The Geography of Bliss

In The Geography of Bliss, Eric Weiner, takes you on his journey around the world to research the happiest and least happiest places in the world. His goal was to study what makes people happy and why and to find out what the secrets to happiness are. Each chapter takes you to a new place -- from Iceland to Moldova to India -- and provides insight into the respective culture and daily lives of the people who Weiner visits. He often chooses to stay with locals, instead of a hotel, to get the true experience of the country.

Part travel memoir, part whatisthemeaningoflife philosophy, I've read through this book twice in the past few years and thoroughly enjoyed it each time. Weiner's conversational and honest writing style make the book inviting and easy to fall in to. There are little facts about the various cultures Weiner learns about and the places he travels to sprinkled throughout the book, which make it a good read to squirrel away facts for your future Jeopardy appearance.

You may like to check this book out...

If you like reading non-fiction that reads like fiction.

If you are drawn to self-help books, but find them kind of mushy and unrealistic.

If you have travelled, will travel, or find travelling inspiring.

FO: Astrolabe Vest

Remember this? That crumpled garter fabric turned into this:

 The Astrolabe Vest by Cecily Glowick Macdonald from the Summer 2011 issue of Knitscene. 

I made it out of lovely Madelinetosh yarn in a colour-way called, "Cove". I'm looking forward to wearing this vest through the Spring and for years to come. It's also a nice knit to throw on at home during one of those too hot for a sweater, too cold for not days. This is my second article of clothing that I have knit (first here) and I am hooked! One day, I would love to tackle a full sweater. For now, I have a few accessory knits in the works and in my never-ending queue.

Something Pretty

How pretty is this yarn? It's an exclusive and limited edition colourway from Three Irish Girls called Skyline Parkway and it is sa-woon worthy! One of my friends secretly ordered it while this colourway was available and saved it for my birthday surprise and I was oh so delighted to receive it. The colours are even more beautiful in person. Now, I just have to find the perfect pattern to match this perfect yarn. It's a sock weight with a little over 400 yards and I'm thinking a shawl or flowy scarf that will show off the lovely variation in colours. Do you have any suggestions?