Comments (25)

The Geography of Bliss

One Grump's Search for the Happiest Places in the World
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shawksie
Aug 24, 2021shawksie rated this title 4 out of 5 stars
Quite fascinating insights to a number of places & peoples; learned a lot about many of the the different cultures Weiner experienced, had a few giggles along the way & was intrigued at his choices of location. An easy summer read I'm…
Feb 21, 2019CathyHodge rated this title 5 out of 5 stars
This book is well written by a traveling journalist. His insightful search for happiness is filled with delightful, personal stories. I want to start a journey to all the places in this book.
Feb 02, 2019SFBookAddict rated this title 3 out of 5 stars
Usually one travels the world to visit museums and see the sites. Journalist Eric Weiner has a different mission: he searches happiness in the world by visiting a myriad of places and cultures, rich and poor, and chats with the locals to…
May 25, 2018SaccharineLove rated this title 5 out of 5 stars
One of the best travel books I have ever read! It is full of surprising self-discovery and heartwarming tales that prompt me to book flight tickets to the places he have mentioned. I highly recommend this book!
Mar 21, 2018SPPL_János rated this title 4 out of 5 stars
Having traveled the globe for NPR reporting mostly scenes of misery, self-described grump Weiner embarks on an intriguing journey to find the world's happiest places. Informed by the emerging field of happiness studies, he learns that…
Nov 14, 2017danielestes rated this title 4 out of 5 stars
Well-written and chic. Like a smartly-dressed citizen of the world. I'm both envious and annoyed by Eric Weiner's search for the happiest places in the world. Annoyed because it's an obvious flaunt of luxury and resources, and envious for…
Oct 24, 2017staineai rated this title 5 out of 5 stars
Hands down one of the best travel books I've read. It made me want to jet off to Iceland or Bhutan but it also made me think about the things in my life that make me happy. Absolutely wonderful, fun, and heartwarming!
Apr 06, 2017BraveNOTPerfect rated this title 4 out of 5 stars
What a pleasant surprise! This book is charming, witty, amusing and informative at the same time. It is one person's search for ultimate happiness. His journey takes him to ten countries in persuit of who, where and why are people in their…
Dec 31, 2016JCLCourtneyS rated this title 3.5 out of 5 stars
I found myself considering happiness, what it means, and how people attain it in a new light each time I picked up this book. Each country profiled was fascinating and added something to the discussion. This book was an engaging but slow…
Nov 07, 2016mygirl1 rated this title 2.5 out of 5 stars
Not a bad book, but not a pager turner!
Apr 25, 2016sc7982 rated this title 4.5 out of 5 stars
This is one of those book that you will look forward to reading and thoroughly enjoy the story with the added humor.
Sep 02, 2014
A patron review from the Adult Summer Reading Game: "Interesting travel book examining happiness. A bit of a slow read and no ultimate 'solution,' but all in all enjoyable."
Bierlingen
Oct 14, 2013
An excellent read, especially for those who enjoy travel or like to know about other countries and cultures. Eric Weiner has an objective look at how others live and what brings happiness in life. Quite often it is quite removed from where…
Jan 10, 2013EricaReynolds rated this title 4 out of 5 stars
Very fun to read and a great arm-chair traveling whirlwind of places and what makes them unique and in some cases, blissful. Recommended.
Cswese
Nov 16, 2011Cswese rated this title 5 out of 5 stars
This is an amazing book! Changed my way of thinking about life. He was easy to follow, the writing was witty, and I didn't have any problems with becoming uninterested. Truely an amazing writer and traveler, with interesting, comical and…
Jul 25, 2011
I highly recommend this. Not only has it made me think about the value of boredom and paying attention to whatever I'm doing as a formula for being happier with my life, it has also made me seriously consider visiting Bhutan- of all…
Apr 17, 2011christopherdean rated this title 4 out of 5 stars
Great read and a really interesting topic. I found the book quite engaging and looked forward to each chapter as it revealed a different or unique perspective on the elusive topic of happiness.
Oct 05, 2010KCLibraryGuy rated this title 4 out of 5 stars
This book tells of the author's travels to find happiness.
Sep 03, 2010chansen rated this title 2.5 out of 5 stars
The cover is pretty. I like the paper airplane.
Sep 01, 2010
It was terrific
Aug 18, 2010
“Normally, I do not associate the words “happiness” and “database,” but this is different”. Thus Eric Weiner begins his journey with a visit to The World Database of Happiness in the Netherlands. Upon being told that he may not like what…
Jul 28, 2010BlairsBear rated this title 4.5 out of 5 stars
A really charming mix of travel writing and positive psychology. Eric Weiner has a great dry sense of humor and I couldn't wait to see what he thought of each new country, and each new philosophy. Everyone should at least like this book.
May 13, 2010allanmiller rated this title 4 out of 5 stars
Fascinating book and, surprisingly and refreshingly, not politically correct! Pure science as she is written. An enjoyable sociological study.
Oct 02, 2009neko rated this title 3 out of 5 stars
September 2009 Non-Fiction book club selection
Sep 03, 2009protectionspells rated this title 4 out of 5 stars
Listening to this fellow is even better than reading his journey to the most happy placed (Bhutan's Gross National Happiness goal) and the most gloomy (Moldova). Some parts of this book definitely stick with you. Great read!!