Paddle Your Own Canoe: One Man's Fundamentals for Delicious Living

by Nick Offerman

This book is an autobiographical book by Nick Offerman, the TV actor in the show Parks and Recreation. He talks about his upbringing and life to the current point, and all the ups and downs in his life. It is a very interesting story from the perspective of a sort of outsider of Hollywood, who is not one of those glitzy and glamorous actors. It is also a very interesting (and humorous) insight into an actor who was raised on a farm outside Chicago and went through the Chicago theatre ranks before moving to Hollywood and struggling before making it big. What really made this book interesting in his focus not only on acting but also pursuing his other interests in life, primarily woodworking.

I can relate to Nick with his need to creating things, in being involved in not only acting but also creating wooden furniture and things. I think there is a real joy in creating things by yourself, be it a piece of furniture, painting, sculpture etc. All in all, a good and very funny read. I would recommend this.

The Reason I Jump

by Naoki Higashida (translated by KA Yoshida & David Mitchell)

I just finished this book today. A good short read, it was written by a 13-year old autistic kid. Very insightful into the mind of an autistic person and their struggles, conditions and aspirations. One point to note was that one will never know where the austism starts and the personality ends. What I mean is what trait is due to the individual's personality, and what is due to the condition that is autism. However, I am very much able to draw a lot of similarities between how I feel and the experiences described by the author. This is either a great testament of the author's ability to connect with the reader, or simply I am perhaps exhibiting some autistic tendencies as well. Or perhaps it is simply these emotions are commonalities for all human beings and autistic individuals are simply more sensitive and atuned to their emotions. Overall, a very good read and breaks a lot of taboos on the subject of autism.

Bonk

by Mary Roach
Very interesting book about sex. Sex is such a fundamental thing to humans, and to most living creatures. But there is so much taboo surrounding it, due to society's beliefs, religion etc. This also has hampered the progress made on human sex in the field of science. There is so little research done on this matter, because, well, it is awkward. Where would researchers get funding, and they get skeptical looks from their peers, as being perverts. Well, this book gathers all there is to say about the matter, about science and medicine and sheds light on the many taboo topics of sex. Like did you know, a person paralyzed can still achieve orgasm. I did not know that, so that was interesting. The book talks about mechanics of sex, and also people's reaction to matters of sex, and most interesting to me as a fellow researcher, the scientific process in sex research. Anyways, nothing too technical, easily understood by the layman, and Roach does amazingly in talking about the subject matter with such wit. Wonderful book.

Fat Sugar Salt: How the Food Giants Hooked Us

by Michael Moss

This is a very well-written book about the three tenets of the processed food industry. It describes in detail how the industry manipulates each of these components and combine them to create the most delicious things, that are actually no that good for your well-being. But hey, they are cheap and they taste awesome. That's why they sell. A very insightful, I definitely changed the way I have been eating, or at least look at the nutrition label with a new-found criticality now. Great book by this Pulitzer prize winning author.

With the Old Breed

at Peleliu and Okinawa

by E.B. Sledge

Been so busy, with so many things going on in my life right now. I do not wish to be swept up and wake up one day and realize I'm 50, without doing anything that I had set out in life to do. Thus to maintain some sanity, here is a book review. I read this several months ago.

This book was written by E.B. Sledge who was a marine in WWII, in the Pacific campaign. I only found out about this book after watching the HBO series called The Pacific. It tells the WWII Pacific campaign through the experiences of mainly 2 individuals. This book is one 1 of the 2 individuals (Sledge), the other being Robert Leckie. This is a great book that looks at the campaign through the experiences of ground troops, rather than high level strategy. It tells war in more human terms, rather than intellectual terms. It tells of the bravery and endurance of these men, and also the horrors and hardship they have to face. People would be well-served to read books like this to understand that we should not go into war on a whim. It describes well what the military personnel go through, as well as how people are affected in the cross-hairs of war. It is definitely a classic, and very well-written with no biased language, but still maintains a strong emotional connection with the reader.

On Love

by Alain de Botton

Geez, I have been so busy. Been so hectic. I actually finished reading this book a month or more ago and have not even had the time to blog about it. So many things on my plate. Things are just slowly starting to clear up right now.

Well anyways, here's a brief review. This book was recommended by LX01 and it's a wonderful book about love, from when one starts having a crush on someone, to different stages of a relationship and if things don't work well, then the breakup. This is from a male perspective though of what love is. I do not mean this to be a chauvinistic story, but it is from a masculine point of view.

This book is also infused quite a bit with elements of philosophy to rationalise the thought processes within love and how to make sense of it (or derive meaning from the lack of logic of love). It articulates very well a lot of points that I have always thought about love.

There are however some points that I do not agree with, but I believe because love is such a personal thing. And each couple would develop their own rationales and norms, it is really no place for me to comment whether something is 'right' or 'wrong' in love. It is simply that between 2 people in love, they feel that they are comfortable with those truths that make it true.

I would say 1 very minor negative is that given the subject matter  and the author's background, the language can at times feel melodramatic. But then again, love has the tendency to bring out the drama queen in all of us.

Overall, I think this is a wonderful read and an instant classic. Worth re-reads. Love.

Open: An Autobiography

by Andre Agassi

The tennis fever! My second consecutive book on tennis greats. Agassi has not won as much as Nadal probably but his life is certainly more colourful. He had a tough upbringing from a very harsh tennis father. And one thing strange about Agassi is he has always maintained that he hates tennis, yet he continues to play and excel at the sport, though in tempestuous patches.

I can relate with Agassi and his temperament as much as I could relate to Nadal's. Agassi's life is full of contradiction and bursts of passion and lulls. It gives hope to us 'regular' folk when a God of Tennis like Agassi can be so contradictory about his life, what more to say us. Agassi is an a wonderful person and many can draw from his life lessons and hopefully focus on things that give their life joy and meaning, as well as success.

Rafa: My Story

by Rafael Nadal and John Carlin

This is a great book about one of the best current tennis players. He describes his life from childhood up to the current point, his rivalry with Federer and also Djokovic. It is very interesting to hear the thoughts and life of a champion. The mental strength this guy has, and how he handles his life with such grace and humility. I need to take a page from this guy's book. Though the language used and story telling isn't the best, yet the raw content of the story is very good. Overall, a book worth reading, and perhaps re-reading.

Free Culture

by Lawrence Lessig

This book is about American copyright law and how it affects free culture. This of course covers mostly the internet and how its use has affected the current mode of distribution for music, books, art, movies and so on. Obviously piracy is a big issue right now. This book elucidates the particular issues on this matter not in terms of the regular talking points of the media such as 'piracy is killing creativity' or 'piracy will bankrupt the industry'. It goes into a much more deeper level than this and explains the wider implication and puts into context what this advent of digital distribution has meant, what it means now and what it will mean in the future. Overall, it is a very good and insightful book.

I actually finished this book several days ago, took me 2 months or so because it was something that I put down and stopped reading, but continued reading again after some time. I put it down not because it wasn't good, but I was reading some other things at the same time too.

In-line with the values of this book, you can download the book from this link.

Steve Jobs

by Walter Isaacson

This was a book that I really wanted to read and just completed it during my trip to Beijing and Harbin, China. It is the autobiography on Steve Jobs, the creator of Apple and Pixar Studios. It is a wonderful book on the creative genius and his process, his temperament, relationships and life. Before I never understood all the hype about Apple products but after reading this book I have a better appreciation for the philosophy behind Apple products and where they sit within the technosphere. Steve Jobs is a truly enigmatic and unique individual and one could just wonder what wonderful things he would have come up with if he was still alive. Isaacson does Jobs justice with a comprehensive and detailed account of his life's achievements, events and tribulations. A wonderful read; an inspiring and insightful book.

Tuesday with Morrie

by Mitch Albom

This is the second book I read by Mitch Albom. First was Five People You Meet in Heaven. This is a sort of autobiographical book about Mitch's time spent in the final days of his former university lecturer Morris Schwartz, Morrie. These meetings occurred mostly on Tuesdays, hence the name of the book.

It is wonderful story about life, how to live and how to die. It puts into perspective the things in our lives and what is really important. I would recommend this book to anyone who feels lost in their lives and wish to discover for themselves and ask themselves what's really right for their lives. Also, this book is a pretty short read. Took me about 3 hours to finish. So it is really one to keep and read through again and again as the book's lessons are timeless.

Aftershock

by David Wiedemer, Robert A. Wiedemer and Cindy S. Spitzer

This economics book on the US Bubble Economy is a good read. Seems pretty comprehensive and plausible on the events occurring during the housing market crises, and also predicting the ensuing things to come in the economic sphere.

The writing itself is quite hard to read at times as the writer seems to treat it's audience like idiots and repeating things over and over in an overly simplified manner. I do agree with the analysis made but it just seems to be a very abrasive way of writing that will not please anyone, even those who agree with them. The writing tone could have been more diplomatic. It is a very pedestrian way of writing.

Well, any advice from books like this should be taken with skepticism and so one should do their own research and study economics and the market for themselves before agreeinf with this sort of thing too completely.

What Every Body Is Saying

by Joe Navarro

Finished reading this several days ago, recommended by a friend. A rather good book on reading nonverbal body cues and what they signify. It is written by Joe Navarro who is an ex-FBI agent specializing in this area. It teaches one how to recognize the emotion others are feeling and also what you yourself are feeling given how you react.

I bet I won't remember all the stuff in this book and may warrant several re reads. Some of the things are quite insightful and the techniques in general I believe to be very useful. Well, it gives me an extra thing to do now when I find conversation boring. I do however believe some of the things are not right, as I have caught myself in some certain physical position that are mentioned in this book and I am not feeling how the book says I am supposed to feel. So there are lots of variables that needs to be put together to have a holistic view of what one is feeling.

Overall a good book and really useful if just for one's additional knowledge.

The Big Short

by Michael Lewis

Just finished this latest book by Michael Lewis. It is a study of financial market through the 2007-2008 Global Financial Crisis. It focuses on the players behind the creation of this problem, those profiting from it and the resolution (albeit unsatisfactorily) of this period in time.

This again is a great book to read. Again, some of the financial jargon is over my head but Lewis' approach to the subject matter is very well-presented. I realise now this is because he tells it like a story from inception to conclusion, through the view of the various players in this problem. Being Wall Street though, none of these characters are particularly saints, nor are there evil (though some do come close). They are just human beings driven mostly by money. It goes to show if one removes government regulation that is effective and strict what can happen, the GFC.

Moneyball

by Michael Lewis

Just finished this book several days ago. It is a wonderful book about the Oakland A's baseball team and the changes under their manager Billy Beane. Through the use of mathematics and teh scientific approach they were able to change the team from a struggling one into one that was successful and challenging the best in the league. Short synopsis here.

I actually don't know much about baseball except the few movies I've watched on it or around it. But it does seem like a pretty interesting game. Plus, there is a movie based on Moneyball out in a few weeks here. So I am looking forward to that. On the book itself, it is insightful, though baseball terminology is over my head at times. But overall, the way Lewis writes it is engaing and entertaining, so very enjoyable.

Liar's Poker

by Michael Lewis

This is a wonderful book on Wall Street bonds trading, the majority of which from Michael Lewis' time in that profession, from late 1970s to late 1980s. Short synopsis here.

It is wonderfully written. Though I do admit, some of the financial concepts were quite over my head. Though the narrative used by Michael itself did not make the story too tedious for those inept in financial matters. So it was a very witty and interesting read. It does show how much disparity of how money is valued by Wall Street and how it is valued by the rest of the world.

Rich Brother, Rich Sister

by Robert Kiyosaki and Emi Kiyosaki

I bought this book end of last year because I've heard of Robert Kiyosaki and heard that he was pretty good with explaining motivational and financial generalities. But I found this books horrendous.

Well, first a short synopsis. This book is about the life paths of Robert and Emi Kiyosaki, they are brother and sisters. Robert is a successful enterpreneur, businessman and investor. He is the famous author of several books of the same vein as this I believe, books on investment, life, etc. His stories is about how he got to where he is today. Emi is a Buddhist nun, and this book looks at the other side of being rich, that is spiritually rich. This book also describes her life path. Thus the book finds similarities and contrasts between the two's life journeys.

Okay, not my review. I must say I have only read about 2/3 of this book. I cannot take any of it any more really, it is really not to my liking. For me, it is horrendous. Not my cup of tea at all. The book's concept in itself of the contrast between the material and spiritual pursuits of life is very good. However, the execution and explanation of concept I find to be very incognitive. As in I feel I am dumber for reading this book. I don't know why, Robert is such as successful person, and Emi is a Buddhist nun. I have great respect for what they have achieved in their life. But the reasons they explain for them doing what they do, and the logic behind it, that is simply wrong to me.

Here are several examples. First is connection made behind concepts on life. One thing was something on generalized principles. Robert speaks of having right and wrong answers. He says that the World is at war because there are issues like people believing in only one God and everyone's God is different. So that gives rise to tension and ultimately war. Then he goes on to say there are many ways of doing something, and not one single way is right. Up to this point I agree. Then he moves on to say, that is why we have a right hand and left hand, not a right hand and wrong hand. Then I think what is the point in that statement??? I know that is true, that we have a right and left hand. But then that is just words, there is no meaning behind it. Why would I call one hand the 'wrong' hand? It is empty statements. Oh, and this book is filled with plenty of gems like this.

Furthermore, there are so many inaccuracies in world principles in his statements. He makes sweeping generalization that are just not true. Well in his defense, he does say in the book he is the type of person that wants to win, and is not interested in being right. I personally do not think I am the person that want to be right, but it is like nails on chalkboard when I see statements in this book that are clearly so wrong.

Ah, this is turning into a raging post on the book. There is a plethora of other reasons wrong with this book but I cannot be bothered listing all of them out. I must say I tried my best to give it a chance. Heck, I read 200+ pages of it in hopes there is some gem buried in it. Indeed there were a few, but it is all buried in so much garbage I find it hardly worth the read. I'll end this post on this note. I had less moments of inspirations that I had moments of pure frustration. In essence, this book sucked for me. Waste of my time.

SuperFreakonomics

by Steven D. Levitt & Stephen J. Dubner

This is the follow up book to Freakonomics. Pretty interesting read in the same vein of the previous book. If you enjoyed the last book you'd probably enjoy this one. This one covered prostitution, patterns and details, altruism and global warming.

This book felt a bit shorter than the previous one, sort of felt like just half a book. I would have liked to have more to read actually. Finished this one in 2-3 days, without even trying much to read.

Anyways, this is an easy, casual read. Nothing too heavy, I think I liked the first book better though simply for the breadth and length of the book.

Freakonomics

by Steven D. Levitt & Stephen J. Dubner

This book is about the economics of very weird situation. So really made a really interesting read. One study was on why the crime rate dropped during the 1990s so suddenly when it was expected crime rate to be continuously on the rise, as it had been for the past decade or two before. However it began to drop drastically without anyone knowing why. Many guesses were made, such as better policing, better living conditions etc. However this book said that it was due to abortion finally being legalized in US. People who would go through abortion are those with low socioeconomic living conditions. So if these children were never born, then there wouldn't be any criminals in the first place. I bet pro-life people just got in all sorts of bother after hearing this theory. Anyways, the proofs described in the book seems quite convincing.

Other examples are on what sumo wrestlers and school teachers have in common, why drug dealers still live with their moms, how the Ku Klux Clan like a real-estate agent, and what makes a perfect parent. These are really topics for economics study, though totally unconventional. Such a wonderful read.

I bought this books several months ago and have only been reading it since about a month ago. This book took quite a while for me to finish. The version I read is the revised edition, with new material. Still it's pretty thin, 250+ pages. Just been so busy with studies and research so yeah.

One final separate note on the theory of abortion as the main cause of dropping crime rate. In Malcolm Gladwell's book (can't remember which) he actually specifies a theory called the Broken Windows theory which was said to be not the main contributor to crime rate drop by this book. So even with these convincing arguments, one can never really be sure which is true. Even the experts cannot agree! So always take all this information with a grain of salt.

Committed

by Elizabeth Gilbert

Just finished this book. I bought it a week or two after it was out. I read the first chapter at Borders, bought it, and have not touched it ever since. But now, I felt I need a change of pace and book after so much of the fiction I have been reading. So I decided to give this a go, and it was a wonderful change it was. I finished the book in three days, which was surprisingly quick for me.

A short synopsis. This book is a non-fiction semi-autobiographical account by Gilbert as she is about to get married for a second time. It follows on from Eat Pray Love, where she has fallen in love with a man she met in Bali, Filipe. When they go back to the US, the face difficulty at customs as Filipe cannot stay in the US indefinitely because he is not an American citizen. So they have to actually get married for Filipe to stay in the States. They apply for a visa to enter America again and Gilbert is with Filipe traveling in South Asia whilst waiting for the visa to be processed, and this process takes about a year or so. Though the 'forced' marriage is inevitable, Gilbert is still unsure of the justification of marriage, especially after her first failed marriage. So too, Filipe who has also had a failed marriage. So this book is Gilbert's contemplations and study of what it means to be married, what it means to her and what can be different this time around. She explores the many aspects of marriage; the history, social, moral and material implications.

This book is wonderful from start to finish. It is however less personal and less emotion driven compared to Eat Pray Love. I would say it actually is more Malcolm Gladwell-ish in style. It was perhaps more fact-based and as it needed to be, because Gilbert was exploring the meaning of marriage. For me, it was very eye-opening and some of my preconceptions of marriage and even relationships are now forever broken. I would say this is a life-altering book. It clarifies the differences between what love and infatuation are, and also the expectations of marriage in this generation and past. There is so much to talk about from this book, which I will do in some other post.

Gilbert's writing itself is witty and never boring. Her logic is reasonable and where parts that it seemed emotionally-charged, it is broken down into understandable bits. So you always get to know what is happening, and what is being felt. Great book about marriage and relationship for anyone who is absolutely clueless about such things like me. Even if you do know about these things, it would be a good book to read anyways if just to open your perspective on marriage, love and relationships.