“I’m happy as a clam” is a famous saying. And I never gave much thought to the reference until I started to read The Happy Clam by Rosemary Schmidt. If her name sounds familiar, it might be because I recently interviewed Rosemary about her happiness journey. This book is a combination of self-help and memoir. Here is my review of the book.
Disclosure: I was gifted an electronic copy of this book in return for an honest review
Talking happiness
I wasn’t sure what to expect from The Happy Clam. Would it try to get me to be happier? Was the author struggling to define it?
I was pleasantly surprised at the author’s stance that she had been searching for happiness and that she wanted to share with the reader what she discovered through difficult times. I liked that she was letting me, as the reader, come to my own decisions about what was my happiness level. Nothing felt forced on me, and she definitely spoke from the heart.
Letting us into her journey
Author Rosemary Schmdt is vulnerable in many parts of this book. I cried when she wrote about her sister’s challenges, what she learned from her sister only after her passing away, and the difficulties that came with her mom in older age. As I read at night, I had tears staining my pajamas, and I appreciated how the writer poured her heart into the book.
By sharing her journey toward happiness, it meant more to me by the time I finished the book. After all, only through the dark times could she find the light in each day, in the moments, and in the future.
The author has a wonderful wit that carries through the book. I would almost call it dry humor. And it lightens moments that otherwise might feel too heavy.
Related read: Quotes on darkness and light to appreciate both
Taking sources
Along the path that The Happy Clam takes, the author refers to different sources and backlinks to them. Some are for research studies on happiness, while others are references to intriguing books. I love to learn, so I look forward to going through at least some of the references made in the book.
With that being said, I don’t think the sourcing was necessary. I think Rosemary has an amazing story to share, and she doesn’t need to add research studies to strengthen it. But I do understand that she wanted to point out the science behind happiness in many different ways, and I think it was important to her to do so. I’m just saying her story can stand in its own right, on its own two legs.
Looking ahead
This is Rosemary Schmidt’s second book. She finished it as the pandemic was starting. And now we are in an interesting time in the world where we’re not sure if we will ever be past the pandemic. I think we could all use a little more happiness, and The Happy Clam is a good read to get there.
Oh, this sounds like an inspiring book. <3
It really did have me thinking about it long after I put it down!
Sounds like a great read. I will check it out, Christy.
Hi Pete, if you were like me, you will need kleenex during certain parts. I think you will like the read very much, as I did.