How To Be Ferociously Happy: and other essays Paperback – December 3, 2016

I'm not a heavy book reader, and even when I really like a book, I take my time reading it. It's rare for me to take less than a month or two to finish one book, for any number of reasons. It's even less likely that I re-read that book, since I hold a "I've read it once, might as well read something else" type of mentality. This book, however, was an immediate exception.As with most people (or so I assume), I found out about this book from the author's frequent activity on Quora. She's one of my favorite writers on there, and one thing that actually drove me to immediately buy this book was that she doesn't tack on "hey, check my book out" links on her answers. Dushka's content on Quora always feels honest, sincere, genuine and from the heart. The same holds true for this book which, based on the "(Volume 1)" part of the listed title, has me hoping and looking forward to a follow-up. As I already mentioned, I almost never re-read a book. And while the number of books I have read are limited, this is the first one that got me to re-read it immediately after finishing it.If you're familiar with Dushka's writing on Quora, you'll feel right at home here. Part of what makes this book so easy and fun to read is how simple it's written and structured. It takes a list-like format, with breaks in-between every couple or so sentences. Almost all of the sections are 1-2 pages and easy to read, even for slow readers such as myself. It's one of the book's most endearing qualities, and part of why I give it my utmost recommendation.

I have so much to say about this book that I couldn't possibly write a complete review in one sitting. What I can say is that its an absolute treasure. The nuggets of wisdom are timeless.This book is going in my favorite collection of books that include Pema Chodrön Chodrön, Thich Nhat Hanh, Jack Kornfield, Brené Brown, etc.I bought the kindle version after stumbling across the author's blog writings a few weeks ago, but I plan to purchase several hard copies as Christmas gifts (including one for me) because it's the perfect coffee table book –– you can pick it up, flip to any random chapter, and soak up the wisdom.What's most beautiful about a book like this is that each time you re-read a story/chapter you'll get something unique out of it because as Heraclitus noted, “No (wo)man ever steps in the same river twice, for it’s not the same river and (s)he’s not the same (wo)man.” As you experience life and inevitably evolve along the way, each story in "How to be ferociously happy" will have a different meaning.

I have been following Dushka on Quora for more than a couple of years now and I like her writings. I was curious to read "other essays" and I downloaded the kindle version of the book. I enjoyed reading it thoroughly. At times, it may feel like you are reading a sort of "self-help" book but I don't mind it really. Nice read over a cup of tea/coffee in the morning or during bed time to conclude your day. :)

This is my first Amazon review - I felt I had to write it because author Dushka Zapata deserves it. I started to spot her answers on Quora and was fascinated by the way she approached this mysterious thing we all call "life". Perhaps it factored that we are from the same communications and public relations background. When she announced her ebook, I sat by my computer refreshing her Quora profile until her ebook link appeared, and was immediately grateful I already owned a Kindle. I believe I was one of the first few, thanks to the time zone difference, who downloaded it in Asia (I am in Malaysia). Although Kindle estimates a reading time of an hour, I devoured it slowly in two, before my bedtime. Her writings in this book glow as they always do on Quora. (But two answers about her being able to defy gravity and yoga on head seemed repetitive.) Everything was well done and beautifully written. I wish she had included her sharing about how her mother reminded that she pushed her way into this world. We all pushed our way into this world. Thanks Dushka for sharing your insights about life with us. Your writings made the world a lovelier place!

This book is so excellent. Multiple times, I found myself thinking, "Wow, I wish I had read this when I was a teenager" -- I really resonate with the lessons and the stories, it's packed full of wisdom. Highly recommend.It's true though, I made a video about this book! I carefully read through each excerpt, picked my favorites, and transformed them into a journal that now exists in Brooklyn, New York. If you ever find yourself at the Brooklyn Art Library make sure to search for "How to be ferociously happy" and find this journal. It's one of many now apart of the wonderful Sketchbook project.Big thanks to Dushka for the inspiration!

You know, I understand why she calls herself an amateur writer in that she writes because she loves it. Still, I am not sure I approve of that depiction (because, of course, it is totally my business how she decides to describe herself) for the simple reason that I don't think it does her justice. Dushka's words are effortlessly powerful and beautifully laced together. Reading her is like watching the sunrise, or walking through a forest after the rain, or feeling the sun on your skin on a lazy day. She manages to reach a familiar, soothing spot within yourself that will inspire you to observe this thing called life from a much kinder perspective, and, in my opinion, there's just nothing amateurish about that. ---- Sus Jun