Secrets of Adulthood

Simple Truths for Our Complex Lives

By: Gretchen Rubin

Narrated by: Gretchen Rubin

NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER • The author of The Happiness Project and Better Than Before distills her key insights into simple truths for living with greater satisfaction, clarity, and happiness.

The right idea, invoked at the right time, can change our lives. Drawing from her long studies of happiness, and also from the challenges she’s faced herself, writer Gretchen Rubin has discovered the “Secrets of Adulthood” that can help us manage the complexities of life. To convey her conclusions, she turned to the aphorism—the ancient literary discipline that demands that a writer convey a large truth in a few words.

Perhaps you’re paralyzed by indecision, struggling to navigate a big change, fighting a temptation, or puzzled by the behavior of someone you love; whatever you face, the right aphorism can help. From procrastination to the pursuit of happiness, Secrets of Adulthood is filled with witty and thought-provoking reflections such as:

• “Recognize that, like sleeping with a big dog in a small bed, things that are uncomfortable can also be comforting”
• “Accept yourself, and expect more from yourself”
• “Easy children raise good parents”
• “What can be done at any time is often done at no time”

For anyone undergoing a major life transition, such as graduation, career switch, marriage, or moving, or for those just encountering everyday dilemmas, these disarming aphorisms will inspire you by articulating truths that you may never have noticed but instantly recognize.

Critic reviews

“[Gretchen Rubin] returns with a collection of pithy, practical aphorisms. . . . The author’s pragmatic, down-to-earth approach lends itself especially well to such guidance, and to aphorisms that enliven familiar insights with a touch of wry humor (‘We can be very wrong for a very long time without noticing. Bloodletting was a common medical treatment for two millennia’). Rubin’s fans will want to snap this up.”—Publishers Weekly

Not like author's other books

I love all of Gretchen Rubin's books and should probably now go write a glowing review of her other books, especially Better than Before. I wish I wasn't writing this review, but this book was very frustrating! It was cheap, so at least that is good. It is extremely short, which is clear when purchasing, but is is really just a listing of sayings, with no expansion on those sayings. There are many long, awkward pauses in the book, sometimes just silent and some with faint bird sounds, it is like the book is being stretched the fill the hour or so. Worst, and this is the case with all of her books, the author reads in her own voice and it is not pleasant to listen to. She has a lisp, or sounds like she has something in her mouth, it is hard to listen to. I drive a lot and listen to a lot of Audible, I wish so much that her books were available with a professional reader. Rubin is a wonderful author, but not everyone has a voice fit for an Audible book. There are many wonderful narrators out there!

Big Truth, Compact Packaging!

Gretchen brings wisdom, charm, and occasional laugh out loud moments in this brief audiobook.

Some reviewers have expressed disappointment with the length of the production. They have it all wrong! The whole point of aphorisms is to be short and memorable.

This book is loaded with concise value. If you benefit from a handful of these sayings, you’ll be miles ahead. Thanks Gretchen & team!

Insightful!

I love how Rubin neatly organizes all of these aphorisms in one place. She gives the reader space to think about how each might apply to his or her own life. Simply a tidy, useful book of succinct, uncomplicated advice.

Great format

the in between music was odd at times and not beneficial to the topics being covered. it did not add much

Quick read. Gives food for thought.

Not bad. Definitely had fave me things to ponder. Also made me think I could take my thoughts/wisdom and distill down to a couple of sentences so that it conveys the right message and is memorable. It would be hard. I’m impressed with how many Ms. Rubin created.