Susan Orlean’s “The Library Book” released in Oct of 2018 details the goings on of the Los Angeles Central Library and centers a great deal on the fire of 1986. She also expands on what a library was, is and may become in the not to distant future.
The Library Book
My Thoughts
The Library Book was a somewhat dry informative read with a lot of possibility. Perfect for the topic! There is a more than a hint of the flavor of Southern California in the pages and a lot of reminders of when I used to work for a software company who catered to libraries and librarians.
Recommendation
A good read if you have interest in the subject matter.
Blink is a book on the power of the unconscious mind and its impact on your everyday life. Published in 2005, Malcolm Gladwell teaches us that we can teach and even learn from that great machine in our heads.
Blink
My Thoughts
My thoughts is my normal convention but it seems a bit ironic here. As a psychology grad, I’ve learned a bit about priming and how we can be influenced by things we do not consciously perceive. That’s a bit of a terrifying thought when I stop to think about it.
We tend to think we are in control of most of our experiences. We aren’t. That’s hard on the pride. Still, there is a great deal we can influence and we are free to make choices. Our creator gave us that right. It stands to reason we should be as clear minded about what lay before us so we can make reasonable choices based on the information we are given.
All that said, it is a confounding principle to know that sometimes there is too much information. Too many choices are paralyzing and won’t let us move forward. It’s tempting to just flip a coin and call it a day… But that wouldn’t be very responsible would it?
Recommendation
It’s a bit of pop psychology that I think everyone would enjoy as long as they can keep things in perspective.
Published in 2017, “Fck Love: One Shrink’s Sensible Advice for Finding a Lasting Relationship” is an exploration of romantic relationships, written by psychiatrist Dr. Michael I. Bennett and his daughter, comedy writer Sarah Bennett. The book challenges the fairy-tale narratives and unrealistic expectations fostered by popular culture, advocating instead for a more pragmatic approach to love. With sharp wit and candid insights, the Bennetts argue that finding a partner isn’t about soulmates, grand romantic gestures, or waiting for love to conquer all. Instead, they emphasize the importance of looking for realistic, compatible qualities in a partner, such as emotional maturity, responsibility, and genuine respect—qualities that lay the groundwork for a healthy, lasting relationship. “Fck Love” is less an indictment of love itself and more a call to arms for rational thinking and self-respect when navigating the often tumultuous waters of romance. This book details how to thoughtfully find a partner for life and not fall into the all too common traps of bad marriages.
F Love
My Thoughts
Mark Mason did such a good job on his book The Subtle Art of Not Giving a F*ck that I had to read something else of his. So I checked this book out. Of course, this is not the work of Mark Mason…
It was a great book though and rather timely. My daughter started dating this dude and I was filled with the normal angst of father (who’s only daughter is dating for the first time). I enjoyed the back and forth banter of the Bennett’s and their method of getting a point across. This book was full of good advice. (Nearly, all of which I didn’t take in my first marriage, but hope I’ve learned my lesson.)
Recommendation
A great book for those who are dating or considering dating. A must have book for those who are considering marriage. However, I would suggest you buy the actual book. The lists and multiple choice sections where hard in the audio format.
Former first lady Michelle Obama’s book about herself from birth through the White House. She details her childhood growing up in the South Side of Chicago, her time in college (Princeton and later Harvard) her work at a law firm (where she met her husband), their dating and early marriage, being a working mom, and then becoming the first lady.
Becoming
My Thoughts
I enjoy a look into people’s lives. Particularly if those people are not much like me. Mrs. Obama is not much like me. We both grew up poor but I didn’t go to Princeton or Harvard. I don’t feel my race has that much to do with who I am but I guess that’s the point…
Whatever the political feelings toward this book, Michelle Obama is a competent capable person who accomplished a lot in her life. As impressed as I am with her accomplishments, I’m most impressed with her mother and her ability to be the rock of the family and still stay out of the way of the limelight.
Recommendation
This book was very long and it felt like I had to plod through it. It was good to hear a few things I hadn’t before and was reminded of events I had all but forgotten. I’m mixed on the recommendation.
Written in 2016, “The Subtle Art of Not Giving a F*ck” is a self-help book by author Mark Manson that encourages readers to embrace the inevitable struggles and challenges of life, and to focus on what truly matters to them. The book promotes the idea that we should be selective in what we care about, and that by letting go of the things that don’t truly matter, we can find more meaning and fulfillment in our lives. Manson also emphasizes the importance of taking responsibility for our own lives and choices, and accepting that pain and adversity are an inevitable part of the human experience. The book uses humor, personal anecdotes, and profanity to convey its message, and has become a popular and controversial bestseller.
The Subtle Art of Not Giving a F*ck
My Thoughts
I really liked this book. I enjoyed his humor and the overall message. I told people at; work, church, and my poor family about it again and again.
Rising Strong was published in 2015. To quote Dr. Brown’s website:
The physics of vulnerability is simple: If we are brave enough, often enough, we will fall. Rising Strong is a book about what it takes to get back up and how owning our stories of struggle gives us the power to write a daring new ending. Struggle can be our greatest call to courage and and the clearest path to a wholehearted life.
I thought I would like this book a lot more than I did. The biggest reason was I had just read “Dare to Lead” and had already heard a number of her thoughts and anecdotes. They were just all a little too fresh so all I really heard was how irritating I find her. I can’t quite put my finger on why. She has really good messages and don’t have a lot against what she is saying. Maybe it’s just how she says it…
There is a certain amount of “truthiness” to a lot of what she is saying. That part I enjoy.
Whenever she talks about “the data” and how she researches and so on doesn’t feel right. Normally when a researcher talks about “the data” they are explicit in what data. Where did it come from? How was it gathered? How many participants were there and so on. My automatic BS flag gets thrown every time someone starts talking and doesn’t have much to back it up. That flag was thrown quite a few times in this book.
Recommendation
Still a good book. However, don’t read them one after the other. The reuse of the same stories seems to cheapen the message.
Published in Oct of 2018, Dare to Lead is Brene Brown’s latest book. This one is centered toward leaders, whether they be in the boardroom or on the battlefield.
Dare to Lead
My Thoughts
This book really spoke to me. I still have a hard time listening to Mrs. Brown with her remarks of “listening to the data” and so on… Having been through a bit of education, I know that people lie with data (plural) all the time. Still, she makes a lot of salient points and has a really good message.
What I took from the reading was that I don’t have to be a prick at work. I can listen, be vulnerable, be open, and sometimes even be completely wrong as a leader. In simpler terms, I can be human. What matters most is that I don’t get too blinded by others or their titles. I should pay attention to everyone and their needs. I should be responsible with my charges and act with honesty and integrity. All the stuff we all knew but seem to keep forgetting.
Recommendation
A good read. It may even be a good reference when I lose perspective in the future.
This is the autobiography of AJ Mendez Brooks who gained fame as a professional wrestler. She grew up poor and fighting both her own mental illness and that of her family.
Crazy is my Superpower
My Thoughts
It was an interesting read. I heard of the book on one of the podcasts I listen to and she handled herself very well. All that said, I hadn’t ever heard of her before and know practically nothing about professional wrestling these days. I watched when I was a kid with my dad back in the 80s so I had some experience. However, that was a long long time ago.
Recommendation
It was a good read for inspiration. I would recommend it.
Educated is a memoir by Tara Westover, published in 2018. The book tells the story of Westover’s childhood and young adulthood, growing up in a survivalist family in the mountains of Idaho. Westover was not allowed to attend school, and her parents did not believe in doctors or hospitals. She was educated at home by her father, who was a self-taught scholar.
When Westover was 17, she decided to leave home and attend college. She had no formal education, but she was determined to learn. She went on to earn a degree from Brigham Young University and a PhD from Cambridge University.
Educated
My Thoughts
As a practicing “Mormon” or, more appropriately, a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, This was not a fun book to read. My ex-wife was from Idaho and I didn’t meet anyone who would fit the description of the Westover family. However, I have run into quite a bit of fundamentalists and it is always interesting to hear their theories on the world and their place in it.
The book is an important read. We all need to “leave home” and do a little bit of examination of our foundations. My daughter is leaving soon for college and I sincerely hope she takes the time to learn about other people and other ways of living. I believe she is a good person and while I doubt I will agree with all of her decisions, she is going to do fine.
Recommendation
This book wasn’t comfortable but I’m glad I read it.
