Humanists UK has announced the forthcoming publication of How to be a Happy Human: Seven Humanist Foundations for a Better Life, a new book on living well by Chief Executive Andrew Copson.
Published by Little, Brown on Thursday 19 November 2026, the book is available for pre-order now from all major book retailers, including Waterstones, Hive, Amazon, and Blackwell’s.
About the book
How to be a Happy Human is for anyone tired of being told to optimise, hustle, or hack their way to happiness. It offers something different: real, usable advice for living well – as Tim Minchin put it, ‘how to be good and feel good without kidding yourself’.
The book draws on 2,500 years of humanist thought, alongside contemporary science and psychology, to set out seven simple foundations for a better life: accepting the time we have; embracing friendship; spending time in nature; practising kindness; making space for self-reflection; pursuing growth; and choosing our own outlook. It’s an honest, evidence-based guide about how to be happy.
The book will be out on 19 November and is available for pre-order now from Waterstones, Hive, Amazon, and Blackwell’s, and all leading bookshops, published by Little, Brown.
About the author
Andrew Copson OBE is one of the UK’s leading voices on religion, belief, and society – a regular across BBC, ITV, and Sky, from Newsnight to Today. Chief Executive of Humanists UK and a Sunday Times bestselling author, he became the first person ever awarded an OBE for services to the non-religious community in 2025. He is a go-to commentator on the ethical debates shaping daily life in Britain, from assisted dying to education to free speech. His books include Sunday Times bestseller the Little Book of Humanism (co-authored with Alice Roberts); Secularism: Politics, Religion, and Freedom; and What I Believe.
Author Andrew Copson said:
‘Modern life is loud, and it can feel impossible to find the time or the route to real, life-affirming happiness. I wrote How to be a Happy Human to share practical guidance from thousands of years of humanist tradition, to help people find joy, wisdom, and purpose.’
Pre-order your copy today
You can secure your copy ahead of publication on 19 November by pre-ordering via Waterstones, Hive (supporting independent local high-street bookshops), Amazon, Blackwell’s, or any other leading bookshop.
All author royalties from sales of the book go directly towards supporting the work of Humanists UK.
Notes
For further comment or information, media should contact Humanists UK Head of Press and Campaign Communications Nathan Stilwell at press@humanists.uk or phone 0203 675 0959 (media only).
Humanists UK is the national charity working on behalf of non-religious people. Powered by over 150,000 members and supporters, we advance free thinking and promote humanism to create a tolerant society where rational thinking and kindness prevail. We provide ceremonies, pastoral care, education, and support services benefitting over a million people every year and our campaigns advance humanist thinking on ethical issues, human rights, and equal treatment for all.