50
Used, New, and Out of Print Books - We Buy and Sell - Powell's Books
Cart |
|  my account  |  wish list  |  help   |  800-878-7323
Hello, | Login
MENU
  • Browse
    • New Arrivals
    • Bestsellers
    • Featured Preorders
    • Award Winners
    • Audio Books
    • See All Subjects
  • Used
  • Staff Picks
    • Staff Picks
    • Picks of the Month
    • Bookseller Displays
    • 50 Books for 50 Years
    • 25 Best 21st Century Sci-Fi & Fantasy
    • 25 PNW Books to Read Before You Die
    • 25 Books From the 21st Century
    • 25 Memoirs to Read Before You Die
    • 25 Global Books to Read Before You Die
    • 25 Women to Read Before You Die
    • 25 Books to Read Before You Die
  • Gifts
    • Gift Cards & eGift Cards
    • Powell's Souvenirs
    • Journals and Notebooks
    • socks
    • Games
  • Sell Books
  • Blog
  • Events
  • Find A Store

PowellsBooks.Blog
Authors, readers, critics, media − and booksellers.

Guests

Powell's Q&A: Gretchen Rubin

by Gretchen Rubin, February 9, 2010 7:15 AM
Describe your latest book/project/work.

My latest book, The Happiness Project, is an account of the year I spent test-driving the wisdom of the ages, current scientific studies, and lessons from popular culture about how to be happier. I explain what I tried, why, and what worked for me.

What's the strangest or most interesting job you've ever had?

I was a load-management operator for a construction company. Trucks would pull up to my station and I'd push the buttons to fill them with asphalt for road-building. Strangely satisfying.

Introduce one other author you think people should read, and suggest a good book with which to start.

Christopher Alexander, A Pattern Language. This book blew my mind.

How did the last good book you read end up in your hands and why did you read it?

I just finished Wolf Hall by Hilary Mantel, which was the book selected by my book group.

What is your idea of absolute happiness?

Reading in bed, in my pajamas, while drinking Diet Coke and eating apples.

On a clear and cold day, do you typically get outside into the sunshine or stay inside where it's warm?

I live in New York City, and walk a lot each day, so I'm out there, rain or shine. Which is one of my favorite things about living in New York City.

Who are your favorite characters in history? Have any of them influenced your writing?

My favorite characters in history are Winston Churchill and St. Thérèse of Lisieux. I wrote a biography of Winston Churchill, Forty Ways to Look at Winston Churchill, and St. Thérèse was a big influence on my most recent book, The Happiness Project.

Aside from other writers, name some artists from whom you draw inspiration and talk a little about their work.

I'm enthralled with Joseph Cornell. His boxes, decorated with objects, seem to suggest so much — each one fascinates me.

Recommend five or more books on a single subject of personal interest or expertise.

Five of my favorite novels about the nature of happiness:

Happy All the Time, Laurie Colwin

Gilead, Marilynne Robinson

Bel Canto, Ann Patchett

Anna Karenina, Leo Tolstoy

A Landing on the Sun, Michael Frayn 9780312421908




Books mentioned in this post

Gilead

Marilynne Robinson

Wolf Hall

Hilary Mantel

Bel Canto

Patchett, Ann

Anna Karenina

Leo Tolstoy, Richard Pevear, Larissa Volokhonsky

A Landing on the Sun

Michael Frayn

Happy All The Time

Laurie Colwin

Pattern Language Towns Buildings Construction

Christopher Alexander

Happiness Project Or Why I Spent a Year Trying to Sing in the Morning Clean My Closets Fight Right Read Aristotle & Generally Have More Fun

Gretchen Rubin

Forty Ways to Look at Winston Churchill: A Brief Account of a Long Life

Gretchen Rubin
{1}
##LOC[OK]##
{1}
##LOC[OK]## ##LOC[Cancel]##
{1}
##LOC[OK]## ##LOC[Cancel]##

Most Read

  1. Best Books of 2022: Fiction by Powell's Staff
  2. The Big List of Backlist: Books That Got Us Through 2022 by Powell's Staff
  3. 25 Books to Read Before You Die: 21st Century by Powell's Staff
  4. Powell's 2023 Book Preview: The First Quarter by Powell's Staff
  5. 7 Essential Authors Recommend Their 7 Essential Sci-Fi and Fantasy Books by Powell's Staff

Blog Categories

  • Interviews
  • Original Essays
  • Lists
  • Q&As
  • Playlists
  • Portrait of a Bookseller
  • City of Readers
  • Required Reading
  • Powell's Picks Spotlight

5 Responses to "Powell's Q&A: Gretchen Rubin"

Cheyanne February 12, 2010 at 08:55 PM
I was wondering when the Ehrenreich vs. Rubin debate would be on. It seems some people think BRIGHTSIDED is the direct antithesis of The Happiness Project. Nobody wants Little Mary Sunshine around all the time, especially when times are tough. But then again nobody really wants to be around miserable/sick people all the time either. Or do they? The old saying "misery loves company" might be an indication that people actually do like to be around other miserable people. Nobody is supposed drink alone. So if misery loves company, two miserable people drinking together is obviously better than one. In any case, I'd take The Happiness Project any day over the Miserable S.O.B. Project if there's a choice to be made.

April Henry February 12, 2010 at 02:52 PM
I've read about a third of The Happiness Project so far and am finding it really inspiring.

Martin Blake February 10, 2010 at 04:25 PM
sounds like that DLang guy could use some happiness.

Sheila February 10, 2010 at 04:07 PM
I just finished "The Happiness Project" and I can assure potential readers that Rubin most definitely doesn't advocate the kind of delusional positive thinking that Ehrenreich rightly decries in "Bright Sided." Rather, Rubin talks about the ways you can create happiness for yourself by being grateful, having fun, being mindful of small moments, building better relationships, taking risks, and trying new things. I found it brainy and inspirational.

DLang February 10, 2010 at 02:48 PM
If you are even slightly tempted to purchase this book, please read Barbara Ehrenreich's "Bright-Sided" first. You'll understand what an incredible waste of time this happiness project nonsense it.

Result(s) 5

Post a comment:

*Required Fields
Name*
Email*
  1. Please note:
  2. All comments require moderation by Powells.com staff.
  3. Comments submitted on weekends might take until Monday to appear.
  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • Pinterest
  • Instagram

  • Help
  • Guarantee
  • My Account
  • Careers
  • About Us
  • Security
  • Wish List
  • Partners
  • Contact Us
  • Shipping
  • Transparency ACT MRF
  • Sitemap
  • © 2023 POWELLS.COM Terms