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

Oct. 20 — Blissful Thinking: From Disorders to Well-Being. Sergio Aguilar-Gaxiola, professor, Department of Internal Medicine, and director, Center for Reducing Health Disparities. Noon-1 p.m., 1204 Education Building, Sacramento campus.

Oct. 20 — Insider’s Guide to Happiness at UC Davis: A Student Panel Sharing Tips on How to Be Connected, Be Well and Be Successful. Presented by Health Education and Promotion. 8-9 p.m., Tercero Main Ballroom.

Oct. 22 — Humor and Bliss. Karma Waltonen, lecturer, University Writing Program. 4:10-5:30 p.m., Garrison Room, Memorial Union.

ART

Through Nov. 1 — Education Abroad Center Photo Essay Contest. More information: eac.ucdavis.edu/eac/photocontest09.cfm.

FILM

Oct. 22 — Bhutan: Gross National Happiness. Presented as part of a class, Introduction to Documentary Studies (Technocultural Studies 155). 9-10:20 a.m., 1150 Hart Hall.

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.