Wednesday, 27 April 2011
Her Fearful Symmetry by Audrey Niffenegger
Image by meddie via FlickrJulia and Valentina Poole are normal American teenagers except for the fact that they are identical ‘mirror’ twins – but they do have no interest in college or jobs or leaving home. This all changes though when an unknown aunt, living in London dies and leaves them her flat overlooking Highgate Cemetery. So the twins decide to take possession of the flat and so fall into the lives of the other inhabitants of the apartment, including the dead aunt who can’t quite seem to leave her flat.
Well, this is a fascinating book and a great ghost story. I just loved the way it continued to build the tension thoughout, how the various subplots were neatly interwoven and the really neat ending which had my skin crawling. Just as good as ‘The Time Traveller’s Wife’
A Must Read
Sunday, 24 April 2011
Blink by Malcolm Gladwell
Image via WikipediaThis book shows us how we can hone our instinctive ability to know in an instant helping us to bring out the best in our thinking and become better decision-makers in our homes, offices and everyday life.
The author uses several case studies and scientific studies to explain his findings, one of which demonstrates how the ‘blink’ approach can go tragically wrong and another which demonstrated how separating the senses can give a truer result especially where women are challenging a male dominated industry (orchestra’s)
A fascinating book not least for what it says about entrenched and inflexible thinking and attitudes.
Definitely recommended
Saturday, 16 April 2011
The Tipping Point by Malcolm Gladwell
Image by jgarber via FlickrAn intriguing book that threw out a good number of new ideas and concepts quickly and clearly. I found his ability to draw a connection between things that, on the surface seem very divergent, was quite interesting.
The thrust of the book is that there are three things that can converge to bring about dramatic and perhaps unexpectedly fast changes in our society. These are the context (the situation), the idea, and the people involved. His point is that very small changes in any or several of the three areas of context, the quality of the idea (which he calls 'stickiness', i.e. how well the idea sticks), or whether the idea reaches a very small group of key people can trigger a dramatic change in society.
The one concept that stood out for me was the rule of 150. This rule states that "At a bigger size you have to impose complicated hierarchies and rules and regulations and formal measures to try to command loyalty and cohesion. But below 150...it is possible to achieve the same goals informally." (p.180). This has proven applications in religious military and business environments. The informal environment just seems friendlier to me.
I liked this book, it was thought provoking.
Recommended
Thursday, 17 February 2011
Eat Pray Love by Elizabeth Gilbert
Image via WikipediaA best-selling book and now a well known movie the plot is well known already. Briefly the American author suffers a painful divorce and painful love affair, has an emotional crisis, and decides to take a year off to find some balance in her life (or just to get a life).
First stop is Italy (because she loves the language) and discovering food, making friends, learning to live as a single person and restoring a physical balance.
Second stop is in India at the ashram of her guru where she achieves spiritual balance assisted by an interesting cast of fellow seekers.
Lastly to Indonesia (Bali) where the physical and spiritual lessons enable her to find emotional balance as love comes out to play.
I was expecting a self absorbed “chick lit” book (based on a movie review!) but I enjoyed this book –it was funny (mostly at her own expense) and insightful in so many ways. And also certainly courageous. Gilbert has the gift of engaging the reader with her friendly style and making the potentially mundane shine.
Rcommended.
Monday, 4 October 2010
The Brain That Changes Itself by Norman Doidge MD
The Brain That Changes Itself: Stories of Personal Triumph from the Frontiers of Brain Science (James H. Silberman Books)
Image via Wikipedia
A fascinating book looking at the (new) science of neuroplasticity which examines the ability of the brain to change its own structure and function just by using thoughts, even into old age. And the importance of exercise, both physical and mental, in improving our physical and mental abilities. And there is a very inspirational story about how a phantom limb was amputated! And … I found a video that explains it all, check it out below!
Image via WikipediaAn Uplifting and inspirational book.
Monday, 20 September 2010
The Night Soldiers by Alan Furst
Image via Wikipedia
is the story of Khristos Stoianev. We first meet him as a teenager when his brother is killed by facist in 1930s Bulgaria and he is recruited by the NKVD. We travel along with him through the ruthless training and his fieldwork in the Spanish civil war. As part of the NKVD paranoia the spy agency turns on its members and Khristos flees to pre-war Paris assuming another identity and life. But the Russians are never very far away and he is betrayed and ends up in a French gaol. As the Germans invade France he is spirited out of his imprisonmnent and becomes a member of the Resistance. Betrayed again, this time to the Germans Khristos flees France for a rendezvous with a former NKVD colleague in the Balkans where his eventual fate will be determined. Throw into the mix a small cadre of comrades from the NKVD training days, British, French and American spies and a dash of romance and you have a well written and engaging spy thriller. Alan Furst has a real feel for pre-WWII Europe and so far in his books that I have read, including this novel, he manages to bring to life the atmosphere that I imagined prevailed in those uncertain times.A ripping yarn, highly recommended.
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