This year’s book is The Geography of Bliss: One Grump’s Search for the Happiest Places in the World, by Eric Weiner. All events are open to the public, and all are free except the author’s address at 8 p.m. Dec. 1. The book project is sponsored by the Office of Campus Community Relations.

PROGRAMS

Nov. 9 — “The Social Nature of Personal Well-Being.” Rand Conger, Distinguished Professor, departments of Human and Community Development, and Psychology. 12:10-1:30 p.m., Heitman Staff Learning Center (formerly the Hog Barn).

Nov. 12 — “If You Can’t Find Happiness Right Where You Are, Where Else Do You Expect To Find It? The Geography of Bliss and the Ascending Relocalization Movement.” Robert Thayer, professor emeritus, Landscape Architecture Program. 12:10-1:30 p.m., Garrison Room, Memorial Union.

Nov. 17 — “Where’s Your Bliss: A Forum on Defining Happiness Based on the International Education Experience.” Presented by the Education Abroad Center. Noon-1 p.m., Education Abroad Center, 207 Third St. (near A Street), Davis.

Nov. 18 — “The American Dream: The Immigrant Experience in Search of Bliss.” Natacha Foo Kune, psychologist, Counseling and Psychological Services. 12:10-1 p.m., East Conference Room, MU.

Nov. 19 — “Food and Happiness.” Charlotte Biltekoff, assistant professor, Food Science and Technology, and American Studies; and Carolyn de la Peña, associate professor, American Studies, and director, Davis Humanities Institute. 1:30-3 p.m., 126 Voorhies Hall.

EXHIBITS

Through Dec. 4 — Designing Places for Happiness: An Exhibit of Student and Faculty Work from the Landscape Architecture Program. Art Lounge, MU.

Fall quarter — On The Geography of Bliss, a bibliography of suggested readings. Lobby, Shields Library.

BOOK DISCUSSION

Nov. 15 — Unitarian Universalist Church of Davis, 27074 Patwin Road. 1-3 p.m. For more information, contact Kirk Ridgeway, klridge@comcast.net.

AUTHOR’S VISIT

Dec. 1 — “Why Are Republicans So Happy? (and Other Tales from the Science of Happiness).” Forum@MC panel discussion with Eric Weiner, author, The Geography of Bliss; psychology professor Robert Emmons (whose books include The Psychology of Gratitude and the forthcoming THANKS!: How the New Science of Gratitude Can Make You Happier); and other faculty. 4-5 p.m., Jackson Hall, Mondavi Center for the Performing Arts.

Dec. 1 — Author’s talk: The Geography of Bliss. 8-9:30 p.m., Jackson Hall, Mondavi Center. Followed by book signing. Tickets: (530) 754-2787 or (866) 754-2787, or mondaviarts.org.

The bookstore is selling the book at the discounted price of $9.95.

More information, including the complete schedule.