Tag Archives: nonfiction

Death from the Skies! by Philip Plait

Posted by melydia on January 25, 2011 None comments

Death from the Skies! by Philip Plait, PhD: You know, considering this is all about the various cataclysmic ways the world can end, I really expected to be more engrossed. Maybe I just wasn’t in the mood or something, but I could never read more than a handful of pages before my mind started wandering or I fell asleep. I suspect this is largely my fault, as Plait is clearly in love with this topic and with astronomy in general. He describes each ghastly scenario with glee, from asteroid collisions to the death of the universe, and demonstrates in no uncertain terms that should any of these events take place within our lifetime, we are royally screwed. Granted, the odds of us actually witnessing most of the calamities described are infinitesimal, if not actually zero, a point which is also made clear enough to avoid any unnecessary fear-mongering. I learned a lot from reading this, and I recommend it to those with an interest in astronomy, or doomsday scenarios, or both.

Also posted on BookCrossing.

Spook by Mary Roach

Posted by melydia on January 13, 2011 None comments

Spook: Science Tackles the Afterlife by Mary Roach (unabridged audiobook read by Bernadette Quigley; 8 hours on 7 CDs): After tackling what happens to the body after death in Stiff, Roach turns to what happens to the personality. Does some aspect of what makes us who we are continue living after we stop? Though a skeptic at heart, she enthusiastically pursues all manner of “life after death” theories, from 19th century mediums to modern reincarnation investigators to the scientific search for the soul. She pokes fun where appropriate (especially at herself), but generally presents the evidence without bias or comment. This book probably won’t change any minds; this is an issue where most people believe what they believe no matter what evidence is presented. Still, it is a fascinating survey of the subject. I was particularly enthralled by the ethically questionable methods to weigh the soul. If your interest in ghosts and the like is more academic than spiritual, this is the book for you. Just don’t read it while eating. Some of the descriptions are pretty graphic.

Note: I did not include this in my 2011 audiobook reading challenges because I started it in 2010.

How to Win Friends and Influence People by Dale Carnegie

Posted by melydia on January 6, 2011 1 comments

How to Win Friends & Influence People by Dale Carnegie: In general, I do not read self-help books. I find them preachy and uninspiring. This book, however, was highly recommended by a blogger whose post convinced me to give it a shot. I’m glad I did. Though the principles are probably common sense (motivate through praise rather than criticism, listen without interrupting, smile, make the other person feel important, etc.), I believe it did me some good to hear them all laid out in such a straightforward manner. Everybody else on the planet is just as self-absorbed as I am, and they care far more about what they want than what I want. Each chapter began with a principle, described it a little in general, then listed anecdote after anecdote about the principle in action. Most telling to me was the repeated assurance that these techniques only work if the feeling behind them in genuine, not manipulative. People can see through flattery.

This book was first published in 1936, and we certainly have not become a more genteel society since then. I wonder what Carnegie would think of the internet and its trolls. For much of the book I could imagine people hearing the advice and thinking, “Yes! This is how other people should treat me!” But of course that’s not the point. The point is that if you treat other people this way, you will benefit. Sometimes this will be through convincing people to come around to your way of thinking, but more often just by spreading good will. Had this book been written a few decades later, I’m sure karma would have been mentioned more than once.

Though a couple of the techniques described might come off as passive-aggressive today, by and large it’s a good resource – a good reminder for how to deal with other people, to give and receive criticism gracefully, and generally improve your attitude. I hereby recommend it to everyone on the planet. In return, I will attempt to practice its principles in my own life more often. I can’t promise I’ll always be successful – three decades of acerbity do not disappear overnight, after all – but I can try.

Also posted on BookCrossing.

The Creative Writer’s Survival Guide by John McNally

Posted by melydia on December 20, 2010 None comments

The Creative Writer’s Survival Guide: Advice from an Unrepentant Novelist by John McNally: I love the idea of being an “unrepentant” novelist. So many creative writing books fall into one of two categories: 1) publishers don’t like new authors and you won’t get published unless your brother-in-law owns Random House, and 2) let the words flow and worry about quality later, at a time not covered by this book. McNally, who is both a published author and veteran of the academic side of the trade, offers a refreshingly different viewpoint. He works from the assumption that his readers are “young” (that is, inexperienced) writers seriously considering making their pastime passion into a full-time gig. Though there is almost no discussion of the actual craft of writing, he does cover various educational options and goes through the publication and employment processes with equal parts encouragement and realism. If you’re serious about writing as a career, this is an excellent resource.

Also posted on BookCrossing.
Read as part of the Books Won Reading Challenge.

Don’t Know Much About History by Kenneth C. Davis

Posted by melydia on August 17, 2010 None comments

Don’t Know Much About History by Kenneth C. Davis: A friendly question-and-answer format with entertaining answers about American history from Columbus to Clinton. The post-Watergate coverage is pretty slim, but at that point it could probably be assumed that most readers remembered those years clearly. (There is an updated version, but my copy was printed in 1995.) I learned quite a bit about those bits we skipped in school, like the Vietnam and Korean Wars. Though it could not replace a traditional history course, since there is an assumption that you know enough basic information to ask the questions being answered, it is an excellent refresher for those who have long since forgotten the names and dates they learned in school. Like most good popular history books, it brings out the human side of history, turning the names into people and the dates into actions with consequences.

Also posted on BookCrossing.

Accomodating Brocolli in the Cemetary: Or Why Can’t Anybody Spell by Vivian Cook

Posted by melydia on July 21, 2010 None comments

Accomodating Brocolli in the Cemetary: Or Why Can’t Anybody Spell by Vivian Cook: The subtitle is actually somewhat misleading here, since it’s not actually about why nobody can spell, but rather just a series of anecdotes and quizzes about spelling in general. This is not a book you just sit down and read all at once, but rather something you pick up from time to time and read a few pages. Much of the volume consists of examples of nonstandard (or plain old incorrect) spelling, from lists of band names to photos of business logos. My favorite parts were the ones that dealt with the evolution of language; some of the humor essays on spelling were pretty amusing as well. I suppose if you’re obsessed with proper spelling you might enjoy this one, but honestly I’m not surprised I was able to get it for all of a dollar at Borders. It’s just a bit too niche for me.

Also posted on BookCrossing.

Brothel by Alexa Albert

Posted by melydia on June 23, 2010 None comments

Brothel by Alexa Albert: Though she originally visited the famous Mustang Ranch in Nevada to perform a study about condom use in legal brothels, Albert discovers a fascination with the life of a prostitute, and is in fact invited back to live at the Mustang several times over it last few years in operation. I admit I hadn’t given legal prostitution too much thought; after all, what consenting adults do behind closed doors is none of my business. This, however, provided an engrossing look into one of America’s last remaining taboos. Albert covers all aspects of the business – from legislation and lobbying, to pimps and boyfriends, to traveling salesmen who supply the prostitutes with clothing and makeup, to internet fans, forums, and conventions – and all with both sympathy and blunt honesty, regardless of her personal feelings. This is certainly a book to make one think.

Also posted on BookCrossing.

A Beautiful Mind by Sylvia Nasar

Posted by melydia on June 22, 2010 1 comments

A Beautiful Mind by Sylvia Nasar: This is another book I picked up because I liked the movie. I liked the book, too, but was a little disappointed to learn how little resemblance there is between the two. For example, neither Nash’s college roommate nor his tendency to draw on windows were mentioned in the book, while Nash’s homosexuality and illegitimate son were left out of the movie. Once I realized that there was such a huge disparity, however, I was able to appreciate them as separate works. This biography of mathematician John Nash, Nobel Laureate and recovered schizophrenic, was simply fascinating. It manages a balance between the mathematics and the insanity without becoming either too dry or too sensationalist. I kind of wish there had been a cast of characters listing somewhere to keep all the names straight, but by and large I had no trouble following it. In short, I enjoyed it. However, if you’re just looking for a glimpse inside the mind of a schizophrenic, give this one a pass. Nash’s specific delusions are not described in depth, and most of the information is secondhand anyway. That said, I would recommend it to people who love a good biography, especially one that reads almost like a novel.

Also posted on BookCrossing.

I Love Everybody (and Other Atrocious Lies) by Laurie Notaro

Posted by melydia on March 9, 2010 None comments

I Love Everybody (and Other Atrocious Lies) by Laurie Notaro: A collection of autobiographical essays from one of the funnier writers I’ve come across. Though in places too acerbic to be truly uproarious, once you get into Notaro’s groove her rants and tangents range are pretty darn funny. There were times I laughed aloud – no mean feat, considering I was reading this on an exercise bike. Her descriptions of the tampon flying out of her purse, the spontaneously exploding pants, and her attempts to “love everybody” while at CostCo on a weekend were particularly memorable. A short book, but good for a quick laugh.

Also posted on BookCrossing.

CauseWired by Tom Watson

Posted by melydia on January 13, 2010 None comments

CauseWired by Tom Watson: This is not a book I would have read had I not received it for my participation in Blog Action Day 2008. (Yes, I’ve had the book for a year and just now got around to reading it. That’s actually pretty good considering there was no deadline.) I’m not usually interested in current events books (that’s what the internet is for) or books about how OMG teh intarwebs are changing everything (ditto). But I also never pass up a free book, which has probably done more to broaden my horizons than any concerted effort on my part.

But that’s neither here nor there. The fact of the matter is that I would not have picked up this book on my own, but I’m glad I read it. It is more or less a discussion of the impact of social media (Web 2.0, Facebook, that kind of stuff) on philanthropy. From Hurricane Katrina to the 2008 US presidential campaign to a myriad of other internet start-up charities, there’s a whole lot of information in this relatively slim volume. I was particularly drawn in by the descriptions of Kiva and DonorsChoose, both of which are about reducing the middlemen between the donor and the receiver. I even made a loan on Kiva to Saret Sao in Cambodia. The idea of helping a specific person really appeals to me, and the knowledge of what exactly my money is doing makes me want to donate more. At worst, I don’t get my $25 back. I can deal with that. At best, I help a businesswoman grow her business. Which is awesome.

Some of the book bored me, such as the discussion of the 2008 presidential campaign. I suspect that might be because it’s too recent; I’m still tired of the nonstop politicking leading up to the election. The liberal bias was a touch irksome too, which is telling considering I voted for most of the candidates Watson was praising. (For example, where did he get the idea that Ron Paul was an anarchist? People who are truly anti-government don’t run for office under the banner of a major political party. They’d put all their cronies out of a job.) I suspect, being a blogger and a Twitterer and a Facebooker and (sort of) a “millennial” already, I am not the target audience anyway. But once elections were off the table, the rest of the book was surprisingly engaging, and made me want to do more research on my own. The list of links and references in the back alone are worth photocopying.

So in short: I’d recommend this book if you’re a jaded would-be philanthropist looking for new opportunities. Yes, the billionaire donors are still the world-changers, but slowly us ordinary guys are banding together and making a difference.

Also posted on BookCrossing.

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