Well, of course thousands of books have been written on happiness, some fascinating, others fluffy and still others simply pathetic. What makes Lyubomirsky's interesting is that the ideas she presents are not the outcome of some vague inspiration or insight but on empirical research, and quite a lot of it.
The central these appears to be that the amount of happiness one experiences is determined by 3 factors.
50% is genetical, as if we are born with a talent for happiness, just like some of us have a talent for sports or art.
Only 10% can be linked to circumstances/environment such as health and wealth. Winning a lot of money does make us happy, but only for a couple of months, then we fall back to our basic happiness level. Same goes for disaster and illness.
40%, however, is based on thoughts and behaviour. That means we can influence our happiness level to a large extend.
This is where I got in the book. The rest provides more background and -especially- techniques to increase happiness.
It seems to be another self-help book, but I have the impression that it is far more than that, because of the serious research it is based on. And that is why I want know what others think of it, wheter it works for them,...