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teresaalice's review against another edition
5.0
This is one of those books that reminds you not take your life for granted. It’s not usually the kind of book I would pick up, so I’m not sure what compelled me to do so, but I’m glad that I did.Polly is dying of an incurable brain tumour when Annie meets her, and Annie has gone through something in her life that would end most people, but yet she perseveres. Polly has a plan for her last hundred days on the planet, and it’s to bring happiness to as many people as possible. Relationship between Polly, Annie, Pollys doctor Dr. Max and Polly’s brother George is a lovely one. Would recommend :)
booksconnectus's review against another edition
3.0
3.5-cute, funny, easy-reading
Lighter than my usual fare-but overall enjoyable.
Lighter than my usual fare-but overall enjoyable.
bookish_abigail's review against another edition
5.0
Fuck. Here’s another book to add to my ‘ones that made me cry’ list. Pro tip: don’t listen to classical music whilst reading this or you’ll be sobbing enough tears to bring water back to Africa.
That being said, it’s a fucking great book, one of those that shifts your worldview for a while. I might start wearing bright colours instead of black, and buying those corny bookstack dangly earrings I’ve been eyeing up.
That being said, it’s a fucking great book, one of those that shifts your worldview for a while. I might start wearing bright colours instead of black, and buying those corny bookstack dangly earrings I’ve been eyeing up.
simplyselicia's review against another edition
4.0
This is a very solid read. I don't think it is an overly amazingly written book or story, but I think it is a necessary one. I think everyone has a little Annie and Polly in them, and that everyone certainly deserves an Annie and Polly in their lives. A story about friendship, about happiness, and definitely full of heartbreak. There is no shortness of laughter (even if you're crying), and I think most people will find something in it to like.
wrentheblurry's review against another edition
3.0
I received a digital ARC from Netgalley.
I've spent most of my life quite happy, and making others feel happy only increases my joy. I love a good inspirational tale, and was hoping this one would pull me in and make me feel all the things. Instead, I couldn't stay awake while reading it, and it took me much longer to finish than I expected.
Polly is endearing, and easily my favorite character. Some might find her over-exuberance annoying, though I appreciate a dedicated quirky character. Annie's whining got old for me fairly quickly, and the other characters all seemed to lack depth.
I did read all of it, and it's a decent title, though I'm not sure I'll recommend for our library to carry it.
I've spent most of my life quite happy, and making others feel happy only increases my joy. I love a good inspirational tale, and was hoping this one would pull me in and make me feel all the things. Instead, I couldn't stay awake while reading it, and it took me much longer to finish than I expected.
Polly is endearing, and easily my favorite character. Some might find her over-exuberance annoying, though I appreciate a dedicated quirky character. Annie's whining got old for me fairly quickly, and the other characters all seemed to lack depth.
I did read all of it, and it's a decent title, though I'm not sure I'll recommend for our library to carry it.
juliette_21's review against another edition
4.0
This was such an inspiring read. I really enjoyed the way this book was written with each chapter being a daily challenge for our protagonists.
How to be happy was a fiction novel but also an inspiring non fiction book for me as it made me realise that life can be lived differently than in monotony and always feeling sorry for ourselves.
I enjoyed the quirky Polly and how she embraced her last few days battling cancer.
I also really liked how Annie evolved and realised that life can be short and you need to embrace it.
The writing style was really nice and fluid and really drew me in the book.
How to be happy was a fiction novel but also an inspiring non fiction book for me as it made me realise that life can be lived differently than in monotony and always feeling sorry for ourselves.
I enjoyed the quirky Polly and how she embraced her last few days battling cancer.
I also really liked how Annie evolved and realised that life can be short and you need to embrace it.
The writing style was really nice and fluid and really drew me in the book.
pnwshel's review against another edition
5.0
Maybe be spoilerish.
I pretty much assumed how this story would end and kept anticipating it. And then I sobbed through the last few chapters.
There was so much pain in this book but there was also so much life and happiness. And it makes you think. It makes you want to make changes.
We all need a Polly of some capacity in our lives.
I pretty much assumed how this story would end and kept anticipating it. And then I sobbed through the last few chapters.
There was so much pain in this book but there was also so much life and happiness. And it makes you think. It makes you want to make changes.
We all need a Polly of some capacity in our lives.
hellastrong's review against another edition
4.0
I liked this book, but ... I didn't like some things about this book.
I stand by my earlier statement (below) that her old friends SUCKED. And I cannot understand the money situation (is this a spoiler? maybe stop reading if you don't want anything spoiled, though I think it's pretty obvious early on what's happening). She left her marriage and her home with ... nothing? And is living in a shitbox apartment she hates because ... she wants to? But then at some point she goes shopping and says something about having plenty of money because she doesn't spend money on anything. So then again why do you live in a place you hate so much??
A lot of this just didn't make any sense to me. I'm still giving it 4 stars bc it gave me big feels, but ... my rational side didn't like it.
Still reading, @ page 150. SPOILERS BELOW
But I have to stop at this point to say, her old friends were terrible. I will be very disappointed at this book ends with her making up with these friends and returning to that part of her old life. I mean, FFS: "I missed you so much -- you were always the first person I'd ring when I had a crisis."
oh fuck you, Zarah. you miss what she did for you. you don't actually miss her. none of these people told her when they knew that her best friend was having an affair with her husband. and her best friend? fuck that bitch too. she made a choice. all of these people suck and I hope Annie creates a better life for herself without them.
I stand by my earlier statement (below) that her old friends SUCKED. And I cannot understand the money situation (is this a spoiler? maybe stop reading if you don't want anything spoiled, though I think it's pretty obvious early on what's happening). She left her marriage and her home with ... nothing? And is living in a shitbox apartment she hates because ... she wants to? But then at some point she goes shopping and says something about having plenty of money because she doesn't spend money on anything. So then again why do you live in a place you hate so much??
A lot of this just didn't make any sense to me. I'm still giving it 4 stars bc it gave me big feels, but ... my rational side didn't like it.
Still reading, @ page 150. SPOILERS BELOW
But I have to stop at this point to say, her old friends were terrible. I will be very disappointed at this book ends with her making up with these friends and returning to that part of her old life. I mean, FFS: "I missed you so much -- you were always the first person I'd ring when I had a crisis."
oh fuck you, Zarah. you miss what she did for you. you don't actually miss her. none of these people told her when they knew that her best friend was having an affair with her husband. and her best friend? fuck that bitch too. she made a choice. all of these people suck and I hope Annie creates a better life for herself without them.