Wednesday, July 13, 2011

Come on, get happy with Gretchen Rubin...plus a book giveaway!


**Giveaway is now closed**

Gretchen Rubin is the best-selling writer whose book, "The Happiness Project," is the account of the year she spent test-driving studies and theories about how to be happier. She is a bestselling writer with four published books. Before she became a writer, she started out in law and was a clerk for Justice Sandra Day O’Connor. She was raised in Kansas City and now lives in New York City with her husband and daughters. She's also close with her parents, sister and in-laws. Her hobbies are reading and writing, along with helping people organize their closets.

Today, Gretchen has come to talk to us about what makes her happy, amongst other things. Reading her answers to our questions made us happy. For those of you seeking happiness (or those of you who are happy already and just want to be even happier), Joseph Papa at HarperCollins has one copy to give to a lucky reader in the US or Canada.

To learn more about Gretchen, follow her on Facebook and Twitter. You can also read her blog. Sign up for her free daily e-mail, "Moment of Happiness," as well as her free monthly newsletter.

MP: What was the biggest challenge you faced while writing "The Happiness Project"?
GR: There is so much fascinating material on happiness; it was hard to limit myself and to find a structure that gave shape to a vast quantity of information and ideas.

MP: How do you like to spend your time when you are not writing?
GR: Reading. Reading, reading, reading.

MA: How did you feel when your book became a huge hit that inspired project groups and even became an answer on Jeopardy?
GR: It has been enormously thrilling to see that the my work resonates with so many people. It makes me so HAPPY!

MP: While you were working in law, what triggered your desire to become a writer?
GR: At some point, it became clear to me that I'd rather fail as a writer than succeed as a lawyer. I was working on a book in my free time, and I thought, "You know, some people write books for a living. For them, it's not a hobby, but a career." I figured I just had to give it my best shot.

MA: After writing your book, what is another thing you could have added into it, but didn't get a chance?
GR: There's so much material I didn't get to include! That's one reason I love my blog -- I have limitless opportunities to write, there. So I've been steadily covering new ground ever since the book came out.

MA: Have you come across people who refuse to buy into the concept of happiness? If so, what have you said to them? (Or what would you say if you came across said individuals?)
GR: Yes, I have. I always say, "You reject the possibility of 'happiness,' but do you think it's possible to be 'happier'?" Usually, they admit that yes, it's possible to be happier, and I say -- "Well, that's what a happiness project is all about. Tomorrow, next month, next year, what changes can we make to be happier."

MP: If you could travel anywhere in the world, where would you go and why?
GR: Right now, I'm obsessed with the sense of smell, so I'd love to go to Grasse, which is the perfume capital of the world. Actually, I know it used to be the perfume capital of the world, but I'd have to do some research to make sure that it still is!

MP: Now that you live in New York, what do you miss the most about Kansas City?
GR: The enormous grocery stores, with huge selection and wide aisles. In New York City, real estate is so precious that grocery stores are very cramped.

MA: What is your favorite thing about summer?
GR: I'm always cold, so I love being able to leave my apartment without hat, coat, mittens, long underwear, etc.

MA: What is the funniest thing you ever did about something that made you happy?
GR: The thing that made me laugh the hardest was when I froze my daughter's cereal for April Fool's Day (for my "take time to be silly" resolution). She was so puzzled when her spoon wouldn't go in. It was truly hilarious.

Special thanks to Gretchen for visiting with us today and to Joseph for contributing the book for the giveaway.

How to win "The Happiness Project":
Please comment below with your e-mail address.
(Please note: Entries without an e-mail address will NOT be counted. You can use AT and DOT to avoid spam. Or provide a link to your facebook page or blog if you can receive messages there.)

Bonus entries (can be listed all in one post):
1. Please tell us: What is something that made you really happy during this past month?
2. Follow this blog and post a comment saying you are a follower (if you already follow, that's fine too).

3. Post this contest on Facebook or Twitter or in your blog, and leave a comment saying where you've posted it.
4. Join Chick Lit Central on Facebook. Edit settings if you don't want to receive a lot of messages at your e-mail account. (If you're already a member, let us know that too.)
5. Add a friend to our Facebook group. (Tell us who you added.) Be sure to remind them to edit their settings.

US/Canada only. Ends July 18th at midnight EST.

36 comments:

Anonymous said...

When I first read about THE HAPPINESS PROJECT I thought it was the coolest thing since vanilla ice cream! Congratulations to Gretchen Rubin for tapping into something we can ALL participate in!

Thank you for your interview!

My shih tzu, Princess passed away in December and I was overcome by grief. I rescued another shih tzu two weeks ago, named her Sassy and now "my soul is whole." To say that I am happy is an understatement.

I follow CLC on FB.

I regularly refer friends.

I have absolutely NO IDEA HOW MELISSA keeps this blog/site straight!

Cindy R
writeoncindy (at) yahoo (dot) com

Jeryl M. said...

Sounds good.

jeryl.marcus@gmail.com

Jeryl M. said...

It made me really happy this month that my daughter and I now have 68 followers on our blog and at the end of last month we only had around 4.

I am a GFC follower.

I am a facebook fan.

Jeryl.marcus@gmail.com

Literary Chanteuse said...

My new kobo made me very happy. It was a late Mother's day present from my kids.

Margaret
singitm@hotmail.com

Kat @ NoPageLeftBehind said...

Oooh! I've been wanting to read this book for awhile - thanks for the giveaway!

Katherine(dot)kpp(at)gmail(dot)com

PoCoKat said...

Sounds like a great book!

1. Happy to have a few days of sunshine in this very dismal summer in Vancouver.

2. GFC follower

3. Belong to CLC on FB

littleone AT shaw DOT ca

Carol N Wong said...

This morning when my passport arrived safely, I was very happy. There have been several books that have been sent that I have not received lately,so I was a little worried.


CarolNWong(at)aol(dot)com

Carol N Wong said...

I follow this blog with GFC.


CarolNWong(at)aol(dot)com

Carol N Wong said...

I posted this giveaway on Twitter, my Twitter name is Carolee888.


http://t.co/I9jPUQsGiveaway of 'Happiness Project'.

CarolNWong(at)aol(dot)com

Carol N Wong said...

I follow Chick Lit Central on Facebook.

CarolNWong(at)aol(dot)com

Kim W. said...

I have heard nothing but great things about this book and would love a chance to win a copy!

kewalker1972@gmail.com

1. Happy -- I flew home to Vancouver about a week ago to spend 5 days with my sister. In that time, we saw the American Idol concert tour, we saw NKOTBSB in concert the following night, and we spent a lot of time just hanging out, shopping, relaxing, and time with our brother and his family. Happy, happy visit!!

2. I follow the CLC blog

3. I have posted this contest on FB

4. I follow CLC on FB

Laura Kay said...

Great interview!

Something that has made me happy. I got to interview and author Kaira Rouda this month for my blog! It was really great!

I follow the clc blog

I am a facebook fan :D

Laura Kay
http://www.anovelreview.blogspot.com
anovelreview@yahoo(dot)com

Nina said...

I have read this book before, and just want everyone to know it is a WONDERFUL read! I pass it along to many friends. What she discovers and shares about passions really inspired me and is what encouraged me to start my blog, which has been a source of a lot of joy for me!

Margie said...

The blooming flowers around our house have made me happy this past month.
mtakala1 AT yahoo DOT com

Margie said...

I'd like to read this one.
mtakala1 AT yahoo DOT com

Margie said...

follower by GFC
mtakala1 AT yahoo DOT com

Margie said...

like Chick Lit Central on Facebook
mtakala1 AT yahoo DOT com

Anonymous said...

Hi there!

I live alone but my sister arrived two weeks ago for a 5-week visit! That's made me extremely happy!

I follow the blog. I follow on Twitter (@imjustmea) and I will RT the contest.

Thanks!
Maria Elena
mariaelenaabraham at gmail dot com

Linda Kish said...

Buying some new shorts that actually fit me and look good made me happy.
(I am easy to please)

lkish77123 at gmail dot com

Linda Kish said...

I am a GFC follower

lkish77123 at gmail dot com

Alison said...

This book sounds amazing. I look forward to reading this.

alison.fees@gmail.com

Alison said...

One thing that made me happy was seeing my oldest turn 9. She is growing more and more every day and it's nice to know I may have a part in that.

I follow on FB
I follow on Twitter - bfees2
I subscribe to email
I tweeted the giveaway
http://twitter.com/#!/bfees2/status/91328977876160512

alison.fees@gmail.com

Qandthebooks said...

Thanks for the giveaway (:

+1 One thing that made me happy this month was..I finally went to Mixx to try some frozen yogurt!

+1 Following!

+1 Tweeted: https://twitter.com/#!/Neku234/status/91340964249088000

blissfulrains(at)yahoo(dot)com

JHS said...

Would love to read this!

1. I was very happy being in Pismo Beach on vacation with three very good friends last week.
2. GFC follower.
3. Facebook member.

JHS
Colloquium

jhsmail at comcast dot net

Anita Yancey said...

This book sounds really good, and I'd love to read it. Please enter me. Thanks!

ayancey(at)dishmail(dot)net

Anita Yancey said...

Something that made me really happy during this past month, is my husband and I celebrated our 36th. wedding anniversary.

ayancey(at)dishmail(dot)net

karenk said...

thanks for the chance to read this novel :)

the summer sunshine has made me very happy this month :)

i'm a follower, too

karenk
kmkuka at yahoo dot com

shanaelyse said...

This looks like a great book--I've heard some good things about it!

1. This month, laying out in the park across the street from my apartment and feeling the sun shine on my face made me very happy.
2. I'm a GFC follower (shanaelyse)
3. I'm part of Chick Lit Central on FB.

shanaelyse@gmail.com

Gayle Gardner Lin said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Gayle Gardner Lin said...

I'm happy because a romance that started on the internet ended. I should have heeded the red flags earlier.

I'd love to have a copy of this book.

I follow CLC on facebook.
I post CLC news on facebook

Gayle Lin
gaylelin@hotmail.com

Camille said...

camicpn AT gmail DOT com

Camille said...

I just went to a wedding in a beautiful ski resort. Being surrounded by beautiful forests and mountains definitely made me happy!

I joined CLC on Facebook

Krystal Lynn said...

One of the things that made me happy recently was finding an old best friend from way back in my single digit life, from facebook of course. Also just started a new "Not a Diet" healthier life and it actually feels great. =)

miss_kris_11(AT)yahoo(DOT)com

Krystal Lynn said...

OH I also just found out about a new organization called the Global Soap Project. That made me really happy. They take soap from hotels to their factory, clean and disenfect it and then distribute it to other countries (African I think) that really need it. It's great. I've been telling everyone about it. I always wondered about what happened to all the left over stuff from hotels and these people are doing something good with it. Very inspiring. =)

StereoQueenBee said...

1. Please tell us: What is something that made you really happy during this past month?

Falling in love made me really happy.

2. Follow this blog and post a comment saying you are a follower (if you already follow, that's fine too).

I already follow this blog.

3. Post this contest on Facebook or Twitter or in your blog, and leave a comment saying where you've posted it.

Contest posted on FB. (Sabrina-Kate Eryou)
Contest posted in Twitter. (stereoqueenbee)

4. Join Chick Lit Central on Facebook. Edit settings if you don't want to receive a lot of messages at your e-mail account. (If you're already a member, let us know that too.)

Am a member!

Krystal Lynn said...

- I am a blog follower.
- I'm a group member on facebook.
- Reposting on twitter (krystaldorkface)
- Added two friends to group (Veronica R and Kay T.)

miss_kris_11 (AT) yahoo (DOT) com