Dear fellow book lovers,
Following my blog post on New Books, i am presenting to you below the books I read so far
and a small glimpse of what I am reading at the moment.
and a small glimpse of what I am reading at the moment.
 |
| Books I read and Iam currently reading. Don't be fooled by the small pile, there are quite a lot of books on Kindle. |
"7 Habits of highly effective people: Powerful Lessons in Personal Change" by Stephen R Covey
It is the
first book I read on my kindle back in January and I started reading it because
I thought
a friend of mine read it and liked it. Eventually it turned out she was talking about another
psychology book, because I am pretty bad at remembering new names. Nonetheless I
persevered and fought until the end of this book.
a friend of mine read it and liked it. Eventually it turned out she was talking about another
psychology book, because I am pretty bad at remembering new names. Nonetheless I
persevered and fought until the end of this book.
To give
you a bit of a background, Stephen R Covey was a celebrated psychologist and
trainer - he worked with IBM and other big corporations to help them build and deliver trainings
about corporate culture and efficiency.
trainer - he worked with IBM and other big corporations to help them build and deliver trainings
about corporate culture and efficiency.
This book
tries to detach itself from all the other superficial self-help books out
there, by going
back to the philosophies and writings of the forefathers, when other values were considered
virtuous, revered and taught to the younger generation. I must admit that I found the act of
going back into the history of sociology and psychology and exposing the facts that were
uncovered a forte for both the author and the book. Especially since he exposes his findings
and bases his "7 habits" on them.
back to the philosophies and writings of the forefathers, when other values were considered
virtuous, revered and taught to the younger generation. I must admit that I found the act of
going back into the history of sociology and psychology and exposing the facts that were
uncovered a forte for both the author and the book. Especially since he exposes his findings
and bases his "7 habits" on them.
Personally
the message delivered in this book only confirmed some of the thoughts and
conclusions I came to myself, but it didn't teach me anything new. I think that for younger readers
of for people who need a guidance in bringing more efficiency into their personal and work
life, this book will be quite good, as it even has daily planners. I must warn you, that the language
although accessible for a socio-psychology book, it is still very
conclusions I came to myself, but it didn't teach me anything new. I think that for younger readers
of for people who need a guidance in bringing more efficiency into their personal and work
life, this book will be quite good, as it even has daily planners. I must warn you, that the language
although accessible for a socio-psychology book, it is still very
thick and complex. The
best way to find out if it is for you is to peruse it yourselves.
"The Martian" by Andy Weir
I read
this book also on kindle at the beginning of February and I loved it. I believe
that by now
every single book lover out there with a love for science and space books would have read it as
well, especially with the movie being nominated for multiple Oscars.
every single book lover out there with a love for science and space books would have read it as
well, especially with the movie being nominated for multiple Oscars.
I liked
that the events were scientifically accurate, nothing was presumed or assumed,
everything
was researched. It also provided a context and history for the story - it was not the first team to
go to Mars.
was researched. It also provided a context and history for the story - it was not the first team to
go to Mars.
The main character, Mark Watney, was also very well researched. Andy
Weir chose as his main
character a smart guy - obviously since he was an astronaut, with a sense of humor, resilient and
inventive. The idea to grow potatoes on Mars was brilliant and funny at the same time. His
portrayal of NASA and the various teams working there was also genuine. I must admit that I
loved the fact that they got Sean Bean as Mitch Henderson in the movie - his presence at the
"Council of Elrond" meeting was priceless.
character a smart guy - obviously since he was an astronaut, with a sense of humor, resilient and
inventive. The idea to grow potatoes on Mars was brilliant and funny at the same time. His
portrayal of NASA and the various teams working there was also genuine. I must admit that I
loved the fact that they got Sean Bean as Mitch Henderson in the movie - his presence at the
"Council of Elrond" meeting was priceless.
Story
wise the book keeps you hooked until the end and the reader at times ends up as
involved
into the storyv as the rest of the world in the book was as they were rooting for Mark's rescue.
The style is honest and funny - Mark realizes that he is an interstellar pirate. The science is
explained in the way a teacher explains to his students.
into the storyv as the rest of the world in the book was as they were rooting for Mark's rescue.
The style is honest and funny - Mark realizes that he is an interstellar pirate. The science is
explained in the way a teacher explains to his students.
If you
haven't read this book yet, I encourage you to read it and let me know what you
thought
of it.
of it.
"Life and Other Near-Death Experiences" by Camille Pagán
This
must be one of the first books I purchased from my
kindle, I got it because it liked the
title - it evoked a certain intelligence and humor of the author. I finished the book rather fast,
in mid February and I liked it.
title - it evoked a certain intelligence and humor of the author. I finished the book rather fast,
in mid February and I liked it.
The story
is told only from the perspective of the main character, Libby (Elizabeth)
Miller,
a 30-something year old woman who finds out that she has cancer and later on that same
time her high school sweetheart turned husband confesses that he is gay. Completely upset
and feeling lost, she decides to divorce him, sell their apartment and go on a one last
a 30-something year old woman who finds out that she has cancer and later on that same
time her high school sweetheart turned husband confesses that he is gay. Completely upset
and feeling lost, she decides to divorce him, sell their apartment and go on a one last
trip to the Caribbean before she would die, as she decides not to
undergo treatment
and suffer like her mother did when she and her twin brother were younger.
and suffer like her mother did when she and her twin brother were younger.
What
happens and how the whole trip turn out, as well as how to deal with such a
devastating news - like having cancer, will show that life should be lived as it comes and
one must not strive for the perfect life because that will only make one more miserable
in the end.
devastating news - like having cancer, will show that life should be lived as it comes and
one must not strive for the perfect life because that will only make one more miserable
in the end.
The
storyline is full of unexpected events with a funny twist, that seem to have
the initial
tendency to work against the main character, however their role is not to fight her, but to
fight her stubbornness (which at times gets quite annoying) to give up on her life, because
it was not as perfect as she envisioned.
tendency to work against the main character, however their role is not to fight her, but to
fight her stubbornness (which at times gets quite annoying) to give up on her life, because
it was not as perfect as she envisioned.
The book
is easy to read and is not presumptuous. It is a nice read for a vacation.
"1Q84"
by Haruki Murakami
I read
this 1318 pages book from the end of December until mid March. I had it in
paperback, one volume encompassing all 3 books. Haruki Murakami must be together
with Neil Gaiman, one of those authors whose books I love to read.
paperback, one volume encompassing all 3 books. Haruki Murakami must be together
with Neil Gaiman, one of those authors whose books I love to read.
I have
been acquainted with his writing more than 10 years ago by my beloved and
esteemed
literature teacher and ever since I have been reading every book written by him I could get
my hands on. The world he describes in his books although they might appear similar to our
day to day world, are fantastic, the kind of fantastic that seeps slightly and smoothly distorting
the real life just enough to change the life of its characters.
literature teacher and ever since I have been reading every book written by him I could get
my hands on. The world he describes in his books although they might appear similar to our
day to day world, are fantastic, the kind of fantastic that seeps slightly and smoothly distorting
the real life just enough to change the life of its characters.
1Q84 is
the alternate 1984 where Aomame and Tengo end up via separate ways. The story
gradually and slowly builds around a fantastic world where two Mons govern the sky and
Little People seem to know the rules better than the humans living in it. Aomame is a skilled
trainer, working as a paid professional killer on the side.
gradually and slowly builds around a fantastic world where two Mons govern the sky and
Little People seem to know the rules better than the humans living in it. Aomame is a skilled
trainer, working as a paid professional killer on the side.
Tengo is a Math's teacher, writing books on the side as a passion. The
world changes as Tengo
agrees to ghost write a novella written initially by a young girl, Eriko Fukada under the alias
Fuka Eri. The novella, "Air Chrysalis" becomes an instant hit and bestseller, but this brings on a
world of trouble on the two main characters. I do not want to spoil more of the story, but
Aomame and Tengo are connected and the reason why will be slowly unwrapped in the book.
agrees to ghost write a novella written initially by a young girl, Eriko Fukada under the alias
Fuka Eri. The novella, "Air Chrysalis" becomes an instant hit and bestseller, but this brings on a
world of trouble on the two main characters. I do not want to spoil more of the story, but
Aomame and Tengo are connected and the reason why will be slowly unwrapped in the book.
The book
is written mostly from Amomame's and Tengo's perspective, in alternating
chapters
written from their perspectives. But the reader will soon discover commonalities between
the two characters without the narrative explicitly pointing them out.
written from their perspectives. But the reader will soon discover commonalities between
the two characters without the narrative explicitly pointing them out.
Like all
Haruki Murakami's books this one also has music. From jazz to classical, the
music
fills the background of the story, giving it light and color. You will also find an entire array of
symbols, authors, ideas and myths from various parts of the world, all which play an important
part of the story, although they might not seem like that.
fills the background of the story, giving it light and color. You will also find an entire array of
symbols, authors, ideas and myths from various parts of the world, all which play an important
part of the story, although they might not seem like that.
"The Miniaturist" by Jessie Burton
I admit,
I caved to all the rave and fame this book has generated everywhere, when I got
this
book in paperback at a bookstore earlier this year. I thought this will be an interesting book, the
title certainly suggested that, as well as the presentation of the book. However, it isn't. I know
an entire cohort of fans will jump at my throat for what I will write below, but it is my honest opinion.
book in paperback at a bookstore earlier this year. I thought this will be an interesting book, the
title certainly suggested that, as well as the presentation of the book. However, it isn't. I know
an entire cohort of fans will jump at my throat for what I will write below, but it is my honest opinion.
The book
apparently is inspired by the actual miniature cabinet owned by Petronella
Oortman
Brandt, which Jessie Burton saw at a museum in The Netherlands. However the story has nothing
to do with it, which I have no problem with. What I didn't like about this book is that she crammed
to may topics that were a problem in the 17th century Netherlands and it ends up presenting
the social issues, rather than bringing a literary value. I do acknowledge that sexual orientations,
what we now understand as female rights in particular and human rights in general, and racism
were real problems at that time and that the way in which the humanity dealt with them at that
time was outrageously inappropriately aggressive. Nonetheless I feel like the story in this book
lacks the realism it so strongly tries to show. I feel that the time an energy that were invested into
Brandt, which Jessie Burton saw at a museum in The Netherlands. However the story has nothing
to do with it, which I have no problem with. What I didn't like about this book is that she crammed
to may topics that were a problem in the 17th century Netherlands and it ends up presenting
the social issues, rather than bringing a literary value. I do acknowledge that sexual orientations,
what we now understand as female rights in particular and human rights in general, and racism
were real problems at that time and that the way in which the humanity dealt with them at that
time was outrageously inappropriately aggressive. Nonetheless I feel like the story in this book
lacks the realism it so strongly tries to show. I feel that the time an energy that were invested into
polishing the surface of the narrative, rather than the
backbones of the story, are not enough to
save it or to give it literary value.
save it or to give it literary value.
To say
some words about the story Nella Oortman marries at 18 the much older and
richer
merchant Johannes Brandt and some months later she comes to live with him in his house in
Amsterdam, where she meets his sister, Marin, their maid, Cornelia and their black manservant,
Otto. As a marriage gift, Johannes gives Nella a miniature cabinet version of their new house and
Nella finds the add of a miniaturist, which she engages to deliver her various tiny objects to fill her
cabinet with. I do not want to spoil anything, but I didn’t feel any mystery concerning the miniaturist,
it wa smore like an absent character - which makes naming the book after it an interesting attempt
at style and creativity from the author's side. Too bad this was poorly explored within the book.
merchant Johannes Brandt and some months later she comes to live with him in his house in
Amsterdam, where she meets his sister, Marin, their maid, Cornelia and their black manservant,
Otto. As a marriage gift, Johannes gives Nella a miniature cabinet version of their new house and
Nella finds the add of a miniaturist, which she engages to deliver her various tiny objects to fill her
cabinet with. I do not want to spoil anything, but I didn’t feel any mystery concerning the miniaturist,
it wa smore like an absent character - which makes naming the book after it an interesting attempt
at style and creativity from the author's side. Too bad this was poorly explored within the book.
But there
is a good part to this book, Marin Brandt. She is a well built character and
what the
book misses to express, seems to be concentrated in her creation.
book misses to express, seems to be concentrated in her creation.
"The Gun Seller" by Hugh Laurie
I flew
through this book on my Kindle. I love me some British books. If they have a
way of
hooking you to it with some added mystery bonus, even better.
hooking you to it with some added mystery bonus, even better.
Hugh
Laurie is known to the world among other
things, first as Dr. House in the eponymous
American TV series, secondly as Stephen Fry's partner in the British comedy program "A Bit of Fry
and Laurie", thirdly as the blues composer, collector and singer/ performer and lastly, most recently,
as the bad guy Richard Onslow Roper from the TV series "The Night Manager". All this supports him
as a well versed multifaceted author, who delivers a very complex, yet funny and well written book
about how guns are marketed, sold, and eventually stopped from being sold. The fact that in
"The Night Manager" his character is the total opposite of the main character of his book, is just
proof to this statement.
American TV series, secondly as Stephen Fry's partner in the British comedy program "A Bit of Fry
and Laurie", thirdly as the blues composer, collector and singer/ performer and lastly, most recently,
as the bad guy Richard Onslow Roper from the TV series "The Night Manager". All this supports him
as a well versed multifaceted author, who delivers a very complex, yet funny and well written book
about how guns are marketed, sold, and eventually stopped from being sold. The fact that in
"The Night Manager" his character is the total opposite of the main character of his book, is just
proof to this statement.
The story
is pretty simple and starts right away, without too much preparation, Thomas
Lang finds
himself unwillingly entangled in a battle between those who want to sell last generation guns and
other weapons by inventing and supporting a terrorist act, and those who spy on them. His only
solution will be to infiltrate the artificially created terrorist group and try as best he can to stop
them from supporting the gun selling.
himself unwillingly entangled in a battle between those who want to sell last generation guns and
other weapons by inventing and supporting a terrorist act, and those who spy on them. His only
solution will be to infiltrate the artificially created terrorist group and try as best he can to stop
them from supporting the gun selling.
The
writing is highly complex and certainly intellectually polished, the depicted
images are
convoluted, but without being dry or heavy. But the underlying tone has a fun note to it. The main
character always keeps something up his sleeve, which makes for a dynamic and great read, getting
the reader hooked into the book from beginning until end.
convoluted, but without being dry or heavy. But the underlying tone has a fun note to it. The main
character always keeps something up his sleeve, which makes for a dynamic and great read, getting
the reader hooked into the book from beginning until end.
"High-Rise" by J. G. Ballard
This
really short book, I read on my Kindle going to and coming from work. I was
intrigued by it,
after I saw the trailer to the movie that was made after it starring Tom Hiddleston, Jeremy Irons
and Luke Evans.
after I saw the trailer to the movie that was made after it starring Tom Hiddleston, Jeremy Irons
and Luke Evans.
The book
tells the story about an up rise in a huge modern 40 stories, 2000 apartments
building
between its occupants. The inhabitants live split on social scales from the poorest living on the
lowest floor to the most rich on the upper ones. As the riot starts, they ally themselves based
on floors and interests and fight each other with everything they have on hand.
between its occupants. The inhabitants live split on social scales from the poorest living on the
lowest floor to the most rich on the upper ones. As the riot starts, they ally themselves based
on floors and interests and fight each other with everything they have on hand.
The
presented events, although distopic, are in an unbiased and strong language.
The author
doesn't take any of his character's side. The story is told from three characters perspective, each
a representative of the lower (Richard Wilder - the documentary maker with animalic appearance
and tendencies), middle (Dr. Richard Laing - the medical professor, recently divorced who looks
for a place to start his life anew) and upper (Anthony Royal - the architect who helped design
the building) classes and floors.
doesn't take any of his character's side. The story is told from three characters perspective, each
a representative of the lower (Richard Wilder - the documentary maker with animalic appearance
and tendencies), middle (Dr. Richard Laing - the medical professor, recently divorced who looks
for a place to start his life anew) and upper (Anthony Royal - the architect who helped design
the building) classes and floors.
J. G.
Ballard didn't start on writing a beautiful story, he wanted to write a
serious, heavy story
about the human nature and how easy it can be to forfeit the humanity and fall into instinctual
endencies of the basic kind. It did remind me of "Lord of the Flies", but without the innocence
and a lot of calculated animalic behavior.
about the human nature and how easy it can be to forfeit the humanity and fall into instinctual
endencies of the basic kind. It did remind me of "Lord of the Flies", but without the innocence
and a lot of calculated animalic behavior.
As I
write this, I am currently reading:
"Face Paint" by Lisa Eldridge, an
interesting account on the history of why and how people
used make-up during the ages, as well as a radiography on the business behind, it written by one
of the best make-up artists and beauty industry creative Directors.
used make-up during the ages, as well as a radiography on the business behind, it written by one
of the best make-up artists and beauty industry creative Directors.
"Smokeand Mirrors" by Neil Gaiman, a collection of short stories and poetry (a
pleasant surprise
on my part - I didn't know he wrote poetry), showing glimpses of his mind and presenting
condensed and imaginative stories.
on my part - I didn't know he wrote poetry), showing glimpses of his mind and presenting
condensed and imaginative stories.
"TheNight Manager" by John le Carré, I know, together with "High-Rise", this shows a trend in
my reading habits (movies with Tom Hiddlestone inspired by books), but I thought it was about
time I get to reading some spy stuff from one of the writers everyone raves about.
my reading habits (movies with Tom Hiddlestone inspired by books), but I thought it was about
time I get to reading some spy stuff from one of the writers everyone raves about.
More on
these books, after I finish them.
Did you read these books? What was your impression?
What did you read? What do you like to read?
Let me know, I would love to read your thoughts.
Take care,
Alex.
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