I was introduced to The Great Good Place when I was working on my graduate thesis, but I only read a couple of chapters... back then I had stacks of books I was reading, so many were only given a quick scan. Six years later I am finally getting around to actually reading the whole thing. It is an interesting look at the roll of places (especially unique and authentic places) in social and community life.

The Great Good Place argues that "third places" - where people can gather, put aside the concerns of work and home, and hang out simply for the pleasures of good company and lively conversation - are the heart of a community's social vitality and the grassroots of democracy.