Rating: 
Summary: A short guide with a long list of cliches
Review: It seems the publishing industry has found a way to beef up their profits by publishing really short books and selling them at outrageously high prices. This book ...took me all of 8 minuits to read. In this respect it reminded me of "The prayer of Jabez," and "Secrets of the Vine." However, this one is even shorter. Not only is is short but it seems the author wrote down every cliche about life that she could think of and tried to squeeze them all into one essay, which is what this book really is. These include such things as "If you win the rat race, you are still a rat" and "Life is a journey not a destination." If you can think of any others it is probobly in here. In closing the book fails utterly to enlighten. It's real success seems to come not from enlightening the reader, but in lining the pockets of the publisher. Save your money, and spend it on something a little less trite.
Rating: 
Summary: Good stuff
Review: I have read this book and read some of the reviews show here. I think people are missing the point. This was a speech written to be given at a graduation. Read it for what is is a short inspirational speech. A wonderful gift for a graduate.
Rating: 
Summary: Expensive fluff
Review: I was terribly disappointed by "A Short Guide to a Happy Life." An avid Anna Quindlen fan, I bought it with huge anticipation and brought it to a restaurant lunch by myself where I could savor it. But I was halfway through the book before I realized I wasn't reading the introduction; in fact, I was reading the book itself. Wah! I finished it before the end of the meal, and I was still hungry on both counts.Save your money and read it at the bookstore.
Rating:
Summary: Sizzle over substance -
Review: I feel cheated - 50 pages????. And the author apologizes for letting you down in the first few!! Even at its low price this book is a rip-off. There are so many other hardcover non-fiction books that truly give guidance and satisfaction. "Winning at Mergers & Acquisitions" is a much better investment, a great summer book, and will actually help you keep your job when your company gets bought. But it wasn't written by a novelist with a friend on TV.
Rating: 
Summary: Your grad doesn't WANT a fat book right now!
Review: ...I know I like Anna Quindlen's writing, but wasn't sure what to expect from "A Short Guide to a Happy Life." Here's what I found: a very slim book with lots of photographs. Was I disappointed? Not at all. This is a perfect gift for a graduate - after all those final exams and papers, the truth is that your graduate isn't ready to even pick up a full-length book for a while, let alone read one! This book is filled with the kind of advice that is a happy antidote to all those "go out and knock 'em dead in the business world" speeches. Quindlen advises the graduate to walk in awareness, and appreciate the small moments that life has to offer. Good advice for anyone - graduates, dropouts, whoever....
Rating:
Summary: Why is this a Hardcover Book???
Review: Ok, she has some great sentiments. And my life will improve once my bills are paid, but I already can remember that my cat sleeping is a beautiful creature, and that macaroni & cheese tastes just swell, in short: I already recall what is fine about life, I just want my bills paid. The short anecdote at the end about the homeless man is pretty good, but not worth [the money I paid].Read this at the bookstore, and you'll have enough to buy yourself two fine things: the fiction paperback of your choice and a cup of coffee to drink while reading your alternate selection, but spare yourself this particular title. Most of the stock photography we've seen before in other sources. One good source is the Hulton Getty Picture Collection series of books on the 20's, 30's, 40's, and 50's, etc. a few years ago. If it's awesome human interest pictures you're after, I recommend that particular collection. (Yet another thing to be happy about!) As a matter of fact, here is the ISBN for the Hulton Getty 40's: 3-8290-0521-0
Rating:
Summary: Disappointing
Review: I like Anna Quindlen, but this book was dissapointing. I can't imagine why it's been successful other than brilliant marketing and the author's good name. Perhaps I just expected too much, but there is not much more to this little book than "you should get a life, and appreciate it." Over half the pages are taken up by unoriginal stock photos. If you want a little book filled with truly thought-provoking advice on living a happy life, I highly recommend "Open Your Mind, Open Your Life" by Taro Gold.
Rating:
Summary: A Short Guide to a Happy Life
Review: A Short Guide to a Happy Life By: Anna Quindlen Published by Random House 2000 ISBN:0-375-50461-3 Non-Fiction Inspiration Anna Quindlen tells the reader up front that she is a novelist. She says she is not a scholar or ethicist or philosopher. Anna does not claim to be highly educated. She writes about what she knows, human nature and real life. Anna's favorite bit of advice is a quote from John Lennon. "Life is what happens to you when you are busy making other plans." Another bit of her sage advice. "Get a Life" Live like there is no tomorrow. Pay attention to the little things. Don't take life for granted. Anne assures the reader that this is not a dress rehearsal; this is the real thing. Appreciate every moment of it. Sprinkled among these wonderful and sometimes deep thoughts are splendid and mood making black and white photographs. Photos of people enjoying life to its fullest. Walking on the beach, building sand castles or just taking a snooze with the Sunday paper over your face. I think this book would make a wonderful gift. There is so much wisdom in this tiny little book.
Rating:
Summary: Inspirational - I've read it five times already
Review: I thoroughly enjoyed reading this excellent book. I bought it for my wife for Christmas and have since given it as a gift to many of our friends. I read mostly business books and I found this to be a nice change. I believe anyone would enjoy reading this thought-provoking treasure. I wish I could write as beautifully as Anna Quindlen!
Rating:
Summary: Delightful
Review: I found this book simple yet profound. It is so true how often one takes life for granted until that one thing happens that changes everything. Wow to think life is just a succession of moments, each one special in its own way. Another book I really enjoyed called "Working on Yourself Doesn't Work" by Ariel & Shya Kane is about living in the moment and I found it also to be simply delightful. I highly recommend both of these books.
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