My Happiness Project: B is for Books
The A to Z Challenge means posting every day in April except Sundays, which leaves exactly 26 days – one day for each of the 26 letters of the alphabet.
See my Great and Powerful Theme Reveal – My Happiness Project – for a full list of the posts, updated throughout the series.
And be sure to check out , a Twitter list composed of individuals I have every intention of visiting during this year’s challenge.
The foolish man seeks happiness in the distance; the wise grows it under his feet.
OOPS!
Allie Brosh is one of the most hilarious and spot-on creators on the planet. If you suffer Depression, read this so you know you’re not alone. If you know someone who suffers Depression, read this so you have a clue what is happening to your loved one; then give it to your Depressed loved one because it might just help them, and plus you’ll win big “FRIEND” points, and maybe even save a life.
“B is for Books” was meant to post yesterday. Yep, Letter “B” is a day late. Hopefully this doesn’t get me kicked out of the challenge! Sorries!
Yesterday my laptop took a huge dump and basically crapped out {it’s shouting about “low memory” like I’m going to sympathize with THAT nonsense coming from a computer!}.
Additionally, the metallic chip that actually plugs into my iPad broke off in the device.
So for a day I was completely electronic free. I should have felt slightly panicked, but honestly it was kind of cool. My kid is on Spring Break, and my hubz had the day off, so we had an awesome family day. I refused to care.
BUT!
My hubz is working on the laptop issue, and in the meantime we purchased a better pluggy-plug for my iPad. Hopefully things will be moving along swimmingly and I’ll have my Letter “C” post up this evening.
One might even go so far as to say I’m optimistic!
Always look on the bright side of life. Otherwise it’ll be too dark to read.
B is for Books
In yesterday’s post {where “yesterday” means “whenever I last posted”} I suggested to those suffering from Depression to read more about the condition.
But I also recommend reading in general. It can be quite soothing to lift your mind from the trouble of YOU and shift your attention elsewhere.
I read a range of genres, extending from non-fiction to fantasy; literature to science fiction; young adult to mystery; and just about anything else you can think of.
I don’t read much history or romance, but pretty much everything else is open game.
You can visit my GoodReads profile to get a better view of what I’m into, but here I will keep a running tally of the books I specifically mention throughout this series.
I will also leave you with some excellent selections of humor, because laughter is definitely the best medicine.
- The Happiness Project, by Gretchen Rubin
- Breaking the Patterns of Depression, by Michael D. Yapko
- Hyperbole and a Half: Unfortunate Situations, Flawed Coping Mechanisms, Mayhem, and Other Things That Happened, by Allie Brosh
- 10% Happier: How I Tamed the Voice in My Head, Reduced Stress Without Losing My Edge, and Found Self-Help That Actually Works — A True Story, by
- Let’s Pretend This Never Happened: (A Mostly True Memoir), by Jenny Lawson
- The Cure for Everything: Untangling Twisted Messages about Health, Fitness, and Happiness, by
- The Art of Asking: or, How I Learned to Stop Worrying and Let People Help, by
- Any Gratitude Journal, like this one by Peter Pauper Press, Inc.
- The Power of Habit: Why We Do What We Do in Life and Business, by g
- Better Than Before: Mastering the Habits of Our Everyday Lives, by
- Yes Man, by
- Improv Wisdom: Don’t Prepare, Just Show Up, by Patricia Ryan Madson
- Habit Stacking: 97 Small Life Changes That Take Five Minutes or Less, by
- How to Think Like Leonardo da Vinci: Seven Steps to Genius Every Day, by Michael J. Gelb
- High Fidelity, by Nick Hornby
- Zentangle, by Jane Marbaix
- The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying Up: The Japanese Art of Decluttering and Organizing, by Marie Kondo
- Daring Greatly: How the Courage to Be Vulnerable Transforms the Way We Live, Love, Parent, and Lead, by Brene Brown
- Why Don’t I Do the Things I Know are Good for Me? Taking Small Steps Toward Improving the Big Picture, by BJ Gallagher
- Changeability: Manage Your Mind — Change Your Life, by Kathryn Bryant
- The Happiness Animal, by Will Jelbert
- Transformation Soup: Healing for the Splendidly Imperfect, by SARK
- The Antidote: Happiness for People Who Can’t Stand Positive Thinking, by Oliver Burkeman
- Happier: Learn the Secrets to Daily Joy and Lasting Fulfillment, by Tal Ben-Shahar
- The Art of Living: The Classical Manual on Virtue, Happiness, and Effectiveness, by Epictetus, as interpreted by Sharon Lebell
- Born to Be Good: The Science of a Meaningful Life, by Dacher Keltner
- Awakening Joy: 10 Steps to Happiness, by James Baraz
- The Bliss Experiment: 28 Days to Personal Transformation, by Sean Meshorer
Every post throughout this series I will share a song from my Happiness Song List. Today’s song is “Walking On Sunshine” by Katrina & The Waves.
*Please see my post “M is for Music” for a full listing of all the music mentioned throughout this series. Or click here — Andi-Roo’s Happiness Project — for the entire YouTube playlist.
- Do you enjoy reading to escape?
- What is the funniest book you ever read?
- Why are plugs for Apple products so cheaply made?
