Journalist Catherine Price delves into the philosophy and practice of fun, arguing that—far from being frivolous or a distraction—"True Fun" is actually the secret to achieving our goals and energizing our spirits.
It’s a natural sequel to her previous book, as well as a similarly satisfying—and transformational—read. This naturally fun and funny writer dug her dusty guitar out of the closet and became part of an enriching musical community that has changed her life ... even those whose lives are already highly entertaining will come to view and value their pastimes in a new light ... Price is a trustworthy guide with a personable voice that stands out on each page. The Power of Fun reads like a heaping serving of a tasty yet healthy snack. You’ll enjoy every bite and feel energized afterward.
It doesn’t take a research paper for us to jump aboard the fun train—but Price does ask a critical question. If we’re all in agreement that we really like fun, why do we have so little of it? ... Drawing on research from the field of positive psychology, Price presents lots of hard evidence citing fun’s benefits, noting it improves relationships, happiness, overall health and cognitive function, longevity and confidence. Couldn’t we all use some fun about now? This book feels right for the moment, and its fun-amplification program is the kind of New Year’s resolution a person could really keep. The top-line takeaway is simply to prioritize fun. Let’s go!
... a practical guide with lessons for all of us, especially as we live through a decidedly not-fun pandemic ... This new book is a kind of spiritual sequel to How to Break Up With Your Phone, providing answers to the question of how to replace an all-encompassing habit ... The strength of The Power of Fun is that it is approachable, anecdotal and inviting ... The success of Price’s self-experimentation provides motivation to at least try to seek out more activities that we actually take pleasure in. And her main point, that we should clear space in our lives for the things that truly mean something to us, is a sound one.
