Because of Harry I Read "The Architecture of Happiness"

In a recent article by Vogue, they stated that Harry likes reading books by Allain de Botton. In fact, Harry likes him so much that he made his own sweatshirt combining two photos of de Botton. Yes, you read that right, millionaire Harry Styles, made his own sweatshirt.

Harry has even told interviewers that he has listened to de Botton's podcast,"The True Hard Work of Love and Relationships," and has attended some of his workshops. At the end of his vogue interview, he gave the interviewer, a copy of the book by de Botton,"The Architecture of Happiness."

Knowing that Harry loves Alain de Botton's writing so much and that he gifted the book to someone, one can only assume that he has read the book. So I decided to purchase it and give it a read.

At first glance, I was kind of worried that the book was going to go over my head with all the technical terms. I do like architecture and actually used to want to be an architect, but I don't know too much about it, specifically I don't know too much about the history. I was pleasantly surprised that this book isn't that technical at all! It does talk about architectural styles and the history behind them, but it also talks about the idea behind what makes a home and what gives a building meaning. Simply put, this book combines the philosophy and psychology of architecture and connects it to human's identities and locations. It really explores the idea that the quality of our environment controls the happiness and misery in one's life.

I wanted to read this book looking for passages that could apply to my life or mean something to me. So, against my book loving ways, I took a highlighter to the pages.

One of my favorite quotes from the book is "Knowing that what we now love may in the future, for reasons beyond out current understanding, appear absurd is as hard to bear in the context of a piece of furniture in a shop as it is in the context of a prospective spouse at an altar." Talking about trends de Botton beautifully connects it to human life. He is a genius with allegories. Not only is the writing astounding, but the book is filled to the brim with incredible architectural pictures.

The picture above shows some of the phrases that I highlighted. In this specific section he was talking about how different places can be our home. "Home can be an airport or a library, a garden or a motorway diner." I can see how Harry loves this book and would relate to the idealistic views that are presented.

Overall, I would recommend this book others! I really liked it. It is a different read than other books, but I am drawn to it. The way the book makes you think more logically about how the environment you are in affects your happiness is very unique.

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Let me know in the comments if you have read "The Architecture of Happiness" before or if you are now adding it to your reading list!