1
of
1
The Unexpected Joy of the Ordinary
Series: The Unexpected Joy Of
Ratings/reviews counts are updated frequently.
Check link for latest rating. ( 2,344 ratings, 200 reviews)
Book Hero Magic crafted this summary to help describe this book. While it's new and still
learning, it may not be perfect - your
feedback is welcome!
Summary
Read More
Format: Paperback / softback
$2600
$2799
Elsewhere:
Unit price
/
Unavailable
AVAILABLE WITH SUPPLIER
Ships from our Auckland warehouse within 4-6 weeks
Found a better price? Request a price match
The Unexpected Joy of the Ordinary
$2600
$2799
Elsewhere:
Unit price
/
Unavailable
Book Hero Magic created this recommendation. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! IS THIS YOUR NEXT READ?
A celebration of the everyday from the Sunday Times bestseller
Book Hero Magic formatted this description to make it easier to read. While it's new and
still learning, it may not be perfect - your
feedback is welcome!
Description
FROM THE SUNDAY TIMES BESTSELLING AUTHOR
'Life-affirming' - THE TELEGRAPH
'Wonderful' - INDEPENDENT
'She made it her mission to learn how to be default happy rather than default disgruntled' - RADIO 4 - WOMAN'S HOUR
'Take a leaf out of Gray's book and be kinder to yourself by appreciating life just as it is' - IRISH TIMES
'This book came to me in an hour of need - during lockdown when I had to focus on the positive, appreciate simple things, not lose my shit, and value each day. It was a pure joy for me and held my hand' - SADIE FROST
'Interesting and joyful. Lights a path that could help us to build resilience against society's urging to compare life milestones with peers' - LANCET PSYCHIATRY
Underwhelmed by your ordinary existence? Disillusioned with your middlin' wage, average body, 'bijou' living situation and imperfect loved ones? Welcome to the club. There are billions of us. The 'default disenchanted'. But, it's not us being brats. Two deeply inconvenient psychological phenomena conspire against our satisfaction. We have negatively-biased brains, which zoom like doom-drones in on what's wrong with our day, rather than what's right. (Back in the mists of time, this negative bias saved our skins, but now it just makes us anxious). Also, something called the 'hedonic treadmill' means we eternally quest for better, faster, more, like someone stuck on a dystopian, never-ending treadmill. Thankfully, there are scientifically-proven ways in which we can train our brains to be more positive-seeking. And to take a rest from this tireless pursuit. Whew.
Catherine Gray knits together illuminating science and hilarious storytelling, unveiling captivating research showing that big bucks don't mean big happiness, extraordinary experiences have a 'comedown' and budget weddings predict a lower chance of divorce. She reminds us what an average body actually is, reveals that exercising for weight loss means we do less exercise, and explores the modern tendency to not just try to keep up with the Murphys, but keep up with the Mega-Murphies (see: the social media elite).
Come on in to this soulful and life-affirming read, to discover why an ordinary life may well be the most satisfying one of all.
Series: The Unexpected Joy Of
View all-
The Unexpected Joy of the Ordinary
FROM THE SUNDAY TIMES BESTSELLING AUTHOR 'Life-affirming' - THE TELEGRAPH 'Wonderful' - INDEPENDENT 'She made it her mission to learn how to be default happy rather than default disgruntled' - RADIO 4 - WOMAN'S HOUR 'Take a leaf out of Gray's book and be kinder to yourself by appreciating life just as it is' - IRISH TIMES 'This book came...Paperback$2600Elsewhere:$2799Unit price /UnavailableAvailableShips in 4-6 weeks -
The Unexpected Joy of Being Sober
'Truthful, modern and real' - Stylist magazine 'Hilarious, sharp, spitfire writing' - Sacha Z. Scoblic, Senior Editor at The Atlantic and author of UNWASTED: MY LUSH SOBRIETY Ever sworn off alcohol for a month and found yourself drinking by the 7th? Think there's 'no point' in just one drink? Welcome! There are millions of us. 64% of Brits want to...Paperback$2799Unit price /UnavailableAvailableShips in 4-6 weeks -
The Unexpected Joy of Being Single
* 'This refreshing, unusual book needs to exist. A culture shift which repositions a single person as someone who is relationship-free, complete, and not lacking is long overdue.' - The i *Having a secret single freak-out? Feeling the red, heart-shaped urgency intensify as the years roll on by? Oh hi! You're in the right place.Over half of Brits aged 25-44...Paperback$2799Unit price /UnavailableAvailableShips in 4-6 weeks
Book Hero Magic summarised reviews for this book. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! HOW HAS THIS BEEN REVIEWED?
The Unexpected Joy of the Ordinary by Catherine Gray is widely praised for its life-affirming and wonderful insights. It encourages readers to learn to be happy by default, appreciate the simple aspects of life, and be kinder to themselves. The book is noted for providing comfort and joy, particularly in challenging times, and offers a perspective that helps build resilience against societal pressures.
Book Details
INFORMATION
ISBN: 9781783256044
Publisher: Octopus Publishing Group
Format: Paperback / softback
Date Published: 21 December 2023
Country: United Kingdom
Imprint: Aster
Contributors:
- Read by Catherine Gray
Audience: General / adult, Tertiary education, Professional and scholarly
DIMENSIONS
Spine width: 26.0mm
Width: 124.0mm
Height: 196.0mm
Weight: 255g
Pages: 288
About the Author
Catherine Gray is author of five books, including The Unexpected Joy of Being Sober. She's sold over half a million books in English-speaking territories, her work has been published in the likes of Stylist, Marie Claire, The Lancet Psychiatry and the Guardian, and her books have been translated into nine languages. In 2018, Catherine founded charitable campaign Sober Spring, a three-month sabbatical from alcohol, and she now runs it with Alcohol Change UK, for whom she is an ambassador. She's been sober since 2013. Catherine lives in Hove and when not writing she enjoys falling off a paddleboard, giving her plants names like 'Cassandra' and 'Miguel', and spamming Instagram with pictures of dogs.
Instagram.com/unexpectedjoyofTwitter.com/cathgraywritesAlso by Catherine Gray
View all-
The Unexpected Joy of Being Sober
'Truthful, modern and real' - Stylist magazine 'Hilarious, sharp, spitfire writing' - Sacha Z. Scoblic, Senior Editor at The Atlantic and author of UNWASTED: MY LUSH SOBRIETY Ever sworn off alcohol for a month and found yourself drinking by the 7th? Think there's 'no point' in just one drink? Welcome! There are millions of us. 64% of Brits want to...Paperback$2799Unit price /UnavailableAvailableShips in 4-6 weeks -
The Unexpected Joy of Being Single
* 'This refreshing, unusual book needs to exist. A culture shift which repositions a single person as someone who is relationship-free, complete, and not lacking is long overdue.' - The i *Having a secret single freak-out? Feeling the red, heart-shaped urgency intensify as the years roll on by? Oh hi! You're in the right place.Over half of Brits aged 25-44...Paperback$2799Unit price /UnavailableAvailableShips in 4-6 weeks -
Little Addictions
'Snortingly funny and entertainingly researched via an impressive suite of scientists' - The Times Smartphones, ultra-processed food, online shopping, people-pleasing, gambling, dating... Most of us can identify a little addiction we don't need to quit but certainly do a little too much of. In her brand-new book, Little Addictions, Catherine Gray, Sunday Times bestselling author of The Unexpected Joy of...Paperback$3999Unit price /UnavailableAvailableShips in 4-6 weeks -
Sunshine Warm Sober
The long-awaited sequel to The Unexpected Joy of Being Sober - the Sunday Times bestseller 'Exquisite' - Fearne Cotton, Happy Place 'A paean to the longer-term pleasures of staying booze-free' - The Guardian 'The kind of book that changes lives, and very possibly saves them' - The Lancet Psychiatry 'A reflective, raw and riveting read. A beautiful book on what...Paperback$2799Unit price /UnavailableAvailableShips in 4-6 weeks -
Versions of a Girl
'No other writer has ever made me laugh and cry as much as Catherine Gray' Daisy May Cooper 'Compulsive, edible, I devoured it' Holly Whitaker, New York Times bestselling author of Quit Like A Woman Do we become who we are because of our parents, or in spite of them? Fern's mother is a social climber and a former ballet...PaperbackSold Out
More from Self-Help & Personal Development
View all-
Signed CopyNew Release"What Were You Thinking!?"
Everything parents need to know about their baby, child or teen's developing brain to raise resilient, emotional intelligent kids, by globally renowned neuroscience educator Nathan Wallis. 'What were you thinking!?'If you've ever asked this in despair while watching a toddler melt down, a tween push boundaries or a teenager make a truly terrible decision, this book is for you.InΒ "What Were...Paperback$3299Elsewhere:$3999Unit price /UnavailableIn StockShips today -
The Let Them Theory
New York Times Bestselling Author. Millions of books sold worldwide! A Life-Changing Tool Millions of People Can't Stop Talking About What if the key to happiness, success, and love was as simple as two words? If you've ever felt stuck, overwhelmed, or frustrated with where you are, the problem isn't you. The problem is the power you give to other...Paperback$2599Elsewhere:$3200Unit price /UnavailableIn StockShips today -
New ReleaseEat Your Ice Cream
The New York Times bestseller that presents a bold new vision for living well and ageing with purpose from a world-renowned health expert THE INSTANT NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER From a leading doctor and world-renowned health expert, the simple, uplifting and practical guide to cutting through the wellness noise, living well and ageing with purpose. βEssential reading for anyone who...Paperback$3199Elsewhere:$4000Unit price /UnavailableIn StockShips today -
New Release
The Winner's Formula
The Neuroscience of Peak Performance, Success, and Happiness Why do some people win all the time? Why do others languish? From Olympians to Formula 1 drivers, addicts to billionaires, cognitive neuroscientist Dr Kerry Spackman has spent decades working to help people understand how to succeed. In The Winner's Formula, Kerry explains what goes on in your brain when you are...Paperback$3199Elsewhere:$3999Unit price /UnavailableIn StockShips today -
Choose Your Hard
Every path in life is hard. Being unfit and unhealthy is hard. Choosing to exercise, eat well, face discomfort, and do the difficult things is also hard. The question is: which hard do you choose? In Choose Your Hard, Professor Grant Schofield, one of New Zealandβs most cited health scientists with over 18,000 citations in the scientific literature, argues that...Paperback$3300Elsewhere:$3500Unit price /UnavailableIn StockShips today -
New ReleaseThe Atomic Habits Daily Calendar
Powerful ideas for each day of the year from the author of the #1 worldwide bestseller, Atomic Habits. Based on the principles that made Atomic Habits a global phenomenon, this daily calendar turns habit formation into a simple daily practice. Get actionable guidance, motivational insights, and system-building tools that make it easier to get a little bit betterβevery day of...Calendar$3699Elsewhere:$3999Unit price /UnavailableIn StockShips today -
The DOSE Effect
The DOSE Effect offers small habits to boost your brain chemistry. "This book will help you find more motivation, create deeper connections, energise your body, and destress your mind," says Jay Shetty, author of Think Like a Monk. Life can feel overwhelming, but it doesnβt have to be. Todayβs fast-paced world leaves many of us struggling with extreme emotional highs...Paperback$3199Elsewhere:$3999Unit price /UnavailableIn StockShips today -
New ReleaseNow What?
There are countless self-help books telling you how to get the life you wantβhow to find your purpose, make your plan, follow your goals. Yet, too many of us are frozen in life, unfulfilled and stuck with what we have. Too often, we only see our future through a lens of the pastβour past beliefs, experiences, and circumstances. We desire...Paperback$3299Elsewhere:$3999Unit price /UnavailableIn StockShips today -
We Can Do Hard Things
We Can Do Hard Things is a powerful and inspiring guide co-authored by renowned voices Abby Wambach, Glennon Doyle, and Amanda Doyle. This compelling book offers insights and encouragement to help readers tackle life's toughest challenges. By combining personal stories with practical advice, the authors empower you to embrace resilience and courage. Their collective wisdom sheds light on the strength...Paperback$3200Elsewhere:$4000Unit price /UnavailableIn StockShips today -
Atua Wahine
Ancient wisdom of the MΔori goddesses to help you navigate the modern world Atua Wahine are the MΔori goddesses who make up the world around us: earth, fire, water, the moon, and more. From the earth mother, Papatuanuku, who sustains and nurtures us, to the goddess of peace, Hineputehue, who transformed pain into beauty, and the misunderstood goddess of the...Hardback$3000Elsewhere:$3699Unit price /UnavailableBackorderShips mid August -
The Myth of Normal
A book that changes everything - from the legendary Dr Gabor MatΓ© THE INSTANT SUNDAY TIMES BESTSELLER OVER ONE MILLION COPIES SOLD We tend to believe that normality equals health. Yet what is the norm in the Western world? Mental illness and chronic disease are on an unstoppable rise. How did we get here? And what lies ahead for us?...Paperback$2400Elsewhere:$3000Unit price /UnavailableIn StockShips today -
The Anxious Generation
A powerful argument for reclaiming childhoodβand all human relationshipsβfrom the online world, from the influential social psychologist and international bestselling author. Jonathan Haidt has spent his career speaking truth and wisdom in some of the most difficult spacesβcommunities polarised by politics and religion, campuses battling culture wars, and now the mental health emergency hitting teenagers today in many countries around...Paperback$2299Elsewhere:$3000Unit price /UnavailableIn StockShips today
Why buy from us?
Book Hero is not a chain store or big box retailer. We're an independent 100% NZ-owned business on a mission to help more Kiwis rediscover a love of books and reading!
Service & Delivery
Our warehouse in Auckland holds over 100,000 books, toys, board games and puzzles in-stock so you're not waiting for your order to arrive from overseas.
Auckland Bookstore
We're primarily an online store, but for your convenience you can pick up your order for free from our bookstore, which is right next door to our warehouse in Hobsonville.
Our Gifting Service
Books make wonderful thoughtful gifts and we're here to help with gift-wrapping and cards. We can even send your gift directly to your loved one.
