PENGUIN The Power of Fun: Why fun is the key to a happy and healthy life

Good reads

I found the book to be interesting and eye opening, it helped me realised how much playfulness I have lost in my adult life and provide an optimistic view on how to add more fun and be more playful.The main downside is the repetitive aspect of the book and the intensive use of the 'True Fun' expression throughout the book. Half way through the book, it becomes hard to read due to the writing. But the overall idea and concept is interesting.

I bought the eBook version first. I loved it so much I bought a copy for a friend. This book reveals the secrets to a flourishing life.

(And who else is going to read a book about how to have fun, anyway?)Catherine Price nerds out on fun more deeply than you would have thought possible, and she’ll leave you equipped and inspired to actually, seriously (but not SERIOUSLY seriously) have more fun. It’s a profound and thoughtful book about a seemingly lighthearted topic. Filled with science and philosophy, original insights, and personal stories to make it relatable.My absolute favorite chapter is Chapter 9, Rebel. I’ll be reading it 29 more times. I had never realized how many of my “true fun” experiences have had an aspect of playful or lighthearted rebellion. Against authority, habits, propriety, social norms. My dad and I being chased (but not caught) by police helicopters. My daughter and I being Nighttime Ninja Bunnies, delivering middle of the night Easter baskets to her Jewish friends. My mom on a recent random Thursday walking into our kitchen carrying a cake with massive and dangerous flaming sparklers, singing Happy Thursday to You. The subtler levels of rebellion discussed here are against your own beliefs and standards for yourself. That’s what I’m coming back for.This book will help you find your own true fun so you can have more of it. I’ve begun listening to comedy on my commute (actually laughing by myself) and I just signed up for an improv class. Fun!

I skimmed over Chapters 1 through 5. As others have said, everything could have been condensed into one chapter. They were not fun reading. Chapters 6 through 10 were really interesting and provided a lot of ideas for how to make sure we do not only things that we have to do in our everyday lives, but things that we really enjoy doing. Most of my friends are addicted to social media, Facebook, and texting and it's been hard to get them to get out there and do fun things. As someone who has worked in programming and high-tech, I don't use any social media myself and it saddens me to see people with their noses in their phones and not really participating in real life. The author's definition of fun though is one I don't agree with. She seems to be overthinking and over-analyzing what fun is. True Fun and Fake Fun and things she doesn't really feel are fun are just too much to swallow. Overall I enjoyed the book and felt it was worthwhile reading.