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Chicken Soup for the Soul: Simply Happy
Maverick with a mission: what a recovering cynic learned creating 100 + chicken soup for the soul books
Simply Happy isn’t like an ordinary Chicken Soup for the Soul book,-it’s extraordinary!
Amy Newmark takes you through the sale of Chicken Soup to her husband as C.E.O. and Amy as editor-in chief. She goes back and reads and rereads the series-- over 20,000 stories. Did you know it takes over 5,000 entries for each 101 Chicken Soup book?
Plus, she helps the person who needs a “Happy” pick-me up. Amy Newmark givers best advice: such as not striving for perfection: but, for excellence and expecting the best from other people. She gives the reader a toolkit chapter by chapter. Do you there is a time to say “no” and “yes?” Forgiveness lets the person who forgives free not the other way around. You can eliminate toxic people from your life
She quotes multiple previous books to not only entertain but to include the theme Simply Living throughout the entire book. Please pick the book up and find happiness.
Simply Happy isn’t like an ordinary Chicken Soup for the Soul book,-it’s extraordinary!
Amy Newmark takes you through the sale of Chicken Soup to her husband as C.E.O. and Amy as editor-in chief. She goes back and reads and rereads the series-- over 20,000 stories. Did you know it takes over 5,000 entries for each 101 Chicken Soup book?
Plus, she helps the person who needs a “Happy” pick-me up. Amy Newmark givers best advice: such as not striving for perfection: but, for excellence and expecting the best from other people. She gives the reader a toolkit chapter by chapter. Do you there is a time to say “no” and “yes?” Forgiveness lets the person who forgives free not the other way around. You can eliminate toxic people from your life
She quotes multiple previous books to not only entertain but to include the theme Simply Living throughout the entire book. Please pick the book up and find happiness.
- GenresNonfiction
272 pages, Paperback
First published October 4, 2016
11 people are currently reading
95 people want to read
About the author
Amy Newmark
372 books178 followersAmy Newmark is the bestselling author, editor-in-chief, and publisher of the Chicken Soup for the Soul book series. Since 2008, she has published 191 new Chicken Soup for the Soul titles, most of them national bestsellers in the U.S. and Canada, more than doubling the number of Chicken Soup for the Soul titles in print today.
Amy is credited with revitalizing the Chicken Soup for the Soul brand, which has been a publishing industry phenomenon since the first book came out in 1993. By compiling inspirational and aspirational true stories curated from ordinary people who have had extraordinary experiences, Amy has kept the thirty-year-old Chicken Soup for the Soul brand fresh and relevant.
Follow Amy on Twitter @amynewmark. Listen to her free podcast, The Chicken Soup for the Soul Podcast, on Apple Podcasts, Google Play, the Podcasts app on iPhone, or by using your favorite podcast app on other devices.
Amy is credited with revitalizing the Chicken Soup for the Soul brand, which has been a publishing industry phenomenon since the first book came out in 1993. By compiling inspirational and aspirational true stories curated from ordinary people who have had extraordinary experiences, Amy has kept the thirty-year-old Chicken Soup for the Soul brand fresh and relevant.
Follow Amy on Twitter @amynewmark. Listen to her free podcast, The Chicken Soup for the Soul Podcast, on Apple Podcasts, Google Play, the Podcasts app on iPhone, or by using your favorite podcast app on other devices.
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Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews
February 2, 2017
okay so I received this book in exchange for an honest review... now that's out of the way. Okay so this book to me is the perfect Chicken Soup book for someone who has never read Chicken Soup. The reasons are:
1) there are literally hundreds of references to the other books and their contents so you may find something you like. it's like a having a free sample tray before you buy the case of yogurt
2) there are general valuable tips to living life Happily
3) you get a valuable look into the publishing world
it is also perfect for someone who is familiar with Chicken Soup for the Soul because
1) you gain insight into the company that makes these books happen
2)this is a memoir you can actually have a vested attachment to
3)the whole reason we love Chicken Soup is the "feelings" we get while reading and this book is not short on the "feels"
Some of my personal favorite bits were about loving yourself and being grateful. These are concepts that I think are a struggle for most people on a daily basis. I loved especially how documenting your life can make you realize how grateful you are (the author mentions journaling but I find scrapbooking equally therapeutic). and as always this is a true story of a real person that has opened up their life and heart to readers.
1) there are literally hundreds of references to the other books and their contents so you may find something you like. it's like a having a free sample tray before you buy the case of yogurt
2) there are general valuable tips to living life Happily
3) you get a valuable look into the publishing world
it is also perfect for someone who is familiar with Chicken Soup for the Soul because
1) you gain insight into the company that makes these books happen
2)this is a memoir you can actually have a vested attachment to
3)the whole reason we love Chicken Soup is the "feelings" we get while reading and this book is not short on the "feels"
Some of my personal favorite bits were about loving yourself and being grateful. These are concepts that I think are a struggle for most people on a daily basis. I loved especially how documenting your life can make you realize how grateful you are (the author mentions journaling but I find scrapbooking equally therapeutic). and as always this is a true story of a real person that has opened up their life and heart to readers.
December 13, 2016
Inspirational with positive messages and waves of encouragement. Great read and I highly recommend. The following link contains a more thorough review of this book. https://frombehindthepen.wordpress.co... .
October 18, 2016
Nine years ago, Amy and her husband, Bill took over the extremely successful Chicken Soup for the Soul franchise from founders Jack Canfield and Mark Victor Hansen. Amy, a successful Wall Street analyst, decided before taking on the huge responsibility of CSS that she would read the 10,000 plus stories from the books published from 1993 on. “That was my crash course in Chicken Soup for the Soul advice and wisdom, and it was life changing,” she writes in the introduction. “I had never seen anything like this before, so much selfless sharing by people who were willing to pass on their best tips and their life experiences so that others could tweak or even completely reboot their own lives.” It encouraged her to take CSS to the next level staying true to the legacy that Canfield and Hansen had left for her.
Her book Simply Happy is different from all other CSS books because there are not 101 contributors to this book. She is the sole author, but she shares the main pieces of advice and wisdom she has gleaned from all of the stories in the CSS books that have been published. It is a “Crash Course” of meaningful, easy-to-implement advice and strategies to allow the reader to become more positive and purposeful about life in general. Using excerpts from some of her favorite stories, as well as using her own life experiences, Amy has penned a feel-good book that is uplifting and practical. It is not necessarily a “self-help” book, although it does give some sound advice to follow, but it more so embraces the life stories of those writers who have contributed to the books over these many years.
I read the book in one sitting, something I rarely do unless completely enthralled by the content of a book. I found that much of what Amy said I could relate to in a timely way. She talks about the “Impostor Syndrome” in chapter three that hit me right between the eyes! I have always been my biggest critic and as she shares about her A-type personality, dealing personally with negative self-talk and the like, I felt the tears tumble acknowledging she could easily have been talking about me. She repeats throughout the book about “counting your blessings” and indeed I try to do that, but there are times I struggle with perfectionism and she addressed that neatly as she relates the story of a woman who decided to give thanks every time she used a possession, or saw a stain on her carpet, or ding on her furniture, remembering that it was the imperfections in life that made the most memories.
Much of her principles for happy living, although not stated implicitly, have a solid basis in Biblical teaching. Whether that was intended by her or not “Treat others as you would have others treat you” is a common theme in the book. Chapter 21 – It’s Not About You speaks to the fact that as my Pastor used to say: “Hurt people, hurt people.” Sometimes when people are nasty to you, it really has nothing to do with you, it’s just you happen to be available for them to vent to. Amy says to “not take it personally”, and “don’t get angry about it”. Jesus would say, “Turn the other cheek.” I am reminded of the scripture verse: “A gentle answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger.” (Proverbs 15:1). Amy also talks about forgiveness and the power of gratitude, important themes in the Bible.
I highly recommend reading this life-affirming book. It is filled with inspiring stories, quotes and anecdotes, and if you love the CSS books, you will certainly love reading Amy Newmark’s insights about what she has personally learned from reading and now contributing to the many books in this franchise.
Her book Simply Happy is different from all other CSS books because there are not 101 contributors to this book. She is the sole author, but she shares the main pieces of advice and wisdom she has gleaned from all of the stories in the CSS books that have been published. It is a “Crash Course” of meaningful, easy-to-implement advice and strategies to allow the reader to become more positive and purposeful about life in general. Using excerpts from some of her favorite stories, as well as using her own life experiences, Amy has penned a feel-good book that is uplifting and practical. It is not necessarily a “self-help” book, although it does give some sound advice to follow, but it more so embraces the life stories of those writers who have contributed to the books over these many years.
I read the book in one sitting, something I rarely do unless completely enthralled by the content of a book. I found that much of what Amy said I could relate to in a timely way. She talks about the “Impostor Syndrome” in chapter three that hit me right between the eyes! I have always been my biggest critic and as she shares about her A-type personality, dealing personally with negative self-talk and the like, I felt the tears tumble acknowledging she could easily have been talking about me. She repeats throughout the book about “counting your blessings” and indeed I try to do that, but there are times I struggle with perfectionism and she addressed that neatly as she relates the story of a woman who decided to give thanks every time she used a possession, or saw a stain on her carpet, or ding on her furniture, remembering that it was the imperfections in life that made the most memories.
Much of her principles for happy living, although not stated implicitly, have a solid basis in Biblical teaching. Whether that was intended by her or not “Treat others as you would have others treat you” is a common theme in the book. Chapter 21 – It’s Not About You speaks to the fact that as my Pastor used to say: “Hurt people, hurt people.” Sometimes when people are nasty to you, it really has nothing to do with you, it’s just you happen to be available for them to vent to. Amy says to “not take it personally”, and “don’t get angry about it”. Jesus would say, “Turn the other cheek.” I am reminded of the scripture verse: “A gentle answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger.” (Proverbs 15:1). Amy also talks about forgiveness and the power of gratitude, important themes in the Bible.
I highly recommend reading this life-affirming book. It is filled with inspiring stories, quotes and anecdotes, and if you love the CSS books, you will certainly love reading Amy Newmark’s insights about what she has personally learned from reading and now contributing to the many books in this franchise.
August 8, 2018
I love how Amy Newmark weaves pieces of her life and sections of other people's stories from previous Chicken Soup books together to come up with a delightful book. I read this book in one sitting, fascinated by Amy's simple, but wonderful advice for living a happy life. I related to this book on a visceral level, smiling through much of it, and yes, even crying through some. Because that's what the Chicken Soup books are all about; touching lives and helping others.
June 21, 2017
I haven't read a Chicken Soup for the Soul book in quite a few years and this was enjoyable. Not quite straight stories as the others were, but rather stories intertwined with the new editors life experiences and thoughts. 3.5
October 5, 2016
An absolute must read for any chicken soup fan, or anyone who has ever struggled with being "Simply Happy".
October 5, 2016
Wouldn’t it be great to sit down with an encouraging friend and learn her best tips for experiencing a positive, gratitude-filled life?
That’s what reading Simply Happy felt like.
When former Wall Street whiz Amy Newmark took over the Chicken Soup for the Soul enterprise, she read over 20,000 Chicken Soup stories. Amy shares how the wisdom gleaned from thousands of people’s life experiences impacted her own.
This book is like a crash course to gaining a positive outlook on life. It’s filled with laughter, comfort, and super tips like,
“Stop listening to that negative little voice inside your head.”
and
“Striving for excellence motivates you; striving for perfection is demoralizing.”
I especially enjoyed the chapter on “Reduce Stress in Six Easy Steps.” Bonus: each tip can be accomplished free, and in under a minute.
Amy shares how a smile’s infinite power can change people’s outlooks.
This book definitely left me smiling.
That’s what reading Simply Happy felt like.
When former Wall Street whiz Amy Newmark took over the Chicken Soup for the Soul enterprise, she read over 20,000 Chicken Soup stories. Amy shares how the wisdom gleaned from thousands of people’s life experiences impacted her own.
This book is like a crash course to gaining a positive outlook on life. It’s filled with laughter, comfort, and super tips like,
“Stop listening to that negative little voice inside your head.”
and
“Striving for excellence motivates you; striving for perfection is demoralizing.”
I especially enjoyed the chapter on “Reduce Stress in Six Easy Steps.” Bonus: each tip can be accomplished free, and in under a minute.
Amy shares how a smile’s infinite power can change people’s outlooks.
This book definitely left me smiling.
October 4, 2016
This fab new book by Amy Newmark, editor and publisher for Chicken Soup for the Soul, is a heart-warming, perspective-changing, happiness-finding, recount of Amy's life-lessons-learned since going from wall-street analyst and business executive to writer/editor/publisher. This book stays true to the Chicken Soup for the Soul mission - to change the world one story at a time. Her down-to-earth writing with excerpts from past published stories is intertwined with what she has learned from reading thousands of stories over the years. Simply Happy is a must-have reminder to keep perspective on what's important in life. Your bookshelf would be simply happy for this addition - it's one for the keeper shelf.
October 5, 2016
Could it be that the path to happiness is a lot simpler than we think? If you would like to read a book that offers advice and wisdom on the subject of finding happiness, SIMPLY HAPPY could be the right book for you. Amy Newmark, editor in chief and publisher of the best selling series Chicken Soup for the Soul, offers an amazing and entertaining crash course. In this down to earth, friendly book, Amy shares the many insights and lessons she learned from her life, and from reading and editing thousands of stories over the past eight years. I found I felt motivated and inspired as I travelled through the chapters. Interesting, motivating, inspiring. I finished this book feeling renewed. Yes, simple but also powerful. An excellent book.
October 4, 2016
As a fellow empty-nester, Amy's combination of Chicken Soup story collection along with personal memoir is very inspiring as to where my new path may lead. She gives exceptional insight and encouragement to those of us in transition and shows what can be accomplished if we are willing to put in the work.
Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews