Bossypants

Tina Fey's audio book Bossypants is HILARIOUS. In totally thinking about getting my own copy of the book and the audio. I was laughing out loud in my car. There was a bit more name dropping and timeline stuff that I wasn't sure added to the book but it was bearable. I completely recommend this book.

Monument's Men

From my Goodreads summary:

I'm not great with history, dates, and places, but this is a good read. Even with my limitations, I found the history of the Monuments Men intriguing. Having seen movies like Schindler's List and visited WWII monuments in Italy, I found my stomach turning with some parts of the book, as I was able to visualize the atrocities described occasionally. I think this book is a definite must-read. It has been made into a movie and I'm curious to see how well it "translates" onto the screen.

Prioritize

I feel like I'm behind on everything. Okay, I think I always feel that way. I realized (that's not the right word but it's the one you get) that I have taken what I learned from Stephen Covey (Seven Habits of Highly Effective People or the audiobook/program Beyond the Seven Habits I just finished listening to*) and at least partially applied it to my to-do list but it doesn't help me with my drowning feeling.

I generally do 3 things personal and 3 things (or many more) professional on my list each workday. I've never quite got the hang of taking my projects and breaking them down into tasks except for the current task(s) I'm working on. A typical week might include a trip to the dry cleaner, library, pharmacy, pick a medical professional, get blood work, call to schedule or follow-up on things. The bank, the multiple grocery stores and other stores, gas station, taking the recycle from the office, and so on.

I went to Labcorp this morning for my thyroid bloodwork. I'll have to follow-up this week. Check one thing off, add another. It never gets shorter.

But if I put all my tasks on a list, I do many more personal tasks; those 3 are just the ones when I'm not home. I seriously don't understand how people get all this shit done. And there are so many more things I'd LIKE to do but don't even bother putting on the the list! Maybe I'm just having a moment because I feel bloated and fat. Or I really suck at prioritizing and time management.

*I thought it was meh. The content was an okay review but it was a recording of a (I'm guessing) half day seminar. It didn't add anything to the book and while the recording was fine, he sounded a little winded most of the time, which I found distracting. I still highly recommend the Seven Habits though.

Mockingjay

The third and final book in the Hunger Games series was, Mockingjay, a continuation of Catching Fire. I thought it was well paced although I found the reading a little off somehow in some places. I'm not sure how, but maybe a little distracting in a way.

I really enjoyed listening to the book overall. I would recommend this series. I felt some of it was predictable but some of it definitely wasn't. The author wrapped it up nicely although the ending seemed kind of rushed or thin to me. I can see that the movies should be good but there is a lot of inner struggle that will be hard to translate into an action movie.

Hunger Games - the book

After watching the movie, The Hunger Games, twice, I decided to read the book so I got the audiobook from the library. It was close enough to the movie that I could follow along but far enough from the movie that I noticed. Even after watching the movie, I found the book engaging and the audio was well done.

I have reserved book 2 but I'm 60 on the list. Six. Zero. I didn't even have to wait for the first one! Unbelievable...

A New Earth

What an agonizing book. I can't believe I tried to listen to it again. It has some interesting points but it's really, really hard to listen to. The author should NOT have read it; someone else should have read it. I found tiny tidbits of insight but it was overshadowed by the rambling and the obtuse ideas. I find enough blame with myself without having some guy tell me that when I don't like someone, it's because I am like whatever I don't like about them. That doesn't make any damn sense. I don't like when somone is passive aggressive or manipulative so that makes ME passive aggressive or manipulative? I can't believe people find this book life changing. Unless by life changing, they mean life ending, like O.M.G. I want to end my life rather than listen to any more of this drivel.

Born To Run

I heard that Born to Run is a really good book about barefoot running.  After listening to it, I agree that it's a very good book, but I would say it is more about running, and a little about barefoot running.  It also was about how modern civilization (and marketing) has changed how we run and how the last running tribes are becoming extinct.  At times, I wondered where the author was going with his history of some particular runner, but it all came back in eventually.

He talked a bit about the modern nutrition of runners versus what the running people eat and drink.  Some of the characters were interesting and kept me engaged in the book.  I would recommend this book.

Eat that Frog!

We have restarted our book club at work.  Or started a new book club.  Either way, our current book is Eat that Frog!  I knew I was going to be in the car for at least eight hours in two days, so I got it on audiobook CD from the libary.   It was 3 CDs, a very easy and quick "read."  I thought quite a bit of it was review of things other people have said, but it was a good reminder.

Since I listened to it more than a month before our club meeting, I checked out the hard copy from the library for a quick review.  Here are the highlights:

• If you have to eat two frogs, eat the ugliest one first.  (Do the worst thing on the list first.)
• If you have to eat a live frog at all, it doesn't pay to sit and look at it for very long.  (Don't put off the hard task.)
• It is the quality of time at work that counts and the quantity of time at home that matters.

He suggests scheduling blocks of time, using a time planner, and making every minute count.  He also talks about shoulds versus musts and labels tasks: A for must do, B for should do, C for nice to do, D for delegate, and E for eliminate.  That's all nice and good, but nothing new....

Using the quick list method with the rule of three method, he had questions like what are your most important business/career, family/relationship, financial, health, personal/professional development, social/community goals and what are the three biggest problems or concerns.

If you want a review of every similar book out there, this is the synopsis for you.

The last days of Ptolemy Grey

I'm a fan of Walter Mosley writing so I may be biased but I really liked this book. I listened to it almost constantly when I was in my car. Mr. Grey's battle with dementia is described with such vivid detail of his earlier memories and his battle to live life on his terms. It was engaging. The characters are amazing. This is definitely worth reading.

Manic Monday

I was packing for my trip and my husband asked me if I'm suicidal.  I cannot imagine ever killing myself, so this surprised me.  No, I'm not suicidal!  Why would you ask that?  He found my note.  I explained that it was just how I felt at the time, but I wasn't considering harming myself.  Thinking that I should have died does not mean that I will make that happen!  Does depression mean that suicide is inevitable?  I don't think so....

I was packing for my trip and we said our goodbyes before he left for work.  I had a four hour drive to Palm Springs for work.  I took a couple of audiobooks.  The first I listened to was short--Eat That Frog!  This was our newly revived book club selection.  Next I started a fiction book, Walter Mosley's Last Days of Tolemy Gray.  The drive was over in no time!

Surprised by boredom

I returned the audio-book, Surprised by Joy by CS Lewis.  I love, love, love The Chronicles of Narnia.  And I have heard of these other CS Lewis books, essentially "classics" so I thought I should read it.  O. M. G.  That was so terrible.  I listened to the whole thing, thinking it had to get better.  If you are going to listen to it, skip to the last CD.  But even then, I don't recommend it.  But if you want to be surprised by boredom, this is IT.

Breakdown Lane

A book about a family falling apart did not sound promising, but I heard that it was worth a read.  And the lead character had MS.  I got the audio-book from the library right before I drove to San Diego.  I thought it was well-written (well-read) as it kept me engaged and listening, and ready for the next disc.  There were uncomfortable moments, when I thought she was not very likable.  But aren't we all unlikable sometimes?  I know I am!

I was able to relate to some things more than others, but that's the way it is with MS.  We all find a different path through our illness.  I guess that is true for life in general too.  Anyone who reads this book will relate to parts of the story.  Hopefully not Leo's life though....

Earth

I got Earth: the book (audio book) on clearance and just finished.  After I got it, I realized I have the coffee table book already.  The audio book was entertaining and silly, as should be expected when the Daily Show is involved.  Now I'm not sure what to do with it.  I don't think I'll listen to it again.  But who knows....

Focus (audio "book" review)

I put "Focus" on hold right before I got some feedback, same as last year, about my opportunity area being prioritizing.  I am organized in some ways, but not in others.  But figuring out what is the most important thing to do at any time is a real challenge for me.  There are always things I would rather do, but also things on my list tend to get done when they are completely urgent.

I picked "Focus" up at the library and realized it was not a book but a program.  It alternates between Covey's narrative and a live program.  This program is the one I may be taking this summer as part of my development plan.  I think I took a Covey program many, many years ago before I could really use the information--I really didn't even use a calendar then--but I think I picked up some tools.  I'm looking forward to going now that I use multiple calendars.

The audio program is a good refresher for those who have been through the program, and maybe even for those who are just trying to pick up some tips for dealing with a never-ending to-do list.  However, this audio program was a bit dated.

The Red Tent

A friend loves this book, so when I saw it at the library in their discard sale, I picked it up.  And then I decided to listen to it instead!  The Red Tent is historical fiction based on Dinah, the daughter of Jacob.

There were parts that I thought were hard to listen to (graphic) but the story was good, the reading was good, but I thought the very end was a little unnecessary.  The book kept my attention and made me want to read more from this author.  I understand that the author strayed from the biblical tale, but it can stand alone as a story.  I found myself thinking that it would be nice to have a few days every month to be separate from men (and taking care of men!) while hanging out with my sisters.  Jacob had four wives--and although I would not want to share my husband with another woman, I can see some benefits to multiple women taking care of the "household" duties.  I know I certainly could use a wife some most days.  I could see reading The Red Tent again and I recommend it!  (unless you need your fiction to be spot on in relation to the Bible....)

The World is Flat (book review)

This book has been sitting on my shelf for quite a while, so instead of reading it, I borrowed it on CD from the library.  I renewed it twice before returning it, with 3 CDs left that I hadn't heard.  It was too long, and it was hard to stay interested.  I'm not sure if it is Thomas Friedman's writing or the reader's delivery, or a combination, along with the fact that is about a decade old, but I found myself listening to the radio instead of the book.  I like some of the history-telling, but the stories seem too wordy, and I find some of his ideas or attitudes a little too liberal for me.

It is a book about globalization, and I certainly accept that globalization is happening and will continue to change our world.  Americans sometimes perceive globalization as either losing jobs or gaining exotic products.  The exchange of information and ideas on a global scale is both inspiring and scary--good ideas and bad ones can gain traction.  I thought Mr. Friedman spent a lot of time talking about China and India--and that's okay, but it just seemed like something was missing.  Or is it that there was just too much overall that I forgot what else he talked about?!

About 37% (at best) of Americans have a passport, and many of them do not travel internationally.  (To be fair, we have a huge land mass and many Americans travel domestically.)  There would possibly be less fear of globalization if more of us had firsthand experience of the rest of the world.  I think that Mr. Friedman  tries to show that we're more alike than we know.  Hot, Flat, and Crowded was a better read for me, but maybe because it was more about the need for a "green revolution" rather than the outsourcing side of globalization.  So, do I keep my copy of The World is Flat, or recycle it?

Does this clutter make my butt look fat?

My February (audio) book selection is written and read by Peter Walsh.  I used to watch him on Clean Sweep, to the point that M knew the show's music, and hated it.  He has a new show which I have only started to watch.  I actually HAVE this book, and started reading it, but have not finished, and truthfully, I'm not 100% sure where it is right now.

When I started listening to the book, it seemed pretty simple.  As I continued to listen, I found that it IS simple, but it reminds the listener of things we know, but don't know.  I found parts of the book powerful enough that I would listen to this book again; I would even consider purchasing the audiobook myself.

This is not a diet book--it is about my relationship with my body.  *sigh*  I do not have a good relationship with my body.  But I do know, more or less, how I want to live--I want to live a healthy, active life.  And that is his focus.

I would summarize this book by comparing it to a budgeting tip that suggests thinking "do I need this?" as part of the spending decision (put a post-it in your wallet, on your cards).  He is essentially saying: think about everything you bring into your house, put in your pantry or refrigerator, or consume: "does this help me live the life I want to live?"  The answer doesn't have to be yes, but we should be aware of this decision.

In Defense of Food

I returned the audiobook "In Defense of Food" (by Michael Pollen) to the library.  The book explains how what we eat is not food and how we eat is not really eating.  I thought it was extremely interesting to hear about the history of food regulation and how we got to this point in history, when products like Lucky Charms can make health claims.  I heard a couple of things I might question or disregard (and don't remember now--a disadvantage of listening instead of reading a book), but overall, I think he is right on the mark.  I RECOMMEND this book!

Good to Great

Good to Great (by Jim Collins) is considered a must-read in the business world.  I hear it quoted and referred to at conferences, in meetings, and in the media.  I finally listened to it and thought it was good to have "read."  The main concepts that are referred to in the business world are the Hedgehog concept and getting the "right people on the bus."  The Hedgehog concept (a quick internet search will show multiple visual versions) is the overlap area of: what you are passionate about, what drives your economic engine, and what you can be the best in the world at.  While I am glad that I listened to this (for professional reasons), I think it would be better reading the book (the audio was boringly read--did I just make that word up?).  I rate this book a "meh--take it or leave it."

Blink by Malcolm Gladwell

I finished listening to Blink by Malcolm Gladwell a few weeks ago but forgot to update here. It is a very interesting "read" about how we make decisions and how practicing decision-making can improve the skill.  The author talks about making decisions based on intution or gut but really based on experience. Very interesting and well written as his books seem to be. I would like to read the previous book as well and I heard a new one is on the way. Highly recommended!