Customer Reviews

Life Could Be Sweeter: 101 Great Ideas from Around the World for Living a More Rewarding Life

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Sadly, my schedule is usually jammed from waking to sleeping - but I took some time read this fantastic gem. It was an easy read - and each reading was small and impactful, something I could do for 5 minutes here and there when I needed a boost. Better yet, the suggestions that Bill makes are small - sometimes we get wrapped up in the idea of making grandiose changes to our lives. Using some of the readings, I have been able to make small quality changes that have had a huge impact on my quality of life - giving me just enough perspective and distance from my daily chaos to be able and ready to make more.

Give it a try, one or two at a time and see if you find a way to make bigger changes in your life.

This is a great book to read a couple of stories from each night before going to sleep and each morning before getting out of bed. The author doesn't have an agenda for or against the American way. He simply is well-traveled enough to be able to share with us the many different ways that people around the world handle our common experiences. The stories are short (2-3 pages) and easy-to-read and are usually accompanied by a nice factoid or tidbit at the end. Like any book comprised of short vignettes, this book can lose power if one tries to read a lot of stories in one sitting. There should be no rush with this book...you sip from it to get the maximum effect.

Sometimes, a book will catch me off guard . . . such was the
case with LIFE COULD BY SWEETER
by William Sinunu . . . I had never heard of it or the author before,
but when browsing in a bookstore, its jacket caught my
attention . . . it promised "the secrets to living a happier, healthier,
more rewarding life" by learning from our neighbors around the world.

That sounded good to me . . . turns out that I was not let
down . . . this was a treat to read, and I've already enjoyed
sharing much of it with others.

Some of the advice is basic, but we need to be reminded
of it; e.g., Sinunu describes one trip he was on in this passage:

"Oh no, not at Miss Daphne's party," our hostess scolded, shaking her
finger playfully at her newfound friend. "All the watches come off baby."
Reaching toward him, she unsnapped his watch and slipped it into his
pocket, then grabbed his hands and began to dance. "Life is to enjoy,"
she reminded him. "Just laugh and let it all go. Make life a vacation."

I also liked how the author cited various research studies to support
his beliefs, such as:

* According to psychologist Thomas Spencer, Americans wear
approximately twenty percent of the clothes they own.

* According to a study examining the effect of close relationships on
health and well-being by University of Michigan psychologist Stephanie
Brown, it's better to give than receive! The study found that older adults
who do not help others are more than twice as likely to pass away as
those who do help out.

* According to Psychologist Paul Rozin, Pizza Hut personal pan pizzas
in Europe are approximately two-thirds the size of personal pan pizzas
in the United States. According to an article in the August 14, 2004
WALL STREET JOURNAL, a serving of Philadelphia Cream Cheese
marketed to U.S. consumers contains fourteen percent more calories
than the same size serving in Italy. A jar of Hellmann's Mayonnaise
purchased in the United Kingdom has half the saturated fat of the
Hellmann's sold in the United States. Kellogg's All-Bran bought in
the United States has three times the sodium as the same brand sold
in Mexico. A standard beverage bottle for sodas in Europe is about half
a pint--roughly half the amount of the standard sixteen-ounce can sold
in the United States. Perhaps it's no wonder that the United States has
the highest rate of obesity in the world.

Lastly, there were these other memorable tidbits that made this
book so interesting to me--and the perfect gift to give somebody:

* Running her hand along her chin, Rania said, "Well, I do have a few
rules that I try to remember before every purchase. I ask myself, `Do I
really need this? Do I really love it? Is it made well?' " Deep in thought,
Rania went on, "But my cardinal rule," she said, clapping her hands gently
together in front of her face, "is to always go for quality. I buy the cheapest
of the best, never the best of the cheapest. That way, I spend relatively
little on clothes, but still have a good-looking wardrobe."

* [at a party for friends] "To our friends," Martine whispered as a
single tear trickled down her cheek, "To the family we have the luxury
of choosing. Each of you is very special to us. Thank you for joining
us tonight." . . .

As Eduoard grew misty-eyed, Martine reached out and took his hands.
"Life is about cherishing and appreciating the people in our lives," she said
quietly.

* I remember rocking in the chair by his bedside, pleading with God to take
him now and end his suffering. Even if euthanasia had been legal in the
United States, could I have made the decision to end his life? I cannot
honestly say. I was so distraught at the time that I don't know if I was
in the proper state of mind to make such a momentous decision. Nor do I
know what means could be used that would guarantee no pain. What I do
know is that dying does not scare me, only the potential suffering that
precedes it. I remember wondering at the time: If we put our animals out
of their misery when they are in severe pain and there is no hope for
recovery, why not the family member we love?

This series of "life observations" is an easy read and sure to put a smile on your face. Having visited many of these countries I found some of the cultural references exaggerrated and over-simplified, however overall the sentiments ring true. A great gift, not just for travellers.

This is one of the best books I've read in a LONG time, ever perhaps. I zipped right through it and enjoyed every word. Not only was it incredibly easy to read, but it had tips and ideas that can apply to anyone. I've never really sat and thought about how the Europeans live in comparison to how Americans but some of the differences are startling. I won't divulge any of the book but I will say that I plan to incorporate more than a few of them into my daily life. I plan to go back and re-read this book again, making notes of the things that really speak to me. I also plan to give everyone on my 2006 Christmas list a copy to read for themselves. It is a gift... give it to yourself! You won't regret it! Happy reading!

After recently reading this book, I enjoyed the author's stories of his experiences around the world. I truly enjoyed getting this insightful glimpse of people in other countries. We American's can learn from this book... I want to travel with Mr. Sinunu and live life a little sweeter!

On a personal level, I had some reservations about making an international trip later this year--too far, too much money, etc. etc. Then I read Sinunu's book. I quickly cast away any doubts I had. His book encourages you to do what you want to make your life sweeter; with no looking back. There are a great many lessons to be learned from this book; just go with your instincts--and "the flow". Life can certainly be fun. He captures the lighter side of situations as well as makes you see that all material things we Americans "need" are not necessary. Very enlightening!
Eunice M.

This was a great book to pick up and put down. This book really made me see a lot of things in a different perspective. I have also tried to adapt a couple of the passages to my own life. I passed this book on to a friend. This was one that is to good not to share.

The pearls of wisdom in this book are utterly priceless. If we could all see the world and embrace it with the open mind and heart that Mr. Sinunu does, this country, and world for that matter, would be an incredible place. A definite must read for EVERYONE!!!

The reaction of many Americans post 9-11 has been to turn inward, building a wall of distrust toward other cultures. Sinunu reminds us through his timely vignettes that we owe it to ourselves to be open to the life lessons and values of other cultures. In our Mcfast society, his stories offer opportunities and gentle challenges to be mindful of the insights we may learn from others outside of our everyday existence. In Life Could Be Sweeter, Sinunu captures the fundamental ideas of well-being and simple enjoyment, concepts many of us need to recapture in our lives.