The Buzz...About Books

Many people have recommended The Happiness Project by Gretchen Craft Rubin as a life-changing read.  Published last year, I checked out Rubin's website – and immediately became annoyed. 

Rubin has twelve personal commandments for happiness. Her Number 1 Rule: "Be Gretchen."  And indeed, Rubin, a Yale-educated lawyer from Kansas City should be happy: this book has been on the New York Times bestseller list for six weeks. Sex in the City's Kristin Davis is rumoured to be starring in a future television series based on this book. Her series of YouTube videos have thousands of views. 

My hostility increased the more I read.

Maybe it was the link on her website which gently urged us to buy her book as it "would be a huge help" to her. Maybe it was one of her Four Splendid Truths: "You Are Not Happy Unless You Think You Are Happy." Maybe it was her claim to have researched, analyzed, and synthesized such 'happiness' thinkers as Plutarch, Samuel Johnson, Benjamin Franklin, St. Thérèse, the Dalai Lama, and Oprah.  

To my surprise, Rubin has helpfully created a link for readers such as myself:  Interview With A (Imaginary) Hostile Reader.  And she does a fabulous job articulating why I dislike her book. 

But here's the thing: when I ask people how they heard about this book, they say: "My co-worker said I have to read it." "My sister read it." "My dentist said it's amazing."  Many didn't even know what the book was about.  Most significantly, many had not been to a library in years, but came in looking for it. 

Now, that makes me happy. Maybe I'll give the book another chance.

Here's another 'happiness project': Charles Spearin is a Toronto musician and the founder of Broken Social Scene. His Juno-winning concept album, the Happiness Project was released in 2009 and has no relation to Rubin's book. He transforms everyday speech and conversation into music – the result is fascinating. First recommended by the Local Music @ TPL blog – you can get your copy from the library here.