I almost didn't finish this book, but I'm glad I did. I picked up The Totally Unscientific Study of the Search for Human Happiness at a library used book sale because I love Paula Poundstone on Wait, Wait, Don't Tell Me and I suspected there would be at least some mention of cats. The book is broken into a series of somewhat loosey-goosey "experiments" that Poundstone undertook to find out something that might be the key to human happiness. From exercise to organization to renting a fancy sports car, Poundstone jokes about how her experiments went and what she learned, interspersing these stories with other anecdotes about her life at the time, including helping her kids with high school challenges and growing up and moving out.

The first half of the book didn't quite do it for me. It was fine but I didn't laugh much. It felt like Poundstone was fighting sadness somewhat unsuccessfully, so her humour wasn't wholly convincing. The stories also felt personal and specific enough that they weren't immediately relatable, but also generic enough that it didn't feel like a fascinating glimpse into a stranger's life (e.g. having trouble sorting through a cluttered house).

But I'm glad I pushed through because I really enjoyed the last several chapters, including her experiment with positive self-talk, the sports car one, and her experience volunteering at a seniors' home. Maybe she felt happier herself when writing them but they just felt more uplifting, hilarious and entertaining. The end is heartwarming and encouraging, acknowledging how hard it is to make yourself do some of these things sometimes, even when you know they'll make you happy.