Percy Shelley is credited with having said “The soul’s joy lies in doing”, perhaps a spin on Shakespeare’s “Things won are done, joy’s soul lies in the doing” from Troilus and Cressida. Shelley’s version is certainly more optimistic, leaving out, as it does, the belief that a thing grows stale once it has been achieved, or realized.
As a person who finds myself antsy and generally miserable when I’m not working toward something, be it a fitness, work, writing, musical, or other sort of goal, I ascribe to this belief that joy that can be fostered and worked for, often through the pursuit of a project or passion.
The selection of books below speak to this idea of finding, and–perhaps more to the point–creating joy by exploring ways to bring happiness into one’s life in small ways.
Finding Joy: Book Picks
Joy in the Little Things by Kerrie Hess
This gorgeously illustrated guide by fashion artist and influencer Kerrie Hess centers around the premise that tiny, everyday practices and occurrences can add up to make life truly wonderful, if only one knows how to accept and appreciate them. The word joy, Hess writes, “pops like champagne and… sparkles with a sense of celebration and elation”. This charming passage encapsulates Hess’ secret: a Parisian-inspired, unabashed appreciation of beauty in every corner of life.
Solo: The Joy of Cooking for One by Signe Johansen
Whisky enthusiast and How to Hygge author Signe Johansen is no stranger to the idea of valuing and seeking out coziness and happiness, and her newest cookbook emphasizes the joy of self-reliance (and self-indulgence!) in the kitchen. It’s all too easy to view food as a means to an end, especially when cooking for one. But the charming design and delicious recipes in Solo include simple meal-prep friendly options that can be enjoyed throughout the week, alongside more complex recipes, leaving no excuse for ignoring the potential for cooking and eating to be an enriching source of everyday wonder.
Spark Joy: An Illustrated Guide to the Japanese Art of Tidying by Marie Kondo
If you recognize this title right away, you’re not alone. Marie Kondo has become a household name since Tidying Up hit Netflix in 2019 and sparked a decluttering, simplified living fervor among viewers (and readers) everywhere. Kondo’s philosophy teaches that by clearing up your material life, you “heighten your sensitivity to what sparks joy for you”, keeping and surrounding yourself only with things that actively bring you happiness. Spark Joy takes readers room by room, offering Kondo’s specific methods of organization in categories like photographs, cosmetics, cupboards, wallets, and just about everything else.
Knitting Ganseys, Revised and Updated: Techniques and Patterns for Traditional Sweaters by Beth Brown-Reinsel
This cozy knitting classic provides clear and accessible instructions for the intricate methods of traditional gansey techniques along with modern gansey-inspired patterns, complete with new photographs and patterns in the updated version. Knitting master Brown-Reinsel has traveled the world teaching traditional knitting techniques, and knows better than anyone the joy of seeing a design through to completion and using your hands and heart to create something warm and beautiful.
A Happier You: A Seven-Week Program to Transform Negative Thinking Into Positivity and Resilience by Scott Glassman
Based on licensed psychologist Scott Glassman’s nationally recognized 7-week happiness program, A Happier You focuses on seven core skills needed for the transformation into a positive thinker and generally happier version of yourself. Alongside downloadable worksheets and audio, the 32 exercises included in this book enable readers to make active changes in their day-to-day habits that translate into greater overall happiness and well-being.
The Happiness Project by Gretchen Rubin
Rubin’s NY Times bestselling book born from a pact to dedicate one year of her life to achieving happiness has sold over 1.5 million copies. It serves as a comprehensive guide to seeking out happiness using age-old wisdom, scientific research, and Rubin’s personal commitment to trying every available method to become truly happy. She’s taken this many steps further since the book’s release in 2009, with the creation of a happiness movement and a comprehensive toolkit that consists of a blog, website, newsletter, podcast, and online courses.
Mommy Mantras: Affirmations and Insights to Keep You From Losing Your Mind by Beth Casarjian
Casarjian combines her in-depth knowledge of psychology with Buddhist teachings in this informative guide and entertaining series of reflections on staying sane and present as a parent of young children. Alongside relatable and often humorous stories about the unpredictable and occasionally agonizing nature of childrearing are mantras intended to refocus, recenter, and empower during trying moments. By following the advice in this book, parents are able to get in touch with the joy of being with their children during good times, bad times, and everything in between.
The Book of Delights by Ross Gay
In The Book of Delights, award-winning poet Ross Gay records the small, unexpected sources of delight in his life through a series of lyrical essays that range from breezy and humorous to soulful and profound. Celeste Ng aptly calls the poems “little celebrations of joy”; each essay is a reminder or a revelation about the things that make life truly divine, and Gay’s effortlessly personable but incredibly rich writing makes this book a delight in itself.
The Joy of Home Distilling: The Ultimate Guide to Making Your Own Vodka, Whiskey, Rum, Brandy, Moonshine, and More by Rick Morris
This fascinating read is a testament to the happiness and fulfillment that can come from the pursuit of a passion, or, frankly, even a hobby. Seasoned distiller Rick Morris has compiled a comprehensive guide on home distillation to serve seasoned distillers and beginners alike, with information on how to produce each type of spirit, flavoring and aging, the science behind fermentation, and even the legalities involved with home distillation.
Cover Photo: Charles Demuth. Two Women Acrobats, 1916.
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