Review of A Jerk's Guide to Happiness
- Alys Sterk
- Review Team Admin
- Posts: 823
- Joined: 06 Jun 2016, 14:55
- Currently Reading:
- Bookshelf Size: 203
- Reviewer Page: onlinebookclub.org/reviews/by-alys-sterk.html
- Latest Review: A Piece of My Heart by Katherine P Stillerman
Review of A Jerk's Guide to Happiness
In A Jerk’s Guide to Happiness: Practical Ways to Change While Still Being You, author Alyn Mitlyng recounts her personal experiences in her journey to being in a better place and living a life that she loves. She encourages readers to have more positive interactions with others and gives advice on how to control and curb what she describes as “jerk behaviors.” A handy list invites readers to rate their own behavior and determine if they display jerk behavior. Included in this list are behaviors, such as being short with other people, discrediting those who don’t share your beliefs, and making sure others are blamed when things go wrong. Are you envious when others succeed? Do you play the victim or refuse to forgive others for their mistakes? If so, you may have jerk tendencies, and this book is for you!
I chose this book because of its somewhat comical title and the life lessons that it advertises. While reading the 120-page book, I was amused and enlightened at the same time. “Anyone willing to admit they have a problem with being a jerk should be extremely proud of themselves.” The tone of the author is not condescending or arrogant, but rather compassionate and supportive.
The best part of this book is the practical advice the author gives that is supported by relevant real-life examples and applications. I especially enjoyed the author’s insightful thoughts about passive-aggressive attitudes and gossiping. Ms. Mitlyng argues that passive-aggressive people are experts at using context to shield themselves from the judgment of others so that their words do not appear as abrasive. She explains that our intentions are “like a dagger on the tail of our actions, body language, and tone.” This is so true and eloquently yet bluntly stated. Many of the descriptions of jerks the author gives sound sadly familiar.
Although the book gives helpful and insightful pointers on improving behavior, I found it slightly repetitive. The lessons are enlightening but not profound. Having said this, though, the messages in the book resonated with me long after I had finished reading it. I found myself following the author’s poignant advice in the following days, and I can say this has truly made a difference in my attitude at work. For this reason, I give this book 4 out of 4 stars; the book's purpose and the author’s insight clearly outweigh the minor negative points mentioned above. I thoroughly enjoyed the book and believe it will serve many people well.
I recommend this writing to people who enjoy self-help books and those who revel in books that solicit personal reflection. Anyone with an open mind who seeks to improve their relationship with others will benefit from this piece.
******
A Jerk's Guide to Happiness
View: on Bookshelves
-
- Posts: 420
- Joined: 28 May 2022, 04:54
- Currently Reading: 30th Century: Escape (First Edition)
- Bookshelf Size: 21
- Reviewer Page: onlinebookclub.org/reviews/by-paully.html
- Latest Review: Red Endures the Test of Time by Thomas Fullmer
-
- Posts: 53
- Joined: 16 May 2022, 06:35
- Currently Reading:
- Bookshelf Size: 11
- Reviewer Page: onlinebookclub.org/reviews/by-ada-chris.html
- Latest Review: Hunger of the Pine by Teal Swan
-
- Posts: 219
- Joined: 07 May 2022, 15:39
- Currently Reading:
- Bookshelf Size: 18
- Reviewer Page: onlinebookclub.org/reviews/by-ezidimma-01.html
- Latest Review: Killing Abel by Michael Tieman
-
- Posts: 117
- Joined: 29 Jun 2022, 14:27
- Currently Reading:
- Bookshelf Size: 19
- Reviewer Page: onlinebookclub.org/reviews/by-prosper2000.html
- Latest Review: Zona: The Forbidden Land by Fred G. Baker
-
- Posts: 647
- Joined: 02 Jun 2022, 19:23
- Currently Reading:
- Bookshelf Size: 50
- Reviewer Page: onlinebookclub.org/reviews/by-covenant-morolayo-olusegun.html
- Latest Review: Stones by James C. Hendee
- Kavita Shah
- Book of the Month Participant
- Posts: 3116
- Joined: 12 Dec 2020, 12:30
- Favorite Book: Spellbound - The Workings of Drugtech
- Currently Reading:
- Bookshelf Size: 188
- Reviewer Page: onlinebookclub.org/reviews/by-kavita-shah.html
- Latest Review: Kalayla by Jeannie Nicholas
-
- Posts: 212
- Joined: 19 Feb 2022, 02:22
- Currently Reading:
- Bookshelf Size: 63
- Reviewer Page: onlinebookclub.org/reviews/by-nwankwo-gc.html
- Latest Review: The Chosen by Brandy Marks
- Alys Sterk
- Review Team Admin
- Posts: 823
- Joined: 06 Jun 2016, 14:55
- Currently Reading:
- Bookshelf Size: 203
- Reviewer Page: onlinebookclub.org/reviews/by-alys-sterk.html
- Latest Review: A Piece of My Heart by Katherine P Stillerman
Kavita Shah wrote: ↑09 Jul 2022, 14:26 I am intrigued by the title which I find quite similar to "For Dummies ".Thank you for a great and insightful review!
- Alys Sterk
- Review Team Admin
- Posts: 823
- Joined: 06 Jun 2016, 14:55
- Currently Reading:
- Bookshelf Size: 203
- Reviewer Page: onlinebookclub.org/reviews/by-alys-sterk.html
- Latest Review: A Piece of My Heart by Katherine P Stillerman
Covenant M Olusegun wrote: ↑09 Jul 2022, 04:44 Just from the review I can tell it's an amazing book and I would like to read to see 8f I am a jerk or not
-
- Posts: 329
- Joined: 13 Mar 2022, 11:48
- Currently Reading:
- Bookshelf Size: 74
- Reviewer Page: onlinebookclub.org/reviews/by-lawrence-2.html
- Latest Review: The Ranting of an Uneducated Reactionary by Oscar J. Phillips
- MsH2k
- Book of the Month Participant
- Posts: 4723
- Joined: 31 Jul 2019, 11:11
- Favorite Book: Crushing
- Currently Reading:
- Bookshelf Size: 366
- Reviewer Page: onlinebookclub.org/reviews/by-msh2k.html
- Latest Review: Lilleah by eelonqa K harris

Thank you for your recommendation.
Rosa Parks
-
- Posts: 329
- Joined: 23 May 2021, 10:25
- Currently Reading: The Unseelie Crown
- Bookshelf Size: 23
- Reviewer Page: onlinebookclub.org/reviews/by-madu-abigail.html
- Latest Review: Bluewater Walkabout by Tina Dreffin
-
- In It Together VIP
- Posts: 21
- Joined: 10 May 2022, 11:50
- Currently Reading: The Name of the Wind
- Bookshelf Size: 236
- Reviewer Page: onlinebookclub.org/reviews/by-bestfriendswithbooks.html
- Latest Review: In It Together (2nd Edition Hardcover from B&N) by Eckhart Aurelius Hughes

-
- Book of the Month Participant
- Posts: 204
- Joined: 18 Jun 2022, 13:08
- Currently Reading:
- Bookshelf Size: 73
- Reviewer Page: onlinebookclub.org/reviews/by-chinemezu-okafor.html
- Latest Review: Lost in the Reflecting Pool by Diane C Pomerantz, PhD