Reading this book over the new year period felt kind of poignant as this is the time of year when a lot of people make resolutions to try to better themselves. Fortunately, this wasn’t some eat clean, train dirty, find-your-inner-zen-in-order-to-better-yourself claptrap. In fact, much to my joy, eating cake for the hell of it features often among the pages. No, it’s more about trying to find even the smallest bit of happiness in the most mundane of things: eating breakfast off a nice plate, lighting an expensive candle rather than saving it for some undefined moment, getting away from your desk at lunchtime, getting off the bus a stop early to notice what’s around you or to go to a nicer coffee shop. Things that take minimum effort but that may just make your own (or someone else’s) day.

How To Be Happy is inspired by the Facebook challenge that did the rounds a year or so ago – #100HappyDays. The book begins with Annie, alone and desperately unhappy, visiting her mother in hospital when she is knocked off her feet by a kaleidoscopic whirlwind by the name of Polly, who has been diagnosed with a brain tumour and has 3 months left to live, and who also insists on infiltrating Annie’s miserable life in the most irritating manner. After several unsuccessful attempts to avoid Polly, is Annie finally ready to let a little colour back in to her life?

I thoroughly enjoyed this book. Each chapter is one of the 100 days and during those days, secrets are shared and obstacles overcome, there is joy and there is sorrow and much heartache but despite that this is such a heartwarming book. The developing friendship between Polly and Annie is touching and real (nothing is sugar-coated) and I love the fact that the challenge was about doing and celebrating the little things and not about bucket lists or trying to make yourself into something that you’re not.

Verdict:
Funny, sad and very real. A tonic without being schmaltzy. I loved it.

I requested this on a whim...I wasn't sure about the title, or if I was in the mood for chick lit/a story about dying, but I am so glad that I read it. It wasn't what I expected - I thought I'd be led through a 100 happy things before I die list, in a predictably cheesy way, and instead I discovered a very moving, thoughtful story about a friendship between two women, both struggling with life in very different circumstances. Annie isn't instantly likeable as a lead character, but I warmed to her. She has been through so much tragedy, and is so very normal. I loved her honesty, her difficulties with people, and the journey she takes through the story. And Polly...well, Polly is utterly wonderful of course, and although you know what's coming, you still aren't quite prepared.
There are some moments that may be a trigger for some people, and it deals with some very dark moments for both Annie & Polly, so it's worth being aware of that. But still, it was good, all the way through. Easy, and compelling to read and one I'd certainly recommend.

A very moving read, even more so when you read more about the author and her own battle with cancer.
In the book, Anna meets Polly one day at the hospital and seems to become Polly's project. Set over a short timescale the plan is to do one thing to make them happy every day, some funny, some happy and some just turn out to be sad. A good read which gives you something to think about.

Such a lovely read. It was so easy to get completely caught up with the characters that it was hard, at the end, not to carry on and find out what happened next. Moving, thought-provoking, with some very amusing moments. Costas is a marvel

I was first drawn to this book because of its beautiful cover and was looking for an easy uplifting read. This book was definitely more than that . It is a book that makes you think of your own life and the importance of living it to the full nod appreciating everything we have. An beautifully written emotional read.

Read this book so quickly - it’s a beautiful story.

I'm so happy I requested and read this book. It's one of those that from the very first page really speaks to you whilst reading, and the words still stick in your mind long after.

This book is predominantly a book about death; it won't be for everyone. I've worked in care 15 years and I've seen the end of life, held hands with people whilst they've taken their last breaths, talked about death and, whilst it's never gets easier I'm someone who acknowledges and can talk about the fact that we're not going to be here forever... but if you can look beyond that, this book is filled with so much more; love, family and friendships...

Polly is in her mid thirties and terminally ill; she has been given just 3 months to live. she has a plan now she doesn't have bills and pensions to worry about; she doesn't want to do the whole bucket list - ticking things off, she wants to show you can have happiness even when things seem truly awful, and so comes the '100 Happy Days' project - doing one thing every day (big or small) that makes you happy.

Annie is 35 and at rock bottom in her life. She hates her job, her marriage failed (after her husband left her for one of her best friends) she lost her baby, she lost her home and now lives in a grotty flat, she's lost touch with all her friends, and to top it off her mum has early on-set dementia and has just been hospitalised after a fall. But here she bumps into bright, cheerful Polly, who takes her under her wing (despite Polly not wanting anything to do with this mad woman) and all but forces Annie to do the project with her...

Throughout this story these 2 characters form a truly heart-warming friendship, that is absolutely believable. One minute their antics had me chuckling, then the next I was trying to hold back tears. You can't help but instantly love Polly, I felt her positivity and sadness, the acceptance and denial - you go through it all with her. Annie is again very real. I think everyone can relate to her. I'm absolutely sure we've all had a period in our lives when we've hit that rock bottom spot (I could tell you the exact date of mine!) you are full of sadness and anger, you don't want to get out of bed, see people, and you think you're the worst off person in the world and you can't see life ever getting better. So remember, when you think Annie is a little whiny and pathetic - you've been that person too; happy days, sad days, angry days... they're all part of living.

There's a wee touch of romance thrown in this book which I really liked. There are also so many tougher subjects (not just cancer and death) laced through; abuse, dementia, infant loss, our NHS breaking down, homelessness, loneliness and depression.

This book is wonderfully written and will take you through so many emotions, it's one where you'll be laughing and smiling, but also crying - you know the proper tears, snotty noses and making our faces so not look good! It will make you stop and think and really look at life - I honestly think we forget how short and unpredictable it really is. In the space of a couple of weeks 2 of my work colleagues were diagnosed with cancer - one with breast (hopefully should be successful) and one with 2 brain tumours just like Polly, one was able to be removed but the other can't be touched at all. The story felt very personal to me.

One of my favourite little sayings in life is "It's the little things that count and make us most happy" and I truly believe that is the absolute truth from this story.

I wanted to end with this quote taken from the book...

“I think we should all live as if we are dying too – because we are, make no mistake. We should live as if we’re dying at some unspecified but possibly quite soon time. We can’t expect every day to be happy, and there’ll always be sickness and heartache and sadness, but we should never put up with a sad or a boring or a depressing day, just for the sake of it. None of us have time for that, whether we have a hundred days left or a hundred thousand.”

When I first requested this book on Netgalley it was because I was on the look out for uplifting easy reads and promptly forgot all about it until a couple of weeks ago when I received my accepted request email; I suppose I delved in expecting from the cover a bit of a twee, cute book that would be motivational/comedic, I was so, so far off. This book is incredible.

It is reminiscent of Me Before You and The Fault In Their Stars, a bold claim I know considering their immense influence, but trust me, if you are a fan you will adore this book. Like the aforementioned titles, How To Be Happy is a rollercoaster of emotional turmoil; there are incredibly hilarious, cringing, uplifting, heartbreaking, breathtaking, poignant and devastating tales and happenings woven in to the friendship of Polly and Annie, and those around them pulled in to the whirlwind and those ghosts from both their pasts.

Yes this is a story about cancer, about seizing the day and about creating your own happy, but it also covers so many other very gritty and pertinent issues within society; from homelessness, grief, dementia, to our overworked amazing NHS staff, to complicated friendships, loneliness, refugees, and so many more; yet this story flows and blossoms amongst all of these issues, just as we all have our own imperfect, complicated, inspiring lives. The transformation of Annie throughout the book is powerful; the hints at who she was "before", the character we meet in the first few pages and the warrior we see at the end is both relatable and extraordinary, it encapsulates the journey of enlightenment and salvation.

There is a wonderful poetry to Eva Wood's writing, the dialogues and subtle mannerisms of the characters that are brought to life with such familiarity by seemingly very few words yet so much is said. The length of the book is quite long in comparison but I felt every chapter (cleverly presented as a day out of one hundred) was worth savouring and allowed for an absorption of the enormity of what is tackled over just a hundred days.

I can genuinely see this book making an impeccable film screenplay, I'd love to see it become a movie. Take tissues!

How To Be Happy is a beautiful mix of fluffy fun and heartbreaking sadness. The story is centred around Annie and Polly. They are both wonderful and complex characters. Polly is dying but is nevertheless very colourful and cheerful, whereas Annie is full of sadness. They become close friends and take part in a 100 days of happiness challenge.
I loved both these women and their struggles. Of course, there’s lots of sadness in this book, but because other parts or so much lighter and more fun, it never becomes a sentimental sob story. At the same time, it always has much more depth and complexity than a light and fluffy story.
There wasn’t much I didn’t like about this book, but there were a few little inconsistencies and I had to work a little to suspend my disbelief in some parts. I also thought George’s <spoiler>abusive ex-boyfriend</spoiler> was a bit too much, and I felt the romance could’ve received some more attention. But that’s just nitpicking. This book is great and I look forward to reading more books by this author.
4.5 stars

A book where you know at least one person dies doesn’t sound like it’s going to be uplifting but if I had to use one word to describe How To Be Happy, by Eva Woods, it would be that.

There’s something about this story that really appealed to me. I know it won’t be everyone’s cup of tea - it covers difficult, sensitive topics (and could even be a trigger for some) - but it made me laugh and cry (and not just sad tears).

I felt completely absorbed by the mix of characters and their unfolding story.

The somewhat gallows humour is refreshing and the take on life, love, death and what it means to be happy genuinely made me think.

While Annie is (understandably, once you get into the story) living in shades of grey, Polly is running around in a rainbow. While it initially looks like Polly is bringing colour back into Annie’s world, it becomes clear that Annie has a part to play in helping Polly deal with her situation too.

They are unlikely friends but each has something the other needs and seeing how they grow and change is inspiring.

All of the characters have their own issues and it’s so well written I got really caught up in their lives.

It makes for heart breaking reading at times – and not just to do with Polly – but it’s also entertaining and funny. I couldn’t help but think how good it would be as a film.

How To Be Happy is an important reminder that we never know what tomorrow might bring (although if it brings you this book, I hope it also comes with tissues).

With thanks to Little, Brown Book Group (via NetGalley) for the ARC in return for my honest opinion.

How to be Happy by Eva Woods a thought provoking four-star read. I am going to start this off by saying I don’t think everyone will enjoy this read, as the subject matter isn’t for everyone as someone with a brain tumour isn’t a cheerful subject, but having seen the effects both in my personal life with a very good friend and through work as I deal with terminal illness on a daily basis I loved the refreshingness of the story. This is a great story showing you how no matter how dark and grey your life is there is always another option, and Polly will show you no matter how many lemons life throws at you, you can always make lemonade, lemon soufflé, lemon tart. When you have one goal in mind, you make it the best you can.
If you need a life affirming read, then go buy this book, if death and dying isn’t something you feel comfortable with try this book, it may make you see that it’s not all dark and depressing, life is what you make it.