i’ve always believed that happiness is just around the corner. the trick is finding the right corner

the second best book i have read this year [born to run is still holding strong in first] has been eric weiner’s the geography of bliss. i was lucky enough to receive a free copy of the ebook through shannon’s giveaway, and it was the perfect companion during the initial week of my recent travels.

in the geography of bliss, weiner, a former npr correspondent, travels to a number of countries around the world to study the happiness – or lack thereof – of their citizens and to determine what actually makes people and countries happy. with his dry wit and curiosity about the world, it was easy to get swept up in his story and to enjoy the journey along with him.

for his book weiner travelled to the happiest country in the world, bhutan, as well as the least happy, moldova, and to a number of others along the way, including wealthy qatar, dark iceland during the middle of winter, and chaotic india to visit an ashram. along the way he met with locals and expats alike to find out why they were so happy living in their country and what it is about those countries that makes people happy.

reading the geography of bliss was like taking a quick trip around the world without leaving my chair, and i learned so much about countries and places i have yet to see in person. it was interesting to learn how icelanders cope with the months of day-long darkness and to find out why residents of asheville, nc, love their small mountain town so much.

this is one of those books you can read over and over and learn something new each time. i enjoyed weiner’s descriptions of the places he visited and the people he met, and it gave me a lot to think about, both while i was travelling and as i prepare for my move back to the states. this is a great one to pick up whether you’re planning a trip or not.

humans, even nomadic ones, need a sense of home. home need not be one place or any place at all, but every home has two essential elements: a sense of community and, even more important, a history

my goodreads rating: 5 out of 5 // average rating is 3.82

crossing off the popsugar reading list: a book based on a true story

currently reading: haruki murakami’s what i talk about when i talk about running; mindy kaling’s why not me?

thank you, shannon, for sharing this fabulous read with me!

xx