To celebrate International Day of Happiness we are sharing our pick of books sure to put a smile on your face
Today is International Happiness Day which means a whole 24 hours of celebrating happiness and most importantly being happy. We are all searching for ways to be happier and perhaps books are the answer. It doesn’t have to be a self-help book or a guide to a happier life, sometimes a book can simply make us laugh out loud.
Do you have one book which you turn to when you want a good giggle or to feel happier? Or maybe you are looking for one. Whichever it is, we have selected a few books guaranteed to put you in a good mood. Be happy and read.
Image credit: Goodreads
1 52 Things To Do While You Poo by Hugh Jassburn
A book sure to make your trip to the bathroom a happier experience. Excretion expert Hugh Jassburn has compiled an array of entertaining activities to keep you occupied on the toilet. The amusing book is filled with clever mazes, trivia, searches and puzzles all surrounding the theme of pooing. You might take a little longer in the loo now – sorry family members!
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2 Is It Just Me? by Miranda Hart
“Is it just me or does anyone else find that adulthood offers no refuge from the unexpected horrors, peculiar lack of physical coordination and sometimes unexplained nudity, that accompanied childhood and adolescence?”
– Miranda Hart
You may not have known but English actress and comedienne Miranda Hart, best known for her comedy TV series Miranda, has had a wealth of uncomfortable experiences. In this humorous autobiography Miranda opens up about awkward and embarrassing moments – some of which are relatable – which she has experienced in her life. As Britain’s Comedy Queen’s attempt at a manual for life she offers her 18-year-old self, guidance on how to navigate life’s rocky path. Even if it isn’t the answer to all of life’s problems, it will have you laughing about them that’s for certain!
3 It’s Called A BreakUp Because It’s Broken by Amiira Ruotola & Greg Behrendt
Perhaps you have just been through a recent break up. Maybe it wasn’t you who did the breaking up. Whoever it was, break-ups suck and we all want to find the quickest way to feel happy again. From best-selling author of He’s Just Not That Into You, this book tries to help you do just that. Described as “The Smart Girl’s Break-up Buddy”, it steadily guides you through the moving on period with engaging activities to complete along the journey to a better and more independent you. Warning: it’s also quite funny so might make you giggle. A double dose of happiness – bonus.
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4 The Colour of Magic by Terry Pratchett
This hilarious fish out of water tale is written from the perspective of Twoflower – the first tourist to ever visit the Discworld. Discworld is a parallel time and place which might seem very similar to our own but actually looks completely different. This comic fantasy novel features a fantastical setting, uproarious characters and a rather bonkers plot.
A personal favourite of Go With Me’s Heather Wald. She says: “It was one of the first books to make me laugh out loud.
“It’s just so fun, and if I’m ever feeling down, it’s a great pick-me-up.”
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5 The Happiness Project by Gretchen Rubin
Author Gretchen Rubin reveals her monthly personal reflections throughout a year of trying to improve her quality of life as part of her happiness project. She shares her journey including challenges she faces and unexpected lessons she has learnt as well as her successes in achieving her goals. A truly inspiring read and a project which you can adopt along with her to help you find happiness.
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6 The Noticer by Andy Andrews
From the best-selling author of The Traveler’s Gift, this feel-good novel tells the story of a man who completely changed the life of a young boy by showing him the beautiful gifts that life offers. A self-help concept wrapped in a fiction format which provides perspective and plenty of life lessons for us all.
Go With Me’s Filiz Mehmedova personally recommends it. An extract from her favourite quote in the book is: “Everybody wants to be on the mountaintop … But to hit that target, we must come off the mountain, go through the valley, and begin to climb the next slope. It is in the valley that we slog through the lush grass and rich soil, learning and becoming what enables us to summit life’s next peak.”
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7 Happy by Fearne Cotton
Released just over a year ago by television and radio presenter and busy Mum Fearne Cotton, Happy offers practical ways of finding joy each and every day. It allows you to express your creativity and find peace through written exercises and simple practical visualisations. Drawing on her own experiences, Fearne also provides expert advice to help you unlock inner happiness.
“This book is a way to release what’s going on inside your head and to keep heading towards the good stuff.”
– Fearne Cotton
Which book makes you happy? Let us know using #internationaldayofhappiness @gowithme_mag
