The lived on the mistaken assumption that their lives mattered, that life was essentially fair, that it was all going to wind up happy in the end. I knew what they didn’t—that everything you care about will disappear, that deserving a happy life doesn’t mean you can get one, and that there really is no one in the entire world you can count on but yourself.” HAPPINESS FOR BEGINNERS does what a story should do—introduces characters we want to know and then takes us on their unexpected journey to a new and braver life. Helen Carpenter is doing what needs to be done, and along the way she shows us how to be brave . . . when we need to be and when we want to be. When life doesn’t give Helen what she believes she wants, she journeys into the wilderness to find what she needs, and we are with her every step of the way. Center’s witty, honest and compassionate storytelling opens us to new ways of feeling and trusting, just as her character is doing the same.” WHAT YOU WISH FOR features Duncan Carpenter (Helen’s little brother) as one of the main characters! The things we remember are what we hold on to. And what we hold on to becomes the story of our lives.” I love the characters that she creates. They’re always very realistic and human. And there’s a light fluffiness to her stories but also there’s always a depth to them.”

Happiness For Beginners’ Based on a True Story? Here’s Is ‘Happiness For Beginners’ Based on a True Story? Here’s

Adding HAPPINESS FOR BEGINNERS to my all-time favorites list. Fun, moving, and honest, it’s a gem of a novel about finding out just what you’re made of.” I wanted to read this novel because its oft-used plot--a person who's been through a difficult experience decides to go on an Outward-Boundish trip as a form of renewal--has always appealed to me. I knew it was going to be some light reading, and that's what I was in the mood for at the time. I loved the characters and kudos to Katherine Center for developing great dialogue between characters. She’s a gem of an author” What an awesome story! Once in, I couldn’t put it down! This makes four books that I’ve read by this author, and I will highly recommend her every time.” Katherine Center is one of my favorite authors, but I hadn't read this one. IT'S SO GOOD. I don't know why I waited. Jake is such an unusual hero, and appealing as hell. The humor is just fantastic. But the reason to read Ms. Center is the way she portrays her character arcs through personal challenges. The narrative is always so exciting. Enjoy!I love this one! How dare I doubt Ms. Center? It took me a bit to get into the story/Helen the divorcee who signed up for a wilderness survival class. Her quirkiness rubbed me the wrong way at the beginning but I enjoy her road trip to Wyoming and was all in. of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars Happiness for Beginners by Katherine Center KC: “I am far more interested in the ways we pull ourselves together than in the ways we fall apart. I think a lot of writers are afraid of happy endings — afraid they won’t be taken seriously, or they’ll seem false. As a culture, we’re deeply mistrustful of happy endings in stories, as if we’re foolish to long for them or enjoy them, as if there’s nothing meaningful to take from the joys of life. But I disagree. Good things do happen — all the time. I don’t want to live a life that ignores them or write stories that ignore them.” Loved it! Love her. Love how the art of happiness is intertwined into this novel. Great reminder of what true happiness is.” A topsy turvy ride filled with woe and sparkle that never lets up with the darndest levels of hope.”

Happiness For Beginners | Carole Matthews Happiness For Beginners | Carole Matthews

The way Katherine Center combined beautiful imagery, hilarious dialogue, quirky characters and sweet love story to create this story about overcoming your sadness to see the beauty in what is already surrounding you is why I fell deeply in love with book.” Helen was emotionally recovering from a miscarriage and a divorce. She felt like she needed to do something new and challenging, and joined a wilderness-survival course in the mountains of Wyoming. Along the way she learns to appreciate the good points of a diverse group of people, and connect spiritually to nature. She also starts noting three good things that happened every day. The more you remember good things, the happier and more positive you will feel. I love E.V.E.R.Y.T.H.I.N.G about Happiness for Beginners! I love the growth of the characters, the theme of the book and the wilderness trip. In my opinion, there was not a single scene that didn’t have a reason to be there.

I love reading and when I find a treasure like this I want to let the author know of my “approval/happiness” by buying a copy. Or in this case, buying a few copies and sharing them with young adults. It’s a very realistic novel with hope.” I absolutely LOVED this book! This was my second book to read by Katherine Center, and I now plan to read them all. Both of the books were SO great – all the feels. I can’t wait to read more of her books. :)”

Happiness for Beginners - Libby Happiness for Beginners - Libby

Windy tries to promote positive thinking. Everyone gets to know each other, Hugh sharing that he had been an aspiring actor but now sells insurance. When they are next alone again, Helen confronts Jake about his staring and hovering. He says he simply fears her returning to Mike, as he's not good enough for her. But the things we remember are what we hold on to, and what we hold on to becomes the story of our lives. We only get one story. And I am determined to make mine a good one.” If Nora Ephron had accompanied Cheryl Strayed on the Pacific Coast Trail, she would have made a funny, warm, tender movie about it—the lighter flipside to Wild. This is exactly what someone should do with the book Happiness for Beginners by Katherine Center. Fleet and funny with characters you’ll remember—Center’s fifth book is a delight.” Lenker, Maureen (June 29, 2023). "Ellie Kemper takes a hike in Happiness for Beginners trailer". Entertainment Weekly . Retrieved July 1, 2023. Personal growth, happiness, healing, humor, and love, with a wilderness adventure thrown in; this book was all that and more. I highly recommend this brilliant novel to women’s fiction fans. Now I’m off to read all of Katherine Center’s other books!”Dang, I looooove this author! I was incredibly happy reading her latest two books, but gosh, this may be the best of the three.