CityView Magazine

Cit yV iewN C.co m | 43 "A Year of Living Danishly: Uncovering the Secrets of the World's Happiest Country" by Helen Russell When the author moved to Denmark with her husband, she was excited to learn that it had been designated as the happiest country in the world. In this book, she shares her year-long journey to find out all the things they get right about childcare, education, food, and interior design. How they deal with seasonal affective disorder, taxes, sexism and their unfortunate predilection in the past for burning witches is a different story. While there are some negatives about Denmark, the people have a level of comfort and trust that we should all experience. We might just benefit from living a little more Danishly ourselves. "The Geography of Bliss: One Grump's Search for the Happiest Places in the World" by Eric Weiner If only one happiest country in the world is not enough for you, here is a chance to follow a foreign correspondent in his search for the happiest places in the world and what we can learn from them. He uses the "science of happiness" as his guide in searching from Iceland to Bhutan. It is not a typical travel book, but a "travelogue of ideas." In his search, he is also looking for answers to the pressing questions of our time: "What are the essential ingredients for a good life? Why are some places happier than others? How are we shaped by our surrounding? Why can't airlines serve a decent meal?" "In a Sunburned Country" by Bill Bryson Bryson has written books about his travels around the globe, the English language, science and other non-fiction topics, with extraordinary humor and accuracy. In this one, he takes us to Australia, a place with friendly inhabitants, hot, dry weather and very lethal wildlife! Bryson introduces us to the cheerful, extroverted Australians and a land of clean, safe cities with cold beer and constant sunshine. "The Alchemist" by Paul Coelho "e Alchemist," a book about following your dreams, was on every list I researched for this article. e main character is Santiago, a young shepherd boy, who yearns to travel in search of worldly treasure. On his quest through Europe from Spain and then to Egypt, his journey leads him to far more precious treasures. He learns to listen to his heart, follow his dreams, and discovers lessons about love and the meaning of life. "If you can concentrate always on the present, you'll be a happy man… Life will be a party for you, a grand festival, because life is the moment we're living right now." I will leave you with that thought! Now, sit back and read any one of these books and you may just feel like you have traveled to a wonderful, new destination. Diane Parfitt is the owner of City Center Gallery & Books in downtown Fayetteville. my2020census.gov FayettevilleNC.gov

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