There is an abundance of literature available on the topic of happiness, making it difficult to determine which books to read. In this article, the top fifteen happiness books are summarized, providing readers with a better understanding of each book’s content. The books, written by authors ranging from the Dalai Lama to psychology professors and economists, offer a broad range of perspectives on happiness. This article serves as a resource to guide readers in selecting a happiness book that aligns with their interests.
1. The Happiness Factor: How to Be Happy No Matter What! – Kirk Wilkinson
In his book, “The Happiness Factor: How to Be Happy No Matter What,” Kirk Wilkinson offers practical advice that is grounded in the real world. He emphasizes the importance of changing one’s perspective in order to change the way they experience life. Wilkinson believes that we are not defined by our circumstances or problems and that every person has the capacity to overcome their issues and find happiness.
To help readers discover happiness, Wilkinson uses the acronym P-E-A-S-E-F-U-L to describe a set of principles that can be applied universally. This approach helps individuals cope with stress and other barriers to happiness. By focusing on overall well-being, satisfaction, and fulfillment, Wilkinson suggests that true, lasting happiness can be achieved.
Readers can purchase “The Happiness Factor” on Amazon to gain valuable insights and practical tips for discovering happiness. With Wilkinson’s guidance, readers can learn to look at things in a new way and find happiness no matter what challenges they may face.
2. Stumbling on Happiness – Daniel Gilbert
In his book, “Stumbling on Happiness,” Professor Daniel Gilbert from Harvard University explores the reasons why people struggle to make themselves happy. Gilbert argues that people have difficulty predicting what will truly make them happy in the future. He examines how the brain predicts the future and whether it can accurately imagine what it will enjoy.
Drawing from the fields of psychology, neuroscience, economics, and philosophy, Gilbert explores human motivation and reveals some of its secrets. He poses thought-provoking questions, such as why people choose different meals when eating with others and why shoppers who cannot get refunds are happier. He also examines why couples who claim their children bring them joy are less satisfied after having children.
The book won the Royal Society of Science Prize in 2007 and has been described as both interesting and funny. Gilbert, a pre-eminent psychologist, has previously won numerous awards for his teaching and research.
“Stumbling on Happiness” is a fascinating read that challenges readers to rethink their approach to happiness. It offers insights into the complexities of human motivation and provides a fresh perspective on what truly makes us happy. The book is available for purchase on Amazon.
3. The Happiness Advantage: How a Positive Brain Fuels Success in Work and Life – Shawn Achor
Shawn Achor, a Harvard lecturer and co-designer of Harvard’s ‘Happiness’ course, conducted the largest ever study on happiness and human potential, surveying over 1600 students. Based on this study, Achor reveals the 7 core principles of positive psychology that every person can practice to enhance performance, improve careers, and achieve success at work.
Achor dispels the commonly held belief that success leads to happiness. Instead, he explains in his book ‘The Happiness Advantage’ that happiness actually drives performance and success. When individuals are positive, they are more engaged, creative, able to cope with stress, and productive.
‘The Happiness Advantage’ provides practical advice on ways to become happier and more successful. It is a useful book for anyone seeking to improve their personal and professional life.
To summarize the core principles of positive psychology presented in ‘The Happiness Advantage’, they are:
- The Happiness Advantage: Happiness fuels success, not the other way around.
- The Fulcrum and the Lever: Changing our mindset allows us to create positive change.
- The Tetris Effect: Our brains can be trained to scan the world for the positive.
- Falling Up: Resilience is key to bouncing back from setbacks and failures.
- The Zorro Circle: Focusing on small, manageable goals leads to greater control and success.
- The 20-Second Rule: Removing barriers to positive habits leads to greater success.
- Social Investment: Building positive relationships with others is crucial to success.
By implementing these core principles, individuals can improve their happiness, productivity, and success in both their personal and professional lives.
4. Happiness Is an Inside Job: Practicing for a Joyful Life – Sylvia Boorstein
Sylvia Boorstein, a renowned psychotherapist and co-founding teacher at the Spirit Rock Meditation Center in California, has authored several best-selling books, including “Happiness Is an Inside Job: Practicing for a Joyful Life.” The book is an inspiring guide that provides warmth and wisdom to help readers find true contentment and happiness in their lives.
Boorstein explores the possibility of remaining engaged with life, despite the challenges and disappointments that come with it. She suggests that the key to happiness is to develop and connect with kindness, not only towards our loved ones but also towards ourselves, strangers, and even people we don’t like.
The author introduces some key lessons from Buddhism, including Wise Effort, Wise Mindfulness, and Wise Concentration. By engaging with these teachings, readers can move from a state of anger, anxiety, or confusion to a state of calmness, clarity, and living in the present moment.
According to Boorstein, by developing these qualities, readers can deal with all that they encounter with a sense of balance and intelligence, leading to true contentment. The book features straightforward activities that can be done while reading, making it an engaging and interactive experience.
Boorstein shares her knowledge as a psychotherapist, spiritual teacher, and grandmother, making the book beautiful and comforting. Her engaging stories draw in the reader’s hearts and minds, leaving them feeling inspired and empowered.
5. Authentic Happiness: Using the New Positive Psychology to Realize Your Potential for Lasting Fulfillment – Martin E.P. Seligman
Martin Seligman’s book, ‘Authentic Happiness’, explores the concept of true and enduring happiness. Seligman argues that happiness is not solely determined by genetics or luck, but rather by paying attention to one’s personal strengths and using them to improve every aspect of life.
Seligman is considered the father of positive psychology and shares 24 strengths and virtues that make up our psyche. He calls these strengths ‘signature strengths’, and explains how individuals can discover and use them to create a buffering effect against negative emotions and ill fate.
The book provides practical exercises, short tests, and a dynamic website program to help readers become aware of their highest virtues and act in accordance with them. Seligman demonstrates how discovering authentic happiness can lead to sustainable joy, meaning, and contentment in various aspects of life, including work, relationships, and parenting.
According to Amazon, ‘Authentic Happiness’ is the most powerful work of popular psychology in years. Daniel Goleman, author of ‘Emotional Intelligence’, calls it “a practical map for a flourishing life”.
By using their signature strengths, individuals can not only improve their own lives but also make the world around them a better place. Seligman’s book suggests that happiness can be learned and cultivated, leading to a more fulfilling and authentic life.
6. The Art of Happiness – Dalai Lama
In “The Art of Happiness,” readers can learn about the teachings of the Dalai Lama, a Nobel Peace Prize winner, on the topic of happiness. The book was written by Dr. Howard C. Cutler, a psychiatrist, based on interviews he conducted with the Dalai Lama over a period of one week.
The book provides an overview of Tibetan Buddhism and the messages from its leader, the Dalai Lama. It presents a “western” (i.e. science-based) view of the Dalai Lama’s teachings and includes direct quotations from him.
According to the book, happiness is the purpose of life, and once a person’s basic needs are met, happiness is more the result of the mind rather than external conditions and circumstances. The Dalai Lama suggests that by training our hearts and minds and actively working on our attitudes and outlook, we can all achieve happiness.
The key to finding happiness, according to the Dalai Lama, is to pay attention to the things that make us happy and eliminate the things that make us suffer. By achieving peace of mind in this way, we can move away from material goods and seek contentment and an inner sense of worth.
The book also presents the idea that compassion is a state of mind whereby a person is not violent, harming, or aggressive. The Dalai Lama suggests showing compassion to everybody and that universal compassion towards the right of other people to be free from suffering is important. He explains that showing empathy can help to generate and foster compassion.
While the book explores spiritual teachings, the Dalai Lama contends that all religions should be accepted, and that spirituality is about benefiting oneself through a sense of being calm and feeling happy.
7. The How of Happiness: A New Approach to Getting the Life You Want – Sonja Lyubomirsky
In her book ‘The How of Happiness,’ Sonja Lyubomirsky, a professor of psychology at the University of California, Riverside, provides a comprehensive guide to finding happiness in our lives. The book is grounded in scientific research, making it a reliable source of information.
Lyubomirsky explains the concept of the ‘Happiness Set Point,’ which refers to the biological determinants that explain 50% of our happiness. She also highlights that 10% of our happiness can be attributed to life circumstances, which means that 40% of our happiness is within our control.
The book outlines more than a dozen “happiness strategies” that are mindful, intentional activities that can lead to a happier life. These strategies include cultivating optimism, practicing acts of kindness, nurturing social relationships, and savoring life’s joys, among others.
Lyubomirsky also provides an overview of the multiple barriers to happiness and how to overcome them by utilizing our unique strengths. The book includes a quiz that helps readers identify the actions that will be most helpful to them.
One of the strengths of ‘The How of Happiness’ is that it provides exercises that readers can easily follow to engage in positive behaviors. For example, readers can practice behaving and thinking optimistically when imagining the future, savoring the pleasures of life in the moment, and remaining active to be happy.
The book is not without its criticisms, however. Some readers have found it to be slightly repetitive. Nonetheless, the book is an excellent resource for those seeking to improve their happiness levels.
In summary, ‘The How of Happiness’ is a comprehensive guide to finding happiness in our lives, grounded in scientific research. By following the twelve happiness strategies outlined in the book, readers can take control of their happiness and live a more fulfilling life.
8. The Happiness Hypothesis: Finding Modern Truth in Ancient Wisdom – Jonathan Haidt
Jonathan Haidt, a psychology professor at the University of Virginia, has written a book for a general audience called ‘The Happiness Hypothesis’. In this book, he explores the common-sense messages that have been passed down through generations and are now considered as truths. Haidt examines traditional wisdom through the lens of modern science, exposing some provocative ideas such as the fact that virtue in and of itself is not actually rewarding.
According to Haidt, extroverts are happier than their introverted counterparts, and conscious thought is not as important as we may believe. The book draws inspiration from both science and philosophy, and has been described as remarkable and original – “ancient wisdom in our time”.
Haidt challenges ideas such as “what doesn’t kill you makes you stronger”, “do unto others as you would have done unto you” and “happiness comes from within”. He argues that while we rarely question these truisms, most of us still hold onto the idea that we will feel truly happy when we earn more money, find love, or discover success.
9. The Happiness Trap: How to Stop Struggling and Start Living: A Guide to ACT – Russ Harris and Steven C. Hayes PhD
Dr. Russ Harris, a medical practitioner with expertise in stress management and mindfulness, authored ‘The Happiness Trap’, an international best-seller published in 2013. The book introduces Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), a relatively new psychotherapy approach developed from leading research in behavioral psychology.
The book challenges popular myths about happiness, suggesting that they are misleading and inaccurate, and that they cause widespread experiences of stress, anxiety, and depression. Harris argues that many current psychology programs exacerbate these issues. ACT is presented as an innovative solution to escape ‘The Happiness Trap’ through mindfulness-based practices.
By making one’s values clear and practicing mindfulness, readers can leave the happiness trap behind and discover meaning and satisfaction in their lives. The book employs scientifically proven techniques for developing a fulfilling life, including developing mindfulness skills, which can be learned easily and quickly. These skills are proven to decrease stress, improve performance, effectively deal with emotions, enhance health, improve vitality, and overall improve quality of life.
‘The Happiness Trap’ has been described as empowering and practical, and has been published in more than 30 countries and 22 different languages. The book is available for purchase on Amazon and is recommended for individuals seeking to decrease stress, conquer fears, and find fulfillment.
10. Happiness: Lessons from a New Science – Richard Layard
Richard Layard, a well-known economist, has conducted extensive research in the field of happiness. His studies draw from various disciplines, including psychology, neuroscience, economics, sociology, and philosophy. Layard’s research has shown that income does not necessarily lead to happiness, despite people’s desire for more money.
His book, ‘Happiness: Lessons from a New Science,’ is considered a seminal work in the field of happiness studies. Layard argues that despite the fact that income has more than doubled over the last fifty years, people have not become happier. In fact, scientific research has shown that depression, crime, and alcoholism have increased in the First World compared to fifty years ago.
The book explores the reasons that determine how we make decisions, and it promotes rethinking our reasons for making decisions by refocusing on goals. Layard’s research has shown that personal decisions are often reflected as economics on the level of society, rather than the pursuit of happiness.
11. Happiness for Dummies – W. Doyle Gentry
‘Happiness for Dummies’ is a self-help book written by W. Doyle Gentry, Ph.D., a clinical psychologist and a Distinguished Fellow in the American Psychological Association. The book aims to provide readers with the tools to reduce stress, increase happiness, and live a more fulfilling life.
The book outlines strategies to alter one’s behavior, develop good habits, and act in accordance with one’s surroundings. It also helps readers to determine their current capacity for happiness, overcome barriers to happiness, and look into their unique strengths and virtues.
‘Happiness for Dummies’ dispels the common misunderstanding in the construal of happiness in terms of modern valued outcomes such as wealth, power, and success. Instead, it outlines the meaning of happiness at each stage of self-actualization and provides readers with an understanding of why cultivating positive emotions can lead to better health and wellbeing.
The book provides lists of 10 tips on how to raise a happy child, a discussion of common barriers to happiness, and a guide on which personal habits help to develop happiness. It also promises that by pursuing what one truly wishes to, seizing the day, and finding the ‘silver lining’ in everyday challenges, readers can improve their spiritual and emotional life and discover meaningful social relationships, as well as learning to appreciate being alone.
‘Happiness for Dummies’ is a comprehensive guide that promises to help readers live a life that is meaningful, healthy, and productive regardless of their life circumstances. The book is available for purchase on Amazon.
12. Happiness by Design: Finding Pleasure and Purpose in Everyday Life – Paul Dolan
Paul Dolan, a Professor of Behavioral Science at the London School of Economics, has written a book titled “Happiness by Design: Finding Pleasure and Purpose in Everyday Life”. This book is a Sunday Times bestseller and has been described as “bold and original” by happiness expert Daniel Kahneman.
In his book, Dolan argues that wellbeing is a result of what we do rather than how we think. He suggests that by making informed, deliberate choices without thinking too hard about maximizing happiness, we can discover a life that is characterized by meaning and pleasure. Dolan refers to this as “re-designing” our lives in order to maximize happiness.
The book provides insights on how to influence behavior in order to improve wellbeing. Dolan’s research suggests that by applying recent, significant research, we can make it easier to be happy. Jenni Russell from the Sunday Times is quoted as saying that “few books change one’s life; in 48 hours this has improved mine.”
“Happiness by Design: Finding Pleasure and Purpose in Everyday Life” is available on Amazon as a book or Audio CD.
13. Happiness Beyond Thought: A Practical Guide to Awakening – Gary Weber
Gary Weber, a seeker of enlightenment, has combined Zen Buddhist teachings with current brain research to create a practical guide to awakening. In his book “Happiness Beyond Thought,” Weber provides a set of yoga practices that are simple and easy to follow, including asana, pranayama, chanting, and meditation. These practices are designed to provide readers with a practical path to awakening.
Weber’s teachings are based on his pursuit of knowledge with Ramana Maharshi, his primary teacher, and his ongoing pursuit of Zen meditation practice. He shares his insights on bettering one’s life from the laboratory, which is actually his yoga mat.
14. The Happiness Equation: Want Nothing + Do Anything=Have Everything – Neil Pasricha
Neil Pasricha, a New York Times best-selling author, presents a counterintuitive approach to finding happiness in his book ‘The Happiness Equation’. The book reveals nine secrets to happiness and emphasizes that to ‘have everything’, one should want nothing and do anything.
Pasricha, who holds an MBA from Harvard and founded the Institute for Global Happiness, turns the common ideal of success and happiness upside down and provides step-by-step guidelines to put each secret into place to achieve a happier life.
The author dispels the myth of multitasking and explains how eliminating options can lead to more choice. Pasricha acknowledges that even successful people have negative thoughts and that it is not wrong to have them.
‘The Happiness Equation’ emphasizes that a ‘Culture of Enough’ will lead to more happiness than a ‘Culture of More’. The book argues that external rewards are demotivating in the long run and suggests that happiness can be derived from random acts of kindness, regular walks, and owning and accepting who you are as a person.
Pasricha’s book combines humor with practical advice and introduces the concept that the choices and decisions made every day contribute to one’s happiness. The author presents seemingly contradictory teachings, such as how to make more money than a Harvard MBA and why success is not the path to happiness.
For those seeking a happier life, ‘The Happiness Equation’ is a must-read. The book is available for purchase on Amazon and promises to be a two-hour ticket to changing one’s life, according to Susan Cain, the author of ‘QUIET’.
15. The Happiness Project: Or, Why One Author Spent a Year Pursuing Happiness
Gretchen Rubin’s book, The Happiness Project, has sold over one million copies and has been praised for its relatable and funny approach to exploring the pursuit of happiness. Rubin, a graduate of Yale Law School, is a best-selling author who has written on a variety of topics, including biographies of Sir Winston Churchill and John F. Kennedy. She also hosts a weekly podcast called “Happier with Gretchen Rubin”.
In her book, Rubin details her year-long investigation into what truly leads to a state of contentment. The book is divided into one chapter per month, with each month focusing on a different topic, such as improving marriage or boosting energy. In exploring each month’s topic, Rubin sets a few goals to work on, which she calls “monthly resolutions”.
The structure of the book is unique and has been described as a compelling, completely relatable tale of transformation. Rubin ties in up-to-the-minute science along with classical philosophy and real-world applicability, making the book both informative and practical.
Fellow author, Sonja Lyubomirsky, has praised The Happiness Project as “a cross between the Dalai Lama’s ‘The Art of Happiness’ and Elizabeth Gilbert’s ‘Eat, Pray, Love’”. The book has been described as providing motivation to focus on and work towards goals, while also sharing a very personal and honest story.
Summary
The best happiness books are those that provide practical and actionable advice on how to increase happiness and well-being. These books often draw on research in psychology and neuroscience to provide evidence-based strategies for improving mood, reducing stress, and cultivating positive relationships. Some of the most popular happiness books include “The Happiness Project” by Gretchen Rubin, “The Power of Now” by Eckhart Tolle, and “The Art of Happiness” by the Dalai Lama. These books offer a range of perspectives and techniques for achieving greater happiness, making them valuable resources for anyone looking to improve their quality of life.