Life is Sweet: 333 Ways to Look on the Bright Side and Find the Happiness in Front of You [Hardcover]

Addie Johnson (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: May 1, 2008

From Harvard classrooms to your grandma's kitchen table--everybody is getting on the look on the brightside bandwagon. If you need to know, there's a ton of medical research to back it up, but people who appreciate where their bread is buttered and how sweet the jam on their toast is--well they're healthier, they live longer, they're usually more successful--although they may not define success as having the most marbles, and for sure other people want to spend more time around them. Addie Johnson calls Life Is Sweet her scrapbook, in which she's gathered stories that struck her--things that made her happy in the seeing or experience and in the remembering. And bits she's read. And quotes. People, stories, kids and animals, stuff/no stuff (aka all or nothing), achievements achieved and unpleasant tasks done, laughing (snickering, giggling, guffawing, wetting your pants) health or progress toward it---all are fodder for happiness. Life is sweet and creamy--yes your life and yours and yours and yours--if you just look at what's in front of your face.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Addie Johnson grew up in Minnesota and San Francisco, went east to go to Vassar College, and stayed put in New York. She's an actor and helps run Rising Phoenix Rep, a small developmental theatre company. She's also an editor and writer, and this is her second book. She lives in Brooklyn with her family, who help her remember every day that life is sweet.

Excerpt. © Reprinted by permission. All rights reserved.

"The more we focus on what is good and right in our lives and in the world, the better and sweeter life is. And the more we notice what’s wrong, lacking, broken, or messed up, the worse we feel . . .That’s why this book of Addie Johnson’s is so important. Addie is real and wise and silly, just the right companion to help you discover just how sweet life is." —from the Foreword by MJ Ryan

Product Details

• Hardcover: 224 pages
• Publisher: Conari Press (May 1, 2008)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 157324323X
• ISBN-13: 978-1573243230
• Product Dimensions: 7.1 x 5.3 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 8 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,364,655 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Discover books, learn about writers, read author blogs, and more.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Nice gift for yourself or someone else!, May 22, 2008

By 

Armchair Interviews (Minneapolis, MN) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Life is Sweet: 333 Ways to Look on the Bright Side and Find the Happiness in Front of You (Hardcover)

Oh, I admit it! I clip articles for myself (and others), based on either what they wrote or how they wrote it. I also collect quotes and sayings as well as other well-written lines.

So does author Addie Johnson. In eight simple chapters, she divided her 333 little ideas that might brighten your day or make you think differently about doing something.

"Life is sweet" ⦠if we don't allow the "if only" and "shoulda" to stop or slow us down from enjoying life.

Chapters are:

1. Love and Other Forces for Good in the World
2. Friends, Family & Foreigners
3. Kids and Animals
4. Healthy, Wealthy & Wise
5. Laughing it Up
6. Creation Inflation
7. Stuff. No Stuff
8. Goals and Greatness

I know my husband would like my favorite to be "Stuff. No Stuff" for the packrat in me, but actually I had other favorites. Some are paraphrased below:

7 Make a list of people who you love--and another of those people who love you. On bad days, read the list.16 Occasionally talk to your spouse as if they are a strange you want to get to know, and say, "tell me about â¦".32 Reconnecting with old friends. If you are wondering about them, maybe they are wondering about you.79 Remember with joy stories about special/legendary pets in your life.84 A Best friend who is always happy to see you is your dog.107 Walking with friends and family and listening to nature and talking with your neighbors.159-161 Value of laughter to boost blood flow and decrease heart attacks, boost immune system and keep your brain young and fit.My most favorite is #277. The splurge--about how important it is to once in a while splurge on an event or item that will have special place in our memory.

The book is filled with truths about everyday life and how we can believe "Life is sweet."

Armchair Interviews says; Nice gift for yourself or family and friends

5.0 out of 5 stars Life is Sweet, July 12, 2010

By 

Mallory (Arlington Heights, IL United States) - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Life is Sweet: 333 Ways to Look on the Bright Side and Find the Happiness in Front of You (Hardcover)

This item shipped fast and was priced well. Great condition, & such a fun and fast read. A+ Seller

5.0 out of 5 stars A winning collection showing how to get to a happier place in life, November 16, 2008

By 

Midwest Book Review (Oregon, WI USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Life is Sweet: 333 Ways to Look on the Bright Side and Find the Happiness in Front of You (Hardcover)

LIFE IS SWEET: 333 WAYS TO LOOK ON THE BRIGHT SIDE AND FIND THE HAPPINESS IN FRONT OF YOU represents the author's collection of stories that struck her and taught her how to become happier in her seeing and experience of the world. From relationships and underlying love to life purpose, LIFE IS SWEET is a winning collection showing how to get to a happier place in life.

Diane C. Donovan
California Bookwatch