Book Review, take two!

So if you didn’t already read what I just posted earlier today…I was quite bored earlier and was writing a book and movie review for what I’m currently engulfing myself with when I succumb to my boredom. But, I was using Bloggers online post editor and I accidently deleted everything I wrote…this was about an hour after writing…so, I am here, comfortable on my couch listening to Pyotr Il’yich Tchaikovsky attempting to do it again.

I have massive amounts of free time now, and I fill this time by doing a variety of fun activities.  Mostly reading, hanging out with friends playing with the dogs or playing Wii.  I know, I’m awesome.  So here you have my take on some of the books out there that you should possibly check out.

Blink: The Power of Thinking Without Thinking by Malcolm Gladwell – To be honest, I thought this book was going to be different.  It was still a great and informative read but I thought it would tap more into almost a “self-help.”  Meaning educate how to take control of this unconscious thinking of the first few seconds of thought and use it to our full potential.  I suppose this could be due to the fact that it is subconscious.  But Malcolm Gladwell is a brilliant author who has a wealth of information regarding human motivation and the power of though.  I recently watched a video of a presentation he did on TED, it’s titled “What We Can Learn From Spaghetti Sauce.”  Entertaining discussion, worth checking out.  I would have to say my favorite chapter was when he discussed marketing trends and what Pepsi learned (remember the Pepsi Challenge?).  It does get a little dry in the middle, but other than that a great informative read with many examples to help make his statements valid.

The End of Faith: Religion, Terror, and the Future of Reason by Sam Harris – I encourage theists and non-theists both to read this book.  However with one word of caution – make sure you have a dictionary available.  Sam Harris is a very articulate author and must have excelled in English & Grammar.  This is a book where you will need to read over paragraphs multiple times to finally understand the point Mr. Harris is trying to make.  But he does make some very bold claims which he then, in my opinion, efficiently backs up with sufficient evidence and logic.  The book discusses whether or not Religion is necessary in our society but also goes one step further and discusses the possible threat it may have on our society if we do not change our current ways.  Religion is a hot topic but I do encourage again both believers and non-believers to check it out.  Though this book can be quite “wordy” any other book by Richard Dawkins or Christopher Hitchens would also be a great read for someone interested in Religion in society, such as Dawkin’s book The God Delusion.

The Voyage of the Beagle: Charles Darwin's Journal of Researches by Charles Darwin – Amazing.  You have to be a total science nerd to really enjoy this book.  the vocabulary can get quite scientific so may be difficult to read for some.  But I am astonished that at the age of 23 Charles Darwin started a 5 year exploration trip around the world to study animal & plant species as well as geology of the planet that has never been studied before.  Darwin is quite articulate and can make a sea of floating bacteria seem incredibly interesting.  Most people know Darwin for his Theory of Evolution from The Origin of Species.  But this book is primarily focused on all his new discoveries while exploring in regards to plants, animals, geology and human life/culture.  I also find it fascinating how much of a “liberal” he was for his time.  Examples of this include him being opposed to slavery and questioning the literal truth of the bible (i.e. world being 6,000 years old and such).  Anyone who wants to explore the world in the early 1800’s from the viewpoint of an eager & excited young scientist should definitely read this book.

Creating Magic: 10 Common Sense Leadership Strategies from a Life at Disney by Lee Cockerell – I’ve really only just begun reading this book.  I think I’m literally on page 20.  However, I already know I am going to thoroughly enjoy this book.  Thus far I can relate to 95% of what Mr. Cockerell is referring to due to the fact that I have worked for the Mouse in Walt Disney World and have seen his leadership strategies at work first-hand.  With the new doors opening for me with the company I hope this book becomes extremely useful and I can gain a lot of insight on how to successfully manage myself as well as others.  Definitely an easy read compared to the two previous books I mentioned.  As I read more I’ll update.

The Geography of Bliss: One Grump's Search for the Happiest Places in the World by Eric Weiner – I just bought this book yesterday.  I haven’t read any reviews or have heard of this book prior to when I purchased it.  All I know is that it’s about a guy who travels the world and writes about what happiness means to the different cultures he experiences.  Is it good?  Not sure.  I’ll find out.

SAS Survival Handbook: How to Survive in the Wild, in Any Climate, on Land or at Sea by John Lofty Wiseman – Ok, so I bought this for my Africa trip.  I never really had to refer to it.  It was more of an entertaining bedside reader.  Want to learn how to make a rabbit trap?  Survive on a raft in the ocean?  Learn what plants are poisonous?  Heal sunburns with natural ingredients?  This book has it!  I did do some extensive research however before purchasing it.  I wanted to buy the best Survival book out there and all recommendations online & in person directed me to this book. 

Why People Believe Weird Things: Pseudoscience, Superstition, and Other Confusions of Our Time by Michael Shermer – I have yet to start reading this book as well.  I am a fan of Michael Shermer and the research he has done.  A year or two ago he also visited OSU to debate the widely known Dinesh D’souza (Dinesh partly blames 9/11 on liberals) and I was there to witness…it was an intense debate titled, if I remember correctly, “Does Religion Matter.”  But as far as I know this book will enlighten me on why people believe “weird things” such as alien abduction, near-death experiences, psychics, recovered memories, and denial of the Holocaust and hopefully making a justifiable and/or scientific explanation of why.

Go Put Your Strengths to Work: 6 Powerful Steps to Achieve Outstanding Performance by Marcus Buckingham – I received this book as a Christmas present from my mother who always wants to see the best in me.  I read a few pages and it looks quite useful and informative.  From what I read in the first few pages it seems like the author says (in my terms) “screw your weaknesses, but focus on your strengths.”  Not too sure, but I’ll find out.  I think Oprah recommended this book – my mom will do/buy anything Oprah tells her to.

Rick Steves' Europe Through the Back Door 2009 by Rick Steves – Before I knew I was going to work for the Disney Cruise Line I had a very high potential opportunity to go live and work in France.  I would’ve done that for a few months, got paid decently and then use my salary to go backpack other parts of Europe.  My plan hasn’t changed too much other than the fact that instead of France I’ll be on a Cruise Ship for 18 weeks and then for my 6 week vacation go backpack somewhere exciting and new (as my salary allows).  Again, this book was a Christmas present from the parents and I am extremely glad they bought this for me because each time I look at it it reminds me of my goal – to see and learn about our world.  If you aren’t familiar with Rick Steve’s you should become familiar with him.  His travel guides seem to be more personable than others and touches on many subjects that I think a lot of guides miss out on – like, how do you use some of those crazy restrooms you can find in Europe?

Well, those are the books currently on my bookshelf.  It seems as if every time I visit the local Barnes & Noble I pickup one or two more so I’m sure it will easily expand in the next month.  However, I’m not too sure how much time I will have to read while on the ship.  I’m sure working 70 hour weeks will drain me.  But I’m sure I’ll come across an afternoon off at Castaway Cay where I can go to the private crew member beach, sit back in the sand and catch up on some much needed reading.  Cheers!