The Happiness Project

An example in what is called "stunt journalism", (Gretchen Rubin attempts an experiment and then writes about it), The Happiness Project is one woman's quest to become happier. She does this through setting different resolutions each month focusing on different aspects of her life, such as parenting, marriage, health, work, friendships etc. She tracks her progress through a series of charts and resolutions.

I think my instinctive reaction to this is fairly normal: focusing on happiness is a sure way to not be happy and it seemed selfish, self-centered, and a little desperate for book ideas.
However, don't we all search for happiness to some extent? We generally make choices because they will make us happy in some way or another. Is it so wrong then, to make this pursuit of happiness a deliberate one: with means undertaken that will provide both personal growth and make the environment around you more positive and intentional.

Although a bit more blatant and gimmicky, I think I prefer Rubin's methodology to Elizabeth Gilbert (Eat Pray Love). Rubin stays close to home; she focus on better herself in order to impact her surroundings. Her relationships are improved, her marriage gets better, she focuses more on her children and her health and energy improving can only help to maker her a better wife, mother, and friend. Gilbert on the other hand, takes a vacation from real life. She deserts her responsibilities to go stuff herself in Italy, find enlightenment (and starvation) in India, and live happily ever after in Bali. She is searching only for herself and her own self-improvement and although this might be what our modern Western society is all about, it goes against the grain of what most civilizations, societies, even modern nations are based on. Plus, who can relate? We can't all just drop everything and go wandering around the world in search of enlightenment (...she says piously from Vietnam)

I liked how she approached reading (I liked that she read the entire L.M. Montgomery canon) and I like all the charts and lists she kept.
However, I love books, I love reading methodically (like through book club list) or randomly (like having 5-10 books on the go), I love charts and lists and goals and self improvement (one of the big reasons I'll never be truly British) and resolutions. I know plenty of people who don't and therefore might struggle connecting with her methodology.

My biggest gripe with her is that she's not A.J. Jacobs. (see previous posts). When it comes to stunt journalism, he's at the top of my list. Funny, packed with interesting facts from an obvious amount of research with clear, conside and valuable points. Rubin rambles a bit and tries to bring in too many epiphanies and points and "truths" and conclusions.

The biggest thing I'll take away is the list of recommended readings. However, don't think I would put this book down on any of my recommended reading lists unless its the "Fluffy, entertaining and potentially helpful" list.