By page 10 I had laughed out loud in public 3 times! I began reading Secrets to Happiness
by Sarah Dunn at my local diner over breakfast. Fortunately everyone there, proprietors and 
patrons alike, know me, so they didn't think the laughing lady sitting alone by the window was crazy! The first thing I have to say about Secrets to Happiness is that the author is very witty, giving vivid similes for the reader to imagine, along with hilarious one-liners from many of the characters. However, the book has more layers than humor. It explores the human condition and the need of many people to have what they want right now, no matter the effect on others, or the long-term consequences for themselves.
Holly Frick lives in Manhattan and is a writer for a children's program. She has been divorced for a year, and is still having trouble getting past that relationship. Although her friend Amanda frequently reminds her of how miserable she was in her marriage, Holly was still in love with her husband when he walked out and didn't see it coming. Unknown to Amanda, Holly has recently been getting on with her life by having a fling with a 22 year old, the brother of an acquaintance. When Holly adopts Chester, a dog with a brain tumor, her friends think she doesn't actually want to be happy with her life. Chester and Lucas, the two men in Holly's life, help her gain some clarity on who she is.
Holly is surrounded by many others also seeking the Secrets to Happiness. The reader meets these people as Holly runs into them on the street, or through a phone call, and then learns about the person and how he is sabotaging his own quest to find happiness.
Her writing partner, Leonard, hides in a world of excess to escape his feelings of failure, Jack dabbles in religion thinking he will find peace, and Betsy, in her desire to find a man of her own, has become a doormat. I'm pretty sure the dog on the book jacket holds the secret to happiness: lay in the sun and get your belly rubbed! Bliss!
I really enjoyed Secrets to Happiness because its somewhat deep messages arre presented in such a playful and funny way that I did not get bogged down philosophizing while I was reading, which I often do if a book is trying too hard to be insightful. Secrets to Happiness is Sarah Dunn's second novel. I am going to get her first, The Big Love
, from my library.
by Sarah Dunn at my local diner over breakfast. Fortunately everyone there, proprietors and 
patrons alike, know me, so they didn't think the laughing lady sitting alone by the window was crazy! The first thing I have to say about Secrets to Happiness is that the author is very witty, giving vivid similes for the reader to imagine, along with hilarious one-liners from many of the characters. However, the book has more layers than humor. It explores the human condition and the need of many people to have what they want right now, no matter the effect on others, or the long-term consequences for themselves.Holly Frick lives in Manhattan and is a writer for a children's program. She has been divorced for a year, and is still having trouble getting past that relationship. Although her friend Amanda frequently reminds her of how miserable she was in her marriage, Holly was still in love with her husband when he walked out and didn't see it coming. Unknown to Amanda, Holly has recently been getting on with her life by having a fling with a 22 year old, the brother of an acquaintance. When Holly adopts Chester, a dog with a brain tumor, her friends think she doesn't actually want to be happy with her life. Chester and Lucas, the two men in Holly's life, help her gain some clarity on who she is.
Holly is surrounded by many others also seeking the Secrets to Happiness. The reader meets these people as Holly runs into them on the street, or through a phone call, and then learns about the person and how he is sabotaging his own quest to find happiness.
Her writing partner, Leonard, hides in a world of excess to escape his feelings of failure, Jack dabbles in religion thinking he will find peace, and Betsy, in her desire to find a man of her own, has become a doormat. I'm pretty sure the dog on the book jacket holds the secret to happiness: lay in the sun and get your belly rubbed! Bliss!I really enjoyed Secrets to Happiness
because its somewhat deep messages arre presented in such a playful and funny way that I did not get bogged down philosophizing while I was reading, which I often do if a book is trying too hard to be insightful. Secrets to Happiness is Sarah Dunn's second novel. I am going to get her first, The Big Love, from my library.
13 comments:
Any book that makes me laugh is a winner.
Good that people also write happy books! Thanks for sharing this review.
hi elizabeth. i'm so happy to see 3 possible books to read. i just finished change of heart by jodi picoult yesterday, and being unable to get by without at least 2books going, i was stumped. i'm going to check out any of them tomorrow. thanks. :)
i'm just starting the gargoyle as per my oldest daughter's recommendation. we have different tastes, so we shall see.
Another one to add to my list. Your reviews always make me smile because you give a true account of what you read. Thanks. xxoo
It sounds like a good book to read - one I might like! Especially if it has an animal in it....
Laughed out loud....hmmm..I might need!!
Susan
I swear Elizabeth, you should review books for a living! You do this sooooooo well.
I want to read this book for sure!
Btw... I got Galway Bay from my library, and although I kind of liked it, it was just a little TOO much for me with all those Irish words, Irish folklore, etc. Too much information hitting me at once! I put it down and started reading a different book. I'm already regretting it though, because I have a feeling I would have become very attached to the characters.
Justine :o )
Great review!
I love the beagle pic!
This review really makes me want to add this one to my list....nice cover on the book!
Who knows where to download XRumer 5.0 Palladium?
Help, please. All recommend this program to effectively advertise on the Internet, this is the best program!
Did you downloaded Wikileaks docs? Give me link plz
By the way, anybody home?!
In the seventh heaven New Year[url=http://sdjfh.in/flexpen/],[/url] harry! :)
[quote]By page 10 I had laughed out loud in public 3 times! I began reading Secrets to Happiness[Image] by Sarah Dunn at my local diner over breakfast. Fortunately everyone there, proprietors and [Image]patrons alike, know me, so they didn't think the laughing lady sitting alone by the window was crazy! The first thing I have to say about Secrets to Happiness is that the author is very witty, giving vivid similes for the reader to imagine, along with hilarious one-liners from many of the characters. However, the book has more layers than humor. It explores the human condition and the need of many people to have what they want right now, no matter the effect on others, or the long-term consequences for themselves.Holly Frick lives in Manhattan and is a writer for a children's program. She has been divorced for a year, and is still having trouble getting past that relationship. Although her friend Amanda frequently reminds her of how miserable she was in her marriage, Holly was still in love with her husband when he walked out and didn't see it coming. Unknown to Amanda, Holly has recently been getting on with her life by having a fling with a 22 year old, the brother of an acquaintance. When Holly adopts Chester, a dog with a brain tumor, her friends think she doesn't actually want to be happy with her life. Chester and Lucas, the two men in Holly's life, help her gain some clarity on who she is.Holly is surrounded by many others also seeking the Secrets to Happiness. The reader meets these people as Holly runs into them on the street, or through a phone call, and then learns about the person and how he is sabotaging his own quest to find happiness.[Image] Her writing partner, Leonard, hides in a world of excess to escape his feelings of failure, Jack dabbles in religion thinking he will find peace, and Betsy, in her desire to find a man of her own, has become a doormat. I'm pretty sure the dog on the book jacket holds the secret to happiness: lay in the sun and get your belly rubbed! Bliss!I really enjoyed Secrets to Happiness[Image] because its somewhat deep messages arre presented in such a playful and funny way that I did not get bogged down philosophizing while I was reading, which I often do if a book is trying too hard to be insightful. Secrets to Happiness [Image]is Sarah Dunn's second novel. I am going to get her first, The Big Love[Image], from my library.[Image][Image][/quote]
Wow!
Just thinking..
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