O K NE B O search for bliss at · PDF filerates of happiness, secular nations are on the whole...

Grand Junction, CO 39° 063’N x -108° 55’W

search for bliss at www.mcpld.org

New York Times Bestsel l ing Author and NPR Correspondent

ERIC WEINERThe Grumpy Author of The Geography of Bliss

January 15 – February 27, 2010 GRANd JuNCtIoN, Co

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The ‘where’ of happiness“Think Don Quixote with a sense of humor and you begin to grasp Eric Weiner, the modern knight-errant of this mad, sad, wise, and witty quest across four continents. I won’t spoil the fun by telling if his mission succeeds, except to say that happiness is reading a book as entertaining as this.” — Tony Horwitz, author of Confederates in the Attic

While most of us devote a lot of time and energy trying to figure out what makes us happy, and there are entire industries that try to tell us who might make us happy, Eric Weiner, in The Geography of Bliss, tackles the where of happiness.

Happiness has, of course, been subjected to all manner of investigation. Still, quantifying happiness or even simply trying to figure out what exactly is happiness is a slippery task. Happiness it seems is depressingly elusive. What to do with the fact that, while individuals who consider themselves religious report high rates of happiness, secular nations are on the whole happier? or that nations with extreme inequalities in wealth can be as happy as, or even happier than, those that do not? or that happy nations also tend to have high suicide rates?

Weiner tries to make sense of these contradictions by going to the source — traveling to some of the happiest and unhappiest places he can find. What he discovers is that while we tend to think of happiness as an individual thing,

something privately constructed, in fact place, your physical and social environment, is far more important than one might think. Whether it is the mirages money can buy amidst the sand and heat of Qatar, the warming effect of low expectations on the frozen floe of Iceland, or the calm assurances of a mantra in the cartoonish Eden of an ashram in India, place goes a long way in determining not only if you are happy, but how you are happy.

While what constitutes happiness may be far messier than we would like it to be, what the reader ultimately takes from The Geography of Bliss is that happiness is attainable. In fact, Weiner postulates that the world is becoming happier. Why? At least one key component is the very travel that Weiner is engaged in.

Because of changes in technology, as well as economic and social structures, we as human beings are more mobile than ever, and that means we are freer to search out new possibilities of where that elusive X on each of our personal happiness treasure maps might be found.

A ‘quasi-happy’ author

Picking One book

Each year, the One Book, One Mesa County Committee tries to match our selection with the pulse of Mesa County and the nation. First and foremost, we want a book our community can discuss. We believe a community that reads and discusses a book together grows together. Here’s a look at our past selections:

2010 With the recent economic recession and the stresses it has caused in so many lives, we feel 2010 is the right time to focus on happiness. That’s why we chose The Geography of Bliss by Eric Weiner.

2009 Extremely Loud & Incredibly Close by Jonathan Safran Foer.

2008 The God of Animals by Aryn Kyle.

2007 Marley and Me by John Grogan.

2006 Kira - Kira by Cynthia Kadohata.

2005 Bless Me, Ultima by Rudolfo Anaya.

Eric Weiner spent a decade as a foreign correspondent for National Public Radio. He has been based in New Delhi, Jerusalem, and Tokyo, and has reported from more than 30 countries, most of

them profoundly unhappy. Weiner has also served as

correspondent for NPR in New York, Miami, and, currently, Washington, D.C. For more information visit the One Book blog.

Branch Book DiscussionsFeb 9 - Clifton Branch, 1 p.m.Feb 13 - Fruita Branch, 11 a.m.Feb 13 - Palisade Branch, 10:30 a.m.Feb 16 - Community Discussion, Central Library, 6 p.m.Feb 17 - Bold Reads Book Group, Central Library, 6:30 p.m.Feb 18 - Kiva Book Club, Central Library 6:30 p.m.Feb 18 - Collbran Branch, 7 p.m.Feb 20 - Orchard Mesa Branch, 10 a.m.* Attend a book discussion and receive an invitation to a VIP reception with Eric Weiner February 26.

The quest for bliss

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Events CalendarJan 21– WOrld VieWs Of Happiness6 P.M., THuRSDAY, CENTRAL LIBRARY PROGRAM AREA

Does The Geography of Bliss accurately represent the countries it portrays? Hear the perspectives of Mesa County residents who originally hail from India, Switzerland and Thailand, as well as a Mesa State College professor who taught in Iceland and a mountaineering guide who leads expeditions to Bhutan.

Jan 24 - MOVies arOund tHe WOrld1 P.M., SuNDAY, CENTRAL LIBRARY PROGRAM AREA

Explore paradise by watching Frank Capra’s 1937 masterpiece set in a fictionalized Bhutan. *Title available online.

Jan 31 - MOVies arOund tHe WOrld1 P.M., SuNDAY, CENTRAL LIBRARY PROGRAM AREA

Watch The Overture, an award-winning Thai movie that captures the mix of Thailand’s cultural roots and its future by following the story of a traditional musician.

feB 2 - traVels WitH HerB BaCOn6 P.M., TuESDAY, CENTRAL LIBRARY PROGRAM AREA

Herb Bacon has traveled to nearly all the countries depicted in The Geography of Bliss and many more. Bacon shares his travel experiences and photos of Iceland, Bhutan, and other travel destinations.

feB 4 - Quest fOr Bliss6 P.M., THuRSDAY, CENTRAL LIBRARY PROGRAM AREA

Find out how some Mesa County residents have discovered and pursued their own happiness. (See article on the right.)

feB 7 - MOVies arOund tHe WOrld1 P.M., SuNDAY, CENTRAL LIBRARY PROGRAM AREA

Watch a movie from or about the countries Author Eric Weiner visits. *Title available online.

feB 11 - MeditatiOn prOgraM6 P.M., THuRSDAY, CENTRAL LIBRARY PROGRAM AREA

Come experience meditation with two local experts. Beginners are welcome. (See article on the right.)

feB 16 - COMMunity disCussiOn6 P.M., TuESDAY, CENTRAL LIBRARY PROGRAM AREA

Join an open discussion of The Geography of Bliss.

feB 24- geOgrapHy panel disCussiOn6 P.M., WEDNESDAY, CENTRAL LIBRARY PROGRAM AREA

Bring your The Geography of Bliss questions to ask our panel, comprised of Mesa State College lecturer in English John Nizalowski, Mesa State College Associate Professor of Sociology Brenda Wilhelm, Ph.D., Psychologist Lyn Allen, Ph.D., and Vonnie Hicks from First Class Travel.

feB 25 - aValOn MOVie6 P.M., THuRSDAY, AvALON THEATRE, MAIN STREET

Need a good laugh? Watch Laughology, a documentary about the health benefits of laughter at Cinema at the Avalon.

feB 27 - Meet tHe autHOr1 P.M., SATuRDAY, CENTRAL LIBRARY PROGRAM AREA

Get your copy of The Geography of Bliss signed by Author Eric Weiner.

feB 27 - autHOr eVent7 P.M., SATuRDAY, AvALON THEATRE, MAIN STREET

Author Eric Weiner speaks live from the Avalon Theatre.

Happiness means different things to different people. In Mesa County a number of residents have pursued happiness in their own lives in a surprising way.

Several Mesa County residents will take part in the Quest for Bliss discussion panel. Find out how these residents discovered and pursued their own happiness starting at 6 p.m., February 4, in the Central Library Program Area.

Finding inner peaceMeditation:

• Rob Buckley founder of Healing Himalayas, a nonprofit massage school in Nepal that worksto bring healing touch therapies to theuntouchable caste (pictured above).

• Steve Cyphers, former ESPN reporter turned Holy Family Middle School teacher.

• Laurena Mayne Davis, The Daily Sentinel Managing Editor by day, guitarist in the band Riveter by night.

• Deb and Fid Braffet, a couple who journeyedby motor boat down the East Coast of theunited States and the Mississippi River.

sCHeduled tO appear at tHe Quest fOr Bliss:

Based out of Grand Junction, the Healing Arts School Himalayan Healers trains “Untouchables” in Nepal in the Healing Arts of massage, yoga, and meditation. These graduates are comprised of victims of human trafficking, domestic violence and war.

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In The Geography of Bliss Eric Weiner travels to an ashram in India seeking a shot at inner peace. there’s no need to travel halfway around the world like Weiner, for in Grand Junction you can get instruction on good mental health from Lynn Albers and Sister Caroline Conway.

Conway will then lead the first half of the program on tai Chi, a Chinese taoist art form. this program is designed to be fun and active. during the second half of the program, Albers will enlighten us about mantra yoga and pranayama, a breath awareness technique, followed by a centering and rejuvenating meditation session. Participation is encouraged for all those who attend. the meditation program starts at 6 p.m., February 11, at the Central Library Program Area.

Honorary ChairLibrary Director Eve Tallman

steering CommitteeAngie Allen, co-chairLois Becker, co-chairDonna BettencourtEsther Broughton

Betsy BrodakLynn Silipigni Connaway

TJ GerlachDavid Goe

Rachel HansonDi Herald

Laura MettauerJanine Rider

Barbara Roberts

special thanks to…Callie Ash

Ciavonne Roberts & AssociatesBetsey Dick

Dufford, Waldeck, Milburn & Krohn Friends of the Mesa County Libraries

Lynn Lickers

Contact one Book through the Mesa County Libraries. 970-683-2435 or www.mcpld.org.

support provided by Mesa County Libraries

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One book, One Mesa County is taking happiness advice from, gasp, the British? We’re adapting the ideas behind “Making Slough Happy,” a social experiment in the dreary east of London town of Slough, for Mesa County.

In Great Britain Eric Weiner came across the BBC led experiment. Six “happiness experts” set out to change the psychological climate of Slough. Fifty volunteers known as the “Happiness Brigade” helped spread happiness through the town which resulted in Slough residents boosting their happiness levels by 33%. Happiness tips included phoning a friend, cutting

tV viewing time in half, and counting your blessings each night. Weiner’s take on the whole thing? Great Britain’s happiness is still a work in progress. the real question is, does this stuff work?

today’s social scientists agree that it isn’t success at work, piles of money, power or fame that guarantee a happy life. It’s family and friends, community, and the simpler pleasures that make you happy.

Join One book in a social experiment of our own. Visit the One book website at www.mcpld.org and view happiness tips from the Slough experiment. Give it a try, you might just improve your life.

Experimenting with happiness

“Remember, happiness is good for you, so don’t be embarrassed about making it a priority. Authentic happiness derives from raising the bar for yourself, not rating yourself against others. A joyful life is an individual creation that cannot be copied from a recipe.” — Liz Hoggard author of How to Be Happy

Check it out: Book club in a bag

Mesa County Libraries are offering you the chance to start your own book club. Stop by your branch library and check out Book Club in a Bag.

Book Club in a Bag includes several copies of this year’s One Book, One Mesa County selection, The Geography of Bliss by Eric Weiner, plus discussion questions.

One Book, One Mesa County information is available online at www.mcpld.org.

Finding happiness with One Book

One book, One Mesa County has evolved into one of Mesa County’s premier events, gaining much momentum and interest with each year. Mesa County Libraries are proud to invite the community to participate: read the book, come to a book discussion and join us for One book programs.

2010 One book brings you a wonderful read, The Geography of Bliss by Eric Weiner. You get a sense of the journey you will take while reading this year’s selection just from the sub-title, One Grump’s Search for the Happiest Places in the World.

Weiner writes about his visits with colorful descriptions and an indelible sense of humor. While reading the 2010 book, you’ll recognize that it is not about taking anything too seriously. You’ll discover the book’s premise is founded on where to find the happiest of people. the question remains, “Where do you find your happiness?” You’ll discover how simple it is.

Come hear local area experts who have been invited to participate in the One book programs that lead up to Weiner’s visit. Programs are created and designed to suit the book’s theme and help to bring the book to life. One book fans attend great programs and then want more. One book discussions are offered at many of the library branch sites too.

the One book campaign culminates with the author talk at the Avalon theatre. Join us to see the author on Saturday, February 27, 2010 at 6:30 p.m. when doors open. It is a free public event!

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O K NE B O search for bliss at · PDF filerates of happiness, secular nations are on the whole...

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