Sunday Salon: Slough bliss and slow progress

I really need to get some reading in. Today I am determined to do just that. So I've collected a pile of things that need reading--my current book, some back magazines--and settled in in front of the computer with a kitchen timer.

I'm 21 minutes in. I've just finished the chapter on Great Britain in Eric Weiner's The Geography of Bliss. Weiner writes about British reticence and Jeremy Bentham and a television program called "Making Slough Happy," in which the producers determined to spread joy in an apparently wretched British village by instructing some 50 of its residents in happiness techniques. Weiner visits some of the 50 to see how they're holding up, post-program. It's interesting stuff.

Meanwhile, because of this book I've discovered another that I'd like to read: Kate Fox, Watching the English. And crusing around the web earlier I found a YA novel of interest: Jeanette Winterson, Tanglewreck. I'll likely get a copy of this as well. Point being, even if I were to read an entire book today, I'd be behind my starting point, TBR-shelf wise!

Tags: The Sunday Salon

Comments

[Laura]

The Geography of Bliss does indeed sound like an interesting book! Slough is where the British version of The Office takes place, and it has a reputation as a grotty industrial town with little to redeem itself. It's also quite close to Heathrow and I'm sure being under the flight path would bring anyone down!

I read Watching the English last year and enjoyed it for the most part. Although it got a bit repetitive towards the end, it also provided interesting insight to some aspects of English culture.

[Debra Hamel]

I'd heard that about The Office. The author must have mentioned it somewhere. Glad to hear the Fox book is interesting. I may not have looked carefully enough, but it looks like it's just coming out in the U.S. this year. Anyway, I shall eventually read it!

[Ann Darnton]

I saw the original programme but didn't know there was a follow-up. I must look that out, because the programme was interesting enough to have stayed in my mind and there is very little on the television that I can say that about.
I'll be interested to hear what you make of 'Tanglewreck'. I have to admit that I came away from it thinking she should stick to writing for adults.

[tanabata]

Isn't that always the way? You read one but end up wanting several more!

[Debra Hamel]

I don't think there is a follow-up for television. Just a chapter in this guy's book in which he went back and interviewed a few of the people who'd taken part.

A follow-up program would be a good idea, though: sort of like a Seven-Up for Slough.