Category: Books

With my recent travels, I had plenty of time to hunker down on planes and get my reading groove on. I zipped through a bunch of books.

Let the recaps begin!

1. How Pleasure Works – The New Science of Why We Like What We Like by Paul Bloom
What a great read! In a broad sense, I saw this book as presenting a debate around essentialism – the belief that all things have an essence – this isn’t spiritual, simply an argument of what defines any particular item (is a dog still a dog if you paint it red? yes… but why?). Once the author establishes how we define objects, we can see how they can acquire value beyond their superficial nature and basic practical use. For example, why are celebrity owned knick-knacks so valuable? Because the history of that item has altered the way we perceive it. The object’s definition has changed.

Fascinating!

I strongly recommend this book. It’s an easy non-academic read, but really encourages thought.

2. The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo by Stieg Larsson
This book received great reviews from all my family and friends who read it. But I must admit, I’m not really on board the dragon train. I loved the characters. I found them exciting, quirky, and natural… but it wasn’t enough for me. The book’s start was slow. 25% of the book passed before I felt involved. The action kept me enticed for the next 50 percent of the book… but the last quarter felt forced to me. I’m not sure why – it might just be that I’m not a mystery thriller kinda guy.

3. The Non-Designers Design Book by Robin Williams
Whoa awesome! A great book for anyone who finds themselves working with material that frequently falls under the eyes of customers or executives. This book presents a simple set of rules by which any presentation, pamphlet, or advertisement can be organized/arranged to make it easier on the eyes. My review makes the book sound horribly dry. It’s not! It’s lively and action packed with recommendations and examples.

NOTE: this book is great on a kindle, but probably better in print. There’s a chapter on color… color? not so great on the kindle. I’ve ordered a hard copy to have on hand at all times at work.

Book Review Disclaimers:
I should point out two observations my friends recently have made regarding my reading preferences and my disclaimers that accompany them.

Next up on my reading list? Hunger Games. Vivienne recommended this book to me, but she commented on how the book might not be esoteric enough to make it onto my preferred reading list.
“you think I like esoteric books?!” I exclaimed
“yeah, like House of Leaves,” Vivienne responded.
“oh.”

Disclaimer one: I like weird books.

HC Alicia, upon hearing my raving review for book #3, commented on how she doesn’t want to learn about typography because it’s a bit of a pretentious topic.
“you think typography is pretentious?!” I exclaimed
“uh… yes” Alicia responded
“oh.”

Disclaimer two: I like my books pretentious.

So as you decide to take my book recommendations, be sure to take my weirdness into consideration.

During family trips to Blockbuster, Dad D. always hoped for two things:

(1) Laser blasters and/or (2) Space battles

Dad D. would not enjoy Ken Follet’s lengthy novel The Pillars of the Earth.

Instead of giant spaceships smashing into other giant spaceships, The Pillars of the Earth describes the building of a cathedral and the frustrating struggle for power within the church and the royalty in England.

In the beginning I loathed the book. There was so much going on in so few pages that it seemed like the author may have been grossly over caffeinated during his writing sessions.

But Follet calmed down a bit once the cathedral building began and the characters came into their own. The villains were easy to hate and the heroes easy to love. The one problem with epic novels like these is that the villains grow into such epic horribleness that there is no death gruesome enough to act as justification for the horrific acts that they commit.

Over all, I greatly enjoyed the read. Despite the lack of space battles, I recommend this book – especially if you’re going on a few plane trips. Nothing makes travel easier than a long captivating book as a travel companion.

On Alicia’s recommendation, I bought The Postman for my kindle. It’s a short science fiction read that retells the post-apocalyptic adventures of Gordon Krantz as he adopts the persona of a United States mailman.

The book starts off beautifully. Gordon’s role as a mailman helps the desperate villages of our future fallen country feel established and connected with one another. Author David Brin does a great job of describing the people’s inspiration and hope that come with this unexpected man in uniform. Unfortunately, halfway through, Brin drops the hope theme to focus on a massive unrealistic battle against violent survivalists. I’m not sure I liked the change in direction.

What made me appreciate the book most was Gordon’s internal monologue as he struggled with his role of leadership. As he was never an actual mailman, he believed his position was based on a lie. While the lie undermined his confidence, it didn’t stop him from taking action when action was required. Is leadership something that’s taken because of necessity, belief, or internal values?

Apparently this was made into a film with Kevin Costner. Apparently it was horrible. If anyone’s seen it I’d love a recap!

I recommend the book. You should probably avoid the movie.

My reading preferences tend to be somewhat cyclical. My last few book choices have quenched my non-fiction thirst and left me aching for something lighter, I have now journeyed to the opposite end of my reading spectrum and am enjoying some science fiction, specifically, Frank Herbert’s Dune.

I was always intimidated by Dune. Perhaps it was its weight or that the title does little to entice. However on Vivienne and Jesse’s insisting, I tried it again.

I am so pleased with the book so far. The families were a little hard to keep track of at first, but having trained with the near infinite Aurelianos of 100 Years of Solitude, I’ve been able to follow the characters fairly well.

I just reached the end of Part I. The book captivates and uses beautifully descriptive language. Despite the fact that I’m only 40% through the book, I’m confident it will be a favorite. If you haven’t read it yet, I strongly encourage you to join me.