Be Creative @ Your Library

Summer Reading Program for Adults 2009

 

Browsing all 'Non-Fiction' reviews

Thursday, November 5, 2009
Don't go to the Cosmetics Counter without me
By: Paula Begoun

This is especially important for someone with allergies and does not know what all the words mean.

Monday, August 3, 2009
Losing Mum and Pup
By: Christopher Buckley

In "Tradition and the Individual Talent" T.S. Eliot says (I'm paraphrasing) that when a new work of art is created something happens to all the works of art that preceded it; that is to say, the whole existing order is, if ever so slightly, altered by the introduction of novelty, and so the value that we attribute to each work of art in relation to the whole is, and must be, for better or worse, readjusted. Similarly, whenever I read a book it oftentimes modifies my understanding of other, related books or ideas that I had previously read or considered. And so it was with my reading of Christopher Buckley's delightful work Losing Mum and Pup: A Memoir. This is his meditation on and homage to the life and death of his parents, William F. Buckley, Jr., the icon of modern conservative politics, and Patricia Buckley, the doyenne of New York socialites, both of whom died within a year of each other, the mother in 2007 and the father in 2008.

This book caught my eye because of my familiarity with William F. Buckley, Jr., through reading his essays and watching his long-running Public Broadcasting Service (PBS) show "Firing Line." Given the subject matter of Losing Mum and Pup, I fully expected that the author would be dipping into the hagiographer's wax, would be engaging in, that is, and quite understandably so, a good deal of tombstone polishing, putting the buff and shine on his deceased parents' reputations. But this is not what I found. Far from it. Instead, Buckley announces early on what I take to be the leitmotif of the book. Of his parents, he says that: [t]they were not - with respect to every other set of loving parents in the world - your typical mom and dad.

And with that he proceeds to weave, with brisk prose of elegant manufacture, a narrative that reveals just how atypical and complex was the relationship that existed between him and his parents and between the parents themselves. By way of personal affection and impartial assessment, Buckley lays bare his parents virtues as well as their vices in a manner that is at turns poignant and pointed; sympathetic and critical; insightful, witty, and funny. And Buckley point out his own filial faults and shortcomings, too. Unmistakable is the love he had for his parents.

Though ostensibly about the author's experience of watching his parents die over the course of a year, the most arresting aspect of Losing Mum and Pup is, however, the bird's eye view it affords of the dynamics of the Buckley family. It caused me especially to reflect on the nature of marriage. Consequently, I modified my stance, albeit at the margins rather than at the core, since the book lent support to my ideas, about the extent to which the unity (the differences between a couple) increases the value of a marriage. Losing Mum and Pup is a very fine read. An entertaining, earnest, and thoughtful journey from beginning to end. I recommend it accordingly.

Friday, July 31, 2009
Save the Cat
By: Blake Snyder

The focus is more market-driven than creative. Still, you've got to know the rules to break them. Or as the author says, "they want the same thing only different." There are some good points about plotting and characters, not much on format. It's concise but a bit arrogant, if you're serious about writing it's not the last book you'll need.

Friday, July 31, 2009
The Sumi-e Dream Book
By: Yolanda Mayhall

This book takes a different approach than others on the subject. Having trained in Japan, she can provide an enlightening explanation of the background and concepts behind the tradition. I found it impossible to figure out how to do it from the written description. Fortunately the library has the video of the same name so be sure to check them out together. Her main idea of painting as a journey I found quite inspirational and creative.

Thursday, July 30, 2009
Nonviolent Communication: A Language of Life
By: Marshall B. Rosenberg

This is a really good book despite how popular NVC (non-violent communication) is in Santa Cruz and how trendy or new-agey it may seem. I tried to read this book years ago and couldn't quite stick with it - it's not an easy process. It isn't complicated but it is comprehensive - if you don't really want to improve your communication skills it won't be worth it to attempt reading this book - a lot of work is required.

I love Rosenberg's stories from his mediations with a wide diversity of groups: families, corporations, inner city kids, police and gangs, Israelis and Palestinians, Rwandan village tribal chiefs and so on. Highly recommended.

Thursday, July 30, 2009
A Walk in the Woods
By: Bill Bryson

An entertaining account of the author's experience on the Appalachian Trail as an out of shape writer newly returned to his native American homeland. He and his sidekick, an overweight ex-alcoholic, have a bumbling and beautiful stab at the 2,000+ mile long trail. Get to know them and get to know the wilderness and countryside along the way. An intriguing and adventurous read.

Thursday, July 30, 2009
The Cruise of the Snark
By: Jack London

This is an excellent book. It chronicles the voyage of Jack London sailing in the 1900's from San Francisco to Hawaii. I am a sailor and a surfer. I bought a small day sailor boat for $1,000.00. It sailed quite well in the Monterey Bay. I have visited Jack London Square in the grand city of San Francisco many times. I recommend this book to any one land lubber or sailor. It is just a great all around read. Jack London also wrote "On the Makaloa Mat" and "The Call of the Wild." He (Jack London) was quite a traveler and a man of the world. Thank you "Friends of the Library."

Thursday, July 30, 2009
The Return of Depression Economics
By: Paul Krugman

A wonderful easy to understand (for the non-economist) explanation of how the world macro economic system works.

Lots of easy to grock examples. Funny, fast reading - like his NY Times columns.

Thursday, July 30, 2009
How to Pray for Healing
By: Che Ahn

Not anything like what I've read before. It reads sort of like a new age healing book but with a biblical base. There are affirmation-like readings in the back that are more interesting than any self-help, positive thinking books I've read.

Thursday, July 30, 2009
Outliers
By: Malcolm Gladwell

If you think that successful people are just smarter, then read this book. There are so many factors to how successful you are. When you were born, what culture do you come from and how hard do you work? Are you dedicated enough to your interest to follow the 10,000 hour rule? Read this book to find out!

Wednesday, July 29, 2009
Outliers
By: Malcolm Gladwell

Highly recommended!
Fun to read, informative - made me think about success in new ways.

Thursday, July 23, 2009
Halfway to Heaven
By: Mark Obmascik

This nonfiction book is about when the author, just a regular hiker, decided to climb all the 14,000 ft high peaks in Colorado. All 54 of them in one summer! It is well written with a lot of humor. How and why he did it makes a fascinating story.

Thursday, July 23, 2009
Father Knows Less, Or, Can I Cook My Sister
By: Wendell Jamieson

A reporter seeks experts to answer questions of children. It seemed like a fun idea the answers are soundbites, not substantial enough to keep an adult's interest, and many aren't appropriate for kids. The autobiographical parts drag and the author's particular slant and choice of "experts" is at times questionable. For example, a 5 year old asks, "what is porn?", the author's expert answer is from a V.P. at Penthouse magazine who states as fact that porn is considered an accepted form of free speech. Not exactly the words I would have used, especially with a child.

Thursday, July 23, 2009
An Unnatural History of UCSC
By: Jeff Arnett

The book is a group of student essays documenting some of the man-made shrines and installations done in the campus forest, most of which are no longer there. Curious yet repetitive and lacking depth.

Monday, July 20, 2009
On Becoming an Artist
By: Ellen J. Langer

Nice collection of quotations from famous artist. Includes cool examples of author's art. Emphasis of quantum thinking and outside linear thought.

Monday, July 20, 2009
Who Moved My Cheese
By: Spencer Johnson

Strange yet original concept behind this book, yet, it's for all ages. Again, creativity theme change emphasized flowing as life and meaning change!

Monday, July 20, 2009
The Dance of Connection
By: Harriet Lerner

The Dance of Anger made a difference in my life many years ago, and this book has done the same at a new level, especially the second half. Deep wisdom here.

Monday, July 20, 2009
Busting Loose from the Money Game
By: Robert Scheinfeld

4 1/2 stars.

This book is not just about money. It's really about busting loose from the life game - i.e. the old conditioning that has limited so many of us for so long.

Thursday, July 9, 2009
A Brief History of the Creeks of Rancho Tres (o Mas) Ojos de Agua
By: Dean Silvers

Ever wondered where, for example, that creek on Bay Street comes from or disappears to? Dean Silver does a great job of reconciling disparate historical accounts of part of west Santa Cruz's water course history. (I wish he had included east of Bay St., too, there are so many mystery creeks there that appear "from nowhere" in people's yards.) Our water's history follows an unbelievably entangled path with mission, mills, tanneries, and of course UCSC's ever going development plans. Great history but the photos needed to be clearer.

Thursday, July 9, 2009
Lightposts for Living: the Art of Choosing a Joyful Life
By: Thomas Kinkade

Don't let the stodgy title put you off. The book plays off many creative analogies between painting and life and gives some insight into the painters thoughts and ideas. I wish he had been a bit more vulnerable and less idyllic, but he does offer some nice points such as how to enhance creative power and build beauty into your life.

Monday, July 6, 2009
Film Club
By: David Gilmour

3 1/2 stars!

Film Club is a really interesting idea in home-educating a teenager: David Gilmour offers his dropout, confused, slacker teenage son an opportunity to take a break from "real life" and be educated through watching films together. While some of his parental advice and choices put my teeth on edge, the creativity of teaching and connecting with his son was truly engaging.

Monday, June 22, 2009
Outliers
By: Malcolm Gladwell

4 1/2 stars

What makes certain people succeed where other fail? I expected Gladwell to answer this question with a dry, overly technical treatment of multimillionaire CEOs. Luckily, Outliers takes a different approach, praising the scrappy underdog while acknowledging the importance of luck and chance. Gladwell quickly won this hockey fanatic's heart with his charming opening chapter, but there is something for most readers here. The book is shockingly easy to digest, since most chapters can stand alone as entertaining, informative stories. (This is good to keep in mind, since the dramatic jumps in subject matter from chapter to chapter can be jarring otherwise.) Gladwell's arguments will raise a few eyebrows, but they are always logical and often inspiring.

Thursday, June 18, 2009
Birds of Prey
By: Jonathan P. Latimer

This well-researched and impeccably illustrated work is an essential aid to identifying local birds of prey.

Every naturalist will benefit from frequently referring to this definitive "Field Guide."