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marthaeve's review
5.0
Price’s previous book “How To Break Up With Your Phone” changed my relationship with the demon object. This one too will make my life better once I put its plans into action. True Fun is a simple idea; to have a clear plan of how to have more is a gift.
tommyhousworth's review
4.0
I was pleased to realize this book was written by Catherine Price, the same author who'd given me food for thought a few years earlier with "How to Break Up with Your Phone". Upon realizing that fun has slowly been leeched from my life - chalk it up to aging, taking myself too seriously, and the events of the past few years (personally, nationally, globally), I was seeking a book to remind me what it means to 'have fun'.
Price spends a portion of the book talking about what fun isn't, which most often points toward our reliance on devices and screens as mechanisms of escape, numbing out, or experiencing Fake Fun. Though some of this was a retread of her previous book, it was a helpful reminder as I've continued to rely upon my phone and laptop for engagement at times of boredom, restlessness, and stress, surrendering to passive consumption.
Price then turns the corner to talk about what creates true fun, which is based on three criteria: Playfulness, Connection, and Flow. She offers examples of how to create each of these, as well as tips from her "Fun Squad". What I most appreciated was her grounded awareness that fun isn't just silliness (though it can be) and that she's not asking everyone to skip around the room and sing as an elixir to their doldrums. She gets that fun is different things to different people, and that it means actually losing oneself in an authentic experience, not merely trying to recapture the carefree joys of childhood.
I used to direct and teach improv comedy and, unsurprisingly, the example of improv comes up often in the second half of the book, reminding us of the power of flow, mutual trust, saying "yes, and..." and creating connection through imagination and a willingness to fail.
Price is authentic, relatable, and encouraging, without treating fun as some Polyanna quick-fix to our lives. She gets that it has to be restitched into the fabric of our lives on a regular/daily basis (microdoses and boosters of fun). I'll be recommending this book for others who feel as if they've lost their access to true fun. I refuse to believe that getting older and facing some of life's greatest inevitable challenges (loss of parents, kids moving out, illness, slowing down) requires us to surrender that feeling of wonder and excitement that comes from experiencing fun. Price reminds us of our regular access to fun, and that alone makes this book worth reading.
Price spends a portion of the book talking about what fun isn't, which most often points toward our reliance on devices and screens as mechanisms of escape, numbing out, or experiencing Fake Fun. Though some of this was a retread of her previous book, it was a helpful reminder as I've continued to rely upon my phone and laptop for engagement at times of boredom, restlessness, and stress, surrendering to passive consumption.
Price then turns the corner to talk about what creates true fun, which is based on three criteria: Playfulness, Connection, and Flow. She offers examples of how to create each of these, as well as tips from her "Fun Squad". What I most appreciated was her grounded awareness that fun isn't just silliness (though it can be) and that she's not asking everyone to skip around the room and sing as an elixir to their doldrums. She gets that fun is different things to different people, and that it means actually losing oneself in an authentic experience, not merely trying to recapture the carefree joys of childhood.
I used to direct and teach improv comedy and, unsurprisingly, the example of improv comes up often in the second half of the book, reminding us of the power of flow, mutual trust, saying "yes, and..." and creating connection through imagination and a willingness to fail.
Price is authentic, relatable, and encouraging, without treating fun as some Polyanna quick-fix to our lives. She gets that it has to be restitched into the fabric of our lives on a regular/daily basis (microdoses and boosters of fun). I'll be recommending this book for others who feel as if they've lost their access to true fun. I refuse to believe that getting older and facing some of life's greatest inevitable challenges (loss of parents, kids moving out, illness, slowing down) requires us to surrender that feeling of wonder and excitement that comes from experiencing fun. Price reminds us of our regular access to fun, and that alone makes this book worth reading.
meggymoll's review
reflective
slow-paced
2.0
Not much fun for me, I’m sorry to say… most of the book is a repetition of her book How to break up with your phone and that got really boring after a while… how she managed to drag it out for the entire length of a boom is beyond me…
josettelaurel's review
3.0
She made some good points but I’m never ever ever gonna break up with my phone
madbookworm15's review
Didn't like the style, she rambled on way too much, didn't agree with some of her points
maralyons's review
5.0
The Power of Fun is an enlightening and inspiring book about how we can improve our lives by actively pursuing fun and engagement. This book isn’t about self-care or superficial or fake fun, it goes much deeper. Think about an experience you’ve had that you would describe as truly fun. What elements were present? Price describes moments of True Fun as being the confluence of playfulness, connection, and flow. This is only possible when we’re truly engaged and not distracted. This engagement simply isn’t possible when we’re hooked on our phones doomscrolling social media or the news.
Price cites tons of studies related to fun, contentment, happiness, attention, etc. so it’s not really a whimsical read. However, as someone who reads a lot of nonfiction, I really liked it, especially because I tend to be a planner and a list-maker. There are tons of exercises to help us consider experiences and activities that give us contentment in our lives. Though it may seem common-sense to put away our phones or turn off the TV to add value to our lives, it’s incredibly easy not to. As a culture we have slipped into reliance on distraction and filling out time with content that is likely negatively affecting our moods. We’ve slipped into this so easily we haven’t really asked ourselves if using our devices so often is something we should do. It seems like it’s happened without our realizing it and tech companies actively take advantage of the way our brains are wired. This book was eye-opening to me because it explains how we’ve gotten here and concrete reasons for getting out, being open to others and experiences, silliness, and the importance of unstructured play time for our mental health. I will actively be pursuing the lessons contained in this book in 2022!
Thank you Random House and NetGalley for this ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Price cites tons of studies related to fun, contentment, happiness, attention, etc. so it’s not really a whimsical read. However, as someone who reads a lot of nonfiction, I really liked it, especially because I tend to be a planner and a list-maker. There are tons of exercises to help us consider experiences and activities that give us contentment in our lives. Though it may seem common-sense to put away our phones or turn off the TV to add value to our lives, it’s incredibly easy not to. As a culture we have slipped into reliance on distraction and filling out time with content that is likely negatively affecting our moods. We’ve slipped into this so easily we haven’t really asked ourselves if using our devices so often is something we should do. It seems like it’s happened without our realizing it and tech companies actively take advantage of the way our brains are wired. This book was eye-opening to me because it explains how we’ve gotten here and concrete reasons for getting out, being open to others and experiences, silliness, and the importance of unstructured play time for our mental health. I will actively be pursuing the lessons contained in this book in 2022!
Thank you Random House and NetGalley for this ARC in exchange for an honest review.
emily_dub_loves_books's review
3.0
Naturally fun people are not the target audience for this book. If you are
1. uptight
2. over-worked
3. in constant burn-out
4. type-A
5. always stressed out...
this book is for you and I highly recommend it. If you are a fun loving person who laughs out loud several times a week, you're good.
1. uptight
2. over-worked
3. in constant burn-out
4. type-A
5. always stressed out...
this book is for you and I highly recommend it. If you are a fun loving person who laughs out loud several times a week, you're good.
gbenson17's review against another edition
Loved the author’s voice and nothing wrong with the audio version. Just needed to get my hands on a printed copy.
lindsayb's review
3.0
Not a terribly fun book to read (listen to), but three stars because I really enjoyed the discussion about technology's impact on the brain.
tofupup's review
3.0
I could certainly use a Funtervention and I do need to attract more fun in my life. This was worth the read and has lots of actionable ideas. Now the question is, will I do any of them?