"As a university researcher, Isadora keeps to herself as much as possible. She avoids the students she's supposed to befriend and mentor. She stays away from her neighbors and lives her own quiet, organized life in her own quiet, organized apartment ... But on her thirtieth birthday, Isadora does something completely out of character. The young woman who never does anything "on a whim" makes an impulse purchase of a magazine featuring a silly article detailing "Thirty-One Ways to Be Happy"--which includes everything from smiling at strangers to exercising for endorphins to giving in to your chocolate cravings. Isadora decides to create her own secret research project--proving the writer of the ridiculous piece wrong. As Isadora gets deeper into her research--and meets a handsome professor along the way--she's stunned to discover that maybe, just maybe, she's proving herself wrong."--Back cover.