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A Short Guide to a Happy Life Audible Audiobook – Unabridged

Anna Quindlen (Author, Narrator), Random House Audio (Publisher)

4.2 932 ratings

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From the New York Times best-selling author of Alternate Side, Anna Quindlen’s classic reflection on a meaningful life.

“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 won’t 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 best-selling novelist and columnist, reflects on what it takes to “get a life” - to 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 19: “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.

Listening Length

34 minutes
Author

Anna Quindlen
Narrator

Anna Quindlen
Audible release date

October 30, 2000
Language

English
Publisher

Random House Audio
ASIN

B0000547C0
Version

Unabridged
Program Type

Audiobook
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Product details

Listening Length	34 minutes
Author	Anna Quindlen
Narrator	Anna Quindlen
Audible.com Release Date	October 30, 2000
Publisher	Random House Audio
Program Type	Audiobook
Version	Unabridged
Language	English
ASIN	B0000547C0
Best Sellers Rank	#74,737 in Audible Books & Originals (See Top 100 in Audible Books & Originals) #153 in Ethics & Morality Philosophy #929 in Philosophy of Ethics & Morality #3,175 in Happiness Self-Help

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Customer reviews

4.2 out of 5

932 global ratings

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akut akut

GOOD STORY

Reviewed in the United States on November 16, 2023

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GOOD BOOKS.

One person found this helpful

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Rosie

Makes a great gift

Reviewed in the United States on May 2, 2006

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I am buying several copies of A Short Guide to a Happy Life and giving them as gifts to my graduating daughter and several of her close friends from high school. For a little more than the cost of a greeting card that gets tossed after first examination, this poetic book of a mere fifty pages provides the perfect inspiration we all need to refer to from time to time. This tiny tome proves that you don't need a War-and-Peace-sized novel to deliver a message: "Get a life. A real life, not a manic pursuit of the next promotion, the bigger paycheck, the larger house. Do you think you'd care so much about those things if you developed an aneurysm one afternoon, or found a lump in your breast while in the shower?" (p. 16)

Quindlen writes simply, succinctly and sweetly, and puts down in words what we all really truly know deep down, but need reminding of on occasion.

4 people found this helpful

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Denni Swepston

super quick thought provoking read

Reviewed in the United States on January 7, 2023

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Super quick thought provoking read. Seriously with the few minutes that it took to read it’s shifts your perspective and lightens your mood.

One person found this helpful

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Moniva

A nice reflection that life is made up of moments that cannot be made up, rewound, to make the most of life

Reviewed in the United States on September 14, 2016

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This is an excellent little book. I got it as a gift for another, but quickly read it, and loved it. There are nice photos in it, for reflection, and the thoughts and musings are worthwhile. As she quotes Pail Tsongas No one on his deathbed ever said, I wish I had spent more time on my business. This book is an admonishment, though a light one, to remember to live each moment, to realize each moment, as the gift that it is, and that moments are just that, momentary. Here and then gone. Don't waste them. But said in a way that is charming and poignant, painted in reflection with the lovely photos which punctuate the book.

7 people found this helpful

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Sharon Listwa

Short is the operative word!

Reviewed in the United States on November 25, 2012

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I always love reading anything by Anna Quindlen. She has a great style and a wisdom about life that I really appreciate. I can relate to so much of what she writes. So why did I give this book 3 stars? Because 2 means I didn't like it and I DID like it. It was a very good essay.....but it WASN'T a book, and certainly not worth the $11.99 that I paid for it. I read it 3 times. The first time, my husband was hospitalized and I took the "book" to the cafeteria. I started it, and finished it while I ate eggs and hashbrowns. The second time, I read it before falling asleep and the third time, I timed myself. It took exactly 8 minutes to read. I would have been very happy to purchase this essay and enjoy the photos for a smaller sum. I just feel that the brevity did not justify the price.

11 people found this helpful

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Penacious H

Supportive and pithy small book – full of nice insights!

Reviewed in the United States on January 2, 2021

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I am a mental health professional so I don’t normally give out or recommend books that are too flip or of low quality. Ms Quinlan‘s writing has always been just exceptional to me, and she has a way of easing guilt and anxiety at times when that’s really really helpful.

5 people found this helpful

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One Fancy Angel

A shockingly trite entry by Anna Quindlen

Reviewed in the United States on July 23, 2001

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I am surprised that Anna Quindlen wrote this very short book, and probably made money on it. There is nothing new here, nothing surprising, nothing that leads me to a happier life. In fact, Quindlen uses so many old sayings that I'm surprised she didn't footnote. This might have been an excellent book if Quindlen had made it into more than 50 pages (including sappy photos that have no context). The story of the death of her mother might have been a fantastic non-fiction book. But this is no little gem. It's a waste of time and a waste of money. Liking Anna Quindlen's work as I do, I was really surprised. Don't bother buying this book.

38 people found this helpful

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Amazon Customer

Yesssssss! Get this book now!

Reviewed in the United States on June 8, 2021

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Cannot recommend this book more. A beautiful and short read to dive deep into your soul to search for the meaning and purpose in your life. Great read for all ages and all life scenarios. Just love it!

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Top reviews from other countries

meg Canadian fan

Great gift book!

Reviewed in Canada on May 3, 2022

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Straight forward, no nonsense suggestions.

Jess

Nice

Reviewed in Germany on March 1, 2022

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Nice book.

Bibliophile

Happy happy happy

Reviewed in India on April 8, 2018

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The book is a short read: Effectively 36 pages. Bought it after Sheryl Sandburg's recommendation. This book is worth more than the price you pay. These 36 pages make you feel so good. I read it every week to reinforce the fact that life is a great blessing. It's the best gift you can give to yourself. You'll come out a happy person. You don't need a 300 page book to change your life. I'm glad I bought it without thinking twice. Can't wait to gift it to my friends.

2 people found this helpful

student of life

something everyone should read

Reviewed in the United Kingdom on March 15, 2014

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Now and again a book comes along that you never ever put down. A book that stays with you for the rest of your life. One that lends an insight into something that perhaps you didn't even know was important or even necessary. This book does this. This book is nothing short of a guide to the perfect life, and the most wonderful gift of all is every single soul in the entire universe, rich or poor, non educated or a genius, working or unemployed can have it. I thank whatever circumstances that came together that brought me to read this book. I now will go forward in my life knowing without a shadow of doubt that "life is a terminal illness".

One person found this helpful

Kindle Customer

Must buy

Reviewed in India on May 14, 2019

Verified Purchase

Great book.mind blowing.and inspirational .
Can be a motivator for anyone .
Nicely explained also .
Worth a Read !!

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A Short Guide to a Happy Life Audible Audiobook – Unabridged

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