Secrets of adulthood Simple truths for our complex lives

Review by Booklist Review

Between her successful books and popular podcast, Rubin has a loyal following. This collection of aphorisms (defined by the author as "a concise statement that contains an expansive truth") reflects Rubin's philosophy of growing and appreciating. She has sorted them by topics (happiness, self-improvement, adventure, decisions, perspective, work, pain, consequences, creativity). Rubin offers occasional commentary on some of the quotes, and in a closing section, she adds a practical laundry list of secrets, including items such as "Sometimes it's easier to make last-minute plans than to plan in advance," "If possible, have a challenging conversation while walking," and "If you're nervous about an upcoming event or experience, visit the location ahead of time to make it more familiar." According to the introduction, Rubin intends these words of wisdom for her two daughters as they grow up, and there are passages here that will resonate both for them and other readers. Rubin's latest may not change lives, but there's enough here to prompt a smile and the occasional nod from her many fans.

From Booklist, Copyright (c) American Library Association. Used with permission.

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Review by Publisher's Weekly Review

Bestseller Rubin (The Happiness Project) returns with a collection of pithy, practical aphorisms. Among other topics, she investigates self-transformation ("One of the best ways to make yourself happy is to make others happy"), relationship challenges, and the benefits of community ("more friends, more safety"). Other sections warn of the dangers of excess ("Every medicine can become poison"), offer guidance on parenting ("One way to thwart a conversation is to refuse to answer. Another way is to talk and talk"), and muse on the benefits of taking initiative ("To respect us, people must first notice us; we can't earn trust and admiration from the sidelines"). Rounding out the collection are valuable nuts-and-bolts tips for work and personal life, such as presenting information in threes and focusing on actions instead of outcomes. The author's pragmatic, down-to-earth approach lends itself especially well to such guidance, and to aphorisms that enliven familiar insights with a touch of wry humor ("We can be very wrong for a very long time without noticing. Bloodletting was a common medical treatment for two millennia"). Rubin's fans will want to snap this up. (Apr.)

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Review by Library Journal Review

Best-selling author Rubin (Life in Five Senses; Outer Order, Inner Calm) returns with this collection of insights into navigating the complexities of adult life--a collection she has honed for over a decade. The title reflects Rubin's years as a student of happiness, habits, and human nature. Her writing reflects her personal journey, and as her children are now adults, it feels natural that she has created a "how to adult" guide. The book is written in aphorisms that Rubin collects because they are "short and well-expressed…easy to remember and have more vigor in the mind." The aphorisms are organized by topics such as self-improvement ("what we do every day matters more than what we do once in a while"), friendship, and creativity ("putting materials into our hands often puts ideas into our heads"). Her philosophy is straightforward and accessible, though readers may find these maxims overly simplistic given the plethora of self-help books available. VERDICT Are these the great secrets that will make the transition to adulthood easier? Unlikely. But fans of Rubin (and maybe new grads) will enjoy this book and her whimsical writing and self-reflection.--Erin Dagenais

(c) Copyright Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.

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