com. REMEMBER to include your mailing address.

Welcome, Watchers of the Nate Berkus Show!

I've already heard from so many people who heard about The Happiness Project on the Nate Berkus show.

If this is your first visit here, welcome! Poke around -- read some tips and quizzes, watch some videos, take a look at some of the most popular posts.

If you'd like to learn more about the book The Happiness Project (can't help mentioning, a #1 New York Times bestseller), you can...
Order your copy.
Read sample chapters.
Watch the one-minute book video.
Listen to a sample of the audiobook.
See the clip on Jeopardy! (yes, Jeopardy! how crazy is that?)

If you'd like to sign up for the "Moment of Happiness," to get a free, daily happiness quotation in your email in-box, sign up here or email me at gretchenrubin1 at gmail dot com.

If you'd like to get my free monthly newsletter, with highlights from the blog and the Facebook Page, sign up here or email me at gretchenrubin1 at gmail dot com.

You can also join the happiness discussion on the Facebook Page or on Twitter (@gretchenrubin).

I hope you find my work thought-provoking and helpful. Happy reading!

I'm Going To Be on the Nate Berkus Show Tomorrow.

I'm part of a segment for the Nate Berkus show that will air tomorrow. I can never bear to watch myself on video, so I doubt I'll be able to watch, but it was a lot of fun while it was actually happening.

* Want to get my free monthly newsletter? It highlights the best of the month’s material from the blog and the Facebook Page. Sign up here or email me at gretchenrubin1 at gmail dot com (don't forget the "1). Just write “newsletter” in the subject line.

Question: Any Ideas for Something to Send to E-Book Readers and Audiobook Listeners?

Many people have written to me to request a bookplate. (Wondering what a "bookplate" is? You afix the bookplate, which I personalize and sign, on the first page of your book. It's a way to get a book signed by an author when you can't meet in person.) I'm happy to send you as many free personalized bookplates as you'd like. Many people ask for just one, many people ask for a bunch -- for a book group, for gifts, for a Bible study group, and the like. Just email me at gretchenrubin1 at gmail dot com. Be sure to include your mailing address, because these are actual physical items that I'll mail to you (anywhere in the world).

Here's my question for you. Many people have written to say that they'd like a bookplate, but because they're reading the e-book version, or listening to the audiobook, they don't have a place for a bookplate.

I'd like to be able to offer something to these folks, too -- but what? Please help, suggest ideas! Ideally, this item should be...
-- inexpensive to produce
-- small and light enough to mail in an envelope with regular postage
-- useful and/or fun
-- something I can sign (this isn't necessary)

My first thought was a book mark, which satisfies those conditions -- but seems quite unsuitable for someone with an e-book or audio book! Yes, of course, they have other books they read, but a bookmark just doesn't seem fitting.

Any other suggestions? Or is a bookmark a good solution?

* I love visiting Dan Pink's blog. Always so much interesting material there.

* Yay! I just heard that The Happiness Project is #1 at the airport bookstores! I find that news especially gratifying, because for some reason, I've always had a particular fondness for airport bookstores.
Order your copy.
Read sample chapters.
Watch the one-minute book video.
Listen to a sample of the audiobook.