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Author and Alum Leslie Landis Explores the Art of Overeating

Leslie Landis finds humor in the battle between two American extremes: a national obsession with both calorie counting and self-indulgence. On Thursday, Nov. 5, the Pepperdine Libraries and Graduate School for Education and Psychology (GSEP) will host an interview and book signing with Landis as she talks about her new book, The Art of Overeating: A Bellyful of Laughs About Our Food Phobic Culture. The event begins at 4 p.m., in Payson Library on the Malibu campus.

Before diets became "lifestyle" choices and weight loss programs became a national obsession, eating was just one activity that we all had to do that could even be fun. The Art of Overeating was written as a response to our food phobic culture. Through its pages, Landis suggests that taking a humorous look at our collective eating foibles can also become a part of the solution. After all, you can’t cram yourself with chocolate when you’re laughing.

"I wanted to stick my tongue out at our calorie-obsessed culture," says Landis. "I believe finding the funny bone in our phobias is a healthier approach than freaking out about food."

Fascinating food facts and quotes pepper the pages, while witty text and imaginative illustrations encourage us to dig in. The author’s wry style makes it clear she’s not endorsing gluttony, but rather reminding us to have a little fun with our fries.

"Landis shares a love for food and laughter that can become overshadowed in today’s society of diet fads," says Mark Roosa, dean of Pepperdine Libraries. "We are thrilled to celebrate Landis’ approach toward food through supporting the launch of her new book."

Landis, who has a master's degree from the Pepperdine Graduate School of Education and Psychology, has been a practicing clinical psychologist since 1999. In that capacity she has helped individuals who eat, spend, avoid, deny, and defy, and has gained many insights about overeating through their experiences.

Books will be available for sale before the signing, compliments of Diesel Bookstore. For more information, call Pepperdine Libraries at (310) 506-6785 or visit library.pepperdine.edu.