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A Short Guide to a Happy Life
A Short Guide to a Happy Life | Anna Quindlen
14 posts | 17 read | 6 to read
From the author of Blessings and Still Life with Bread Crumbs, Anna Quindlens classic reflection on a meaningful life is the perfect gift for graduation, or any occasion. 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 wont 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 bestselling novelist and columnist, reflects on what it takes to get a lifeto 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 nineteen: 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. From the Hardcover edition.
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AvidReader25
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Pickpick

A quick reread while my kids played at the park. I love this reminder to cherish the small moments and not just get caught up in work. “Life is made up of moments, small pieces of glittering mica in a long stretch of gray cement.”

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AvidReader25
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A lovely sweet reflection on life and how to embrace every day.

“Life is made up of moments, small pieces of glittering mica in a long stretch of gray cement. It would be wonderful if they came to us and summoned, but particularly in lives as busy as the ones most of us lead now, that won‘t happen. We have to teach ourselves how to make a room for them, to love them, and to live, really live.”

BkClubCare How did I miss all these posts?! 2y
AvidReader25 @BkClubCare sounds like you‘ve had your hands full! 😳 2y
BkClubCare @AvidReader25 - yeah… I ‘spose. Is that your yard? With flower boxes on the cute shed?! Awesome 2y
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tracey38
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Pickpick

At only 50 pages, about half are lovely photos, I finished this just after midnight. I know I will read it over and over before passing it along to someone else who may need the sentiment. It has some sweet quotes I hope to keep with me throughout the year. Thank you again, Misty! I pray this year is full of happiness for us all! ❤
@Alwaysbeenaloverofbooks

Alwaysbeenaloverofbooks You‘re very welcome ❤️❤️❤️❤️ 6y
34 likes1 comment
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tracey38
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Great quote right off the bat. "... When you come to a fork in the road, take it!"

Alwaysbeenaloverofbooks ❤️❤️ 6y
27 likes1 comment
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tracey38
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Misty, you are one of the sweetest people! After a rough day at work (really, a rough weekend mentally, too), I came home to this package from you. The card was sweet and just what I needed to hear. I am going to read some of this tonight. 😘❤

I also sent you a card out this morning, but it was before I got this package.
@Alwaysbeenaloverofbooks

Alwaysbeenaloverofbooks I‘m sorry you had a rough weekend... I hope this week is better! Another sweet litten friend sent this to me just when I needed it also... I wanted to share the love... If you need to talk I am here ❤️❤️❤️ 6y
tracey38 @Alwaysbeenaloverofbooks thank you! 😘❤ 6y
Alwaysbeenaloverofbooks @tracey38 ❤️❤️❤️ 6y
27 likes3 comments
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Crystalblu
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Pickpick

“You cannot be really first-rate at your work if work is all you are”
Not a profound book, but a very sweet little read.

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mkinney10
Mehso-so

Nice, quick read. Nothing earth shattering, but a good reminder to enjoy the little things!

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DivineDiana
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Pickpick

I finished this as part of the weekend #24in48. It had been sitting on my shelf for some time, so #mounttbr too! It could have been a speech for a college graduation. Not anything new for me, but concepts that are always helpful to read again. This was the first time that I actually kept track of my reading time. Logged in 10 1/2 hrs and finished my Book Club book, 2 children‘s books and a nostalgic read. Read more than normal. Good motivator! 📚

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Genevieve
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Panpan

This maybe would be a good book for a hs graduate or better a bar or bat mitzvah or confirmation gift. Me being 41, this was a waste of my time. Actually, in those examples above get yourself or the graduate 20,000 Days and Counting by Robert D Smith. Its a much better book for the subject matter. The book by Quindlen was very trite and the photography mediocre by today's standards

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Sweettartlaura
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#challengecheckin
#litsyatoz

June plans: finish this one

Riveted_Reader_Melissa And you did both! Wow, great job! 7y
LeahBergen 👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻 7y
Sweettartlaura @Riveted_Reader_Melissa When I sketched it out at the end of last year, & saw I had to buy/get only 4 or 5 new ones to do both, I said why not??? It'll help me with Mount TBR, & look cool, too 😏 7y
melbeautyandbooks Nicely done! 7y
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CaitlinByTheBook
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"Don't ever confuse the two, your life and your work. That's what I have to say. The second is only a part of the first." -Anna Quindlen #quote #lifelesson #emmieandbooks

Tanzy13 🐱 8y
LauraBeth ❤ this! 8y
10 likes2 comments
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Susanita
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Since my cat was so snotty about letting me read to him, I subjected the shelter cats to it instead. Here's Jennifurr deciding whether to jump on my lap or keep playing with the track ball. I told her to follow Ms. Quindlen's advice and get a life.

Tanzy13 🐱 8y
9 likes2 comments
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Susanita
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I'm still reading this book! It may be short, but my reading companion is quite rude. Last night he walked off after three words. Three words! #BooksFromSteinbeck @Liberty

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Susanita
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My reluctant #readingcompanion would run away but for my other hand clamped firmly on his back. I'm reading this to him for the #ReadHarderChallenge and it just may take rest of the year to finish! After this session I gave him a much needed mani/pedi. #photoadaynov16