The Anthropocene Reviewed by John Green - Book Highlights

🚀 The Book in 3 Sentences

1. Happy people aren’t “just happy.” They’re constantly reminding themselves to be happy.
2. You prescribe meaning and you can decide to prescribe meanings that make you better and happier.
3. Merely existing itself is a miracle.

🎨 Impressions

I thought this book would be fine. I’ve read other John Green books and enjoyed them, but those were fiction—this one isn’t. I was wrong. This book was great. It opens your eyes to find the meaning in the little things in life.

I won’t lie: I bought this book because I was guaranteed to get a John Green signature. (It’s worth more than just the signature.)

Star Rating

★★★★★

Who Should Read It?

If you’re having a hard time finding things you enjoy or are finding life dull, I think this book is great for you (Particularly the Harvey chapter, which is about John Green’s fight with depression and finding hope).

I think this book is good for anyone that wants to enjoy life just a bit more. John Green’s compilation of seemingly insignificant things demonstrates how your life doesn’t need to be a TV show to be fantastic.

☘️ How the Book Changed Me

• I’ve changed my mindset about viewing lots of things. I have the power to prescribe meaning, so I might as well prescribe meaning that is useful to me.
• I find reading to be fun now. I haven’t consistently read for enjoyment in a long time (since 3rd grade). John Green’s book gave me a reason to pick up a book (or kindle) every day and read, even if it’s just a little bit.
• The Anthropocene Reviewed reminded me to be aware of my privileges and how my actions impact others.

✍️ My Top 3 Quotes

You can’t see the future coming—not the terrors, for sure, but you also can’t see the wonders that are coming, the moments of light-soaked joy that await each of us.

The pleasure isn’t owning the person. The pleasure is this. Having another contender in the room with you.

We will build meaning wherever we go, with whatever we come across. But to me, while making meaning isn’t a choice, the kind of meaning can be.

Michel Liao

Boise, Idaho, United States

Hello! I'm a sophomore studying computer science at Princeton. I like reading, rock climbing, and running.