I’m not eager to advance the clock, but I do hope when I’m a very old woman, Radio Shangri-la will still pique the interest of people curious about the birth of the information age in Bhutan.
Since we’ve got time for that: Here’s a new story on the website Popmatters that rounds up books and films about Bhutan–some of the usual suspects, and some that aren’t. I’m honored to be included.
And of course you can find more in the bibliography of Radio Shangri-La, which I’ve got posted online. Lots of self-published tomes on the “land of happiness” have appeared since my book came out two years ago. A couple other books by established publishers, too. Before recently, there wasn’t a huge body of work about the Kingdom–and much of it was very, very old.
Released today by Sui Books. I’m told the literal translation of the title is “Happy Radio.”
My publisher says the Koreans are as eager to learn about happiness as anyone. Of course, this book is about finding happiness within yourself, with a dollop of adventure. It’s also, mostly, about how media impacts our happiness…
This marks the country in which RSL has been released in addition to the US: Brazil, the Netherlands, New Zealand, India, China and Germany.
Thanks for your support!
Here’s an edited version of the Live Talks LA-sponsored conversation at Track 16 in Santa Monica, where Eric Weiner interviews me (as opposed to a few weeks before when I interviewed him about his new book, Man Seeks God.)
Very excited to be speaking this Sunday at the Pacific Asia Museum in Pasadena. It’s a gorgeous place, if you haven’t been, a gem of a museum.
When, where: 2 p.m. April 29. 46 N. Los Robles Ave., Pasadena.
Admission, info: Free with museum admission. RSVP to (626) 449-2742, Ext. 20.
Kids at the READGlobal Library in Ura, Bhutan
Announcing: A great promotion from our friends at Books for Better Living.
Click to like their Facebook page and Random House will give a dollar to READGlobal. READ is the nonprofit for which I and a number of friends have been working to raise money; it’s a great organization that builds libraries in the Himalayas and most recently in Bhutan. Please spread the word!
The promotion begins! I am grateful.
The travel site World Hum is featuring the book (and an interview with me) on its cover, and Jim Benning’s thoughtful questions get at the heart of what Radio Shangri-La is and isn’t about.
I was honored to be part of a discussion earlier this week about Gross National Happiness and alternate indicators to GDP on my esteemed KCRW colleague Warren Olney’s show, To the Point.
And the travel site Longitude wrote a lovely review.
As previously mentioned, the book is now on sale at Target, as well as traditional booksellers, where it has been chosen as an “emerging author pick.”
I appreciate the support, too, of friends who are helping to spread the word. I’d love to get this book into the hands of as many people as possible–not because I’ll ever make another dime off it, but because I think the messages are important. (Including the story of the Bhutanese refugees, which is under-reported in the mainstream media.)
Bhutan presents many paradoxes and is a beautiful, complicated place that sums up so many of the challenges our world is grappling with right now. I’m honored to have experienced what I have.
When Himali Sworharu and Sahadev Poudel want to talk to you about Bhutan and Radio Shangri-La, you answer the call!
Here’s our interview: (and happy Holi to all who observe.)
Can you come out next Tuesday March 6th to Track 16 at Bergamot Station in Santa Monica to hear/see bestselling author and all-around swell guy Eric Weiner (Geography of Bliss, Man Seeks God,) talk to me about happiness, happy places, travel, random coincidences, the media, the meaning of life, and maybe a bit about Bhutan?
Send me an email to lisa@lisanapoli.com and I’d welcome your input. We’re preparing a reader’s guide for the paperback edition, which publishes in April. Thank you!
