Status
Available
Genres
Publication
Algonquin Books (2017), Edition: First Edition, 288 pages
Description
Biography & Autobiography. Essays. Nonfiction. Humor (Nonfiction.) HTML:�A remarkable journey. I laughed. I cried. I got another cat.� �Lily Tomlin �Paula Poundstone is the funniest human being I have ever known.� �Peter Sagal, host of Wait Wait . . . Don�t Tell Me! and author of The Book of Vice �Is there a secret to happiness?� asks comedian Paula Poundstone. "I don�t know how or why anyone would keep it a secret. It seems rather cruel, really . . . Where could it be? Is it deceptively simple? Does it melt at a certain temperature? Can you buy it? Must you suffer for it before or after?� In her wildly and wisely observed book, the comedy legend takes on that most inalienable of rights�the pursuit of happiness. Offering herself up as a human guinea pig in a series of thoroughly unscientific experiments, Poundstone tries out a different get-happy hypothesis in each chapter of her data-driven search. She gets in shape with taekwondo. She drives fast behind the wheel of a Lamborghini. She communes with nature while camping with her daughter, and commits to getting her house organized (twice!). Swing dancing? Meditation? Volunteering? Does any of it bring her happiness? You may be laughing too hard to care. The Totally Unscientific Study of the Search for Human Happiness is both a story of jumping into new experiences with both feet and a surprisingly poignant tale of a single working mother of three children (not to mention dozens of cats, a dog, a bearded dragon lizard, a lop-eared bunny, and one ant left from her ant farm) who is just trying to keep smiling while living a busy life. The queen of the skepticism-fueled rant, Paula Poundstone stands alone in her talent for bursting bubbles and slaying sacred cows. Like George Carlin, Steve Martin, and David Sedaris, she is a master of her craft, and her comedic brilliance is served up in abundance in this book. As author and humorist Roy Blount Jr. notes, �Paula Poundstone deserves to be happy. Nobody deserves to be this funny.� .… (more)
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User reviews
LibraryThing member Laffrey
Having rediscovered my love of Paula Poundstone through NPR’s Wait, Wait, Don’t Tell Me…, I couldn’t wait to read her new book, The Totally Unscientific Study of the Search for Human Happiness. It didn’t disappoint. The same quirky, sometimes hilarious, sometimes head-scratching humor
It’s no spoiler to reveal that Poundstone doesn’t find a magic happiness pill hidden in her scientific endeavors, but it’s the process that matters more than the product. I laughed loudly throughout this book, but I also groaned and cringed, quite a bit. I was even brought to tears, once or twice. Thank you, Paula Poundstone, for devoting yourself to science and taking us along for the ride! I hope you follow up with another - I’m anxious to see what the Poundstone clan has been up to!!
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that fills her responses on the show, fills this book. Only, instead of commenting on world events, she comments on the search for happiness, at home. And she takes her research very seriously! Poundstone commits to 12 different experiments that she suspects may increase her happiness. The reader gets to observe the effects while witnessing the Poundstone compound in all its glory: 3 kids, 16 cats, 2 dogs and one very harried adult. It’s no spoiler to reveal that Poundstone doesn’t find a magic happiness pill hidden in her scientific endeavors, but it’s the process that matters more than the product. I laughed loudly throughout this book, but I also groaned and cringed, quite a bit. I was even brought to tears, once or twice. Thank you, Paula Poundstone, for devoting yourself to science and taking us along for the ride! I hope you follow up with another - I’m anxious to see what the Poundstone clan has been up to!!
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LibraryThing member mattdocmartin
A middling review for what I found to be a middling book.
There was humor..of a sort. I thought I like the set up of each chapter, but it started to get too repetitive. Also, for someone that had, let's say "issues" with her kids in the past, maybe some of the jokes she made concerning her kids (and
For people that like this sort of book or her humor in general, this is for you.For everyone else, not so much.
There was humor..of a sort. I thought I like the set up of each chapter, but it started to get too repetitive. Also, for someone that had, let's say "issues" with her kids in the past, maybe some of the jokes she made concerning her kids (and
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one in particular) were maybe not such a great idea. For people that like this sort of book or her humor in general, this is for you.For everyone else, not so much.
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LibraryThing member figre
There may be no quirkier comic out there than Paula Poundstone. She has a delivery and an act that is more dependent on the audience than it is the planned content. Not that her planned act is not good (mayhaps great). But she is at her best when reacting.
That may be why translation of her style
It worked.
For this book, she uses a similarly artificial device. (Not artificial in a bad way, just a trick to frame the conversation.) Each chapter is divided into ways she tries to achieve happiness. Exercise, movies, the internet, dancing, driving a fast car – a plethora of expected and unexpected attempts to find how they impact the achievement of happiness.
Of course, calling these “experiments” is a bit much. I’m not saying she didn’t do these things (and, in some instances, she obviously tried the specifically for the book). However, just as with the previous book, it is all a construct for talking about life.
The problem is that this approach does not work as well as that used in the first book. Now, before anyone gets all “how could you?!” all over me (or starts raining me with praise for finally catching on – Poundstone is not everyone’s cup of tea), this isn’t saying the book is bad. It’s just that the first one set what may well be impossibly high and possibly unreachable standards.
I didn’t find myself having as many laugh out loud moments. And, although both books have an intense autobiographically aspect to them, at times this one did not work as well as the prior one.
Picking on a book for being too true to the subject (as I may have just done) is insane. And I only bring it up to point out the differences between this and the previous book.
Let me clarify. This book is funny. It is an interesting premise. And the “experiments” lead to some interesting revelations about Poundstone and about us. And it is fun to read. And it is funny.
All that being said, if you are not a fan of Paula Poundstone, this book will not make you one. However, if you are not a fan, you probably have no business thinking you can just join in on the party, because she will always be what she is – one of the funniest comics we have, and one who will always provide an interesting spin on any topic. And, if you are not a fan, then don’t clog our airways. And for those of us who understand and appreciate her genius, in spite of anything I may have just said that came off too negative, this book gives all of us another opportunity to join in the fun any time we want.
That may be why translation of her style
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into a book is such a struggle. In her first endeavor, “There’s Nothing In This Book That I Meant To Say”, she solved this problem by using her various psychological issues (OCD, ADD, etc.…I think those are the right ones) rather than fighting them. She would start with a historical figure and, next thing we all knew, she was talking about life – hers, ours, and everything in between.It worked.
For this book, she uses a similarly artificial device. (Not artificial in a bad way, just a trick to frame the conversation.) Each chapter is divided into ways she tries to achieve happiness. Exercise, movies, the internet, dancing, driving a fast car – a plethora of expected and unexpected attempts to find how they impact the achievement of happiness.
Of course, calling these “experiments” is a bit much. I’m not saying she didn’t do these things (and, in some instances, she obviously tried the specifically for the book). However, just as with the previous book, it is all a construct for talking about life.
The problem is that this approach does not work as well as that used in the first book. Now, before anyone gets all “how could you?!” all over me (or starts raining me with praise for finally catching on – Poundstone is not everyone’s cup of tea), this isn’t saying the book is bad. It’s just that the first one set what may well be impossibly high and possibly unreachable standards.
I didn’t find myself having as many laugh out loud moments. And, although both books have an intense autobiographically aspect to them, at times this one did not work as well as the prior one.
Picking on a book for being too true to the subject (as I may have just done) is insane. And I only bring it up to point out the differences between this and the previous book.
Let me clarify. This book is funny. It is an interesting premise. And the “experiments” lead to some interesting revelations about Poundstone and about us. And it is fun to read. And it is funny.
All that being said, if you are not a fan of Paula Poundstone, this book will not make you one. However, if you are not a fan, you probably have no business thinking you can just join in on the party, because she will always be what she is – one of the funniest comics we have, and one who will always provide an interesting spin on any topic. And, if you are not a fan, then don’t clog our airways. And for those of us who understand and appreciate her genius, in spite of anything I may have just said that came off too negative, this book gives all of us another opportunity to join in the fun any time we want.
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LibraryThing member amerynth
I received a free copy of Paula Poundstone's "The Totally Unscientific Study of the Search for Human Happiness" through LT's Early Reviewers program. I requested it because I generally find Poundstone to be one of the funnier personalities on "Wait, Wait Don't Tell Me."
There were definitely some
There were definitely some
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funny bits in the book, but that is tempered by the fact I absolutely detested the way Poundstone talked about her children -- especially her oldest daughter who seems to be particularly singled out. I hope that these stories are embellished for dramatic effect and that her daughter doesn't mind all this information about herself listed in a book. Show Less
LibraryThing member rayneofdarkness
While I think this book had some good parts that were in fact funny I found a little of this book to be disheartening. I can't pin point oh this specific chapter was it or this style of writing but it just came off like it was forced. I like the ideas of the experiments and how they all didn't
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bring happiness as I think that would have totally thrown me off which gave it a more realistic approach as I could see myself doing some of these things and having similar results if I did them with my own happiness. If you are a fan of Paula then you will, for a good part, enjoy this book it definitely has her signature sense of humor wit in it which is what attracted me to the book in the first place. At least worth the library rental if on the fence about it. Show Less
LibraryThing member jms001
How do you figure out what the secret to happiness is? Paula Poundstone asked that same question, and this book is her journey to figuring it out.
When I got this book, I imagined this more as a series of funny essays as Poundstone tries to figure out the things that make her happy in life. Instead,
Read this if you're a fan of Paula Poundstone the comedian and don't get offended when she talks about how much her schools and teachers suck.
When I got this book, I imagined this more as a series of funny essays as Poundstone tries to figure out the things that make her happy in life. Instead,
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this read more as a semi-sarcastic memoir about her and her family as she searches for the things in life that make her happy. Rent a fancy Lamborghini for a day? Yes. Take some dance classes? Yes. Start hugging people. Yes. But through it all, there were instances of complaining, especially with regards to her kids and her kids' schools. Seeing as she's a comedian, I tried to shrug some of these complaints off as her way of trying to see humor in a situation, but ultimately a lot of it just came off as simply ungratefulness for the things that her teachers do. Ultimately, I found myself just trying to get through the book to see what her final conclusion was. And of course, nothing new: Do things in life that make you happy.Read this if you're a fan of Paula Poundstone the comedian and don't get offended when she talks about how much her schools and teachers suck.
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LibraryThing member Alliebadger
I love hearing Paula Poundstone on Wait Wait, so I was really excited to get this book through Early Reviewers. And I think that hearing her voice and attitude reading the story in my head was what made me really enjoy it. So to be honest, if you don't know her style, it might be more difficult to
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get into the book. I had a hard time getting used to the format at first - I thought it was going to be strictly about the experiments, but it was more about her life as the experiments affected her attitude - but once I did get used to it, I enjoyed it. It's a fast and funny read, and I definitely had several occasions in which I read particularly hilarious lines out loud to whoever was near me at the time. Overall, it's a funny human guinea pig type of book. Show Less
LibraryThing member JSBancroft
I have long been a fan of Paula Poundstone’s standup comedy, and her often hilarious, but sometimes truly bizarre insights on Wait, Wait, Don’t Tell Me. I was wary of this book, as I find that what I love most about standup comedians is completely lost when reading their words off the sterile
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page. But the set up of this book was appealing and easy to read. And, of course, it’s full of Poundstone’s self-deprecating humor. Poundstone applies the scientific method to various ways by which we might find happiness, and attempts to mathematically calculate how much happiness each provides. Each, predictably, comes with its pros and cons. Her ultimate conclusion is one the reader could probably have come up with before turning the first page, but it’s worth acknowledging and repeating: “Get some exercise. Go dancing. Avoid letting stuff pile up. Remember, you likely only wear 20 percent of what’s in your closet. Don’t hold on to what you don’t need. Be kind to one another. Go for a walk in the woods. Don’t bring food in your tent. Once or twice in your life, watching an I Love Lucy episode is even better than sleep. Never use an email when you could give a hug or a handshake. Put your stupid Smartphone down, and keep your cat census in the single digits.” Show Less
LibraryThing member annbury
I LOVE Paula Poundstone and rushed to buy this book, but it turns out to be a whole lot more complicated -- and a bit less funny -- than her stand up routines. Her premise gives her a strong start, and she is shatteringly funny about some of the things we do to try to find happiness. But there is
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also a lot of sorrow and trouble in this book, kind of like in life. Not what I expected, but still a very good read , and sometimes a moving one. Show Less
LibraryThing member Lisanne624
I have always enjoyed Paula Poundstone's comedy whenever I've had the opportunity to hear her, so I was thrilled to get a copy of her new book, The Totally Unscientific Study of the Search for Human Happiness, from the LibraryThing Early Reviewers program. The book details her attempts to try
While I expected the book to be funny, and it certainly had lots of humorous observations, I was unprepared for the many sad, alarming and depressing details the author shared about her own life. In addition to being somewhat dysfunctional herself (she claims to suffer from depression, obsessive compulsive disorder and alcoholism), she wrote quite a bit about how much she struggles financially, yet she has 16 cats (in the house!) several dogs, a rabbit, a lizard and a bunny. She also adopted 3 children, only one of whom seems to treat her with anything but contempt. Her son, she claims, has a "computer/video game" addiction, to the point that she sent him to an electronics-free school in Virginia, but she never really provided any proof of this other than to say he always wanted to use her computer. She also states, time and time again, that her children "have never watched television" although they have a TV and watch movies. So movies=good, but TV=bad . . . not sure what the justification for that was, either.
So while I enjoyed the occasional humorous observation, I was mostly left dismayed about the holes in her shoes, her lazy, deceitful children, her ramshackle house covered in "cat pee and vomit" and the fact that she doesn't even have a bed but sleeps on a sheet on the floor that she folds up every morning when she gets up. Instead of being a funny or inspiring book (which I was expecting), I read about a woman who was struggling to keep it together in the face of non-stop chaos (OK, some of it self-inflicted . . . I mean I'm a cat lover, but I stop at three). I can't really say I enjoyed the book. All of the blurbs on the front and back of the book are from various celebrities talking about how funny it was. I'm not sure they read the finished copy.
I received a copy of this book from the LibraryThing Early Reviewers program in exchange for this review
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various projects to see which, if any, would increase her feelings of happiness. Each chapter takes a look at one of the things she tried. The book starts with the "Get Fit Experiment" where she signs up for taekwondo classes. Other things she tries include getting organized, driving a sports car, giving to others (through plasma donation and volunteering at a nursing home) and mediation (among others). Each experiment is written up in a manner to appear somewhat scientific with a Hypothesis, list of Equipment, the Procedure and various Qualitative Observations, Constants, Field Notes and some Analysis of the project's ability to increase happiness.While I expected the book to be funny, and it certainly had lots of humorous observations, I was unprepared for the many sad, alarming and depressing details the author shared about her own life. In addition to being somewhat dysfunctional herself (she claims to suffer from depression, obsessive compulsive disorder and alcoholism), she wrote quite a bit about how much she struggles financially, yet she has 16 cats (in the house!) several dogs, a rabbit, a lizard and a bunny. She also adopted 3 children, only one of whom seems to treat her with anything but contempt. Her son, she claims, has a "computer/video game" addiction, to the point that she sent him to an electronics-free school in Virginia, but she never really provided any proof of this other than to say he always wanted to use her computer. She also states, time and time again, that her children "have never watched television" although they have a TV and watch movies. So movies=good, but TV=bad . . . not sure what the justification for that was, either.
So while I enjoyed the occasional humorous observation, I was mostly left dismayed about the holes in her shoes, her lazy, deceitful children, her ramshackle house covered in "cat pee and vomit" and the fact that she doesn't even have a bed but sleeps on a sheet on the floor that she folds up every morning when she gets up. Instead of being a funny or inspiring book (which I was expecting), I read about a woman who was struggling to keep it together in the face of non-stop chaos (OK, some of it self-inflicted . . . I mean I'm a cat lover, but I stop at three). I can't really say I enjoyed the book. All of the blurbs on the front and back of the book are from various celebrities talking about how funny it was. I'm not sure they read the finished copy.
I received a copy of this book from the LibraryThing Early Reviewers program in exchange for this review
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LibraryThing member bookczuk
I love it when Paula Poundstone is on National Public Radio's weekly news quiz show "Wait Wait... Don't Tell Me." Her stories about her life as a foster mother and mother of several adopted children, many cats, and a few other assorted critters are almost always amusing. I also admire the
Poundstone decided to take on quite a number of experiences that are recognized as ones that bring happiness to people who have lived those adventures. She takes up exercise; she experiences nature (both of which have had significant impacts on my own happiness scale). She does some things I never even though of as bringing happiness, like driving a sports car/ She does a lot of things people often cite as sources of happiness: helping the earth, giving a hug to someone, getting a pet (though in her case, how can you tell? She has eleventy billion, already.) The book is amusing, and I found it made me happier when I could imagine Poundstone's voice in my head-- because she is a really funny woman. But reading her voice just wasn't the same for me as actually hearing her, which is why this is only "I liked it" rather than "I loved it." I bet this would be one hella funny audio book though.
Thank you to LibraryThing Early Reader Program and to Algonquin Press, and of course, to Paula Poundstone for sending me a copy of the book.
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responsibility she has taken for the times in life she's screwed up (which when you're a public figure tend to be, well, more public.) I have not read any of her other works so was interested to hear how her agile mind transferred to the written word.Poundstone decided to take on quite a number of experiences that are recognized as ones that bring happiness to people who have lived those adventures. She takes up exercise; she experiences nature (both of which have had significant impacts on my own happiness scale). She does some things I never even though of as bringing happiness, like driving a sports car/ She does a lot of things people often cite as sources of happiness: helping the earth, giving a hug to someone, getting a pet (though in her case, how can you tell? She has eleventy billion, already.) The book is amusing, and I found it made me happier when I could imagine Poundstone's voice in my head-- because she is a really funny woman. But reading her voice just wasn't the same for me as actually hearing her, which is why this is only "I liked it" rather than "I loved it." I bet this would be one hella funny audio book though.
Thank you to LibraryThing Early Reader Program and to Algonquin Press, and of course, to Paula Poundstone for sending me a copy of the book.
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LibraryThing member lisalangford
I love Paula Poundstone. I have seen her in person (at the Aladding theater in Portland, Oregon), I love listening to her on NPR's Wait Wait, Don't Tell Me show, and I really enjoyed reading this book!
In it, she describes various things she does to try to find happiness. She tries to get fit. She
One of my favorite things is how she uses her cats to describe the amounts of happiness she finds or doesn't find - heps and balous. I'm going to pay attention to how many heps and balous of happiness I find in my own life.
In it, she describes various things she does to try to find happiness. She tries to get fit. She
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tries backpacking with her daughter. She tries getting connected on the computer. She tries driving a fancy car. She tries volunteering. I really appreciate how honest she was. Many of things did not provide much happiness at all, and other things provide a lot of happiness. Some of the things provided momentary happiness, and other things gave her longer lasting happiness.One of my favorite things is how she uses her cats to describe the amounts of happiness she finds or doesn't find - heps and balous. I'm going to pay attention to how many heps and balous of happiness I find in my own life.
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LibraryThing member gtown
Paula's book of course doesn't provide any magical secret for how to attain perfect happiness but through her 7 year "study" you learn a lot about Paula, her family, and get plenty of laughs while reading about her shake up her life to get a bit happier.
The book is written like a true study with
Paula is funny and real and lives a pretty regular life so what she learns will apply to most people. At the very least you'll laugh. One keen observation from the book: "After you pee like a man, you don't ask for directions." You'll have to read the book to understand that. :)
I received this book as part of the LibraryThing Early Reviewers program.
The book is written like a true study with
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sections such as Analysis, Field Notes, and Qualitative Observation in each chapter which seems to get in the way of the flow at first but soon enough I didn't really notice them.Paula is funny and real and lives a pretty regular life so what she learns will apply to most people. At the very least you'll laugh. One keen observation from the book: "After you pee like a man, you don't ask for directions." You'll have to read the book to understand that. :)
I received this book as part of the LibraryThing Early Reviewers program.
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LibraryThing member amyblue
Not the most original idea, but still very funny and heartfelt throughout. This book spans several years of Poundstone's life, which is both interesting and a little hard to follow.
LibraryThing member Micah
I first encountered Paula Poundstone while listening to Wait Wait on NPR where everything out of her mouth is hilarious. She brings her trademark humor to print through vignettes about her attempts to attain happiness with her family. Highly recommended.
LibraryThing member doomjesse
I normally love Paula Poundstone, but this is a formulaic comedy. As anyone who knows her work on "wait wait don't tell me" her wandering thoughts are not well suited to a normal formula. While it does have funny moments, I had hoped for more.
LibraryThing member SquarePeg
I started reading humor in earnest about one week after the November 2016 election.
When I came across “The Totally Unscientific Study of the Search for Human Happiness” I hadn't heard about Paula's first book yet, but I was accustomed to hearing her on NPR's Wait, Wait, Don' Tell Me, where
I won't say that I couldn't put the book down – that would be lying. And besides it's such a pathetic cliché. But I will say that I read the book in record time. And one night, while I was lying on my back in bed, holding the book above me so that I could read it, I picked it right back up again after I dozed off and dropped it on my face. (Note to self, avoid reading hardcover books while lying on back.)
I enjoyed the variety of humor. There's plenty of the self-effacing cracks that you'd expect from a comedian / cat lady. There's also a spot light on the thoughtlessness / stupidity all of us face as we navigate our day-to-day existence. For example, she tells how she needed to sign up online for a class on computers for absolute beginners. And, my favorite, the mental slapstick during her meditation class. All this undergirded by a bizarre unique, out-of-the-box thought process.
There were sections that made me uncomfortable, though. I kept worrying that she would smash the Lamborghini (or that it would get vandalized or stolen) even as I entertained the notion that she had somehow gotten her publisher to reimburse her for the rental fee. And the first “Get Organized” chapter was draining because it hit so close to home. I still remember how tedious and dreadful it was for me to declutter my home office, even though it was more than ten years ago. Personally I think she should've kept the underwear with all the holes in it. I find that “holey” underwear is nice on a hot day. And with global warming, the summers won't be getting much cooler for at least the next dozen or so epochs.
This is one of the few books that I was able to read the Acknowledgments section to completion. In most books, it's a seemingly endless string of shout-outs. But Paula's gratitude is genuine, if, perhaps, swamped with relief over having completed the book. Yet I'm surprised that she did not thank her sixteen cats – they deserve to be acknowledged for not peeing on the computer keyboard, or for not highlighting the file and stepping on the Delete key, before Paula sent the manuscript to the publisher. Or maybe they did, and Paula had a backup copy.
Regardless of intention, I think the book serves just as well as a self-help book as it does entertainment. Obviously the humor provides immediate relief from the doldrums. But then for extended relief, you'll benefit from Paula's findings, three of which are that: 1. Happiness from a fancy car is fleeting; B. Getting a good night's sleep does wonders for your outlook; π. Striving to make others happy brings happiness to yourself. So the book is like that dual-action, 12-hour Mucinex – immediate and long-acting relief.
When I came across “The Totally Unscientific Study of the Search for Human Happiness” I hadn't heard about Paula's first book yet, but I was accustomed to hearing her on NPR's Wait, Wait, Don' Tell Me, where
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she'd advocate for the humane treatment of Twinkies or extol the virtues of the Apple Cinnamon Pop Tart. So I was really excited to get my hands on it. The book, not the Pop Tart.I won't say that I couldn't put the book down – that would be lying. And besides it's such a pathetic cliché. But I will say that I read the book in record time. And one night, while I was lying on my back in bed, holding the book above me so that I could read it, I picked it right back up again after I dozed off and dropped it on my face. (Note to self, avoid reading hardcover books while lying on back.)
I enjoyed the variety of humor. There's plenty of the self-effacing cracks that you'd expect from a comedian / cat lady. There's also a spot light on the thoughtlessness / stupidity all of us face as we navigate our day-to-day existence. For example, she tells how she needed to sign up online for a class on computers for absolute beginners. And, my favorite, the mental slapstick during her meditation class. All this undergirded by a bizarre unique, out-of-the-box thought process.
There were sections that made me uncomfortable, though. I kept worrying that she would smash the Lamborghini (or that it would get vandalized or stolen) even as I entertained the notion that she had somehow gotten her publisher to reimburse her for the rental fee. And the first “Get Organized” chapter was draining because it hit so close to home. I still remember how tedious and dreadful it was for me to declutter my home office, even though it was more than ten years ago. Personally I think she should've kept the underwear with all the holes in it. I find that “holey” underwear is nice on a hot day. And with global warming, the summers won't be getting much cooler for at least the next dozen or so epochs.
This is one of the few books that I was able to read the Acknowledgments section to completion. In most books, it's a seemingly endless string of shout-outs. But Paula's gratitude is genuine, if, perhaps, swamped with relief over having completed the book. Yet I'm surprised that she did not thank her sixteen cats – they deserve to be acknowledged for not peeing on the computer keyboard, or for not highlighting the file and stepping on the Delete key, before Paula sent the manuscript to the publisher. Or maybe they did, and Paula had a backup copy.
Regardless of intention, I think the book serves just as well as a self-help book as it does entertainment. Obviously the humor provides immediate relief from the doldrums. But then for extended relief, you'll benefit from Paula's findings, three of which are that: 1. Happiness from a fancy car is fleeting; B. Getting a good night's sleep does wonders for your outlook; π. Striving to make others happy brings happiness to yourself. So the book is like that dual-action, 12-hour Mucinex – immediate and long-acting relief.
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LibraryThing member arouse77
I received this book as part of the LibraryThing Early Reviewers program.
I laughed out loud, and pretty hard, before I was done reading the first page of this book. I figured that would bode well for the rest of it. Sometimes, things don't turn out like we expect.
This could arguably be suggested as
Essentially a memoir, Poundstone brings her distinctive voice - and after so many years of listening to her on Wait Wait Don't Tell Me I was literally hearing her voice in my head as I was reading - to a process revealed in a series of vignettes offering a view into the nooks and crannies of her life.
I found the use of device in formatting each chapter as though it was a science experiment rather charming. Unlike some attempts to frame a narrative in a clever package, she maintains consistency in her progression through the phases of each "study"
There is an intimate quality to her voice and an almost confiding air in her style. We learn about the chaos that surrounds her as well as the things she tries to bring some things to order. She is self-deprecating, honest, and as expected, funny.
While this book wasn't the gut-buster I was sort of hoping for, it was a worthy and entertaining read.
Recommended.
I laughed out loud, and pretty hard, before I was done reading the first page of this book. I figured that would bode well for the rest of it. Sometimes, things don't turn out like we expect.
This could arguably be suggested as
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the overarching theme of Paula Poundstone's The Totally Unscientific Study of the Search for Human Happiness.Essentially a memoir, Poundstone brings her distinctive voice - and after so many years of listening to her on Wait Wait Don't Tell Me I was literally hearing her voice in my head as I was reading - to a process revealed in a series of vignettes offering a view into the nooks and crannies of her life.
I found the use of device in formatting each chapter as though it was a science experiment rather charming. Unlike some attempts to frame a narrative in a clever package, she maintains consistency in her progression through the phases of each "study"
There is an intimate quality to her voice and an almost confiding air in her style. We learn about the chaos that surrounds her as well as the things she tries to bring some things to order. She is self-deprecating, honest, and as expected, funny.
While this book wasn't the gut-buster I was sort of hoping for, it was a worthy and entertaining read.
Recommended.
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LibraryThing member Physiker
In her new memoir “The Totally Unscientific Study of the Search for Human Happiness”, Paula Poundstone details numerous attempts over the years to tweak her hectic lifestyle to bring a little more positive feeling into it, generally via some form of accomplishment (getting organized, getting
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fit, learning to dance, etc.). Underneath that faux-self-help premise, however, are the tales of her life as a single mother who’s kids are rapidly leaving the nest. It gives the reader the sense that what she is really looking for is identity when they are gone. The stories are full of her constant frustration at the behavior of her kids, but even when bickering it’s obvious that her happiest moments are the ones when they are around. Show Less
LibraryThing member cambridgecenter
Paula Poundstone. The Totally Unscientifc Study of the Search for Happiness. Chapel Hill, North Carolina : Algonquin Books of Chapel Hill, 2017.
This book is marvelous and was a real lifesaver for me in the past two weeks. I read it while taking a friend to radiation therapy and because I was
Paule Poundstone says in the book:"Part of the problem is that we as a species have never come up with a standard form of measure for happiness: teaspoons, volume, decibels maybe something akin to blood alcohol level. Maybe a small amount of happiness could be called a "hep," after my old cat Hepcat. I like that:: a hep of happiness,and if you're lucky enough to amass four of those, you've got yourself a whole "balou" of happiness. That's a lot. ANd, yes, I did have a cat named Balou."
Sharing it every day for two weeks gave me many a balou of happiness. Sometimes people would borrow it and read aloud, sometimes just chuckle. In this book Paula sets out to do an unscientifc experiment to discover the roots of happiness--we could all use a little happiness in our lives. She does things like "get fit" via Taekwando., learns to dance, increases her tech skills, goes hiking with her daughter, gets organized (with and without a coach), rents a Lamborghini for 24 hours, spends quality time with her cats (16 of them) etc. SOme of them gain her a hape or two of happiness, but short lived. And some actually give her more angst (like driving a Lamborghini). But the one that gave her the most and continues to give her as she has taken it up since, is volunteering in an old age home.
She chose this volunteer job because old people always scared her. Given that with luck she too would grow old, she decided to take on this task. Her stories about the center ring very true and she ends up playing "keep the balloon in the air"; she also brings her dogs to the center. As she says, this experiment "has given me oodles of heps and several balous of happiness". This is one experiment she recommends to all of us and I agree.
This book is witty, humane, will making listeneing to "Wait, Wait Don't Tell Me' on NPR so much more satisfying.
This book is marvelous and was a real lifesaver for me in the past two weeks. I read it while taking a friend to radiation therapy and because I was
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laughing in a waiting room filled with cancer patients, I shared it.Paule Poundstone says in the book:"Part of the problem is that we as a species have never come up with a standard form of measure for happiness: teaspoons, volume, decibels maybe something akin to blood alcohol level. Maybe a small amount of happiness could be called a "hep," after my old cat Hepcat. I like that:: a hep of happiness,and if you're lucky enough to amass four of those, you've got yourself a whole "balou" of happiness. That's a lot. ANd, yes, I did have a cat named Balou."
Sharing it every day for two weeks gave me many a balou of happiness. Sometimes people would borrow it and read aloud, sometimes just chuckle. In this book Paula sets out to do an unscientifc experiment to discover the roots of happiness--we could all use a little happiness in our lives. She does things like "get fit" via Taekwando., learns to dance, increases her tech skills, goes hiking with her daughter, gets organized (with and without a coach), rents a Lamborghini for 24 hours, spends quality time with her cats (16 of them) etc. SOme of them gain her a hape or two of happiness, but short lived. And some actually give her more angst (like driving a Lamborghini). But the one that gave her the most and continues to give her as she has taken it up since, is volunteering in an old age home.
She chose this volunteer job because old people always scared her. Given that with luck she too would grow old, she decided to take on this task. Her stories about the center ring very true and she ends up playing "keep the balloon in the air"; she also brings her dogs to the center. As she says, this experiment "has given me oodles of heps and several balous of happiness". This is one experiment she recommends to all of us and I agree.
This book is witty, humane, will making listeneing to "Wait, Wait Don't Tell Me' on NPR so much more satisfying.
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LibraryThing member Bricker
Sometimes being open about your faults combined with being funny can come off as self-deprecating, but I think Paula keeps a nice balance. The experiments are varied and honest. My favorite part is that she tried to find happiness in real life. She didn't totally uproot herself to the top of a
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Tibetan mountain or go into hiding...she tried to institute small happiness inducing changes will taking the kids to school and scooping kitty litter and traveling for work. Definitely worth the read and the summation is spot on. Show Less
LibraryThing member sunielevin8
The Totally Unscientific Study of The Search for Human Happiness
Paula Poundstone is a comedienne, and luckily, it shows. Come along with her on her fun and witty trip on how to achieve happiness. You will enjoy the journey, and laugh as loudly as I did. In particular, her ‘get organized and
Sunie Levin, author
Make New Friends, Live Longe
Paula Poundstone is a comedienne, and luckily, it shows. Come along with her on her fun and witty trip on how to achieve happiness. You will enjoy the journey, and laugh as loudly as I did. In particular, her ‘get organized and
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exercise’ chapters are a hilarious exercise in self-recognition. She also makes very wise suggestions about helping seniors in a nursing home, something that brings as much happiness as it gives. Her best advice is ‘never use e-mail when you can give the person a hug.’Sunie Levin, author
Make New Friends, Live Longe
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LibraryThing member BittyCornwell
I've been a fan of Paula Poundstone's for a while. I've listened to NPR for a long time, and always enjoy when she comes one Wait Wait Don't Tell Me. She has a great sense of humor and I was very excited to find out how she is in written form. I was not disappointed. She is not afraid to laugh at
While some parts of the book could seem repetitive as she had multiple experiments in the book, I think overall there was still humor to be found in each section. Some of the experiments were more hilarious than others. And some were more relatable which made them more interesting to me, but I still think despite a few spots where it lagged for me it was a fun book.
If you are looking for a completely serious approach to a search for happiness this book is not for you. If you like honestly with a lot of humor, than give this book a try.
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herself when her experiments go awry, and it makes her search for happiness seem very relatable. It also provides encouragement to try new things and just discover where events will take you. While some parts of the book could seem repetitive as she had multiple experiments in the book, I think overall there was still humor to be found in each section. Some of the experiments were more hilarious than others. And some were more relatable which made them more interesting to me, but I still think despite a few spots where it lagged for me it was a fun book.
If you are looking for a completely serious approach to a search for happiness this book is not for you. If you like honestly with a lot of humor, than give this book a try.
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LibraryThing member realbigcat
The Totally Unscientific Study of the Search for Human Happiness by Paula Poundstone is an intriguing book. In the era of self improvement or self indulgence the subject of happiness is front and center. With no shortage of books on the subject this book takes a slight twist. A key factor
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contributing to happiness is laughter so who better to write on the subject than a comedian. Poundstone a well known comic and regular on NPR takes on the subject by tracking it head on. Her wry humor and wick wit is humorous and entertaining. Some parts are laugh out loud funny. Her role as a human guinea pig may be more entertaining than scientific. If you like books on the subject then give this one a read. Show Less
LibraryThing member Kaysee
I have always enjoyed Paula Poundstones comedic talents especially on “Wait, wait, don’t tell me”. This book is a very humorous look into Ms Poundstones life and it shows where her talent comes from.
Awards
Audie Award (Finalist — Audiobook of the Year — 2018)
NPR: Books We Love (2017)
Language
Original language
English
Original publication date
2017
Physical description
10 inches
ISBN
1616204168 / 9781616204167