Happiness for Two: 75 Secrets for Finding More Joy Together [Hardcover]

Alexandra Stoddard (Author)

Book Description

Release date: December 26, 2007

Pursuing happiness sounds easy, but with so many demands on our time and resources, it can be a challenge. So, how do we find happiness in a relationship—when there are two people who want and deserve to be happy?

Help is here, from a beloved (and blissfully married) lifestyle philosopher whose books and lectures on personal contentment have helped millions and whose popular Happiness Weekends are filled with dating singles, newlyweds, and long-married couples. In brief, readable essays rich in wisdom, practical strategies, and humor, Alexandra Stoddard shows how two people can be happy together, not at each other's expense.

Alexandra's essays help couples make personal happiness a priority ("Encourage each other to do something every day that will boost happiness"), connect in simple, powerful ways ("Give the gift of eye contact"), share decisions ("A home has no boss"), set family priorities ("Don't let children control you"), expand your horizons ("Encourage adventure"), be grateful for each other ("Treat each encounter as though it could be your last"), and have fun ("Live a little!").

Perfect for couples to read alone or together, Happiness for Two brims with useful ideas to help us "love and live happy."

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Alexandra Stoddard is the bestselling author of more than twenty-five books and is an acclaimed philosopher on the art of living. Through her lectures, articles, and books—such as Choosing Happiness, Time Alive, Living a Beautiful Life, Gift of a Letter, Grace Notes, and many more—she has inspired millions to pursue more fulfilling lives. She lives with her husband in Stonington Village, Connecticut.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 197 pages
• Publisher: William Morrow (December 26, 2007)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0061435635
• ISBN-13: 978-0061435638
• Product Dimensions: 6 x 0.8 x 8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 15.2 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (16 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #79,364 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Author of 27 books, Alexandra Stoddard is sought after as a speaker on the art of living the good life. She has inspired millions of listeners and readers with such books as Things I Want My Daughters to Know, Choosing Happiness, You Are Your Choices, and Time Alive. A mother and grandmother herself, she lives in Stonington Village, Connecticut, with her husband, Peter Brown.

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

26 of 28 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars ALEXANDRA STODDARD'S WONDERFUL ADVICE ON HAPPINESS FOR TWO December 27, 2007

By RBSProds TOP 500 REVIEWERVINE™ VOICE

Format:Hardcover

Four and a half INTRIGUING Stars!! A very interesting, approachable self-help book with lots of solid advice! Author/lecturer/interior designer/philosopher Alexandra Stoddard's latest book, "Happiness for Two", 'ups the ante' from her last book, "You Are Your Choices" which dealt with advice on individual satisfaction in living "the good life". The book on "Happiness for Two" begins with a 3 sentence dedication to "Peter" that is so heartfelt, specific, and sincere that couples who are not able to currently write such a salutation to their own lover may want to dive into this book headfirst to find out what they've been missing. And as I stated in the review of her previous book, we men benefit from hearing the thoughts of a keen-thinking woman, happily-married for over 34 years, who has already dealt with complex interpersonal relations in her own life. BTW, Peter returns the compliments with his own note, which is entirely in keeping with Ms Stoddard's approach that couples should return compliments.

Ms Stoddard uses short topical essays, 75 of them this time. Will it work for everyone? Much of it should. She maintains "Happiness for two requires two sensitive, loving souls who understand their own potential for wholeness individually". That alone may exclude some people, but that doesn't mean they shouldn't give this book & counseling & their religion & whatever else, a chance to make them better as a couple. A wide range of topics are covered in the book. From "Treat Each Day As Though It Could Be Your Last" (seems so simple but do we do it?) to "Go On Vacations Alone, Together" (great idea!) to "Assume More Responsibility at Home" (can Alexandra really spackle and tile? I'm impressed!) to "....Spirituality" (somewhat of a disappointment) to "Kindness and Diplomacy...." (spot on) and finally "Your Happiness Is Up To You" (a great wrap-up of ideas with a startling concept about happiness based on Alexandra's research). Then there are Chapters 22, 32, 44, and 52 which are 'biggies' that I enthusiastically agree with, but I'll let the reader discover them on their own. I don't agree with everything in the book, but most of the time she is on target. Read it and then pass this book on to that special person in your life and remember YMMV (your mileage may vary). This book is highly informative and may generate some controversy. Highly Recommended. "Love & Live Happy", indeed. Four and a half INSPIRING Stars! (This review is based on a secure eBook digital download)

9 of 9 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Old and New Wisdom May 4, 2010

By L. A. Enke

Format:Hardcover

I bought this gem last week at Anthropologie in New York. Building on the other reviews, let me add that Alexandra Stoddard introduces and ends each small essay with quotes from famous people. Some of her essays are about others and some about herself and her own marriage.

In #33 "Write Love Notes", Stoddard writes about the happy marriage of a couple Marion and William who were so inseparable that they never sent each other cards or letters. When Marion died suddenly, William had nothing that expressed her beloved feelings for him. In this story, the author begins with Samuel Taylor Coleridge and ends with Plato, connecting her bon mots into a larger legacy of historical wisdom.

In #25 "It Feels Good to Look Good", the author stresses the importance of couples dressing for themselves first -- I, too, always wear makeup to the grocery store -- but also for each other. When you look your best, you radiate confidence. She gets just a little sexy sharing the story of wearing beautiful robes at home and admitting that she likes Peter in boxer shorts.

Stoddard quotes Colette: "The sudden desire to look beautiful made her straighten her back. Beautiful for whom? Why for me, of course." We all know that when women, in particular, nurture ourselves a bit, all around us benefit.

Bottom line, Alexandra Stoddard asks us to live every breath of life with our partners as if it could be our last. All the special little gestures add up, so one day we don't say "if only I had told her . . . if only I had shown him how much . . . "

12 of 13 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Our Way to Boost Our Marital Happiness February 11, 2008

By Vinyasa Mama

Format:Hardcover

My spouse and I bought this book at one of our favorite boutique style stores. We have an amazing relationship already, but we know there are always ways to make it even better, especially when we easily get caught up in the daily grind of work and raising our three kids. After we purchased it we decided to read a chapter or two each night to one another while curled up in bed.

The book is insightful and inspiring. Some chapters simply confirm what we already know and do, while others have helped us to express our thoughts to one another better. In it we can see our own strengths and weaknesses and how even the simpliest thing can have a profound effect on our relationship. It's already inspired us to do things to boost our happiness both individually and as a couple. Alone, together as Alexandra would say.

For those with children still at home, it's good to keep in perspective that the book is written by a woman with children who are already grown so the author's suggestions may seem a bit 'off' at times even if we still agree with what she has to say in general.

Overall, we enjoy the book, feel inspired, and it's an easy read.