What do you think?
Rate this book
The Happy Clam
This book picks up where Rose’s last book left off. If Go Forward, Support! was all about staying a child as long as possible, this book is all about being an adult. Started many years ago and finished in 2020, with the world on the brink of a global pandemic, this book’s messages of hope and happiness are perhaps needed now more so than ever before. The Happy Clam scales the realms of happiness - physical, intellectual, emotional, relational, spiritual - bringing together findings from across the fields of psychology and philosophy, with practical advice on how to apply them and be happier. It turns out there are a thousand little things we can do to invite a little more happiness into our lives, to nudge the needle a tick or two, but only a few things that really make a difference. Why happy clam? Just as clams are filter feeders, taking in nourishment from what’s in the passing current, Rose has taken in all the bits and bytes of daily news, research, and experience, and stitched them together to create a delicately-crafted mosaic rich in hope and inspiration. The book also shares deeply personal experiences, with both humor and gravity in the face of loss, along with serving up some favorite family recipes.
242 pages, Kindle Edition
Published July 25, 2020
15 people are currently reading
962 people want to read
About the author
Rosemary A. Schmidt
2 books1 followerRose Schmidt is a writer, sometimes poet, retired rugby player, publisher, and blogger, covering the range of human experience, from art and music to science and psychology. Rose grew up in a suburb outside Chicago, attended the University of Dayton and University of Illinois, and has called the Boston area her home now for many years.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews
Read
May 18, 2022The book offers a variety of suggestions on one’s bigger picture frame of mind (getting plenty of sleep, eating properly, exercising, nurturing friends and relationships) to paying attention to the little things that can be the roots of happiness: pets, plants, aromas, music, paintings, a sense of order (making your bed, paying your bills), and more. Even the physical act of smiling is in Schmidt’s happiness playbook.
If we act happy, we might actually feel happier as a result.” Give that idea — and this book — a try. Who knows, maybe you’ll be happy as a clam.
Read our full review here:
https://booktrib.com/2022/03/08/fake-...
If we act happy, we might actually feel happier as a result.” Give that idea — and this book — a try. Who knows, maybe you’ll be happy as a clam.
Read our full review here:
https://booktrib.com/2022/03/08/fake-...
May 6, 2023
"I'm happy as a clam" is a famous saying. And I never gave much thought to the reference until I started to read The Happy Clam by Rosemary Schmidt. This book is a combination of self-help and memoir.
Author Rosemary Schmdt is vulnerable in many parts of this book. I cried when she wrote about her sister's challenges, what she learned from her sister only after her passing away, and the difficulties that came with her mom in older age. As I read at night, I had tears staining my pajamas, and I appreciated how the writer poured her heart into the book.
By sharing her journey toward happiness, it meant more to me by the time I finished the book. After all, only through the dark times could she find the light in each day, in the moments, and in the future.
The author has a wonderful wit that carries through the book. I would almost call it dry humor. And it lightens moments that otherwise might feel too heavy.
Note: I was gifted a copy of this book in return for an honest review
Author Rosemary Schmdt is vulnerable in many parts of this book. I cried when she wrote about her sister's challenges, what she learned from her sister only after her passing away, and the difficulties that came with her mom in older age. As I read at night, I had tears staining my pajamas, and I appreciated how the writer poured her heart into the book.
By sharing her journey toward happiness, it meant more to me by the time I finished the book. After all, only through the dark times could she find the light in each day, in the moments, and in the future.
The author has a wonderful wit that carries through the book. I would almost call it dry humor. And it lightens moments that otherwise might feel too heavy.
Note: I was gifted a copy of this book in return for an honest review
February 14, 2022
“Go Forward, Support: The Rugby of Life,” was Rosemary’s Schmidt’s first book in which she wrote about her childhood. “The Happy Clam,” follows this first work and in it she shares stories from her adulthood which include her family, work, and relationships. In addition to personal information, Rosemary has gathered a wealth of information from sources which revolve around the topic of happiness and shares how we can adapt this information to our own lives. Her sources are well cited, and she includes links to most of them in her reference section. While readers will enjoy reading the whole book from beginning to end, they will also be able to use the index to return to specific topics.
“The Happy Clam,” is the first book that I have read by this author, and I truly enjoyed the reading. I also felt that the material that she presents is so relevant for today, because we are living in a time where a pandemic has caused many people to be isolated and lonely. Her personal story is heartwarming, and despite the losses that she suffered from losing both her mother and her sister, she makes her readers feel like we knew them as she shares the special gifts that they offered those around them while they were alive. This part really made me stop and think about how I hope to be remembered. Sharing family recipes, with stories behind them, also was appreciated. Perhaps some of these recipes, such as the pizza and garlic salad ones, will be incorporated into new family traditions for many readers.
The author really provides an amazing amount of information, in a friendly, easily readable format where readers can decide which steps they want to take to apply newfound knowledge to their own lives. They can do further research by reading books that are discussed and following referenced links for more helpful information. While some of the topics highlight areas where people are dealing with deeper issues, such as depression, I came away from reading “The Happy Clam,” feeling motivated and inspired to take more steps to ease up on the things that are currently dragging me down. I will focus on spending more time on taking care of my own wellbeing. In turn, in the long run, this will enable me to feel better physically, mentally and spiritually. This is highly recommended reading and would make a thoughtful gift for someone who is seeking a way back to a happier life.
“The Happy Clam,” is the first book that I have read by this author, and I truly enjoyed the reading. I also felt that the material that she presents is so relevant for today, because we are living in a time where a pandemic has caused many people to be isolated and lonely. Her personal story is heartwarming, and despite the losses that she suffered from losing both her mother and her sister, she makes her readers feel like we knew them as she shares the special gifts that they offered those around them while they were alive. This part really made me stop and think about how I hope to be remembered. Sharing family recipes, with stories behind them, also was appreciated. Perhaps some of these recipes, such as the pizza and garlic salad ones, will be incorporated into new family traditions for many readers.
The author really provides an amazing amount of information, in a friendly, easily readable format where readers can decide which steps they want to take to apply newfound knowledge to their own lives. They can do further research by reading books that are discussed and following referenced links for more helpful information. While some of the topics highlight areas where people are dealing with deeper issues, such as depression, I came away from reading “The Happy Clam,” feeling motivated and inspired to take more steps to ease up on the things that are currently dragging me down. I will focus on spending more time on taking care of my own wellbeing. In turn, in the long run, this will enable me to feel better physically, mentally and spiritually. This is highly recommended reading and would make a thoughtful gift for someone who is seeking a way back to a happier life.
April 16, 2022
lost focus when she strayed to the political. up until then it was enjoyable
Title brought me it plus a book review.
Unfortunately it only hit Happy for the first 30% of the book
Political was the problem
Title brought me it plus a book review.
Unfortunately it only hit Happy for the first 30% of the book
Political was the problem
October 24, 2023
Well worth reading
This was more than I thought it would be. Well worth your time to read. It is much more than just about how to be happy. I would recommend it to anyone who cares about others.
This was more than I thought it would be. Well worth your time to read. It is much more than just about how to be happy. I would recommend it to anyone who cares about others.
December 18, 2022
Some good observations and suggestions. Research based and cited. A decent light read about happiness.
Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews