Brittney volunteered to pick the first book and lead the discussion. Thanks to everyone who put in their two cents. I like Brittney's idea of coming up with discussion questions and posting/emailing them to all members. We definitely need to have a deadline. I am thinking November 30 is a nice, clean date since it is the last day of the month.
So here's November's book:
Go to the library or bookstore and pick this one up and read with us!
The Geography of Bliss by Eric Weiner.
Two more items:
1. Brittney suggested a mass chat the night of the deadline for anybody that can make it. Does anybody know how to do that? Do have to get a chat room 90's style?
2. Any volunteers to pick December's book?
Happy Reading!
i know if we all have gmail we can all invite each other into chats...just an idea, i don't know if there is a limit, but anyway...
ReplyDeleteI was about to say the same thing about group chats via Gmail. Worth a try.
ReplyDeleteI have gmail but if any of you have Skype it is much easier to chat with and I know you can add more than one person to a chat (although I don't know if there is a limit either). So do we need to start an e-mail list so we can keep in touch and share discussion questions?
ReplyDeleteI think Brittney is going to post them here.
ReplyDeletem just wanted to email you with some questions/thoughts on the book that I will also post on the blog. Tomorrow night is the deadline to read!
ReplyDeleteSorry it took me so long.
So to start off, I really liked this book, but I totally understand if it wasn't your cup of tea. It wasn't as fast a read as I thought it would be, but I still really enjoyed it. I think one of the reasons is because I'm Icelandic. hah! (is that biased?), The whole Icelandic chapter I kept thinking I identify with this (except the drinking, of course.) I found myself thinking I would be happiest there. Maybe because you could reinvent yourself, find friends you know everywhere you go, and read a lot. Was there a place you thought you'd be happiest? Why?
The author's discovery that happiness was dependent on relationships seemed obvious to me. Some of my happiest times have come in the midst of my best relationships. Do you think that relationships affect you more than the local culture?
What contributes to your happiness? family and gratitude?
What detracts from your happiness? Money? That something/someone you stubbornly envy?
Don't feel like you need to answer any or all of the questions. Just let me know what you think/feel about the whole search of happiness.
And just in case you thought you could escape this discussion without any thought of religion...you thought wrong!
In my view, the whole concept of happiness is inextricibly intertwined with our view of ourselves, our purpose, and our God. Why is the plan of salvation also called the 'plan of happiness'? We were made to be happy and experience happiness! That does not mean that everything is perfect and easy. It does not mean that sadness, misery and depression should be shunned or hidden. My favorite quote about joy (which is a deeper, more spiritual emotion than happiness) expresses the importance of opposition perfectly, "A heart may not be big enough to know real joy until it has been stretched and pulled by trials and hard things. Our capcity to feel joy actually increases as we rightously endure our pain." In summation, I would say, life is not perfect, but life is good.
Happy Reading!
Brittney
P.S. I will be on my gchat tomorrow at 8pm for anybody who wants to discuss!