Happiness for Two: 75 Secrets for Finding More Joy Together – Brief Essays with Practical Wisdom for Couples on Love and Contentment

by Alexandra Stoddard

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."

Genres: Nonfiction, Self Help, Relationships, Psychology

200 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 2007

About the author

ALEXANDRA STODDARD is a philosopher of contemporary living and author of many best selling books, including the classic Living a Beautiful Life: 500 Ways to Add Elegance, Order, Beauty and Joy to Every Day of Your Life, Choosing Happiness: Keys to a Joyful Life, Things I Want My Daughters to Know: A Small Book About the Big Issues in Life, and You Are Your Choices: 50 Ways to Live the Good Life. Alexandra's newest book Happiness For Two: 75 Secrets for Finding More Joy Together, published in January 2008, is now in its second printing.

Reviews

[J · Rating 3 out of 5]

"Keep in mind that your children are young men and women of the universe. They are not yours."

Maybe one of the more profound statements in the book. Not really related to my review but interesting nonetheless. Stoddard projects an ascetic wisdom born of a fairly privileged background -- especially her upbringing. Still, I think she provides a solid guide here for living with another person in relative harmony.

It's hard for me to not look at everything I read from a Marxist point of view and the same is true here. I think that Stoddard's values are actually similar to the end values of socialism: a world in which labor is no longer for the enrichment of the wealthy will allow people to pursue play and art and leisure.

I think Stoddard is an idealist. She has a program for living that isn't possible for everyone but under the right material circumstances could be. For now, I think it's worthwhile to take what's possible from her.

Capitalism is the antithesis of her philosophy.

[Herve Tunga · Rating 4 out of 5]

A lot of wisdom words with practical elements. A good read.

[Victoria Wallin · Rating 3 out of 5]

When I first picked up this book I thought it was an actual 'beginning, middle, end' book but quickly found out it was literally 75 short entries on suggestions for happiness for two. I was a little disappointed in that fact but have slowly made my way through it as it didn't feel like something to be read all at once or for long periods of time. I tried my best to savor each point and have finished with a smile on my face. If you read the book for what it is, you will most likely take away a couple good nuggets of truth worth remembering.

[Lisa · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really like this author for her blending of philosophy, religion, beauty and lifestyle commentary. I've met her several times and have always been struck by how happy and powerful her personality is, and how cute she and her husband are together. I was pretty excited about this book, and it has some great discussion and ideas on improving and maintaining your love relationship, which aren't the usual.

[Mellissa · Rating 5 out of 5]

excellent book, hard to put down. i bought it thinking hubby and I could read a chapter a night but it is so good the first night I read 13 chapters. I highly recomment it. I love the famous quotes in it.

[Donna McPherson · Rating 5 out of 5]

I usually find many inspirations in Alexandra Stoddard's books. This one was no exception. She gives 75 suggestions for finding more joy as a couple. As with most of her books, her focus is usually on ourselves. In other words, if we develop our own kindness, patience, wisdom and joy, then we will often inspire our partner as well, thus maximizing our potential as a couple.
Loved this book!

[Tony WANG · Rating 4 out of 5]

Many takeaway points worth practising in our daily lives, not necessarily a romantic partnership but with any other human being. Happiness is indeed sometimes best to be shared, in twos. Solid 4/5 in my book, definitely worth revisiting a section or two each day so as to let the messages sink in.

[Amandanoel · Rating 2 out of 5]

Just wasn’t a format I loved and found some of the suggestions a little out there and others a little trite. Enjoyed about 1/3 of the suggestions

[Esmagül · Rating 3 out of 5]

The translation in my copy was horrable, so it was hard to read. Generally speaking it was inspiring but nothing new

[Angela · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved it! Definitely will read this author again.

[Phil · Rating 3 out of 5]

Stuff long marrieds already know. Be kind, be caring, don't mention your partner's weight and don't plan surprises unless you love disappointment.

[Boston · Rating 2 out of 5]

My husband and I finished Love Dare and figured we'd start a new book together . This got good reviews so I figured I'd like it... I didn't . It's basically think happy , be happy and your happiness with multiply. Reading it out load I felt like fraud . I stopped and asked my husband if I sounded like a used car salesman and he said I did. I did like the famous quotes in the book. I love the idea of the book however this just missed the mark for me.

[Ashley · Rating 3 out of 5]

I enjoyed a lot of the author's tips, but there were a few too many tips about flowers. Buying fresh flowers and putting them all over your house, setting a nice table for your partner and having dinner together with your flowers, and bringing flowers to your partner just because. I got the book so that my fiance and I could read it together, but I think it's a little too foufy for him. However, the author has a great perpective and positive outlook that felt authentic and refreshing.

[Charity · Rating 3 out of 5]

I found many of the tips useful, but I also found the list somewhat repetitive and tedious to read. So I skimmed most of the book.

Gotta say, I wasn't enthusiastic about this book at first. I picked it up as part of my due diligence for my Happiness Project (February is Marriage Month) and procrastinated reading it until January was almost over. It didn't blow my mind, but it was better than I expected.

[Shanna · Rating 3 out of 5]

I got this book very discounted, so it was bought on a whim. While there IS lots of universal advice, I would say it's aimed at an older couple; I just get that sense. Some tips are kind of obvious, but it's nice to be reminded, I guess. There are some wonderful quotes, which made me add a star to the rating.

[Mmoore · Rating 4 out of 5]

I picked this book up at Anthropologie. I've read several of Alexandra Stoddard's lifestyle books and enjoyed them. She's all about striving to live a graceful, beautiful life, and I'm in favor of that. This book had some nice insights about living your life as a couple and putting that first always.

[Raelene · Rating 4 out of 5]

A lovely little happiness project - lots of small, considerate suggestions to help make your life, well, happier. Mostly common sense and a bit of humor and good-will-inspiring quotes, this is a nice collection to come to again and again.

[Lisa]

Marriage

[Sherry · Rating 2 out of 5]

funky...

She might just be a tish too groovy for me. A few good ideas, it's worth looking it over.

[Karyn · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book contained some fun ideas and some wise words. It was worth the quick read.