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I'd Rather Laugh: How to be Happy Even When Life Has Other Plans forYou
The self-described "typical Jewish girl from Long Island" and the most popular speaker at the world-renowned Canyon Ranch Spa presents a tears and laughter guidebook to help readers withstand life's hard knocks. Richman--the basis of the Saturday Night Live "Coffee Talk" character developed by her son-in-law, Mike Myers--makes it her mission to get everyone to shake off the blues and make their way back into the world.
240 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2001
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 31 reviews
October 6, 2008
This gave me the best piece of advice I've ever gleaned from a self-help book: Keep a Groucho Marx disguise (ya know, the glasses with nose, mustache, & eyebrows attached) with you at all times. Then, whenever you feel yourself getting angry, full of self pity, or when things get otherwise way too serious, put them on. (**I wear mine to combat road rage. Works a treat!)
February 1, 2020
It started out good but then her racist, implicit biases showed up in her writing. Using phrases like shrink, retarded, jewish tropes and Arab terrorist were things that made the book weak.
February 2, 2025
Down to earth and a book you can easily relate to. Despite our worries and troubles we need to laugh.
March 7, 2022
I'd Rather Laugh by Linda Richman is an excellent mental health book that gives you a look at the author's life experiences. Richman shares the losses and setbacks that happened in her life. This book is organized well because Richman explains how she gets her info. Richman first starts by explaining instances that have happened in her life. Then she explains what she learned from that experience. She backs up her advice with one of her life experiences. This proves to me as a reader that Richman is giving honest advice. It also shows that this author understands what you are going through in some sense. I would highly recommend this book. It provides accurate advice that could help you. You also get to know and understand this author from a personal stance. The stories she is sharing are all about the hardships that she has had to overcome in her life. For instance, the second chapter explains how her mom was a terrible mother. She was very strict and didn't let her do anything. Richman gives information on how she had to deal with this stage in her life, and she provides advice to help anyone who might be going through the same thing. This book gives no non-sense advice. All you get is an author who truly wants to help you.
July 30, 2017
I have to admit that I only read this book because of the Summer Reading Program at the library. I had to read a book from the "Books Too Good to Miss" display. I looked through the various books in this display and chose this book because it had "a big font", was shorter than other books and looked much easier to read.
I wasn't expecting that much from this book, but I was pleasantly surprised by how much I really enjoyed her stories.
I also liked how she was honest. She doesn't try to make everyone believe that if you follow her advice everything will work out for you, the way that some other books do. She simply tells you about her life and what she did to make her life better. It may or may not work for you, and she is the first to admit that.
In my opinion, this book is more of an autobiography than a self help book, but she does have some good advice.
I wasn't expecting that much from this book, but I was pleasantly surprised by how much I really enjoyed her stories.
I also liked how she was honest. She doesn't try to make everyone believe that if you follow her advice everything will work out for you, the way that some other books do. She simply tells you about her life and what she did to make her life better. It may or may not work for you, and she is the first to admit that.
In my opinion, this book is more of an autobiography than a self help book, but she does have some good advice.
January 29, 2020
The author is the mother-in-law of Mike Meyers and was the inspiration for an SNL character. The book is about the struggles she went through and how she managed to find her way. It was meh. There were some good points but the stories were a bit repetitive.
February 16, 2019
Nothing much in this book. A frank commentary about the authors life.
April 6, 2019
The book read more like a biography than anything else. There were “some” interesting ideas on being happy. I was just expecting more laughter, I guess. The language was another spoiler for me.
September 12, 2021
I love this book! It's funny, inspiring, comforting, and offers helpful advice!
February 19, 2016
It's so fascinating when what I've learned dovetails with experiences outside of my books. Recently while watching the movie "Trainwreck", I realized that what I was seeing in Bill Hader's character was that illusion of all things: the securely attached male. Psychologists like to claim they comprise 25 % of all men. My own deep studies indicate it's closer to 2%, and thus it was like spending an hour watching a panda bear in a friend's house.
I didn't know why I picked up this book, only perhaps I am trying to have more comedy in my life--but I've learned this recently: I see qi from books and my god if I'm not at about 100% right. This book had a dirty kind of qi--and okay, it was a library book, well thumbed by the masses, which was why I use the word dirty. The author is far from dirty. The thing about library books is that you know what kind of people read them from the smell on its pages, the smearing of chocolate or of McDonald's hamburgers, or, like in this case, the highlighting and underlining people did, plus any marginalia. One previous reader decided that Rabbi Kushner's "When bad things happen to good people" was a load of "bunk." And wrote it in the book. Jesus, don't you know you aren't supposed to deface library books, you jerk?!?!?
Anyway, on page 120 I realized that the author of the book was actually an extremely adept energy vampire--she bragged about a practice she did after he son died in which she'd get on a 40 minute bus ride from Queens to Manhattan and corner someone in the next seat and tell him "My son died!" She wasn't doing this for any other reason than ruining some poor slob's day, which she admitted outright. She actually used those words--no kidding.
This is what Judith Orloff would call an energy vampire of the Sob Sister variety, although I think the power and intention she put into it probably packed a wallop in a way a weak sob sister couldn't really pull off. Much more of a laser guided focal array of power snatching. In India, this practice is fondly called "Smile Stealing". If you think I'm exaggerating, note that she attended one group counseling session and found it draining. Her words, "'Why do I have to listen to you talk? My child died!' In other words your problems are tedious and mine are compelling. You will admit this doesn't sound so bad until you recall that this type of person is always the one who claims all the attention of the room, who eases the next person out of line because she's so stridently loud and obnoxious, who actually makes you physically ill if you are sensitive because her emotions are splashing all over the place like vomit and not only do you have to clean up the mess you have the smell of it on you for days.
So when I read this I was a bit creeped out, but I must admit, I've met a lot of different kind of vampires in my life--just not the blood sucking kind--and these people are packaged extremely gorgeously, and because they are always brimming with someone else's delicious energy, hanging around them means there's always some delightful morsel rolling of them, so if you meet them you become like a pilot fish swimming on the back of a great shark. If you want some of their goodness you just have to keep up with them and keep your mouth open and something good will roll into your mouth sooner or later--what you have to do is make sure they never are aware enough of you to turn around and eat you.
So, I read this like a pilot fish, and what amazes me most was how a woman who hadn't ever attended collage could write a book that could so easily grab and hold my attention. Anne Heche did that with her memoir, too. How are these non writers doing this? ... Well, John gardner had it right when he said sometimes dime store novels were more compelling than great literature. Although, come to think of it, Thomas Hardy makes me want to be a better person whereas Ms Richman just makes me want to wear more eye shadow.
However the point is that this book is kind of a guilty pleasure. It's fun looking into the life of someone you probably couldn't stand to be around for more than an introduction. And I did respond favorably to some very astute remark she made about an Internet chatter she met who showed up late to their meeting with the excuse, "I'm always late!" Which she likened to, "I'm always rude." Hell, yes, better said than I've ever said it and yeah, lateness is kind of inexcusable in that way.
I give this book 3 stars because I will never meet someone I could recommend it to, but I did seriously enjoy it. Plus it was a stunningly fast read. (220 pages --about an hour and 10 minutes.) Also, I was thrilled being able to recognize another kind of energy practice described so excellently well.
I didn't know why I picked up this book, only perhaps I am trying to have more comedy in my life--but I've learned this recently: I see qi from books and my god if I'm not at about 100% right. This book had a dirty kind of qi--and okay, it was a library book, well thumbed by the masses, which was why I use the word dirty. The author is far from dirty. The thing about library books is that you know what kind of people read them from the smell on its pages, the smearing of chocolate or of McDonald's hamburgers, or, like in this case, the highlighting and underlining people did, plus any marginalia. One previous reader decided that Rabbi Kushner's "When bad things happen to good people" was a load of "bunk." And wrote it in the book. Jesus, don't you know you aren't supposed to deface library books, you jerk?!?!?
Anyway, on page 120 I realized that the author of the book was actually an extremely adept energy vampire--she bragged about a practice she did after he son died in which she'd get on a 40 minute bus ride from Queens to Manhattan and corner someone in the next seat and tell him "My son died!" She wasn't doing this for any other reason than ruining some poor slob's day, which she admitted outright. She actually used those words--no kidding.
This is what Judith Orloff would call an energy vampire of the Sob Sister variety, although I think the power and intention she put into it probably packed a wallop in a way a weak sob sister couldn't really pull off. Much more of a laser guided focal array of power snatching. In India, this practice is fondly called "Smile Stealing". If you think I'm exaggerating, note that she attended one group counseling session and found it draining. Her words, "'Why do I have to listen to you talk? My child died!' In other words your problems are tedious and mine are compelling. You will admit this doesn't sound so bad until you recall that this type of person is always the one who claims all the attention of the room, who eases the next person out of line because she's so stridently loud and obnoxious, who actually makes you physically ill if you are sensitive because her emotions are splashing all over the place like vomit and not only do you have to clean up the mess you have the smell of it on you for days.
So when I read this I was a bit creeped out, but I must admit, I've met a lot of different kind of vampires in my life--just not the blood sucking kind--and these people are packaged extremely gorgeously, and because they are always brimming with someone else's delicious energy, hanging around them means there's always some delightful morsel rolling of them, so if you meet them you become like a pilot fish swimming on the back of a great shark. If you want some of their goodness you just have to keep up with them and keep your mouth open and something good will roll into your mouth sooner or later--what you have to do is make sure they never are aware enough of you to turn around and eat you.
So, I read this like a pilot fish, and what amazes me most was how a woman who hadn't ever attended collage could write a book that could so easily grab and hold my attention. Anne Heche did that with her memoir, too. How are these non writers doing this? ... Well, John gardner had it right when he said sometimes dime store novels were more compelling than great literature. Although, come to think of it, Thomas Hardy makes me want to be a better person whereas Ms Richman just makes me want to wear more eye shadow.
However the point is that this book is kind of a guilty pleasure. It's fun looking into the life of someone you probably couldn't stand to be around for more than an introduction. And I did respond favorably to some very astute remark she made about an Internet chatter she met who showed up late to their meeting with the excuse, "I'm always late!" Which she likened to, "I'm always rude." Hell, yes, better said than I've ever said it and yeah, lateness is kind of inexcusable in that way.
I give this book 3 stars because I will never meet someone I could recommend it to, but I did seriously enjoy it. Plus it was a stunningly fast read. (220 pages --about an hour and 10 minutes.) Also, I was thrilled being able to recognize another kind of energy practice described so excellently well.
August 14, 2015
I'll tell you what. I didn't expect much when I started this book this morning. But Richman, while not the funniest person in my opinion, has the right idea on how to face tragedy with grace. She is direct, honest, brutally at times, and very wise. I have experienced a lot of really touch things in my life, nothing I'd call particularly tragic, though at the time they certainly may have seemed so. The best thing I've learned to do is to laugh at it. I really liked her pity party theory. I may try it. Worth a few hours of your life for sure.
December 9, 2015
This was the other book I picked up off the free table at the counseling conference a few years ago.
I really wanted to like it because I'm all about trying to keep a sense of humor during hard times.
I was pleased that it started off engaging and humorous, but then...it mostly lost it's appeal. Linda Richman isn't the kind of woman that I would want to hang out with for very long, but I appreciated some of the ideas she shared (Groucho Marx glasses, 2-day pity parties, etc.).
Personally, I'd rather get my laughs from her son-in-law, Mike Myers (aka Austin Powers.)
I really wanted to like it because I'm all about trying to keep a sense of humor during hard times.
I was pleased that it started off engaging and humorous, but then...it mostly lost it's appeal. Linda Richman isn't the kind of woman that I would want to hang out with for very long, but I appreciated some of the ideas she shared (Groucho Marx glasses, 2-day pity parties, etc.).
Personally, I'd rather get my laughs from her son-in-law, Mike Myers (aka Austin Powers.)
May 1, 2016
Hearing Linda Richman speak at the JCC Festival of Arts, Books, and Culture was wonderful, and her book recalled many enjoyable and touching moments. But it added little to the experience, simply expanding her personal presentation with a few more anecdotes and repetitions of her basic theme – the need for laughter and fun in each of our lives to counter the pain that must invariably come to us all.
November 20, 2008
A delightful philospphy. Informative and insightful, but the information was presented in a light, charming, amusing manner. The author's experiences with loss, panic attacks, control issues, etc. were enlightening. I was always a fan of Mike Meyers "Linda Richman" character on SNL, and in some ways this book felt like a conversation with the real Linda Richman.
July 5, 2011
It was interesting and had some very good points on how to take care of problems (especially depression) when they are small instead of just plan ignoring it until it becomes this huge deal, and also how to stay happy through the bad times and how to cope with loss. Wasn't my favorite and didn't agree with everything that was said, but all in all was a good rather interesting book.
July 1, 2012
This was really an intriguing book, especially for me, I think, because like the author, I also have a mother who is eternally negative and soul-sucking. The writing is interesting and Linda's techniques for dealing with her depression are really innovative and entertaining. The narrative jumps around a bit, though.
July 24, 2007
This book was great in the beginning....very funny and entertaining, but after you get about half way through the author is just repeating over and over again the same message and same stories. I ended up not finishing, which is something I rarely do.
October 18, 2009
I didn't even finish this book. The author is so extremely negative, you just don't buy she ever laughs. And she spent the first 50 pages just trying to explain how horrible of a person her mother was/is.
August 22, 2007
This is Mike Myers mother-in-law and the basis for his character on Saturday Night Live's "Coffee Talk" segments. She's truly the character that he portrays and quite a strong woman.
January 23, 2008
I still can't believe she didn't leave her apartment for 11 years!
October 29, 2008
find the joy in every day....
February 24, 2009
I loved this book! It was exactly what I needed...healing, real, enlightening, and funny.
May 23, 2009
The beginning of this book had many helpful ideas, but it seemed to trail off near the end.
September 12, 2011
I highly recommend. Great book!
April 13, 2012
Amazing and life-changing read for me.
August 24, 2012
It took alot of pages to say things she wanted to share.
February 25, 2016
hilarious :D
January 24, 2017
A good fun read
December 12, 2008
Pretty good!
Displaying 1 - 30 of 31 reviews