Happier
by Tal Ben-Shahar
Ben-Shahar's Harvard course distilled: happiness is the ultimate currency, present and future benefit must both be served, and the 'rat race,' 'hedonism,' 'nihilism' and 'happiness' archetypes describe how people trade them off. Short, clear and full of exercises. A good introduction with a philosophical bent.
Read it if…
you are sacrificing the present for a future that keeps moving.
Skip it if…
you want research depth; the book is introductory.
Three things you will actually use
- Seek activities with present and future benefit.
- Simplify; too much good crowds out the best.
- Ritualize happiness practices; willpower fades.
Do this first
Write what you do each week that has both present pleasure and future benefit, and do more of it.
Our verdict
Clear and gentle; a good first positive psychology book.
Compare with other Gratitude books
Hardwiring Happiness
Rick Hanson · Gratitude
Simple and kind; a small practice with real effects.
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The Art of Happiness
Dalai Lama and Howard C. Cutler · Gratitude
Gentle and enduring; a wise companion.
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The Happiness Project
Gretchen Rubin · Gratitude
Practical and warm; a template more than a theory.
CLICK TO SEEBrowse all Gratitude book reviews or get the free Reality Code Cheat Sheet.
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