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The Little Book of Happiness: A Scientific Approach to Living Better
SIX.
Research indicates that just six high-value experiences a day will increase your happiness.
Studies done at Oxford University show that at least half of your happiness comes from having a rich social network—a close group of people who truly care about you. Unsurprisingly, those who serve others tend to have the strongest social connections.
In The Little Book of Happiness, noted neuroscientist Dr. Paul J. Zak shows you how to invest in relationships so you can truly thrive.
Each chapter of The Little Book of Happiness defines one of the forty-five cardinal virtues, describes how it affects the brain, and provides scientifically sound practices for developing it. You’ll also gain access to a free app to personally track your progress as you complete each happiness-expanding exercise.
Discover how adding a daily dose of six—or more—quality experiences can change your life for the better!
Research indicates that just six high-value experiences a day will increase your happiness.
Studies done at Oxford University show that at least half of your happiness comes from having a rich social network—a close group of people who truly care about you. Unsurprisingly, those who serve others tend to have the strongest social connections.
In The Little Book of Happiness, noted neuroscientist Dr. Paul J. Zak shows you how to invest in relationships so you can truly thrive.
Each chapter of The Little Book of Happiness defines one of the forty-five cardinal virtues, describes how it affects the brain, and provides scientifically sound practices for developing it. You’ll also gain access to a free app to personally track your progress as you complete each happiness-expanding exercise.
Discover how adding a daily dose of six—or more—quality experiences can change your life for the better!
107 pages, Kindle Edition
Published May 6, 2025
14 people are currently reading
707 people want to read
About the author
Paul J. Zak
14 books46 followersDr. Paul J. Zak is Distinguished University Professor at Claremont Graduate University and is in the top 0.3% of most cited scientists. Paul’s two decades of research extending the boundaries of behavioral neuroscience have taken him from the Pentagon to Fortune 50 boardrooms to the rainforest of Papua New Guinea. In 2017 he founded Immersion Neuroscience, a software platform that allows anyone to measure what the brain loves in real-time that is used to improve outcomes in entertainment, education, advertising, and emotional health. He is a regular TED speaker and appears in the media regularly. https://pauljzak.com
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Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews
June 9, 2025
I found this book to be interesting yet a bit unhelpful. The science is there and the experiences are varied. I just don't think the book takes introverts and neurodivergency into account, which make it feel very cookie cutter. I think it will help the most with people who gravitate towards other people. it is well written.
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June 11, 2025Book Review: The Little Book of Happiness: A Scientific Approach to Living Better by Paul J. Zak
As an avid reader of both neuroscience and self-improvement literature, Zak’s The Little Book of Happiness struck me as a rare hybrid—a rigorously researched manifesto that reads like a warm conversation with a wise friend. Its blend of empirical data and actionable warmth left me alternating between scribbling notes and pausing to reflect on my own daily habits.
Emotional Resonance & Reading Experience
What surprised me most was how Zak’s “six high-value experiences” framework reshaped my perspective in real time. One evening, after reading the chapter on gratitude’s neurochemical effects, I found myself lingering over dinner with a loved one, consciously savoring the moment—a small but profound shift. The book’s emphasis on social connection as a biological necessity (not just feel-good advice) resonated deeply, especially when Zak dissected how altruism literally rewires the brain.
The chapter on “cardinal virtues” felt revelatory. Rather than vague platitudes, Zak treats qualities like curiosity and forgiveness as trainable skills, complete with dopamine-driven feedback loops. His writing shines when bridging lab-coated studies (e.g., oxytocin release during hugs) with tangible practices—like the app-guided tracking system, which gamified my progress in unexpectedly motivating ways.
Constructive Criticism
-Virtue Overload: With 45 virtues covered, some sections felt abbreviated. I craved deeper dives into a few select traits (e.g., resilience) rather than survey-style brevity.
-App Dependency: While innovative, the digital component might alienate readers who prefer analog reflection methods. A pen-and-paper alternative could widen accessibility.
-Cultural Narrowness: The research leans heavily on Western social frameworks; integrating cross-cultural happiness practices (e.g., ikigai or hygge) might enrich its global relevance.
Why It Stays With You
This isn’t just a book—it’s a mirror. Zak’s science-backed approach strips away the guilt often tied to self-help, replacing it with empowering clarity: Happiness isn’t luck; it’s a series of deliberate, brain-friendly choices. By the final page, I’d stopped chasing “joy” as an abstract ideal and started engineering it through micro-moments of connection.
Thank you to the publisher and Goodreads Giveaways for this transformative read. Fans of The Happiness Advantage’s research-driven optimism or Buddha’s Brain’s neuro-spiritual fusion will find Zak’s work a worthy successor—one that marries lab precision with lived humanity.
Rating: 4.8/5 (A near-perfect blend of science and soul—would benefit from tighter thematic focus.)
Note: Zak’s background as a neuroeconomist lends unique credibility; his analysis of happiness as “emotional ROI” reframes self-care as strategic investment.
As an avid reader of both neuroscience and self-improvement literature, Zak’s The Little Book of Happiness struck me as a rare hybrid—a rigorously researched manifesto that reads like a warm conversation with a wise friend. Its blend of empirical data and actionable warmth left me alternating between scribbling notes and pausing to reflect on my own daily habits.
Emotional Resonance & Reading Experience
What surprised me most was how Zak’s “six high-value experiences” framework reshaped my perspective in real time. One evening, after reading the chapter on gratitude’s neurochemical effects, I found myself lingering over dinner with a loved one, consciously savoring the moment—a small but profound shift. The book’s emphasis on social connection as a biological necessity (not just feel-good advice) resonated deeply, especially when Zak dissected how altruism literally rewires the brain.
The chapter on “cardinal virtues” felt revelatory. Rather than vague platitudes, Zak treats qualities like curiosity and forgiveness as trainable skills, complete with dopamine-driven feedback loops. His writing shines when bridging lab-coated studies (e.g., oxytocin release during hugs) with tangible practices—like the app-guided tracking system, which gamified my progress in unexpectedly motivating ways.
Constructive Criticism
-Virtue Overload: With 45 virtues covered, some sections felt abbreviated. I craved deeper dives into a few select traits (e.g., resilience) rather than survey-style brevity.
-App Dependency: While innovative, the digital component might alienate readers who prefer analog reflection methods. A pen-and-paper alternative could widen accessibility.
-Cultural Narrowness: The research leans heavily on Western social frameworks; integrating cross-cultural happiness practices (e.g., ikigai or hygge) might enrich its global relevance.
Why It Stays With You
This isn’t just a book—it’s a mirror. Zak’s science-backed approach strips away the guilt often tied to self-help, replacing it with empowering clarity: Happiness isn’t luck; it’s a series of deliberate, brain-friendly choices. By the final page, I’d stopped chasing “joy” as an abstract ideal and started engineering it through micro-moments of connection.
Thank you to the publisher and Goodreads Giveaways for this transformative read. Fans of The Happiness Advantage’s research-driven optimism or Buddha’s Brain’s neuro-spiritual fusion will find Zak’s work a worthy successor—one that marries lab precision with lived humanity.
Rating: 4.8/5 (A near-perfect blend of science and soul—would benefit from tighter thematic focus.)
Note: Zak’s background as a neuroeconomist lends unique credibility; his analysis of happiness as “emotional ROI” reframes self-care as strategic investment.
January 1, 2026
I wanted to enjoy this book but it read more like an advertisement for the author’s new app than a true self- help book. The author shared 45 values for happiness and even gave practical ways to practice each value but each value section was extremely brief. The author shared a little bit about Ben Franklin but didn’t take the opportunity to show examples of how Franklin practiced each of the values. I feel like this whole book was a missed opportunity.
January 5, 2026
Clear and fast overview of how to get an happier and fullfilled life. Good book to start the new year and focus on objectives.
Had the audible version, can't wait to buy the book to get deeper with the excercises.
Had the audible version, can't wait to buy the book to get deeper with the excercises.
Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews