Bonjour, Happiness!: Secrets to Finding Your Joie de Vivre

by Jamie Cat Callan

French women didn't invent happiness. But they know a thing or two about joie de vivre--being alive to each delicious moment.

As a young girl, Jamie Cat Callan was fascinated by her French grandmother. Though she had little money, Jamie's grand-mère ate well, dressed well, and took joy in simple, everyday pleasures. As Jamie journeyed through France as an adult, she gained more insight into the differences between French and American women. French women--whether doctors, shop owners, or housewives--don't worry about being thin enough, young enough, or accomplished enough. They age gracefully and celebrate their bodies. They know how to balance their lives--to love food without overeating, to work hard but not too much, to relish friends and family, and still make time for themselves. Now Jamie draws on everything French women have taught her and shows you how to:

Buy and consume less--and enjoy more

Look like a million Euros on a few francs

Find time to be alone

Flirt à la française

Rediscover your own mystery

Perfection isn't attainable, but happiness always is. And this uplifting, revelatory book shows every woman how to embrace it--and savor it.

Praise for French Women Don't Sleep Alone

"Adorable!" –Erica Jong

"Reveals sexy French secrets for upping your confidence and attracting potential mates. . . Your inner Goddess will rejoice!" –Bonnie Fuller

"Entertaining and informative!" –Helena Frith-Powell

Genres: Nonfiction, France, Self Help, Lifestyle, Personal Development, How To, Psychology

242 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2011

About the author

Jamie Cat Callan latest book, Parisian Charm School will be released from Penguin Random House in January 2018. She is the author of "Bonjour, Happiness!" and the wildly successful "French Women Don't Sleep Alone." Inspired by her beautiful and elegant French grandmother, Jamie has traveled all over France, interviewing hundreds of women to uncover their secrets to simple, authentic pleasures, including how to stay stylish at any age, how to enjoy more with less and how we too can find our joie de vivre, American style. Jamie is also the creator of The Writers Toolbox. Jamie has taught her unique right-brain style of writing at Grub Street, UCLA., NYU, Wesleyan University and Yale University. She has won a Massachusetts Cultural Council grant in fiction and a Virginia Center for the Creative Arts fellowship to write in Auvillar, France.

Reviews

[Gabbie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Jamie Cat Callan's book, Bonjour, Happiness, was such a pleasant one to read. I picked it up because the title caught my eye and I figure everyone could use some more happiness in their life. And then last Monday I was having such a crappy day that when I finished reading Norwegian Wood I decided that Bonjour, Happiness would be next on the list. Maybe it could teach me a thing or two about how to avoid those kind of bad days or even if not how to avoid them, how to at least make them more tolerable. And she did.

There is so much that I can learn from this book that is applicable to my life. Just little things like taking a break every now and then and how beneficial that can be to your overall mood; how to not overbook your life so that there is no me-time left are all lessons that I need to learn and utilise in my own life.

Aside from the general tips and advice in the book which can be applied to pretty much everyone, it is obvious that Callan is speaking predominantly to an older target market, "La femme d'un certain age" as she puts it. Things like weight watchers and embracing my wrinkles don't quite apply to me yet but even so, I don't suppose it hurts to be prepared for the future.

This is the kind of book that I'd like to go over with post-it's and a highlighter (if I were the time to deface my books) to make a note of the aspects that are more applicable to my life. Since I don't deface my books I'll probably go through it and make notes in my ring bound college ruled notebook that I bought expressly for the purpose pf making notes while I read or about the books I've read.

I think I'll recommend this book to my Mummy.

[Sue · Rating 2 out of 5]

A number of ideas presented but a very disorganized and scattered narrative. Overall, the book is a hyperbolic glorification of the author's paradigm of an idealistic French woman. . . with a rather odd sales pitch for Weight Watchers. In the final chapters, Callan begins to describe her own life's search for who she was and direction in her twenties while living in France and England. Here might lie an interesting story. However, as her 20-something self realizes she hasn't been true to herself, has been playing a role, and ought to return to her American roots, she somewhat undermines the book's quest for French role models. Callan's comparison of her "ways to find and obtain joie de vivre with zen and Buddhism are far-fetched and rather trite. While I did put a few of Callans suggestions to work I found most rather silly.

[Deb (Readerbuzz) Nance · Rating 3 out of 5]

Jamie Cat Callan studies and interviews French women to find out the secrets to their happiness. She shares her findings in this book. Callan discusses the term joie de vivre. A Frenchwoman defines it beautifully, as "loving life, loving people, loving to be alive, feeling alive." Callan looks deeply into the beauty of la femme d'un certain age, and shares how the insecurities of young women fade with age, how each woman finds her unique signature, and how women find their balance in their lives. Callan explores the mysterious quality of France, what she calls each woman's "Secret Garden," a place of refuge in the world, protecting one's privacy. Callan talks about the Zen of France, living in the moment, enjoying small pleasures. She even shares some of her favorite recipes.

[Jackie]

Vacation fluff. And that's OK.

[Jen · Rating 3 out of 5]

Started out good, then fell into obsession with appearance (feeling good will make you look good will make you feel good) and how you should be shopping all the time so you can know your community better (over-simplified, but still). The author said she interviewed a large number of French citizens, but the ones she represented seem to all come from the same socio-economic class(es) (enough disposable income to be buying nice clothes and travelling all the time). Overall, her view of the French and life in general seemed a bit naive: she argues that being attractive and catching a gentleman's eye are the keys to happiness, just look how well French women do those things! Leaves out those of us not interested in romance, few but there. I know I'm glossing over the other good points in the book - not overly investing in material goods, eating meals with your family, appreciating the simple things - but sometimes the advice seemed contradictory.

[Sandra Soetanto · Rating 3 out of 5]

A writing based on the author’s experiences, observations and interviews, this book explains us on how French woman ‘invent’ their happiness in enjoying their daily life and worry less about things. The author especially compare the habit French women have with Americans (she is an American). Her simple writings, tips, and explanations invite the readers to take pleasure in present moments; and might be a gentle reminder for the women who has been drown in busy stressful moments in their life to stop a while, try to think and feel simple, redefine their ‘happiness’ term.

[Katie O'Sullivan · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was lucky enough to receive an advance copy of BONJOUR HAPPINESS, Jamie's second book about finding happiness the French way. While I enjoyed the first book, I really loved this one. I felt like I could relate to many of the simple, practical suggestions she made for finding joy and happiness in our everyday lives.

I would totally recommend this book, and am really looking forward to seeing Jamie speak this summer when she visits Cape Cod.

[Lili · Rating 5 out of 5]

Jamie does it again - although she's talking about the French, a lot of what she says explains why I was so happy in Colombia! Hopefully I'll be able to see her in person at the Bastille Day Event at Green Street Arts Center in Middletown CT this summer.

[Iheartbooks Nugraeni · Rating 3 out of 5]

Cute book. light reading. After reading this, I want to look for a sweet-scented shampoo to be my signature scent.

[Kbtoy · Rating 4 out of 5]

A very sweet book that compares the American and French way of living.

[Laura · Rating 2 out of 5]

Bonjour, Happiness! is yet another of those 'live like the French' books that are so popular. Like many of the books in this genre it is a mixed bag.

The good - One thing I liked about the book is that Jamie Cat Callan seems to be a jolly and positive person. Her optimism comes through the page. I liked that fact that she thinks that you can improve your life no matter how old you are.

A lot of advice in this book is very good. Mainly value yourself, slow down and appreciate the little things. I did finish the book vowing that I wouldn't rush my meals and would take time to appreciate the world around me. I also liked the fact that the author constantly suggests way you can live more like the French even when you do not live in France.

The bad - Like most of the books in this genre Bonjour, Happiness! does seem to focus on a narrow section of French society. The author claims she spoke to a variety of women, but most of those quoted are well-off and middle-class. I felt that some of their supposedly French lifestyle choices seem more like the choices of well-off middle-class women everywhere. I did feel the author pinned the label 'French' to a lot of behaviours that are not particularly French. She discusses the fact that the French enjoy walking and use public transport. This is behaviour that seems to be very common in many parts of the world!

I did feel that there was a lot of hyperbole and generalisations in the book. Again, this seems to be common for Francophile books. A few times she mentions that French women go out every day to visit the butcher, baker and market and to chat to friends and neighbours. This must be news for those women who struggle with working full-time and commuting!

The biggest problem with this book is that the author starts to go off on odd tangents. The first part of the book seemed very focused and tightly structured and I did really enjoy it. In the second half there is a large section on weight loss, and Weightwatchers in particular, which only seems to have a vague connection to the rest of the book. Weightwatchers was mentioned so many times that I was starting to wonder if they sponsored the book! I also felt the sections where she talks about her parents and early life did not always seem relevant.

In conclusion I certainly did not hate this book, but I think I prefer books that are written by people who are currently living and working in French. I also prefer books where the author discusses both the good and the bad in France.

[Jennifer · Rating 2 out of 5]

It’s a 350p book about enjoying the little things in life and how to be happy. She uses a lot of French references and quotes but this book really doesn't have a lot to do with France, just examples. The basic tone gets repeated over and over again, I get it, do what makes me happy, take a step back and enjoy the little things.
I’m still trying to understand why she made it French. She uses a lot of interviews which for the most part are pointless to me and just re-saying over and over again the same theme. I found myself bored and started flipping through a lot of it after awhile.

I also got tired of hearing her endless stories. Okay I get it you live such a great and worldly life. You’ve met lots of famous people. She reminds me of that dinner guest who loves to dominate the conversations with her own stories and one-upping everyone else.

Overall it’s cute and has good advice, but I think the book could have been half the size and still gotten the point across without all the endless filler. It reminded me more of a self-help book than anything to do with living French.

[Shawna Mason · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is my favorite ofJamie Cat Callan's books by far, probably because it is lifestyle based. It isn't just, "French women are..." She thoughtfully discusses what seems to bring JOY to the French (as an entire culture) and contrasts it with American ideology.

I'll be honest, I have become rather obsessed with reading about French Women after reading French Women Don't Get Fat by Mireille Guiliano. First it was food culture, all the cooking with fresh ingredients...the best I can afford to buy. As a by-product, I became interested in the women of France, but not to the way the world views them, the way they view themselves.

Especially interesting to me was a section where she talks about "dieting" in France. I am trying to break away from the American concept of how to control weight, which is highly peppered with fads and Puritanical control. Callan devotes a whole chapter to Weight Watchers in France and that alone was worth the read to me.

[M. · Rating 2 out of 5]

Reading about that elusive French chic or je ne sais quoi is my guilty pleasure. Such books are normally not highbrow, but pleasant enough to read and this is the case here too.
I think the author is a nice person, I liked her for many little things: for how she was trying to find her friend's apartment in Paris after an overnight flight, for the confession that she was wearing her sexy dress in her backyard only. I liked her way of brewing coffee. I liked her openness and positive attitude. However I didn't like the book's repetitiveness and gushy style which put me off in the beginning. I hated the misspelling of a Spanish city; such errors always make me wonder about the quality of whole book. But it wasn't bad, at last I enjoyed it. I didn't learn anything I hadn't know before but I realised I should definitely master the art of the French shrug.

[Cameron Toney · Rating 4 out of 5]

Its a character trait of mine that I cannot pass up a how-to-be-French book. I keep falling right into their warm and friendly embrace, and I feel no shame about this.
The advice in these sort of books is always the same- indulge in moderation in all things, be true to yourself, invest in good things, take joy in small things in life. Every how-to-be-French book I've read champions these qualities, with varying levels of specificity.
But its good advice, and leaves me feeling recharged, re-centered, and refocused.
Jamie Cat Callan is a charming champion of all things French, without completely abandoning the qualities that might make an American happy or successful. She blends little interviews with stories from her own life, and even little "imaginings" about how life might go if you just incorporated some little touches of Joie de Vivre into your every day life.

[Bookworm · Rating 2 out of 5]

Eh. I read her first book and found this book to be more of the same. The author talks about what it is that makes French women French. It is, however, presented in a Francophile way--a little too shiny and clean for my tastes. I liked the mostly upbeat tone of the book and really appreciated the little focus on her own personal life. She mentions her past here and there, but not enough to become very annoying, thankfully.

The author discusses what women do, from flirting, to throwing dinner parties to how they dress. Some of it is repetitive from her first book, some not so much. I didn't really feel like I got much out of this, I have to say. If you liked her first book, you'll probably like the second. But you aren't missing much if you haven't read it.

[Janet · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is basically "The Power Of Now" in nice lingerie. The secret of happiness is to enjoy the small stuff--no surprise, but always good to hear, especially interesting in its French cultural setting. It's epicurian, but not in the fake car-ad, Godiva chocolate way, but in the way Epicurus imagined--training oneself to enjoy the simple things, water, bread--not piggish consumption of luxury goods. I love Jamie Callan's enthusiasm and her openness--I used to teach with her at UCLA extension and there's never been a warmer, more encouraging teacher--I felt like Darth Vader by comparison. Loved this book.

[Gabi Coatsworth · Rating 4 out of 5]

I thoroughly enjoyed this book, which I read because I was planning to attend a conference where the author would be speaking. She turned out to be just as much fun as the her book. Essentially, it's an easy-going read, with lots of suggestions for how to enjoy life more, and since it's done with a French twist (so to speak) it makes it even more readable.I had no expectations of following any of the suggestions when I started reading, but I find myself looking for something to wear that has a bit of flair to it (a skirt maybe? JCC would approve) or making sure I chat to local shopkeepers to keep my flirting up to speed. Not actual flirting, but...oh, read the book!

[LemontreeLime · Rating 3 out of 5]

Very sweet! A little different direction than the previous book, and maybe a tad repetitive, but it was all done for the cause. The focus for this is quality of life, and actually enjoying it too. (reminds me of the phrase 'have your cake and eat it too.' which never made any sense to me because, well why else would you _have_ the cake in the first place if not to eat it?) But i digress... Anyhow, the French people seem to love their lives more, and Ms. Callan goes in search for the way, or the why, of their joie de vivre. And her enthusiasm makes it worth the read.

[Kelly Moore · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a wonderful read! This book is all about slowing down, and enjoying time with your friends, your family, and yourself. Instead of going through the drive through for coffee, go in and sit down in the coffee shop, enjoy your experience and relax. Instead of scarfing your food down in front of your TV, sit at the dinner table with your family and enjoy good food and good conversation. Instead of taking a quick shower, take a relaxing bath whilst reading a book. Enjoy life. This will most definitely be a reread for me!

P.s. It also has some fun French recipes throughout the book, yum!

[Kathy · Rating 3 out of 5]

Ms. Callan takes an interesting tack in equating the French way of living with Zen Buddhism. There is a certain allure in the idea but still a bit of a stretch. I was surprised to find out that she is a year older than I, her writing seemed that of a much younger woman. I mean this in a good way, not critical and yet, the book is also a little unsophisticated in it's writing and presentation.

[Sherry Conrad · Rating 3 out of 5]

A lighthearted little romp, but I totally disagree with the author's take that french women don't care about their size- they have more eating disorders than we do.

They also have huge self esteem issues, they are just better at pretending.

If you overlook these facts, the *lessons* the author learned from her grandmother and others are things that could help one feel better about themselves.

[Diane · Rating 2 out of 5]

I started off enjoying this book. Then it got into fashion (high heels and boots) and weight loss tips which kinda put me off. She kept refering to "your grandmother's pearls" which also put me off. The women she met in France were interesting. She writes with humor and had some good advice in finding happiness in the moment and to treasure the little miracles you find everyday.

[Lynda Young · Rating 4 out of 5]

I am fasinated with the differences between the North American way of life ..... We love lots of "stuff". Where the Europeans have a completely different view
My favorite book Was Entre Nous .....but Bonjour Happiness is a close second .
As I approach retirement I'm looking for a more simple life but lived with style.

[Staci · Rating 2 out of 5]

Very foofy. Not my thing. There are way more interesting and better-written books out there on the subject of the French attitude and *je ne sais quoi.*. I'm sure many women will draw inspiration from this book, however, and what the author says is true. The SMILESMILESMILE delivery just put me off, though.

[Beáta · Rating 3 out of 5]

It is the second book that I read by this author. She loves France and admires French women. Her grandmother was French but she was born and grew up in the U.S.A. She tries to find the French women's secret out. I learned new things about the French and their culture thanks to this book but I preferred "French Women Don't Sleep Alone".

[Suzy Brown · Rating 4 out of 5]

A really sweet look at building a French style life of joie de vivre into your own American style life. A fabulous insight into how the French women know how to embrace life with beauty and finesse. Inspiring and a joy to read.

[Margaret Dee · Rating 3 out of 5]

A kick in the butt from a French perspective

[Veronika Ulina]

i really really love this book. classy, posture, and everything that every girl shoul know. i'm so in love with paris. gosh.

[Tanya Kolbukh · Rating 4 out of 5]

If you are into a french culture - the book is for you. As a bonus - easy to read 🙂