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Froth on the Cappuccino: How Small Pleasures Can Save Your Life
Good bread, warm towels, crisp mornings, girls' nights out, eating the froth on the cappuccino: these are the ordinary pleasures that make life worth living. Yet sometimes other things in our lives can be so overwhelming that we forget their healing power. In this inspiring book, bestselling author Maeve Haran describes how the little things in life can prove to be the most satisfying. Swapping jokes with a shopkeeper or getting a smile from another driver when you let them into the traffic makes you feel better about yourself than any self-help book. "Froth on the Cappuccino" celebrates hundreds of everyday delights all designed to remind us how joyous life is.
Hardcover
First published January 1, 2007
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Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews
September 19, 2025
Mõnus, kerge ja helge lugemine täis meeldetuletusi elu ilusatest ja lihtsatest võludest. Vaht cappuccionol, kevade tulek, valge t-särk, vihmasabin, jalutamine, ise endale lillede kinkimine...
May 11, 2016
Froth On The Cappuccino is a non-fiction delight about taking more notice and appreciating the good things in life. I picked this book up in my local library, I love going in on the spur of the moment and choosing a random non-fiction book, from my favourite section.
I bought a sandwich and some fruit and found a park bench in the sun to sit for half an hour pure reading pleasure. I think I managed a third of the book in that time, it was such an easy read. Maeve's introduction talks about the fast world of change we live in which allows stress and unhappiness to prevail. Statistics say we are generally richer than ever before yet despite this, we are unhappier than ever.
Simple chapters follow which remind us of the tiny pleasures in life and how these small miracles and delights mean much more to us than money and power if we just stop and embrace them.
Here are some examples of my favourite chapters; clean sheets, a new magazine, drinking from your favourite cup, park life, white T-shirts, seeing your luggage appear at the airport, hot water bottles, getting invitations, holiday reading, being creative and pottering in the garden.
There are loads more magic moments which make you stop and think. This book would make a lovely gift.
I bought a sandwich and some fruit and found a park bench in the sun to sit for half an hour pure reading pleasure. I think I managed a third of the book in that time, it was such an easy read. Maeve's introduction talks about the fast world of change we live in which allows stress and unhappiness to prevail. Statistics say we are generally richer than ever before yet despite this, we are unhappier than ever.
Simple chapters follow which remind us of the tiny pleasures in life and how these small miracles and delights mean much more to us than money and power if we just stop and embrace them.
Here are some examples of my favourite chapters; clean sheets, a new magazine, drinking from your favourite cup, park life, white T-shirts, seeing your luggage appear at the airport, hot water bottles, getting invitations, holiday reading, being creative and pottering in the garden.
There are loads more magic moments which make you stop and think. This book would make a lovely gift.
July 6, 2025
I don’t think I was the right demographic for this book. This is more aimed towards married, middle aged women with children whereas I am an unmarried young adult with no children.
There were some nice and positive messages within this book however most of it felt very rushed and basic ideas. Another negative of this book is the promotion of infidelity and other behaviour I see as outright cheating such as flirting with someone even if you are taken.
There were some nice and positive messages within this book however most of it felt very rushed and basic ideas. Another negative of this book is the promotion of infidelity and other behaviour I see as outright cheating such as flirting with someone even if you are taken.
August 19, 2021
This book was recommended on a forum for tips on how to survive a blue January so I borrowed a copy from the library. It's interesting to see which small pleasures inspired previous borrowers. The corners have been turned on the pages for 'Clean Sheets' and 'Making Stock'. A post-it note has been added to the page for 'Finding Money'. The ones that struck a chord with me were 'Filling In a Calendar or Diary' and 'An Old-Fashioned Dressing Table'.
Lightweight and an easy read.
2 stars.
Lightweight and an easy read.
2 stars.
March 19, 2024
"Ideaalses maailmas saame me kõik valentinipäeval abikaasalt või armsamalt ühe punase roosi, kimbu lilli sõpradelt igaks sünnipäevaks ja lastelt emadepäevaks peotäie nartsisse. Reaalsus paraku erineb ideaalist nagu öö ja päev ning ainus inimene, kes sulle ärateenitud lilled õigel ajal toob, oled sa ise."
Autor juhib tähelepanu paljudele väikestele asjadele, mis meie elu rõõmsamaks teevad. Võib-olla lähevad need detailid tihtipeale keset kõike toimetust ja saginat kaotsi. Aga ma mäletan, et keerulisel ajal tõid just väikesed rõõmud kasvõi natukesekski kurbusest välja. Tänulikkus ning oskus head tähele panna on alati koorma kandmist kergendanud.
Üks tõsiselt hea soovitus autorilt:
"Kümme minutit edumaad
Seda praktikas teostada on üllatavalt keeruline, sest mingil seletamatul põhjusel veeretab saatus sulle tingimata takistusi ette: just siis, kui sa hakkasid uksest välja astuma, et õigeks ajaks tähtsale kohtumisele jõuda, heliseb telefon, võtmekimp libiseb prügikasti ja ülepea oled sa unustanud üles kirjutada aadressi, kuhu sa minema pead!
Kümneminutilise edumaa andmisega aga teed sa endale ühe suurepärase kingituse - sa päästad end stressist. Hingetuks tormamise, südamekloppimise, vastiku pabistamise (jõuan-ei jõua) ja enesesüüdistamise asemel saad sa kodust kümme minutit varem lahkudes ja väikese ajavaruga kohale jõudes ennast hoopis kohvikus ühe väikese cappucino (ja selle vahu) nautimisele pühendada."
Ja veel üks, mis peaks mulle sobima just nagu rusikas silmaauku:
Edasilükatud asjade ärategemine
See küll kõlab esmapilgul nagu piin ja mitte rõõm, aga töötab hästi.
Juba F. Scott Fitzgerald ütles, et õnn on rahuldustunne pärast suurt pingutust. See selgitab, miks sa end pärast hirmutavana tundunud ülesande ettevõtmist ja ärategemist nii rahulolevana tunned.
Rahulolu tuleneb eelkõige sellest, et
a) sa selle ülesande üldse ette võtsid
b) see polnudki nii raske, kui sa arvasid ning
c) sa jõudsid tulemuseni. Isegi kui see polnud teab mis suur töö - valida number, leppida kokku kohtumine, riskides ebaeduga -, ainuüksi see tunne, et asi sai tehtud, võib su pea kergendusest ringi käima ning kõrvad elevusest surisema panna.
Sama hästi töötab härjal sarvist haaramine ka lihtsalt igava või tüütu asja ärategemisel. Ikka tunned end pärast hästi, mis sest, et eufooria pole päris võrreldav sellega, mis saadud näiteks hirmu tõttu edasi lükatud ettevõtmise teokstegemisest.
Isegi kõige väiksemate ärategemistega kaasneb ebaproportsionaalselt suur nauding. Üsna mõistlik on ennast tagant sundida hommikuti. Nii võid kogu ülejäänud päeva endale pai teha ja uhkusest särada, et sa nii vapper ja tubli oled olnud."
Autori mõtisklused asjade üle, mis panevad meid end hästi tundma, on mõnusad. Siin on nii asju, mis seovad meid kaugema minevikuga, tavade, kommete või harjumustega, mis on põlvest põlve edasi kandunud. Või igapäevaelu pisikeste võimalustega, mõne väikese heateoga või väikese vedamise või kahjutu kelmustükiga. Isiklik kontakt ümbruskonna poepidajatega, ilusad ja suve meenutavad plätud, alati vähemalt taksosõiduks vajaliku rahasumma kaasaskandmine. Kui raamat on kodus olemas, sobib teda suvaliselt kusagilt lahti lüüa ning sealtsamast oma päeva paar rõõmustavat mõtet kaasa võtta.
Autor juhib tähelepanu paljudele väikestele asjadele, mis meie elu rõõmsamaks teevad. Võib-olla lähevad need detailid tihtipeale keset kõike toimetust ja saginat kaotsi. Aga ma mäletan, et keerulisel ajal tõid just väikesed rõõmud kasvõi natukesekski kurbusest välja. Tänulikkus ning oskus head tähele panna on alati koorma kandmist kergendanud.
Üks tõsiselt hea soovitus autorilt:
"Kümme minutit edumaad
Seda praktikas teostada on üllatavalt keeruline, sest mingil seletamatul põhjusel veeretab saatus sulle tingimata takistusi ette: just siis, kui sa hakkasid uksest välja astuma, et õigeks ajaks tähtsale kohtumisele jõuda, heliseb telefon, võtmekimp libiseb prügikasti ja ülepea oled sa unustanud üles kirjutada aadressi, kuhu sa minema pead!
Kümneminutilise edumaa andmisega aga teed sa endale ühe suurepärase kingituse - sa päästad end stressist. Hingetuks tormamise, südamekloppimise, vastiku pabistamise (jõuan-ei jõua) ja enesesüüdistamise asemel saad sa kodust kümme minutit varem lahkudes ja väikese ajavaruga kohale jõudes ennast hoopis kohvikus ühe väikese cappucino (ja selle vahu) nautimisele pühendada."
Ja veel üks, mis peaks mulle sobima just nagu rusikas silmaauku:
Edasilükatud asjade ärategemine
See küll kõlab esmapilgul nagu piin ja mitte rõõm, aga töötab hästi.
Juba F. Scott Fitzgerald ütles, et õnn on rahuldustunne pärast suurt pingutust. See selgitab, miks sa end pärast hirmutavana tundunud ülesande ettevõtmist ja ärategemist nii rahulolevana tunned.
Rahulolu tuleneb eelkõige sellest, et
a) sa selle ülesande üldse ette võtsid
b) see polnudki nii raske, kui sa arvasid ning
c) sa jõudsid tulemuseni. Isegi kui see polnud teab mis suur töö - valida number, leppida kokku kohtumine, riskides ebaeduga -, ainuüksi see tunne, et asi sai tehtud, võib su pea kergendusest ringi käima ning kõrvad elevusest surisema panna.
Sama hästi töötab härjal sarvist haaramine ka lihtsalt igava või tüütu asja ärategemisel. Ikka tunned end pärast hästi, mis sest, et eufooria pole päris võrreldav sellega, mis saadud näiteks hirmu tõttu edasi lükatud ettevõtmise teokstegemisest.
Isegi kõige väiksemate ärategemistega kaasneb ebaproportsionaalselt suur nauding. Üsna mõistlik on ennast tagant sundida hommikuti. Nii võid kogu ülejäänud päeva endale pai teha ja uhkusest särada, et sa nii vapper ja tubli oled olnud."
Autori mõtisklused asjade üle, mis panevad meid end hästi tundma, on mõnusad. Siin on nii asju, mis seovad meid kaugema minevikuga, tavade, kommete või harjumustega, mis on põlvest põlve edasi kandunud. Või igapäevaelu pisikeste võimalustega, mõne väikese heateoga või väikese vedamise või kahjutu kelmustükiga. Isiklik kontakt ümbruskonna poepidajatega, ilusad ja suve meenutavad plätud, alati vähemalt taksosõiduks vajaliku rahasumma kaasaskandmine. Kui raamat on kodus olemas, sobib teda suvaliselt kusagilt lahti lüüa ning sealtsamast oma päeva paar rõõmustavat mõtet kaasa võtta.
June 23, 2020
I confess, I initially thought this book was silly. Consists of a page or two on each of her small pleasures, why she likes them and presumably, why we might like them too. But just past midway through she gave me an idea for a gift for a very special occasion - so that for me was worth the time reading the book. So I gave the rating an additional star. Thank you Maeve Haran! (whether or not reading the book saved my life remains to be seen...)
October 2, 2024
Bah, 2 stelline per un "ci può stare - si fa leggere". Ma ha deluso un po' le aspettative.
Si tratta di una lista di cose "piccole e quotidiane" che danno piacevolezza alla vita, ovviamente basate sui gusti della scrittrice. E questo ci sta, lo immaginavo, non è questo che mi ha deluso.
A deludermi è stata la scarna descrizione delle cose. Quasi frettolosa e arrabbattata.
Non mi aspettavo picchi altissimi di poesia o maestose evocazioni alla Proust. Però nemmeno la lista della spesa della casalinga presa a fare la polenta mentre impasta la pizza e cuce l'orlo alle tende.
Troppo frettolosa e troppo terra terra.
Ma la cosa veramente deludente e a dire il vero snervante e odiosa è la tendenza al giudizio che mette in atto verso le cose che non le piacciono. Chiarisco il punto con un esempio concreto, basandomi su quanto scrive e su uno dei suoi paragrafetti.
La Haran, dopo una velocissima introduzione per spiegarci in cosa consiste il suo librino, lo organizza per paragrafetti molto veloci e agili (punto positivo, perché possiamo sfogliarlo in momenti in cui abbiamo anche poco tempo, tipo in metro o mentre aspettiamo che venga su il caffè) e ogni paragrafetto corrisponde a un piccolo piacere della vita.
Uno di questi è "le tende".
Ci spiega che ama moltissimo le tende pesanti, di tessuti ricercati, lunghissime, pompose, che arrivano fino al pavimento e creano pieghe su pieghe. Perfetto. Rispettabile.
Poi però ha la necessità di dirci che "chiunque scelga le tende a vetro, su misura per la finestra, magari bianche o di tessuti non coprenti e importanti è un tirchio e quelle tende fanno schifo e che persone così proprio non si rendono conto che danno un'idea sbagliata a chi guarda e vede questa pochezza esistenziale". Parafrasando.
Cioè, amica libellula, anche meno. Libera di pensarlo ma magari non lo scrivere nel libro. Giudica meno, beviti sto cacchio di cappuccino e fatti andare di traverso la schiuma e taci. Ci fai più bella figura.
Anche perché metà dei suoi piaceri della vita per me sono l'anticamera dell'inferno (tipo: impacchettare regali, andare a fare shopping ecc.)
Consiglio comunque questo libro, da sfogliare qualche paginetta alla volta, soprattutto in quei giorni in cui drammatizziamo le cose. Per imparare a spostare lo sguardo e accorgerci che c'è sempre qualcosa di piacevole a cui aggrapparsi.
Io, adesso che l'ho finito, ho deciso di attaccare un post it colorato su ogni sua pagina aggiungendo o in alcuni casi sostituendo un mio personale "piccolo piacere che può salvare la vita" a quelli che propone lei. Può essere un ottimo esercizio per imparare a respirare.
Vi consiglio di fare lo stesso
Si tratta di una lista di cose "piccole e quotidiane" che danno piacevolezza alla vita, ovviamente basate sui gusti della scrittrice. E questo ci sta, lo immaginavo, non è questo che mi ha deluso.
A deludermi è stata la scarna descrizione delle cose. Quasi frettolosa e arrabbattata.
Non mi aspettavo picchi altissimi di poesia o maestose evocazioni alla Proust. Però nemmeno la lista della spesa della casalinga presa a fare la polenta mentre impasta la pizza e cuce l'orlo alle tende.
Troppo frettolosa e troppo terra terra.
Ma la cosa veramente deludente e a dire il vero snervante e odiosa è la tendenza al giudizio che mette in atto verso le cose che non le piacciono. Chiarisco il punto con un esempio concreto, basandomi su quanto scrive e su uno dei suoi paragrafetti.
La Haran, dopo una velocissima introduzione per spiegarci in cosa consiste il suo librino, lo organizza per paragrafetti molto veloci e agili (punto positivo, perché possiamo sfogliarlo in momenti in cui abbiamo anche poco tempo, tipo in metro o mentre aspettiamo che venga su il caffè) e ogni paragrafetto corrisponde a un piccolo piacere della vita.
Uno di questi è "le tende".
Ci spiega che ama moltissimo le tende pesanti, di tessuti ricercati, lunghissime, pompose, che arrivano fino al pavimento e creano pieghe su pieghe. Perfetto. Rispettabile.
Poi però ha la necessità di dirci che "chiunque scelga le tende a vetro, su misura per la finestra, magari bianche o di tessuti non coprenti e importanti è un tirchio e quelle tende fanno schifo e che persone così proprio non si rendono conto che danno un'idea sbagliata a chi guarda e vede questa pochezza esistenziale". Parafrasando.
Cioè, amica libellula, anche meno. Libera di pensarlo ma magari non lo scrivere nel libro. Giudica meno, beviti sto cacchio di cappuccino e fatti andare di traverso la schiuma e taci. Ci fai più bella figura.
Anche perché metà dei suoi piaceri della vita per me sono l'anticamera dell'inferno (tipo: impacchettare regali, andare a fare shopping ecc.)
Consiglio comunque questo libro, da sfogliare qualche paginetta alla volta, soprattutto in quei giorni in cui drammatizziamo le cose. Per imparare a spostare lo sguardo e accorgerci che c'è sempre qualcosa di piacevole a cui aggrapparsi.
Io, adesso che l'ho finito, ho deciso di attaccare un post it colorato su ogni sua pagina aggiungendo o in alcuni casi sostituendo un mio personale "piccolo piacere che può salvare la vita" a quelli che propone lei. Può essere un ottimo esercizio per imparare a respirare.
Vi consiglio di fare lo stesso
February 26, 2022
Very easy reading, loved it!
June 25, 2013
Froth on the Cappuccino: http://readwithstyle.wordpress.com/20...
When I was having one of those terrible days, when everything seems colored in gray tones, my mother gave me a certain book to help me cheer up. It is one of those “self help books” I already mentioned in a previous post. However, Maeve Haran’s Froth on the Cappuccino is entirely dedicated to women (I don’t ever expect any self-respecting man to read it) and teaches depressed and lonely females to find enjoyment in the small things.
Personally, I can describe myself more or less as a realist (sometimes even cynical). I am not romantic or optimistic so these kinds of novels simply annoy me. However, although I didn’t actually read it (I only skimmed through it), Froth on the Cappuccino inspired me to produce my own list of things that make me smile. I figured, these are the things that make Haran smile. However, I have other aspects of life that make me happy and my personal list will be far more helpful in difficult times. So here it is:
Putting everything in order – From my binders, to my books and my room, I like everything to be in order. It gives me the greatest pleasure when all the small things are in their right place. I feel secure, organized, and in control of my life. In addition, I simply love looking at my perfectly organized school binder, music or photo folder, library, or bed.
The first coffee in the morning - Coffee is indeed my favorite drink and I have it not to wake up but because I love the taste, the smell, the appearance. However, the first coffee in the morning is an unexplainable pleasure. I am still half asleep and I feel the warm liquid slowly going down my body and waking up every part of it.
Read more: http://readwithstyle.wordpress.com/20...
When I was having one of those terrible days, when everything seems colored in gray tones, my mother gave me a certain book to help me cheer up. It is one of those “self help books” I already mentioned in a previous post. However, Maeve Haran’s Froth on the Cappuccino is entirely dedicated to women (I don’t ever expect any self-respecting man to read it) and teaches depressed and lonely females to find enjoyment in the small things.
Personally, I can describe myself more or less as a realist (sometimes even cynical). I am not romantic or optimistic so these kinds of novels simply annoy me. However, although I didn’t actually read it (I only skimmed through it), Froth on the Cappuccino inspired me to produce my own list of things that make me smile. I figured, these are the things that make Haran smile. However, I have other aspects of life that make me happy and my personal list will be far more helpful in difficult times. So here it is:
Putting everything in order – From my binders, to my books and my room, I like everything to be in order. It gives me the greatest pleasure when all the small things are in their right place. I feel secure, organized, and in control of my life. In addition, I simply love looking at my perfectly organized school binder, music or photo folder, library, or bed.
The first coffee in the morning - Coffee is indeed my favorite drink and I have it not to wake up but because I love the taste, the smell, the appearance. However, the first coffee in the morning is an unexplainable pleasure. I am still half asleep and I feel the warm liquid slowly going down my body and waking up every part of it.
Read more: http://readwithstyle.wordpress.com/20...
December 21, 2007
I love books like Maeve Haran's Froth on the Cappuccino. Subtitled "How small pleasures can save your life" it's one of those books about how all the joys of life are right there in front of us and how we so often take this for granted.
Things like the titular froth on the cappuccino ("Can there be anything more delicious than sprinkling fresh chocolate onto your cappucciino and eating the froth, slowly and sensuously, as
To read the rest of the review, please visit
http://www.trashionista.com/2007/11/b...
Things like the titular froth on the cappuccino ("Can there be anything more delicious than sprinkling fresh chocolate onto your cappucciino and eating the froth, slowly and sensuously, as
To read the rest of the review, please visit
http://www.trashionista.com/2007/11/b...
December 15, 2008
Fun, if a bit obvious in places, although with enough interesting ideas to be worth reading.
October 29, 2011
easy to read decent enough book about appreciating lifes little pleasures but nothing ground breaking in here unless you've not read one of these types of books before
January 5, 2014
Boring
January 22, 2015
Nice easy read about enjoying the small pleasures life has to offer !
August 10, 2013
I don't like it. Maybe I've expected more useful things. I don't recommend this book.
Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews