I wrote a while back that the title “The Joy Book Club” was dancing around in my head. (The title is inspired by one of my favorite books, Amy Tan’s The Joy Luck Club.) I didn’t know at the time what would come of it, but now I’m happy to share with you what is now in place.
As some of you know, I’m writing a book based on my blog. (In fact, the book will be released October 2. More on that in another post soon.) In putting together a further reading section for the book, I realized that I have been reading books about joy and happiness nonstop for over two years. I read a variety of other books, too, but there is always at least one book about joy on my night stand.
All this reading has saturated my thoughts and consciousness with a mindset of joy. I can see now that reading about joy is in and of itself a way to increase the happiness in our lives. The books I’ve read represent a range of authors and topics. Some are self help. Others are spiritual or faith based. Some are only indirectly about joy. What they all have in common is that they have helped to build and strengthen in my life joyful habits of thought, word, and action.
If reading about happiness increases our happiness, then this is something I want to share with you. My next door neighbor and friend is co-owner of a marvelous independent bookstore in our neighborhood, Broadway Books. She graciously offered me a page on the store’s website to create The Joy Book Club. On the page, you will see a list of books. You can click on any book to get a description of it. If you like, you can order the book from Broadway Books directly from the page. (Of course, you can get the books elsewhere, but what a wonderful way to support an independent bookstore!)
There are many other books that could be on this list, and I hope to add to it as we go along. But this list is a good start.
There are no requirements for belonging to this club. Just pick up one of the books and enjoy. Further down the road, we might consider other possibilities, like discussions about specific books. I welcome your ideas and suggestions!
Click here to visit The Joy Book Club.
Congratulations on the book! Speaking of Joy, it was way too cute the last time I went to spend the day with my granddaughter while her Mommy and Daddy were at work. When Mommy returned we were at the front door saying goodbye and my daughter-in-law was thanking me for sitting. I said "No problem at all, Elyssa is such a joy to spend time with." Elyssa, who was in her Mommy's arms looks right at me and adamantly says "I am not Joy!" Even after I tried to explain what joy is, she still insisted that she was not Joy! ... out of the mouths of babes. :-)
ReplyDeleteThat's my Joy story for the day! lol Have a wonderful weekend Galen!
darlin, That is a precious story! Thanks so much for sharing it.
DeleteI love it! So excited :)
ReplyDeleteJulie, Thanks!
DeleteWow! So happy to know you're having a book published, Galen! Looks like you and I are in the same boat, though I don't have a set date on mine yet.
ReplyDeleteThe Joy Book Club sounds fantastic. What a great idea! I'll have to check it out.
Blessings to you!
Martha, Is your book a collection of your meditations or something else? I'd love to hear more about your project. Email if you like. Thanks for commenting.
DeleteCan't wait to read it Galen. What an exciting time for you and we get to read your wonderful words in a longer form. :-)
ReplyDeleteLove Elle
Elle, Thanks for the encouraging words.
DeleteGalen -- look forward to seeing your book! And what a great resource of other books you've pulled together in the meantime. It's a real service to your readers. Been threatening for years to read Covey's book. Seeing it on your list is another sign that I should.
ReplyDeleteStephen, I'm so glad you like the list. I do hope that folks will take a look and find something that attracts their attention. Covey's book is great. Thanks for commenting.
DeleteHow is the progress of your book coming along? I can't wait to read it.
ReplyDeleteIt is nice to know that you have been reading books on joy. Yes, I absolutely agree that reading books that are uplifting energizes us!
Evelyn, I'm reading the proof copy of my book now. The release date is Oct. 2. Thanks for asking and for your comment.
DeleteI get to read it and comment on it. What fun!
ReplyDeleteLinda, Thanks!
DeleteGreat news, Galen! I with you about supporting an indie! The Joy Book Club is a beautiful idea. So thrilled about your book too :-)Just when I was thinking what a beautiful book title your blog title would make. Talk about happy coincidences! You know I am jumping here, bursting with joy about something I know.
ReplyDeleteHugs! :D Blessed to know you!
Vidya, Funny that you should say that about the title. When the title first occurred to me, I thought of it as a book, and my sister said she would design the cover for me. The book idea got shelved in favor of the blog and leading retreats and discussion groups. Then towards the end of last year, the book took center stage again and I've been working on it since then. And indeed, my sister, who is a very talented artist, designed the cover featuring one of her lovely paintings. I can't vouch for the content, but the cover is gorgeous!
DeleteAnd yes, I'm thrilled to support an independent bookstore--a vanishing neighborhood fixture. I'm so lucky that I have such a good one walking distance from my house and owned by my neighbor and friend.
Thanks for commenting.
Yes!!! I LOVE the idea of discussing specific books! And I can't wait until Oct. 2nd! I will be one of the first to buy your book. Best of luck! =)
ReplyDeleteKim, Glad you like the idea. I don't have a vision of how this would work, but let's think about it. I welcome your ideas. And thanks for the vote of confidence about the book!
DeleteSuch a wonderful idea, Galen. But even better is the news of your book! I'm sure it will be wonderful. I haven't read Amy Tan's book and must put it on my 'to-read' books. Incidentally, I managed to get a Pema Chodron book to review - it's called Living Beautifully! Wondering if you've read it?
ReplyDeleteCorinne, I loved all of Amy Tan's early books. I hope you will read them. I don't know Pema Chodron's new book and I will watch for your review. Thanks for commenting.
DeleteI'm excited about your new book based on your blog. Should be very insightful just like your blog.
ReplyDeleteCynthia, Thanks for the encouraging words.
DeleteGalen,
ReplyDeleteThis sounds wonderful! I love this idea. A bookstore is a great place to get book recommendations. You are a perfect person to offer them.
Jodi, I'm excited about this project with my friend and neighbor. Her bookstore is really a treasure and I hope we can build some kind of community around this. Not sure what it will look like, so please share any ideas you have. Thanks for commenting.
DeleteHello Gale,
ReplyDeleteI've been rummaging amongst the blogging community and stumbled upon your lovely blog. There's a sweetness to your writing and I look forward to reading more. Could I ask you why you decided to start blogging? I've just started my own motivational blog, am still working on my style, but I was moved to put into writing these thoughts I had, in hopes that maybe someone may stumble upon it and lift their spirit in times of need. I hope all is well!
Maureen, Welcome! So glad you stopped by. I came at blogging sort of backwards. I had the title and had been asked to lead a retreat. I started blogging as a way to get my thoughts together about the retreat, not realizing at the time that the blog would take on a life of its own. I've really enjoying being part of the blogging community. I look forward to reading your blog, too. Thanks so much and please stay in touch. Let me know if there is any way I can support you.
DeletePS to Maureen--When I clicked on your name, it went to your Google+ page instead of your blog, so I'm not sure how to find your blog. Please let me know!
DeleteWow, count me in on this one. I have loved following your blog. I love the words happiness and joy. I too like to read joyfilled books. Thanks for all you good works in this area and for you positive attitude about life. I have learned a lot from you. I will look forward to more on this.
ReplyDeleteBlessings to you!
LeAnn, I appreciate the kind and encouraging words. I'm not sure what the next step is for The Joy Book Club. I'm hoping readers like you will have some suggestions. And I will also keep my spirit open for guidance. Thanks for commenting.
DeleteI feel a review coming on, sometime about, oh, October 2 :)
ReplyDeleteI love pleasantly comical puns, and "The Joy Book Club" is a nice one, as well as being a good idea in general.
Sometimes I misinterpret terms. The first time I heard the phrase "self-help book" at about age 8, I thought it meant you could walk out with a copy for free. ("Help yourself!") I got a bit miffed at having to pay.
Mikey, Very funny about self help. I read an admission essay once from an applicant who took literally Abby Hoffman's title "Steal This Book," and got caught. It was a great essay--one of the few out of hundreds, if not thousands, I remember.
DeleteYou are sweet to offer a review, and of course, I would be most honored and grateful.
I'm excited to see what happens with The Joy Book Club. I welcome ideas and suggestions!
Thanks for your comment.
I've enjoyed reading your blog for the past year Galen so looking forward to your book, like all your other readers & fans. You have many talents and soon you can add published author:) (unless of course you've already published which I wouldn't be surprised one bit :)
ReplyDeleteVishnu, This is my first book, although I have published a few stories in Chicken Soup for the Soul and similar anthologies. Thanks for your kind words.
DeleteAnother list of must-reads.....what a great idea! I've been to Broadway Books and would love to support a local, independent bookstore.
ReplyDeleteMaybe she could use a section on retirement books!
Bob, That's right--you know first hand what a great bookstore Broadway Books is. I'll pass along your suggestion! Thanks for commenting.
DeleteGalen,
ReplyDeleteI am excited to hear about your book. I don't often find time to read much any more. I sure will make the time to read your book though.
Bonnie, Thanks for the kind words!
DeleteWhat a great idea Galen...
ReplyDeleteWhy don't you have someone design an icon for your Joy Book Club that other's of us can link directly from our blogs to your page and list....I have one for Powell's and Amazon, but the 2 private bookstores have gone out of business - it is another shout out.
I loved that I had read 10 of the books on your list, and now I have more to add to my list.
Hip Hurray about your book - aren't you clever. My e-book is a fundraiser for the United Nations Children's fund - Harvest Potluck. I am still more interested in reading and reviewing what other's have written and especially of blogs that I read...
Good idea and follow through - thanks for this
Patricia, Great idea about the icon. I will talk to my neighbor who owns the bookstore about that. I want to put the link in the margin of the blog, but I'm still trying to figure out how to do that.
DeleteThanks for the words of support!