The Nice Life

A joyful guide to life that prizes “good enough” over striving for the best in order to have a creative, beautiful, and fulfilling life, even in difficult times

Attempting to live well when the world is coarse and we’re stretched thin may seem impossible, but according to journalist Rachel Wilkerson Miller, there’s no better time to tap into genuine loveliness and beauty. This book is a refreshing, joyful invitation to cultivate a life that feels abundant, sumptuous, and deeply satisfying. Despite all that is wrong, you can still have a nice life.

A nice life is cozy, it’s comfortable, it’s meaningful. It’s filled with moments of beauty. It’s for anyone interested in the #softlife trend. You can have a nice life even when facing illness, grief, or unemployment; when you’re stressed about work, politics, or climate change. Living well in hard times can be an act of resistance and self-love. How do we get there? By making an effort and living with intention.

• Be curious: Treat your library card like a passport and embrace imagination and inspiration, every single day.
• Look for beauty: Engage with art and culture and bring more polish and elegance to your routine.
• Prioritize joy: Befriend interesting people and seek out activities that bring levity, laughter, color, and pleasure to your life.
• Live generously: Share your time, kindness, and creativity with others and create meaning.

The Nice Life guides us through hard moments with practical advice, personal anecdotes, and insight from more than twenty experts. It’s for anyone who wants to be on their phone less and in the real world more, making every day feel authentic, special, and full of delight.

Standard and Primary covers are widely available through general retailers. They often have higher print runs and can be cheaper, especially during sales.

In contrast, Direct Market (DM) and variant covers are primarily sold in comic shops. DM editions tend to have more limited availability and may be more valuable to collectors.

The main differences lie in artwork style, availability, price, and collector appeal. Ultimately, the choice between standard and variant covers depends on personal preference, budget, and individual collecting goals.

Comic book enthusiasts have various formats to choose from when collecting their favorite stories.
Here's a brief overview of the main types:

Omnibus

• Large, hardcover collections
• Usually contain complete runs or extensive story arcs
• Typically 800-1000+ pages
• Higher price point, often €100-€150

Oversized Hardcover (OHC)

• Similar dimensions to omnibus, but thinner
• Collect shorter runs or story arcs
• Usually 300-600 pages
• Priced between €30-€50

Hardcover (HC)

• Standard-sized hardcover books
• Collect 6-12 issues typically
• Similar dimensions to single issues, but with a hard cover
• Priced around €25-€35

Trade Paperback (TP)

• Softcover collections
• Standard comic book size
• Usually collect 4-6 issues
• Most affordable option, typically €15-€25

Other Formats

• Absolute Editions: Oversized, deluxe hardcovers (mainly DC Comics)
• Compendiums: Massive paperback collections
• Graphic Novels (OGN/GN): Original stories not previously released as single issues

The choice between these formats often depends on personal preference, budget, and collecting goals. Omnibus and OHC editions offer larger artwork and more content but at a higher price, while TPs provide a more affordable way to collect complete story arcs