“Happiness is a cup of coffee and a good book”

“Happiness is a cup of coffee/tea and a good book” is a saying that has been printed on many posters and coffee mugs. American cartoonist Charles M. Schulz (1922-2000) wrote the book Happiness Is a Warm Puppy (1963), using characters from his Peanuts comic strip (featuring Charlie Brown and his dog, Snoopy). In 1968, Schulz illustrated “Happiness is a good book” posters for libraries.
 
“Coffee” or “tea” was eventually added to the “good book” definition of happiness. “Sitting in my swing with a cup of coffee and a good book” (part of “what happiness means to me”—ed.) was cited in print in 1982. “Happiness is a warm puppy just like Charles Schultz said.  Add to that a cup of tea and good book and you have perfection” was cited on Twitter on February 11, 2008. “Happiness is coffee, fog and a good book” was cited on Twitter on December 27, 2008.
 
“Happiness is a cup of coffee & a really good book” was cited on Twitter on June 25, 2009, from the printed saying on a coffee mug.
 
       
OCLC WorldCat record
Happiness is a Warm Puppy. [With illustrations.].
Author: Charles M Schulz
Publisher: London : Paul Hamlyn, [1963]
Edition/Format:   Print book
 
28 November 1963, State-Times (Baton Rouge, LA), “Teen Type” by Mrs. Richard Daniel, pg. 10D, col. 1:
Happiness is a good book and no home work.
   
15 June 1968, San Diego (CA) Union, “Libraries Schedule Summer Programs,” pg. A-11, col. 2:
The theme this year is Charles Schulz’s “Happiness is a Good Book.”
 
3 December 1982, Morning Advocate (Baton Rouge, LA), “Smiley Anders’ Baton Rouge,” pg. 1-B, col. 1:
A FEW OF HER FAVORITE THINGS: An anonymous reader says it might be nice to hear from folks between now and Christmas on the subject “what happiness is to me.” Here are her contributions:
 
Sitting in my swing with a cup of coffee and a good book.
 
Twitter
Laura
‏@lillytiger
Happiness is a warm puppy just like Charles Schultz said.  Add to that a cup of tea and good book and you have perfection.
2:09 PM - 11 Feb 2008
     
Twitter
Awais Athar
‏@awaisathar
: happiness is coffee, fog and a good book
11:36 AM - 27 Dec 2008
 
Twitter     
Alia Fatkoulina
‏@AliaAngelina
Happiness is so easy….You just need a cup of good a coffee, good book, porch and sunny warm weather…
9:37 PM - 1 Apr 2009
 
Twitter
Tara Jane Holmes
‏@TaraHolmes
Happiness is a good book, a cup of tea & sunshine. http://twitgoo.com/cuao
3:21 AM - 30 May 2009
 
Twitter
Shanelle
‏@shanellelee
Happiness is a hot cup of coffee and a good book, snuggled up on the couch while everyone else in the cabin sleeps.
6:22 AM - 13 Jun 2009
 
Twitter   
Loren Rochelle
‏@lorenrochelle
Happiness is a cup of coffee & a really good book. http://bit.ly/l1omZ
9:14 PM - 25 Jun 2009
 
Twitter
S t e p h a n i e
‏@tostyleandgrace
Happiness is a cup of tea [or hot cocoa] and a really good book. Off to B&N to escape for a bit.
8:14 PM - 2 Sep 2009
 
Twitter
Gianni Fajri
‏@GHYAN
Highfive!! RT @anonyw: To me, happiness is a cup of earl grey tea and a good book.
8:35 AM - 5 Oct 2010
 
Twitter
Catherine Young
‏@bumpkinhill
Happiness is a cup of tea & a good book - just sold bookmark - http://www.etsy.com/listing/60795370/bookmark-happiness-is-a-cup-of-tea-and-a
11:38 AM - 4 Nov 2010
 
Facebook
T. with Tea shared Friends, Family and Coffee’s photo.
March 27, 2015 at 6:17pm ·
I agree that Happiness is a cup of coffee/tea/cocoa and a good book, but this weekend will be spent culling info. for the taxman. squint emoticon
 
Twitter
¥
‏@l4ntie
Happiness is my cat, sweet tea and a good book
6:46 AM - 31 Mar 2015