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Read the The Geography of Bliss by Eric Weiner
By Jennifer 8. Lee | January 24, 2008
This is a plug, but a relevant one. Yesterday I went to a reading/presentation by Eric Weiner, the NPR resporter and author of Geography of Bliss, at the Rubin Museum in New York City. The Geography of Bliss is one of my favorite books of the last year. I was lucky to read an advanced copy. It is a new take on the surfeit of happiness books that have been flooding the market. He does a good job of weaving what is known about happiness via research, real life demonstration of said knowledge, funny travelogue and self-reflection.
Bliss is two books before me on the Twelve’s list (I am the March book, and he is the January book) and it is the book I identify most with because we write about semi-serious topics in a researched yet entertaining way. I’m actually doing two readings with Eric in March, one at KGB lounge and one at the Barnes and Noble on West 82nd Street (where I once worked as a cashier).
I got a galley back in September, read it in one sitting 24 hrs, and have been singing its praises at all the booksellers luncheon I had to go to. (Remember two things drive book sales. National media, word of mouth. I’m doing my part of word of mouth) I also gave away two copies to close friends.
So this past Sunday Geography of Bliss has debuted at #8 on the NYT nonfiction list this week, (which closes about 10 days prior). Eric said hitting the list meant a lot, because he was not a talk show host and it is “not a book about a dog.”
Topics: Book Musings, Chinese Food, Twelve | No Comments »
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