A Short Guide to a Happy Life

By: Anna Quindlen

Narrated by: Anna Quindlen

From the New York Times best-selling author of Alternate Side, Anna Quindlen’s classic reflection on a meaningful life.

“Life is made of moments, small pieces of silver amidst long stretches of tedium. It would be wonderful if they came to us unsummoned, but particularly in lives as busy as the ones most of us lead now, that won’t happen. We have to teach ourselves now to live, really live...to love the journey, not the destination.”

In this treasure of a book, Anna Quindlen, the best-selling novelist and columnist, reflects on what it takes to “get a life” - to live deeply every day and from your own unique self, rather than merely to exist through your days. “Knowledge of our own mortality is the greatest gift God ever gives us,” Quindlen writes, “because unless you know the clock is ticking, it is so easy to waste our days, our lives.” Her mother died when Quindlen was 19: “It was the dividing line between seeing the world in black and white, and in Technicolor. The lights came on for the darkest possible reason.... I learned something enduring, in a very short period of time, about life. And that was that it was glorious, and that you had no business taking it for granted.” But how to live from that perspective, to fully engage in our days? In A Short Guide to a Happy Life, Quindlen guides us with an understanding that comes from knowing how to see the view, the richness in living.

©2000 Anna Quindlen
(P)2000 Random House, Inc.

Critic reviews

"We have to teach ourselves how to live, really live - to love the journey, not the destination." - Anna Quindlen

Life Priorities

I enjoy Anna Quindlen's books very much so when I saw Audible had her book, "A Short Guide to a Happy Life" I was ever so glad. This to me is the best 17 minutes of listening anyone can do and by all means share with others.

Not read, bad revws&2005 title repro'd w add'd txt

Never read: Bad revws. In 2005 title reproduced w added txt.I need to ck for a book update. All of this info was avl at 2017 purchase, dont know why I bought this edition.

Sensible advice but…

The second half (15 minutes) is an interview. I felt disappointed that the author is pushing the narrative that women are oppressed. IMO there’s absolutely nothing stopping women these days. Or even 20 years ago. Yes, it wasn’t always this way but it would be nice if people could just take the W and move on. But my comment is based on the interview. The first half was sensible advice. Like a commencement speech.

Lifeguide

This is an important reminder to remember to look for the beauty of life..even in the dark. Thank you!

No Kidding

Don't waste your time, money or credits on this one. There is nothing new or insightful here.

short=thin=not worth the price

I generally like the author's short works (her old columns), and if this were priced by the word (or minute) on the scale where 20-hour audiobooks cost $30, then I would say go for it. But it is terribly pricey for what seems like an NPR feature segment. I think the paper version of this book sold because it made a great graduation present that could be read completely while standing in line to get into the graduation ceremony.

I recommend instead This American Life (a whole month -- 4 hours -- of something with a similar mood for only a few more dollars), a deeper self-help book (or better still, literature that really delves into the happy life), or Al Franken's great send-up of this book and its ilk ("Oh, the Things I Know" -- a great audiobook, read by the author).

What?!

What am I listening to???? This was a random and worthless use of my time. What is the freaking takeaway?