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The Alphabet of Happiness

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What does it take to live a happier life? Discover your path to fulfillment with The Alphabet of Happiness, a real, refreshing, science-backed guide to living a more joyful life. Inspired by Klaudia Mitura’s award-winning podcast, The Happiness Challenge, this invaluable book combines expert insights with hands-on ideas to build happiness in relationships, at work and within your own skin. Weaving surprising science with personal anecdotes and topical examples, each of the 26 alphabet-inspired principles offers easy-to-understand psychology with practical solutions, allowing you to explore and apply these insights in any order, step-by-step, to achieve genuine positive transformation in your life. Perfect for self-reflectors and go-getters alike, The Alphabet of Happiness is a must-read for anyone ready to take small but powerful steps toward a happier life.

336 pages, Paperback

Published November 4, 2025

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28 people want to read

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Klaudia Mitura

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Displaying 1 - 20 of 20 reviews
Profile Image for Katie.the.reader.
191 reviews34 followers
May 21, 2025
Have you ever found yourself Googling “how to be happy” at 2am while eating grated cheese out of the packet? This one’s for you babe.

Fans of The Comfort Book (/anything) by Matt Haig are going to love The Alphabet of Happiness. This is one of those books that doesn’t just tell you how to be happy, it helps you to believe you deserve to be. Klaudia Mitura breaks down happiness into bite-sized, science-backed habits, each chapter feels like a gentle nudge from a really emotionally intelligent friend (the kind who sends therapy-grade voice notes and reminds you to drink water) BUT Klaudia brings in all her experience from her professional background AND psychological/scientific insights from a range of Big Brain Baddies, so we are literally living and learning.

Each chapter focuses on a different theme to foster your own happiness, from “Acceptance” (which low-key read me to filth) to “Zest,” this A–Z guide is practical, personal, and deeply validating. Klaudia weaves research, real-life stories, and reflection prompts with such warmth that it feels less like reading a self-help book and more like sitting down for a cuppa with someone who just gets it.

I especially loved how this book gives you permission to be a messy human (I wonder why lol) Not a single toxic positivity platitude in sight. Instead, she offers you tools and not in a “here’s your fix-it kit” kind of way, but a “here’s what I tried and what might help you too” kind of way. Which honestly is magic.

It’s not trying to radically transform your life overnight, it’s giving you tools to notice more joy, more meaning, more ease in the everyday. And in a world that feels increasingly noisy and cynical, that feels like a tiny revolution.


Profile Image for Maher Razouk.
788 reviews252 followers
January 1, 2026
ما الذي يجعل الحياة سعيدة؟ الحب، المال، الشهرة؟ وإذا امتلكتَ كل مقومات الحياة السعيدة، فهل يعني ذلك أنك ستبقى سعيدًا دائمًا؟ من ناحية أخرى، هل يمكنك أن تظل راضيًا عن حياتك حتى لو افتقرت إلى تلك الأشياء، أو حتى لو كانت توقعاتك مختلفة تمامًا؟

ماذا يحدث عندما تصل أخيرًا إلى لحظة الكمال التي لطالما حلمت بها، لتجد نفسك لا تزال تعيسًا، قلقًا، أو محبطًا؟ ولماذا تجد نفسك أحيانًا سعيدًا، مرتاحًا، ومفعماً بالسلام الداخلي بشكل مفاجئ عندما تواجه أصعب تحدياتك؟

ماذا عن كل الإعلانات التي توحي بأن شراء الأشياء يجلب السعادة، بينما يقول الخبراء إن السعادة تنبع من الداخل؟ الأمر متروك لنا لنكون مرنين ونجد السعادة حتى في الأوقات الصعبة.

لا عجب أننا نجد السعادة موضوعًا غريبًا جدًا!

فوفرتها - أو نقصها - تؤثر علينا جميعًا، ومع ذلك نادرًا ما نناقشها في الفصول الدراسية، أو اجتماعات العمل، أو حفلات العشاء. لا يحضر أطفالنا دروسًا عن "كيف نكون سعداء في الحياة"، ولا يزال وجود خبير سعادة في مكان العمل أمرًا نادرًا، ودولة واحدة فقط في العالم تقيس نجاحها بناءً على سعادة مواطنيها. نقول إننا، أولًا وقبل كل شيء، نرغب في السعادة، لكننا لا نستطيع تحديد ما نحتاجه لخلق سعادتنا والحفاظ عليها. غالبًا ما نشعر بالخجل من نقص السعادة في حياتنا، فنتجنب النقاشات الصعبة، وندّعي أننا "بخير"، آملين أن نكون سعداء يومًا ما، بالصدفة.
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Mitura Klaudia
The Alphabet Of Happiness
Translated By #Maher_Razouk
Profile Image for April.
497 reviews28 followers
January 29, 2026
What an intriguing book!

Happiness is such an abstract idea and everyone's idea can be very different so to read an alphabet blueprint from an actual psychologist was very interesting.

I thought that the concept of an alphabet and linking steps to the alphabet was very clever - A: Acceptance... E : Empathy... etc.

Each letter attributes to an action required to fulfil your happiness. Claudia writes each section in such a way that it is conversational and easy to follow.

With the additions of tasks as the end, if the reader chooses to tackle that letter then they can clearly see activities that can can help develop/consider that letter more.

A very intriguing but approachable book and will help any who choose to explore their happiness more.
Profile Image for dSianb .
21 reviews1 follower
May 26, 2025
An Insightful Guide to Everyday Joy

The Alphabet of Happiness by Klaudia Mitura is a beautiful book that blends positive psychology with heartfelt storytelling, making it both uplifting and practical. Organised by the letters of the alphabet, each chapter highlights a powerful concept—from Acceptance to Zest—that contributes to living a more fulfilling and meaningful life.

What sets this book apart is its ability to gently nudge you toward transformation without overwhelming you or being ‘preachy’. Mitura draws from scientific research —which I appreciated—while keeping her tone warm and encouraging. One passage that particularly struck me was her reminder that:
“Exposure to nature reduces stress hormones, increases positive emotions such as joy or awe, and relaxes the brain.”
Having been ill for several years, I reconnected with nature during my recovery. Reconnection, especially with wildlife, and investing in myself with regular self-care were fundamental pillars of my recovery.

She deepens this with insights into ‘forest bathing’ —again, something that resonated strongly with me and a reminder to get back out into the forest that wraps around my home town:
“Studies in Japan on ‘forest bathing’ show a decrease in heart rates, blood pressure, and the levels of stress hormones when people spend time in forests. It has even been discovered that our immune system’s cell production increases in the woods!”
My well-being is tied to the natural world and simple habits—like spending time outdoors—can make a profound difference. Note to self: I need to do it more consistently.

The book also dives into motivation and self-growth. One empowering insight reads:
“Connect with your future self to overcome procrastination.”
It’s a simple yet powerful tool that reframes how we relate to our goals and time. And it ties beautifully with the quote Mitura includes from Abraham Lincoln:
“The best way to predict the future is to create it.”
I will use this to envision where I want to be in 3 years and make it happen!

Even challenges are met with optimism. In one of my favourite lines, Mitura writes:
“Uncertainty invites creativity, innovation, and learning into our lives.”
Rather than fearing the unknown, Mitura encourages us to embrace it as a gateway to possibility. This concept is familiar and has been a strength throughout my career.

The Alphabet of Happiness isn’t just a book—it’s a companion on your growth journey. Perfect for dipping into one letter at a time or reading cover to cover, it’s filled with reminders that happiness is attainable and something we can actively nurture.

Highly recommended for anyone looking to infuse more joy, positivity and purpose into their daily life.
1 review
July 31, 2025
This book is an amazing, well written, often funny and always useful guide to the Science of Happiness.

Based on the knowledge gained from her wonderful podcast (The Happiness Challenge), Klaudia Mitura has neatly summarised what she has learnt over the 5 seasons into 26 easily digestable chapters. Moving from 'A for Acceptance' to 'Z for Zest' each one is a little gem of wisdom and there will surely be a nugget for everyone.

What struck me initially was the opening chapter - which explains why we have been getting happiness all wrong. Our capitalist society constantly tells you to buy this, or achieve that and then you will be happy? But to keep the wheels moving it needs to keep us in a state of unhappiness to then buy the next thing. I was blown away by the explanation that actually, focusing on being happier first leads to more joy and success in life - because well of course!!

This book isn't fluffy, and doesn't talk down to you, or blind you with too much info. Instead it delves into the authors journey exploring the scientific basis of different areas that all add up to an toolbox of ways to increase happiness in your life. Why practicing gratitude 'rewires your brain', or why really you are just an output of your daily habits, and how to edit these to make your day-to-day just that little bit more positive.

Highly recommend for anyone looking to understand and add a little bit more positivity into your life and those around you.
Profile Image for Natasha Mairs (Serenity You).
346 reviews16 followers
January 30, 2026
The Alphabet of Happiness is one of those books that feels gentle, thoughtful, and genuinely supportive rather than preachy or overwhelming. Instead of promising instant happiness, Klaudia Mitura invites you to explore it slowly, one letter at a time — and that in itself feels refreshing.

What I really enjoyed about this book is how accessible it is. Each letter introduces an idea, feeling, or practice connected to wellbeing, making it easy to dip in and out depending on what you need in the moment. It doesn’t demand perfection or constant positivity; it simply encourages curiosity, reflection, and small shifts in perspective.

One of the standout elements for me was how often Klaudia references the work of others throughout the book. Rather than presenting her ideas in isolation, she weaves in quotes, research, and insights from a wide range of thinkers, writers, and wellbeing experts. I loved this because it opened up new paths for further reading — I found myself noting down names and ideas that really resonated so I can explore them more deeply later on.

Overall, The Alphabet of Happiness feels like a comforting companion rather than a strict guide. It’s ideal if you’re looking for gentle encouragement, thoughtful prompts, and a reminder that happiness isn’t a destination — it’s something we build in small, meaningful ways. A lovely read for anyone wanting to slow down, reflect, and reconnect with what truly matters.

4/5 stars for me.
Profile Image for Zara.
332 reviews2 followers
February 4, 2026
I received this book from the author Klaudia Mitura and Literally PR in exchange for an honest, independent review.

The Alphabet of Happiness is a thoughtful, practical book about creating more happiness at work, in relationships and, importantly, within yourself.

What I loved most straight away was the layout. The book is structured alphabetically (obviously!), with one concept/chapter per letter, which makes it perfect as a dip-in-and-out read. It’s the kind of book you can keep on your shelf and come back to whenever you need a little inspiration, reassurance or a mindset reset.

Each chapter starts with a quote and then gently leads you into the science behind that particular theme, all explained in a way that feels accessible rather than overwhelming. There’s plenty of research and evidence woven through, but it’s balanced beautifully with practical tips you can actually use in everyday life.

I also really liked how each chapter ends with An Expert View and Take Action. The expert insights add an extra layer of depth, while the action points turn the ideas into something tangible – small, achievable things you can do for that specific letter of the alphabet, rather than just vague advice.

Overall, this is a warm, encouraging and well-structured book that feels supportive rather than preachy. Perfect if you enjoy reflecting, learning a little psychology along the way, and taking small but meaningful steps towards a happier life.
Profile Image for L.
65 reviews4 followers
May 19, 2025
I wasn't entirely sure what to expect from this book, or how many useful new tools I'd find, but I found one truly inspiring and powerful one nestled within the Gratitude chapter. In fact, I found several useful tools within this book, and it’s truly a book for everyone. It’s divided into chapters from A-Z and you can easily jump from one chapter to another, depending how you feel when you pick up the book. I find this particularly nice, as many self-help style books feel like a text book that has to be read in order, with lessons and structure – it’s all too much like school. I found it useful to reach first for the chapter title that you’re most familiar and comfortable with – it won’t seem overwhelming, but I’m almost certain you’ll learn something new. Then you can branch out to new ideas and build your very own toolkit for happiness.
Profile Image for Siobhain.
1,011 reviews36 followers
February 1, 2026
Happiness is so hard to achieve, particularly because in theory it is just an abstract and it might mean different things to different people. In today’s commercial society we are often made to believe that things can get us happiness. If you have ever wondered why you might not be feeling happy or what could make you happy this book is bound to help. Informative, helpful and at times funny this is the perfect companion to anyone who ever has those moments of thinking what is missing. It’s not necessarily a how-to which Mitura acknowledges it’s not one way fits all but this is the perfect way to start. Broken into helpful sections that you can jump to as and when needed. I can’t recommend this enough, especially as someone who has anxiety and suffered from low mood. This is the perfect primer to help you find a little happiness.


Profile Image for Sabrina.
1,629 reviews36 followers
February 2, 2026
This was an interesting read with lots of practical actions. I really liked that the author grouped the sections in the introduction so readers can choose what they want to focus on. For example, I started with the Energy (I want to have more motivation) collection and read Dreams, Meaning, Resiliance and Zest. Of course you can also read cover to cover or just dip in and out randomly, whatever method works for you!

You'll want to keep a notebook close for notes and answering the questions and exercises posed for each letter. Each chapter also has recommendations for relevant episodes of Klaudia's Happiness Challenge Podcast. Another bonus is the quotes at the start of each chapter, I enjoyed reading through those first.

https://sabrinasbooktails.blogspot.co...
11 reviews
May 20, 2025
Running your own business is incredibly rewarding, but it’s also a constant juggle. That’s why I loved The Alphabet of Happiness by Klaudia Mitura. It’s a bright, engaging guide to well-being that offers practical ways to bring more meaning, joy, and balance into both life and work.

Each chapter is based on a letter, A for Acceptance, B for Boundaries, E for Empathy, F for Freedom, even X for X-Factor, blending insight, humour, and a bit of psychology without ever feeling heavy.

This isn’t about chasing perfection. It’s about grabbing life, flaws and all, and showing up with a little more awareness and kindness. A refreshing, useful read I’ll be recommending, especially to fellow business owners who are balancing a lot.
353 reviews10 followers
February 2, 2026
This is an interesting and thought provoking read about happiness, what it is and how to find a sense that life is sustainably meaningful and worthwhile. I read it in its entirety, literally A to Z, but I know there are certain chapters I will return to read again. I liked the structure of each topic e.g. Gratitude and then the repeated headings of Food for Thought, An Expert View and Take Action. The book offers a toolbox of ideas for the reader to adapt and relate to their own individual life and circumstances - within work, within relationships and within themselves. The book dares the reader to make happiness a habit and suggests we should smile and laugh more often. I am going to give it a try!
11 reviews
February 10, 2026
I found The Alphabet of Happiness such a comforting and motivating book. The short chapters make it easy to read, and every letter offers a practical idea or shift in perspective that feels genuinely achievable. It's a dip in and out kind of book - and even reading just one of the 'letters' will make a difference to your life!

What stood out most for me is Klaudia’s warmth and honesty. She shares personal stories alongside well-researched behavioural science, so it never feels preachy or too scientific, it feels like a supportive companion.

It’s full of thoughtful prompts, simple actions and reminders that happiness is something we can nurture through everyday habits. A lovely book to return to whenever you need a little lift.
7 reviews1 follower
February 10, 2026
This is a beautifully written, science-backed guide to happiness that is both engaging and genuinely practical.

Klaudia Mitura makes the psychology of happiness easy to understand, weaving in personal anecdotes, topical examples, and insights from a wide range of thinkers and researchers. It feels grounded, intelligent, and refreshingly human.

Each short chapter offers actionable ideas you can apply straight away, whether you’re looking to improve relationships, build healthier boundaries, or simply feel more fulfilled day to day.

A much-needed reminder that we are not powerless in our own happiness, and that small changes can have a real impact. I'm off to listen to the podcast now!
Profile Image for Laura.
756 reviews45 followers
February 4, 2026
The Alphabet of Happiness is a refreshing, science-backed guide to living a happier life without the fluff. Inspired by Klaudia Mitura’s podcast The Happiness Challenge, the book breaks happiness down into 26 simple, alphabet-led principles you can dip into in any order.
Blending psychology, real-life examples, and practical ideas, it offers genuinely useful ways to build more joy at work, in relationships, and within yourself. Thoughtful, easy to read, and perfect for anyone wanting to make small but meaningful changes toward a happier life. ✨
Profile Image for Karen.
148 reviews7 followers
May 19, 2025
This is my kind of book.
Acceptance, boundaries, courage, dreams, empathy, freedom, gratitude, and so on. The author encourages us to read which ever chapter we wish first and go from there. There are tools to help us along the way which I found to be good. It’s just a lovely light book, which gives hope for happiness.
A must for any one seeking self help, kindness and positivity.

Many thanks to team @literallyPR for my copy in exchange for an honest review.
Profile Image for EdenB15.
404 reviews50 followers
February 10, 2026
I very much enjoyed this book I loved how it was laid out with each letter r of the alphabet linking to happiness and it really helped me to think about what happiness means to me and give me some much-needed time to reflect. This book is so powerful and positive and makes you feel like you are worthy of happiness. I am definitely going to implement some of the ideas into my day-to-day life. Excited to see what is nxt for the author
Profile Image for Ira Hakim.
22 reviews1 follower
January 30, 2026
A reassuringly human book that you can dip into and look for support on all sorts of topics. It feels like a recipe book to being a human, and all complex life issues and experiences that we face. Klaudia Mitura gives kind, honest and actionable advice that feels a mjx of positively parental and like a good best friend, with your best interests at heart. Thank you
Profile Image for Sarah Rozenthuler.
1 review
June 13, 2025
An excellent, science-backed window into happiness. There are top tips, of course, but also heart-warming stories and some great humour from the author. It's a book I'll dip into time and time again.
Profile Image for Staceywh_17.
3,738 reviews12 followers
February 8, 2026
Sometimes life gets tough and being happy is the last thing on your mind. Mitura's book is there when you're ready to go find your happy again.

Concise and easy to navigate there are twenty-six chapters from A to Z that guide us through fulfillment, motivation, and optimism amongst other things as we take those steps to embracing happiness.

My copy ended up very heavily annotated and it's definitely one that I will be returning to time and again when I need a little boost.
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